Cigar Geeks - AVO LE 05 2017 (Lost Edition)

Cigar Geeks Geek Critique

AVO LE 05 2017 (Lost Edition)
Written by Cigar Geeks Member: Brlesq

78
Cigar Geeks Rating

Welcome to another Vendor sponsored Geek Critique. Up for review this time is the http://www.cigargeeks.com/cigardb/default.asp?action=showcig&cigar_id=191640">AVO LE 05 2017 (Lost Edition). This critique has been generously sponsored by Brian Andrew-Desind of https://privadacigarclub.com/" target="_blank">Privada Cigar Club. Special thanks goes out to Brian for providing the sticks and Todd (tuck0411) for coordinating this!

In 2014, AVO Cigars produced a limited-edition box called the AVO Greatest Hits Sampler. The 14-count sampler contained every AVO limited edition since 2001 with the exception of the AVO LE05 and one of the two AVO 22 releases because Master Blender Eladio Diaz was unable to replicate these to his standards for the box. A few years later Eladio created this batch of 4,000 cigars that was up to par with what he was looking for. These cigars were not released or banded, and they became the Avo LE 05 2017 (Lost Edition).

Don't forget to stop by and check out our friends at Privada Cigar Club: https://privadacigarclub.com/" target="_blank">Privada Cigar Club

AVO LE 05 2017 (Lost Edition)

Brand:: AVO
Name:: LE 05 2017 (Lost Edition)
Length:: 5.375
Ring Gauge:: 52
Country of Origin:: Dominican Republic
Filler:: Dominican Republic
Binder:: Dominican Republic
Wrapper:: Ecuador
Color:: Colorado Maduro
Strength:: Medium
Shape:: Robusto
Average Member Purchase Price:: $12.00
Average Member Rating:: (1 Review(s))
Notes:: https://privadacigarclub.com/product/avo-le-05-2017-lost-edition/ This was an unreleased test run of 4000 prior to what eventually was released as the stick mentioned here: https://cigar-coop.com/2018/09/cigar-news-avo-le05-returns-for-30th-anniversary.html

This cigar was enjoyed with Water

Pre-Light: 9 Points of 10 Possible

This cigar sported a medium brown, silky feeling wrapper with a few prominent veins. There was a slight sheen from the oils in the wrapper. Cigar was a little on the firm side with no soft spots. Aroma had some sweetness to it, and the cold draw reminded me of Earl Grey Tea.

Lighting and Burn: 14 Points of 15 Possible

The overall burn was very good. It lit up easily and stayed lit with no relights required. The initial burn started to become uneven by more than half an inch, but it corrected itself without any touch ups. The ash had flaky layers and was dark gray in color. The ash held up for a little over an inch each time before needing to be tapped off. Smoke volume was average.

Construction: 30 Points of 30 Possible

This is a well-made cigar. The roll was firm but still allowed for a perfect draw. No soft spots were detected. My cigar only had a double cap, but it clipped cleanly and held together well. (Maybe all of them were rolled with only a double cap?) Despite feeling silky and possibly fragile, the wrapper was resilient and held together perfectly.

Flavor and Aroma: 25 Points of 45 Possible

Upon the initial lighting, there was some pleasant sweetness accompanied by not-so-pleasant acidic notes that burned in the throat. The first third continued with these two elements and developed a little mustiness. Retrohales added a small amount of pepper to the acidic note. It started off mild on body and mild-medium in strength.

The second third offered the same 3 notes (sweetness, acidity, mustiness) and introduced charred wood that reminded me of a campfire although the cigar seemed to be stuck on one chord and not developing its flavor. It did seem to go up one notch in body and strength, now mild-medium on body and medium in strength.

By the final third some of the mustiness is gone, but this cigar is getting boring with its singular profile in a wheelhouse that does not coincide with my own preferences. This final third might have been a little smoother, but not measurably. Its still slightly sweet and acidic with a campfire flavor in the background, and the body and strength have not changed.

Summary

I want to thank the critique sponsor, Privada Cigar Club, for the opportunity to try this cigar. Total smoke time was 1 hr, 25 minutes.

For me, this cigar was a bit of a disappointment despite its excellent construction. I smoked it as my first cigar of the day in order to have a clean palate, but for an AVO LE, it fell short of the enjoyment that I typically have experienced with AVO cigars. It lacked complexity and never developed anything interesting after its initial flavor notes. Lack of complexity is not always a bad thing, and can make for a good morning cigar, but this one just wasn't in my wheelhouse.