The AVOUnexpected line was revealed at IPCPR 2019. There were four blends each in one size. There was not a while lot of information given about the line or the blends, and it turns out that was intentional. Each cigar only came in one size, all toros, but with a varying ring gauge. Each blend was limited to 1,500 boxes of 20. Originally, Davidoff only gave one very tiny detail about each blend and left the rest undisclosed. Here are the details that were given:
This cigar was reviewed blind (no bands) by a panel of at least 4 reviewers. They did not know what they were smoking beforehand. The scores are an average of all the reviewers' scores with outliers removed. All of our cigars reviewed are shipped to the panelists with Boveda packs to ensure optimal smoking experience.
The AVOUnexpected Passion has one leaf in the blend that is 25-years-old.
The AVOUnexpected Celebration were rolled and then aged for six years before being released.
The AVOUnexpected Tradition uses tobacco from country of Peru.
The AVOUnexpected Moment were blended with highly aromatic tobacco grown in a unique Dominican finca.
Later, on an episode of Cigar Dojo's Smoke Night Live, it was revealed that each of these cigars was actually their core lines in different packaging. The Passion is actually the AVO Classic, Celebration is AVO XO, Moment is AVO Domaine, and Tradition is AVO Heritage. The cigar we are reviewing today, AVOUnexpected Tradition, is actually an AVO Heritage Toro. This marketing technique caused mixed reactions throughout the cigar community. Some felt that it was interesting to revisit an old blend and be surprised. Others were frustrated that the company charged more for the limited versions, even though they were the same cigar, and didn't offer them in a different size.
Vital Stats:
Vitola: Toro Length: 6″ Ring Gauge: 50 Country of Origin: Dominican Republic Wrapper: Ecuadoran Sungrown Habano Binder: Dominican Republic Filler: Dominican Republic Factory: TABADOM Blender: Henke Kelner Number of reviewers: 4 – James H. (Keikan Jim) Alan (Eulogy) Kevin J.(maninblack77) John I. (John I.) Price: $9.80 Age: 5 Months Release Date: July 2019 Contributed by: Davidoff Cigars
Initial Impressions
Appearance: 93
“Very classic looking cigar with a rich brown wrapper, near seamless wrap, and well applied triple cap.There are a few medium sized veins running the length of the wrapper but it gives a nice tactile feel prelight. Only odd thing to me is that there's a slight sparkle to the wrapper and I am uncertain if it's glue from the wrappers being taken off for review. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Aroma: 90
“Love the aromas I'm getting from the wrapper and the foot. Dry tobacco and hay with a slight sweetness to it. Cold draw is the same. Let's put fire to her and see what's in store!” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Flavor: 88 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Right off the bat the first puffs are amazing. Got a s'mores flavor that I hope sticks around. The mixture of graham cracker and slight cocoa is really enjoyable. Draw is damn near perfect as well. Burn line is very consistent. I also am picking up a salted caramel note in the back of my throat. Excellent beginning to this cigar. Let's see what the second third holds for us.” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
“Leather, cedar, and a slightly bitter walnut flavor are found on the draw. The draw is a little dry but the smoke output is very good with a nice firm draw. I find a touch of heat on the retrohale which wakes up the palate. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Second Third
Flavor: 86 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Going into the 2nd third, I haven't noticed much of a change in the flavor other than a touch of sweetness added to the mix. The cigar has become very soft to the touch as well. On a positive note, the burn has corrected itself to a respectable burn line. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“The s'mores fades into the background and a cashew nuttiness comes to the forefront. I'm still getting the Graham cracker as well and they are melding well together. Burn continues to impress and the ash holds on for over an inch. So far so good. Heres hoping the finish is even better!” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Final Third
Flavor: 85 Strength: Medium Body/Complexity: Medium
“Burn is finally become less problematic. Maybe. Flavor in the final third is actually pretty good. Maybe all of the miscues in the early stages were driven by the construction issues. There's sweetness here, and leather. Not a whole lot else to see, but it's a nice profile overall. Retrohale for me is where this cigar has some positives going. Where it's had missteps on the palate, it's been decent on retrohale pretty much right down the line. ” –John I. (John I.)
“There's a somewhat unpleasant char note at the end. None of the flavors are really complementing each other at this point. Fresh cut pine, leather, mild pepper, and an occasional very bitter walnut flavor make up the bulk of the profile. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Impressions
Draw: 92
“Just the right amount of resistance. One of the highlights of this smoking experience. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Burn: 90
“Very consistent burn. Only 1 or 2 touch ups needed. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
Construction: 89
“Well rolled, tight seams, good draw, and no soft spots all give credence to strong construction. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
Overall Strength: Medium Overall Body/Complexity: Medium Experience Overall: 85
“The cigar was musty from the start with a heavy mineral taste. I feel this Cigar had potential but needs a lot of age for the tobaccos to develop. I had to set this down before finishing it. ” –James H. (Keikan Jim)
“The flavors are just so outside my wheelhouse that I just really did not enjoy it. The profile didn't seem to work together, in my opinion. The smoke output, draw, and construction were all top notch so it is a well made cigar just not for me. ” –Alan (Eulogy)
“Absolutely no complaints with this smoke. Flavors were spot on and worked well together. I would definitely recommend this and would say its box worthy. For a score, I'd give it a 94. ” –Kevin J. (maninblack77)
“I wouldn't write this cigar off without trying at least another one in hopes that the construction issues were a fluke. When this was functioning properly there was a nice soft leather and sugary sweetness that I typically would have enjoyed in a mild-medium bodied cigar. ” –John I. (John I.)
"I wouldn't write this cigar off without trying at least another one in hopes that the construction issues were a fluke. When this was functioning properly there was a nice soft leather and sugary sweetness that I typically would have enjoyed in a mild-medium bodied cigar. " -John I. (John I.)
