Quick Smoke: Avo 88 Limited Edition 2014

Each Saturday and Sunday we’ll post a Quick Smoke: not quite a full review, just our brief verdict on a single cigar of “buy,” “hold,” or “sell.”

Each year, it seems, the hoopla and accoutrements surrounding Avo Uvezian’s birthday cigar just keep growing. The 2014 offering—a Dominican puro belicoso (6 x 52)—is no different. The name reflects his 88th birthday, the number of piano keys, and total production (8,888 boxes of 16). I was intrigued with the cigar’s start, a nice hot pepper with grassy undertones that nearly reversed after an inch or so, attended by a syrupy sweetness. Tons of smoke, good burn, flaky ash. About halfway through, however, the grassiness became dominant and mowed down my enjoyment. If you can afford a box ($256) for aging, my guess is that after a few years it’ll be a great smoke. But at this point I can’t recommend spending $16 for one.

Verdict = Hold.

–George E

photo credit: Avo Cigars