The Avo Maduro No. 3 has been one of my favorite smokes for a while. I thought I'd try this beautiful piramide, supposedly rolled with pretty much the same blend, to see if it's an acceptable alternate.
This stick is a real thing of beauty, perfectly constructed and sporting an unflawed richly brown Connecticut wrapper, not silky smooth like the non-Maduro version, but oily and appropriately textured and veiny.
I managed to scorch the wrapper just a little when I lit it, which gave the smoke a little sting on the soft palate at first, but that dissipated within five minutes. Flavors immediately began to evolve, reminding me of the creamy foam on top of a glass of stout, with a little white pepper and ground coriander sprinkled around the periphery. The burn at this point was a bit uneven but that didn't seem to affect the taste. The draw is just the way I prefer it ... lush without being sloppy, just the slightest bit on the firm side.
By 20 minutes after lighting, there's an inch or so of flaky mottled-grey ash. The flavors were melding and the smoke had smoothed out nicely to a mouth and sinus filling creaminess. The pepperiness had almost disappeared, leaving a bit of that coriander and nutmeg, with that Guinness stout cream dominating. The finish just goes on and on. Delicious. I'm loving it. Two minutes after this pic was taken, the ash gave way to gravity, falling off of its own accord at 22 minutes.
Five minutes into the new ash, the creaminess of the smoke is even more pronounced - its almost chewy - and now some white chocolate has crept into the foreground. Maybe a bit of graham cracker, too (or is that Cheerios?) but that's more up in the sinuses.
Ten minutes later, in moving my Adirondack chair to a shadier spot, I dropped it onto the grass. Damn. So much for seeing how long it'd take the new ash to fall. Last time I'll try to multi-function with a cigar. Anyway, the Avo continued to smoke beautifully and gave me a lot of pleasure for the next 20 - 25 minutes. I answered a call from a client on my cell phone, and after sitting the cigar carefully on the side of my chair, strolled away for about a five or six minute conversation. When I returned to the smoke, a little over an hour after first lighting up, it had done out. I relit and took a pic five minutes later.
Nothing changed, except now, there's definitely some more sweetness in the smoke now ... the white chocolate and stout are still at the front, the creaminess has concentrated itself more as the distance it travels shortens. The finish now has the pleasant citrusy tang that often develops towards the end. Looking at the cut, there was virtually no residual tar and only a slight discoloration from the virgin cut. The smoke was still smooth as a baby's butt, and that continued all the way down to nubdom , a state it finally entered after an hour and a half.
So. The Piramide is absolutely playing in the same ballpark as the No. 3, though I think given the choice, I'll still opt for the No. 3 (and save 50 cents or so in the process). At nine bucks, give or take a few cents, it's not an everyday smoke (for me, anyway), but something I can look forward to on a Friday night. It's certainly on my short list of favorites.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jack White,
'Question authority. Think for yourself. Filter out the spin. Engage elected officials critically. Make them defend what they're doing in your name. Derive the truth. Speak truth to power.'
Posts: 2698 | Location: Boston | Registered: April 16, 2005
I used to like avo maduros a lot. Now I find them a bit harsh. In fact the domains and the signatures have also seemed a little harsh lately. I don't know if its their blend or my taste changing but I don't enjoy them nearly as much as I used to.
______________________________________ Refugee: a person who flees to a foreign country or power to escape danger
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I don't mind AVO's. I like the signatures and the classic series is a nice change of pace for me now and then.
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People aren't smoking cigars to be trendy, cool or stylish. They're smoking cigars because they like them. Because they enjoy the experience. Because for about $5 they can spend an hour sampling one of life's greatest luxuries. -David Savona
Posts: 1157 | Location: Ferndale, MI | Registered: October 03, 2004
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