AVO Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 Fall – Blind Cigar Review

Cigar Info

AVO Cigars released the third edition in their Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 this past September, the AVO Seasons Fall Limited Edition 2023. The blend uses a Mexican San Andrés maduro wrapper and a blend of Dominican tobaccos for both binder and filler. A feature of this blend is the aging process, with select filler tobaccos matured for an impressive 14 years.

All of the AVO‘s Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 come in the same 6 5/8 x 50 diadema vitola, are priced at $18 per cigar, and are packaged in boxes of 10. Production is limited to 4,000 boxes of each season blend.

Earlier this year saw the Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 release of the Spring and Summer blends. We gave the Spring release a hefty 94 rating. While we have not reviewed it yet, the winter blend went on sale this past November.

Vital Stats:

Vitola: Figurado
Length: 6 5/8″
Ring Gauge: 50
Country of Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Mexican San Andrés Maduro
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Factory: Cigars Davidoff
Blender: Undisclosed
Number of reviewers: 4 – Sean F. (fullermaine) Chris M. (Chris) Lauren S. (Lauren S.) Bill C.(Bill)
Price: $18.00
Age: 3 Months
Release Date: September 2023
Contributed by: Davidoff Cigars

Initial Impressions – AVO Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 Fall

Appearance: 91

“This is a very messy-looking figurado. It measures about 7 inches and has a highly rumpled wrapper. There are many large veins; it is slightly separating and rolling at the seams, and the cap is trying to roll off.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

Aroma: 90

“Dry earth and grass. Missing the distinctive sweetness and funk of the “barnyard” description.” –Bill C. (Bill)

First Third

Flavor: 89
Strength: Mild-Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The first thing I noticed was a crazy tight draw upon light, which can be expected with a figurado, so I tried to ride it out and let it open up. The first flavors I pick up are intense dried fruits, leaning towards plums and raisins. I fought through the first inch, hoping the cigar would open up, but finally broke down and ran a draw poker through it as it wasn’t getting any better. While that allows me to smoke it somewhat, it’s still not great, and a harsh burnt flavor kicks in.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“This cigar starts with soft oak and an earthy cocoa out front. I get a mild marzipan sweetness, slight floral hay, and just a hint of pepper spice mixing in below that.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Second Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium
Body/Complexity: Medium

“Soft oak and earthy cocoa still lead the profile. The floral hay occasionally shifts to a bolder, fresh grass note. It ends up more frequently grassy by the midpoint. The marzipan sweetness is joined by a slightly tart citrus, both fairly mild. There is still only a hint of pepper mixing in. I’m occasionally getting coffee on the finish as well.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“No real change in flavor, but definitely a little bump in strength over the first third. Also, the flavor thankfully intensifies a little and stops me from smoking so fast while still getting a great flavor profile.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Final Third

Flavor: 88
Strength: Medium-Strong
Body/Complexity: Medium

“The oak is much drier getting into the final third, and the earthiness in the cocoa is up. Dry hay and light citrus just beneath that. Marzipan seems to have disappeared. The spice picked up a bit, though it most resembles table pepper, slightly stale. Citrus sweetness picks up a bit approaching the nub.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“Black pepper notes are still lingering.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Overall Impressions – AVO Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 Fall

Draw: 91

“Rough draw for two-thirds of the cigar with the draw getting better at the end.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Burn: 89

“The burn was a bit wavy throughout. It only needed a small correction once, right around the second third.” –Chris M. (Chris)

Construction: 88

“Construction was good for two-thirds of this cigar. Unraveling occurred when the band came off.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

Overall Strength: Medium
Overall Body/Complexity: Medium
Experience Overall: 91

“A pepper bomb of a cigar. Tons of black pepper that mix with notes of honey, copper, and cedar. Rough draw and burn for two-thirds of this cigar. Minor unraveling towards the end. Not a cigar I’d seek out or have in my humidor.” –Sean F. (fullermaine)

“The flavor profile on this one wasn’t normally something I’d go for, but it certainly wasn’t offensive or bad. It was well-balanced up until the final third. It didn’t get unhinged at that point, just lost some of the sweetness until the very end. There was a decent amount of complexity, and the transitions flowed smoothly and made sense. It performed well, with very little attention needed. I probably won’t stock up on these, but I can think of several people I’d recommend it to.” –Chris M. (Chris)

“I tried to fight through this cigar as long as I could. There was something very wrong with the construction of this stick, both internally as well as visually, on the wrapper. I had to run a draw poker through it even to get a hope of smoking it, but that still did not do enough to make it smokable. Early on, I got a slight hint of dried fruits, which was quickly replaced by heat and a charred and burnt taste. I would like to give this another try at some point in hopes I just got unlucky with a single bad stick.” –Lauren S. (Lauren S.)

“Overall this is the second nice smoking experience in a row. Nothing earth-shattering, but a really solid flavor profile and easy experience.” –Bill C. (Bill)

Smoking Time (in minutes): 78

To view the complete scores and notes, click here

AVO Seasons Limited Edition Series 2023 Fall – Blind Cigar Review