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Stogie Reviews: Avo Domaine 10

2 Aug 2010

Twenty-three years ago, Avo Uvezian founded a cigar company at the age of 61. A Lebanese-born jazz pianist and a former jewelry designer, he was an unlikely addition to the world of cigars. But this Juilliard-trained talent would quickly make a big impact on the industry.

Avo Domaine 10His two-year search for the best Dominican tobacco ended with Hendrik Kelner of Davidoff. No surprise there. Uvezian paid Kelner top dollar to secure the highest quality leaves and the most attractive packaging for his eponymous brand. The gamble paid off. In only its third year of existence, Avo sold over 750,000 cigars, prompting Uvezian to ink a distribution deal with Davidoff to expand his market.

Uvezian ultimately sold his brand to Davidoff in 1995. Avo has since grown well past its Classic line to include the XO Trio, Quartetto, Signature, Maduro, Puritos, 787, various limited editions, and the Domaine.

The latter was introduced in 1998 as a stronger counterpart to the traditional Classic series. It boasts a double-fermented Ecuadorian sun-grown wrapper with tobaccos from the “Domaine Avo” fields in the Dominican Republic.

There are six vitolas currently in production. The robusto-sized Domaine 10 (5.1 x 50) is a smooth, dark-looking smoke with scant veins, a beautifully crafted triple cap, and a gorgeous purple and silver band. The external leaf gives off only the slightest pre-light aroma, but the foot emits a bouquet of sweet chocolate. In all, a great first impression.

As for taste, the Domaine 10 starts with a flourish of powdery cocoa and black pepper. It is neither mild nor strong with a medium-bodied flavor that’s enhanced by a nutty creaminess. Each effortless draw yields tufts of thick, billowy smoke, lending to the dry profile a light texture.

This cigar’s clear draw also makes it prone to overheating. Smoking slowly will help you avoid the harsh bitter notes that crop up if the tobacco is cooked at too high a temperature. The other combustion qualities are superb, however, including a nice burn and a fine white ash.

The Avo Domaine 10 is enjoyable from beginning to end, but it’s at its best between the black pepper intro and the spicy cedar finale. That’s when all the silky creaminess is allowed to shine through. A smart buy for $6 apiece with subtlety that overshadows a few hiccups, this cigar is worthy of three and a half stogies out of five.

[To read more StogieGuys.com cigar reviews, please click here.]

Patrick A

photo credit: Stogie Guys

3 Responses to “Stogie Reviews: Avo Domaine 10”

  1. Brad Casanova Monday, August 2, 2010 at 4:57 am #

    http://casanovacigarcarvings.blogspot.com/2009/03

    I love that label!

  2. tommyboy Monday, August 2, 2010 at 9:11 am #

    I agree with this review. To me, Avos are under rated generally and particularly by CA.

  3. Gary Korb Monday, August 2, 2010 at 9:22 am #

    Nice review. Weird coincidence. I was just saying to someone last week how I’ve been meaning to get back to these cigars, too.