Vitola: Toro- 6” x 54 ring gauge
- ~$13
- Purchased from Burns Tobacconist
Background
Last week I shared my impressions of the Avo Unexpected Series Tradition, one of four blends released unceremoniously by Davidoff’s Avo division shortly after this year’s trade show. By “unceremoniously,” I mean they just showed up…without warning and without explanation of what’s in them or many other details of the releases.
As I noted last time, the Unexpected Series is color-coded. The Moment is the Blue blend and Davidoff’s website has this to say about it:
The Road Untravelled.
These are the things that make a life worth living. And, a life worth sharing. Take a journey into the Unexpected with four expertly crafted cigars born from exotic destination and unique origins.
The Avo Unexpected Tradition is blended with highly aromatic tobacco grown on a unique Dominican finca.
The website actually has some more information than the last time I visited it, as well. The Unexpected Moment uses Dominican filler and binder leaves, along with an Ecuadorian wrapper.
I smoked the Unexpected Moment once before this review; the review sample was purchased at Burns Tobacconist where I work. Our site sponsor, Small Batch Cigar, also carries the Unexpected Series.
Prelight
I won’t spend much time describing the box and band for this release…if you read my other review, these are pretty much the same…but blue…well, teal blue-ish. If you like the design already, you’ll like this one…if not, this won’t change your mind.
The wrapper leaf of the Unexpected Moment was a medium brown color, so very similar in color to the Tradition…maybe a hair darker, but certainly not by much. It had a pungent earthiness along with lesser aromas of leather and wood. The foot of the cigar had a mix of sweet hay, light earth, cedar and mild coffee aromas.
After having a customer inform me that he had two of these smoke almost like air (very, very loose draw), I examined this sample extra carefully. It seemed a little soft at the foot, maybe a little moreso than is typical, but feeling along the length of the cigar, I didn’t detect any other spongy or soft spots.
After clipping the cap, the draw I got was a bit loose, which was disappointing as the other one I smoked didn’t seem to have this problem. The cold flavors were of leather and sweet hay, with a touch of citrus in the mix.
Flavor
The Avo Unexpected Moment lit up quickly and evenly, opening with salty citrus and leather notes, as vegetal and hay flavor occupied the background. There was a touch of spicy heat on the finish. The retrohale had the expected Davidoff/Avo funk note, along with some cedar and a higher ratio of pepper heat. All in all, it started medium in body with plenty of complexity and a very recognizable Avo/Henke Kelner flavor profile.
As the first third gave way to the second, the spicy heat was more of a cinnamon note…woody and spicy at the same time. There was more of the funky note and still some salty citrus in the background.
The spice was toned down in the final third with more of the funky flavor, plenty of wood and hints of citrus and hay.
Construction
While the draw seemed a little loose to begin, it didn’t burn unduly quickly, so I can’t mark anything off. The burn line was wonky, but it corrected itself most of the time. The ash was solid.
Value
Really enjoyable cigar that is recognizably an Avo in flavor but with a twist, and not out of line with their other releases. Good value!
Conclusions
Having tried all four of the Unexpected Series at this point, I have to say the Moment is my favorite. While I was dismayed to hear a customer had a couple bad sticks, the ones I’ve had were excellent, lasting about an hour and fifteen minutes, which is about right for a Toro. I found it to be complex and rich, medium-bodied through, and very enjoyable.
By-The-Numbers
Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4.5/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9.5/10
