In the refined world of premium cigars, few brands resonate as melodiously as AVO Cigars. Established by the legendary Armenian-American jazz musician Avo Uvezian in collaboration with master blender Hendrik Kelner, AVO has come to symbolize a perfect fusion of musical artistry and exceptional tobacco craftsmanship. This article delves into the brand's history, explores its unique offerings, and answers key questions about its ownership and production.
A Symphony in Smoke: The Birth of AVO Cigars
AVO Cigars was conceived out of a passion for music and a serendipitous entry into the cigar industry by its founder, Avo Uvezian. Uvezian, a jazz musician renowned for his compositions and performances, ventured into cigar making after a disappointing experience with a prohibitively expensive Cuban cigar. His pursuit led him to the Dominican Republic, where he met Hendrik Kelner, a name synonymous with excellence in cigar production. Their partnership marked the beginning of AVO Cigars in 1987, under the aegis of the prestigious Davidoff of Geneva.
Ownership and Production: The Davidoff Connection
Is AVO cigars owned by Davidoff? Yes, AVO Cigars is part of the Davidoff portfolio. After establishing the brand and developing its initial product lines, Avo Uvezian aligned with Davidoff to leverage their extensive distribution network and expertise in global luxury tobacco products.
What is an AVO cigar? An AVO cigar is a premium blend known for its smooth, rich, and complex profiles, often embodying notes of wood, spices, and dried fruit. The cigars are celebrated for their creamy textures and harmonious flavors, reminiscent of Uvezian’s love for smooth jazz music.
Does Davidoff make AVO? Davidoff does produce AVO cigars through its facilities in the Dominican Republic. The collaboration between Avo Uvezian and Davidoff’s master blenders has ensured that each cigar is crafted with meticulous care, maintaining the brand’s reputation for quality and consistency.
Who owns AVO cigars? AVO Cigars is owned by Oettinger Davidoff AG, the parent company of Davidoff of Geneva. Since its integration into Davidoff's portfolio, AVO has benefited from expanded reach and continued innovation while retaining its unique identity.
Exploring the AVO Portfolio
The AVO brand portfolio includes several distinguished lines, each designed to cater to varied palates and preferences: AVO Classic: The flagship line, featuring a silky Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper enveloping Dominican fillers and binders. It delivers a creamy and balanced flavor profile with notes of leather, chocolate, and a hint of spice. AVO Syncro Series: This series showcases the fusion of Nicaraguan vigor with the smooth subtlety of Dominican tobaccos, achieving a synchronized flavor that appeals to both novices and seasoned smokers. AVO XO: A slightly more luxurious offering with a medium-bodied profile, providing a refined blend of wood and dried fruit notes enveloped in a silky wrapper.
Awards and Recognition
AVO Cigars have consistently garnered high ratings and accolades from industry critics, including multiple inclusions in Cigar Aficionado’s 'Top 25 Cigars of the Year.' The brand’s commitment to quality is reflected in its receipt of numerous high ratings, underscoring its position as a leader in the boutique cigar segment.
Aging Room Cigars
AVO Classic - Crafted with a seamless Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper and a blend of Dominican fillers, the AVO Classic is a smooth, creamy cigar that offers a mild to medium-bodied experience. It provides a symphony of flavors such as leather, cream, and a hint of spice, reflecting the musical artistry of its creator.
AVO Classic Maduro - The AVO Classic Maduro introduces a richer and deeper profile to the Classic line. This cigar is wrapped in a dark, oily Maduro leaf that adds sweet, chocolatey notes to the existing creamy and smooth character of its Dominican fillers.
AVO Heritage - Robust and full-bodied, the AVO Heritage is crafted with the finest Dominican fillers and an Ecuadorian Sun-grown wrapper. It delivers complex flavors of spices, cedar, and earth with a robust construction that appeals to experienced smokers seeking a bolder taste.
AVO Limited Edition - Released annually, the AVO Limited Edition features unique, innovative blends that vary each year. These cigars are highly sought after and celebrate the legacy of Avo Uvezian with rich, complex profiles and the highest craftsmanship.
AVO Maduro - The AVO Maduro is a medium to full-bodied cigar that combines the smooth harmony of AVO’s core flavors with the rich, sweet nuances of a broadleaf Maduro wrapper. Expect a blend of coffee, cocoa, and wood with a velvety, dark chocolate finish.
AVO Syncro Caribe - A dynamic fusion of Caribbean and Central American tobaccos, the AVO Syncro Caribe offers a vibrant, medium-bodied profile. This cigar features notes of nuts, tropical fruit, and a spicy finish, encapsulating the rhythm of the islands.
AVO Syncro Nicaragua - The first box-pressed in the AVO portfolio, the AVO Syncro Nicaragua is a medium to full-bodied cigar that beautifully synchronizes Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos. It delivers a creamy yet earthy profile with notes of leather, roasted nuts, and spice.
AVO Syncro Nicaragua Fogata - Building on the success of the original Syncro Nicaragua, the Fogata version brings more intensity with additional Nicaraguan tobaccos in the filler. It's a full-bodied smoke with flavors of earth, coffee, and spices, rounded out with a rich sweetness.
AVO Syncro Ritmo - The AVO Syncro Ritmo combines tobaccos from seven different countries, creating a complex and rhythmic smoke. This full-bodied cigar boasts flavors of earth, leather, and spices, with a unique tropical twist that reflects the diverse origins of its tobaccos.
AVO Syncro South America Ritmo - An extension of the Ritmo line, the AVO Syncro South America Ritmo captures the essence of South American spirit and soil. This cigar is intensely flavorful, with notes of dark berries, earth, and a hint of pepper, enveloped in a spicy South American wrapper.
AVO XO - The AVO XO is a medium-bodied cigar with a sophisticated blend of six different Dominican tobaccos encased in a smooth Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper. Offering a complex array of flavors including wood, spice, dried fruit, and a creamy finish, it’s perfect for those seeking depth without overpowering strength.
The Legacy Continues
Beyond the smoke, the legacy of Avo Uvezian lives on in each cigar, mirroring his life’s philosophy of savoring every note and every moment. Today, AVO Cigars continue to be a symbol of luxury and relaxation, offering aficionados around the world a chance to experience the harmony of meticulously crafted cigars.
In summary, AVO Cigars blends artistic passion with traditional cigar-making, creating a product that resonates deeply with connoisseurs of fine tobacco and music alike. Owned by Davidoff and crafted under the watchful eyes of some of the industry's most respected blenders, AVO stands out as a beacon of quality, innovation, and melodious complexity in the crowded world of premium cigars. Whether you're a seasoned smoker or a curious newcomer, AVO offers a sophisticated escape into a world where every puff is a note in a grander composition.
