Cigar Review: AVO Syncro Nicaragua 10th Anniversary Edition

When I first took this cigar out of the cellophane, I expected to write a more critical review. At $22, the AVO Syncro Nicaragua 10th Anniversary Edition enters a price bracket that puts it just $4 shy of the Davidoff Nicaragua box-pressed diadema—a cigar that, in my experience, delivers consistent luxury. Meanwhile, I’ve never been particularly impressed with the standard Syncro line, so my expectations were… guarded.

This limited edition, however, aims high. It’s a 6 5/8” x 50 diadema, box-pressed, and beautifully shaped, albeit a bit light and slender in the hand. The blend features a sun-grown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper—a rare and fascinating choice—wrapped over a Nicaraguan binder and a filler blend of Nicaraguan and Dominican tobaccos, including leaf from the volcanic island of Ometepe. The cigar is rolled at Davidoff’s factory in the Dominican Republic and released in limited quantity—only 3,400 boxes were produced for the U.S. market.

Even before lighting, though, the construction raised some red flags. The wrapper was slightly torn near the foot, and there was lifting at the cap that threatened to unravel.

But as I’ve learned time and again, some cigars have a way of turning things around.

Pre-Light Impressions

At first glance, the wrapper presents beautifully—golden-brown, smooth, and with only the faintest suggestion of tooth. There’s no noticeable oil, but it’s clean and elegant in appearance.

The aroma is lovely: the wrapper gives off a pleasant barnyard scent, while the foot adds a touch of natural sweetness.

The cold draw, once cut, is excellent—just the right resistance—and offers a surprisingly vivid fig note, like fresh fruit off the tree. It’s a promising sign from a cigar that had, until this point, failed to inspire confidence.

First Third

From the first puff, the AVO 10th Anniversary starts rewriting its story. Draw resistance is flawless, and the smoke output is thick and rich—far more than anticipated.

The flavor profile opens with complex, medium-bodied richness. On the retrohale, a slight burn suggests pepper, though it’s too subtle to pin down to a specific varietal. On the palate, the smoke is flavorful, with soft sweetness and something deeper that doesn’t register as fig but shares a similar lush character—possibly early signs of cocoa or a stewed fruit note.

Cedar begins to emerge as the dominant flavor note, with a warming, fragrant presence that avoids harshness and brings structure to the experience. Spice and complexity begin building quietly underneath, and the ash—calcium white and gently flaking—holds beautifully for nearly the entire first third.

Though the initial construction concerns remain in memory, they no longer affect performance at all. This is a cigar that begins to earn back its premium price one puff at a time.

Second Third

The second third brings a slight softening of the brighter notes and a gradual darkening of the profile. The smoke becomes richer, not heavier—concentrated and dense, coating the tongue without becoming overwhelming. Floral notes from earlier continue to hang in the air aromatically, even as the palate shifts deeper.

At this point, the profile takes on the aromatic density of incense—evocative of burning cedar, distant cardamom, and warm, grounded sweetness. Paired with a cold Dr Pepper, the fig note from the cold draw is echoed and subtly deepened by the soda’s prune and vanilla notes—making the pairing unexpectedly insightful.

The cigar continues to burn well, even without touch-ups, and the ash remains firm and structured. No leather, but a whisper of cocoa and spice carries the cigar confidently forward.

Final Third

As the final third begins, the cedar remains dominant, and the spice—still refined—lingers pleasantly. A subtle tingle builds on the tongue, accompanied by a slight bitterness reminiscent of espresso on the finish. This late-stage turn adds dimension but never slips into harshness.

Construction holds to the very end. Even the band issue—where the primary label clung stubbornly like a second skin—feels more like a character quirk than a flaw after such a rewarding session.

The final flavors are deeper and denser. Still complex. Still aromatic. But now with a dark, concentrated finish that leaves the impression of well-aged tobacco expressing its full range before fading.

Summary

“This was supposed to be a more critical review.”

That’s how it began—with skepticism, torn wrapper, and a less-than-stellar history with the AVO Syncro line. But from the first light, the 10th Anniversary Edition began defying expectations.

It smoked like a well-aged, carefully curated blend with structure, richness, and elegance—thanks in part to the absence of Peruvian tobacco (which some may find muddy in the original Syncro) and the addition of a Nicaraguan binder for spice and strength. The sun-grown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper was the surprise star: elegant, but with attitude—smooth in body, yet complex in tone. It’s like the wrapper showed up in a tailored suit—but with a dagger tucked into the lapel.

While it won’t replace a Davidoff Nicaragua for those seeking pristine construction and ultra-refinement, it absolutely justifies its price for those looking for something both familiar and unexpected. And in a quiet garage, with music playing and smoke lingering like incense, it offered something rare:

A cigar that changed its reviewer’s mind.

The Retrohale Score: A- (90)

Surprisingly rich, well-balanced, and deeply enjoyable with flavor transitions that deliver from start to finish.