Let's talk about the AVO Seasons Summer 2023 - a figurado-shaped stunner measuring 6 5/8" with 50 ring gauge. This Dominican-made limited edition comes in boxes of 10 priced at $180, dressed in oily Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper that feels like silk paper. The blue-gradient secondary band screams summer vibes while maintaining AVO's signature jazz-inspired elegance.
The cold draw brings crystallized lemon peel and blanched almonds. Initial puffs deliver salted cashews with white pepper sparkles - surprisingly zesty for Connecticut shade. Smoke output remains moderate, perfect for warm weather sessions.
As the burn line crosses the figurado's bulge, ginger marmalade sweetness emerges. Watch for the signature "cooling effect" from Sumatra binder - like mentholated coconut shavings without artificial flavoring. This phase earns its 92-rating from Cigar Aficionado.
The last act transitions to caramelized banana notes with whole-grain cracker dryness. Some testers report faint seaweed umami (blame the Peruvian filler), though nicotine strength never exceeds medium-bodied territory. Cut it before 1.5" remaining to avoid mineral bitterness.
Rolled in Davidoff's Santiago factory using triple-terroir tobaccos: volcanic soil Connecticut wrapper from Ecuador, spicy Indonesian binder, and multi-national fillers. The 18-month aged wrapper gets additional 10-month cedar aging post-roll. Only 8,000 numbered boxes exist globally - each bearing master blender's signature.
