Cigar Review: Syncro Nicaragua by Avo Cigars

• Vitola: Robusto
• 5” x 50 ring gauge
• MSRP $8.90
• Purchased at Burns Tobacconist

Background

Avo Cigars unveiled the Syncro Nicaragua at this year’s IPCPR show, the first regular release blend from the company that would feature Nicaraguan tobacco and a box-press shape. I tried a couple samples I picked up at the show and really enjoyed them, so when the shipping model showed up at Burns a few weeks ago, I made sure to grab one for review purposes.

This is what the company’s website had to say about this new blend:

Inspired by the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Avo Uvezian, our Master Blender has ventured to the untamed heart of Central America. Capturing sweet and spicy flavors from the rich, volcanic soil of Nicaragua and blending them with the soft, creamy notes of the finest Dominican leaves. Resulting in a smooth and balanced box-pressed cigar with unexpected depth and complexity.

As the first in our Syncro Series, AVO Nicaragua is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. One that begins on the remote island of Ometepe; a unique landscape where a rare and exceptional tobacco is grown. Known for its wild character and peppery notes, we carefully fuse this tobacco with earthy flavors from our estate in the Dominican Republic. The composition is an experience that is perfectly in sync with the moments worth sharing.

It is interesting to note that when Davidoff made the “Davidoff Nicaragua” several years back, they opted for a Nicaraguan puro; however with this Avo “Syncro Nicaragua” they chose to try to meld and balance the flavors of Dominican and Peruvian fillers, a Dominican binder, and an Ecuadorian wrapper along with a small amount of Nicaraguan Ometepe in the filler. I know before going in that it’s an enjoyable blend, but I question the reference to it as “Nicaragua” (many people are just calling it the “Avo Nicaragua” because of the prominent placement of the country on the band) with so little of its flavor dependent on Nica leaf.

Anyway…I bought this review sample at Burns.

Prelight

The Avo “redesign” was so subtle when it was done that I still have trouble telling the difference between the old and new product unless they are side-by-side (I’m speaking mostly of the Classic, XO and Heritage lines with that statement). Here, though, is an example of the new design language really being allowed to flow and speak. The colors are bold with great contrast. The band uses cream, burgundy, dark red and gray colors, offset with minor touches of black and some silver foil in the logo and some lettering. It’s striking and modern, while still retaining touches of old-school, and looking at this I really understand what they were shooting for in the redesign.

The wrapper leaf is a medium-brown color with a touch of red in it and veins that have been flattened out in the process of rolling. It was smooth and a bit oily to the touch, with a fresh hay and light earthiness to the aroma. The foot had a bit stronger earthiness and some cedar smell to it. The prelight draw was clear and featured cold flavors of hay and natural tobacco with just a touch of citrus to it.

Flavor

I lit the Syncro Nicaragua and was greeted in short order by flavors of cedar, lemon grass, hay, and mild red pepper on the palate. There was a little more pepper spice on the nose and as several puffs passed by, I picked up some of the mushroomy, foresty notes that come with most blends that come out of the Davidoff factories, a result of their use of Dominican Olor leaf. Within the first 10 minutes of smoking, I could taste the earth and spice of the Nicaraguan leaf, the twang of Dominican Olor, and the citrusy afterthought of Peruvian leaf, all in a very nicely balanced, thick and oily smoke.

In the second third, he mushroom-like twang, grass and citrus notes practically took over the flavor profile. While the Syncro Nicaragua started off at the low end of medium in body, it quickly progressed to the high end of the same.

As the last third burned through, more flavor of the Nicaraguan earthiness came through from the Ometepe leaf in the mix, with the grassy and citrusy notes providing a supporting role. The body ended up as what I call medium-plus.

Construction

All these I’ve smoked have had a great draw. I needed to touch up the burn line a bit, but there was no true canoeing or anything like that. The ash was solid enough.

Value

Like most other regular releases from the Avo brand, this blend is priced in the sweet spot, with most vitolas retailing for less than $10 a stick.

Conclusions

The goal for this cigar was “synchronization” of the flavors of the Dominican and Nicaraguan leaves, with the Ecuadorian and Peruvian leaves providing key support to that end. The result is a truly unique Avo cigar that does not sacrifice flavors that have made the brand so popular in the first place. The Syncro Nicaragua has very good flavors and excellent balance, sure to please those who have enjoyed Avo blends for years, but also sure to be more attractive to younger cigar enthusiasts who may have skipped the brand because of its older, more traditional image.

By-The-Numbers

Prelight: 2/2
Construction: 2/2
Flavor: 4/5
Value: 1/1
Total: 9/10