Let's talk about the AVO XO Maestoso - a 7"x48 Churchill that'll set you back $282 for 20 sticks. This Dominican puro from the Davidoff factory comes dressed in that signature silky Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper we all recognize. Perfect construction? Check. Six-year aged tobacco? You bet. Just cracked open a box from 2024 and these guys are burning like they've got something to prove.
Cold draw gives cedar and cashew butter. Initial puffs: toasted almond dominance with background whispers of sea salt. Ash holds strong for first inch - clean white layers. Smoke output's moderate, doesn't fog up the room. Retrohale carries faint honey sweetness.
Molasses emerges at halfway point, pairing with charred oak notes. Transition smooth as jazz - no sudden shifts. Burn line stays razor-sharp without corrections. Body ramps up slightly - call it medium-plus. Interesting leather undertow develops, keeps things grounded.
Last third brings earthy depth - think damp forest floor after rain. Pepper spice makes late entrance but stays polite. Final inch gets nicotine kick (3/10 intensity). No tar build-up detected, finish remains crisp. Pairing tip: skip the coffee, try oolong tea instead.
Draw resistance? Perfect 5/10 - enough tension without puffing cheeks. Triple cap peels clean. Wrapper oils visible under light - signs of proper humidification. Smoked two samples: first needed one touch-up at 60% mark, second burned flawless. Box date codes matter here - 2023 production seems peak.
