AVO Syncro Nicaragua Fogata Toro

📌 Brand: AVO
📌 Line: Nicaragua Syncro Fogata
📌 Size: Toro (6" × 54)
📌 Weight: 16.4 g
📌 Age: 2 years
📌 Origin: Dominican Republic

Tasting Notes

• Black Pepper – Sharp and forward, sometimes overpowering

• Earth – Dry, uneven foundation

• Dark Cocoa – Appears briefly, never fully settles

• Charred Wood – Creeps in during harsher moments

First Impressions

The Syncro Toro shows a dark, slightly rustic Habano(2000) wrapper with visible veins and firm bunching. Pre-light aromas suggest earth, pepper, and faint cocoa. Cold draw is acceptable but hints at an edgy profile ahead.

Smoking Experience

• First Third – Pepper dominates immediately with a rough edge. Earth struggles to keep balance. Burn is straight but smoke feels hot.

• Second Third – Cocoa tries to emerge, but harsh spikes interrupt flow. Profile feels unbalanced between spice and dryness.

• Final Third – Charred wood and pepper return strongly. Harshness increases, muting any remaining sweetness.

Pairings

• Alcohol – Kyrö Malt Rye Whisky - Creamy rye grain, vanilla, and soft spice help round off the cigar’s sharp edges and bring structure to the imbalance.

• Tea – Yunnan Dian Hong Golden Tips Black Tea - Naturally sweet, malty, and smooth — ideal for calming pepper and softening harsh transitions.

Music Pairing

“Eres” – Café Tacuba
Warm melody and balance contrast the cigar’s sharp delivery.

Final Thoughts

The AVO Nicaragua Syncro Toro shows ambition with its bold spice and darker tones, but imbalance and intermittent harshness keep it from achieving true harmony. Enjoyable in parts, frustrating in others.

Final Score: 7/10
Why not a 10?
Unbalanced spice, harsh peaks, and inconsistent flavor cohesion prevented full enjoyment.

Only cigars that deliver flawless draw, balance, flavour evolution, construction and satisfaction get a 10.