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Arturo Fuente Untold Story & AVO 22

Thanks for that review and pictures. The comparisons were nice and required some thought I'm sure. The effort is appreciated.
 
The original Avo 22s are muuuuuch nicer than the more recent production "personal stash" cigars that you smoked. Just different tobacco, the blends that were used for the original Avo 22s were used up when the cigars were rolled.

So if you think this one was good... try an OR :)

Andrew,

I checked out the different versions of the AVO 22s listed on your site. It's very confusing to seperate them. Do you have any idea how many new 22s are being produced with this new blend? What's the difference between this new version of the "personal stash" cigar with the AVO 22 with Boris 11 band? Is there any difference at all?

Well, that's not good, this page is supposed to clear things up,, not confuse you more.

There are two types of Avo 22s. Original Avo 22s, and everything else. Only the original Avo 22s all used the same aged tobacco crops for the blend; they used all of the tobacco in the production of the Avo 22s. Subsequent blends tried to replicate it, but with marginal success IMHO.

So to answer your question, there is no difference between the Boris 11 and the cigar you smoked.


Andrew,

Is there any chance that what Outlaw was offering was one of the cellophaned bundles from the Original Release? It looks like the other variants were only available at Corona Cigar Company unless they sold off overstock..

Quoted from the AVO 22 page on vitolas.net

In addition, shortly after the original release of 2,700 cylinders sold out in the American market, a few cellophane-wrapped bundles of 25 Avo 22s that are from the original production were sold. Each cigar in these original release overrun bundles is also wrapped in cellophane.
 
Enjoyed the reviews very much. I also enjoyed the literary tie-in with the Untold Story.
 
Not answering for Andrew, but no chance original release. I once called them and asked about their advertised AVO 22's and told them I had the Boris 11 already. They told me it was the same cigar. The OR 22, I was lucky enough to obtain an unopend cylinder via some up to the minute information. Thanks again for that info! ;)


The original Avo 22s are muuuuuch nicer than the more recent production "personal stash" cigars that you smoked. Just different tobacco, the blends that were used for the original Avo 22s were used up when the cigars were rolled.

So if you think this one was good... try an OR :)

Andrew,

I checked out the different versions of the AVO 22s listed on your site. It's very confusing to seperate them. Do you have any idea how many new 22s are being produced with this new blend? What's the difference between this new version of the "personal stash" cigar with the AVO 22 with Boris 11 band? Is there any difference at all?

Well, that's not good, this page is supposed to clear things up,, not confuse you more.

There are two types of Avo 22s. Original Avo 22s, and everything else. Only the original Avo 22s all used the same aged tobacco crops for the blend; they used all of the tobacco in the production of the Avo 22s. Subsequent blends tried to replicate it, but with marginal success IMHO.

So to answer your question, there is no difference between the Boris 11 and the cigar you smoked.


Andrew,

Is there any chance that what Outlaw was offering was one of the cellophaned bundles from the Original Release? It looks like the other variants were only available at Corona Cigar Company unless they sold off overstock..

Quoted from the AVO 22 page on vitolas.net

In addition, shortly after the original release of 2,700 cylinders sold out in the American market, a few cellophane-wrapped bundles of 25 Avo 22s that are from the original production were sold. Each cigar in these original release overrun bundles is also wrapped in cellophane.
 
I had the opportunity to compare the Boris 11, Outlaw 22, and OR AVO 22 recently. I noticed some construction differences between the OR 22, Boris 11, and Outlaw 22.

The OR 22 has a flat cap, whereas the Boris 11 and Outlaw 22 had a more pointed cap. I checked the photo references on Vitolas.net. The Boris 11s shown seem to have a flatter cap from the examples I smoked. I haven't uploaded the pictures yet, but will soon. The Boris 11 and Outlaw 22s I smoked had a Connecticut Wrapper that did not look Sungrown. Here's my review on the OR 22.

The differences I noted between the 3, the Boris 11 and Outlaw 22 are quite dead/pale in the first 1/3rd to 1/2, then come alive nicely. The OR 22 is a treat from light to finish.

This is my Holy Grail Cigar. I had been searching for these since I found my first box of LE5 last November. This is an Original U.S. Relase AVO 22 from the limited number of Cannisters produced, Cylinder 284/2700. These arrived 24 hours ago from a Davidoff Dealer. I couldn't wait any longer to light one up.

US22Review1.jpg


US22Review2.jpg


Frontmark/Vitola/Size: AVO 22 - Perfecto
Toro - 50 x 5 7/8ths

Wrapper: Connecticut seed, Ecuadorian sun grown

Binder: Dominican

Filler: Combination of four different Dominican Tobaccos

Online Sources: Limited Production cigar from 2003 that is not available at any retailers that I know.

First Impression: The wrapper on this example is rough compared to other AVOs that I've smoked in the past. There are several prominent veins running throughout the length. I wonder if these will detract from the burn. Pre-light aroma is sweet honeysuckle tobacco, a little musty. I clipped the cap with my Palio.

Prelight Draw: The Pre-light draw is on the easy side considering the perfecto shape. There is enough resistence to get a good draw.

Light: Toasted the foot and took my first draw at 6:50 PM, pleasant outside in the upper 70's. The Sun is setting. I'm looking forward to smoking this cigar outside an empty house with no distractions. Tonight it's just me and the 22.

Pairing - Hot Green Tea

Smoking the Cigar: The first draw presented a clean tobacco taste. Immediately I started salivating. Holding the smoke in my mouth blowing out gently through my nose presents a fantastic citrus/floral finish. The draw is picking up creamy Gingerbread flavors. This is in the first 1/4 inch. The body is mild. This cigar produces generous amounts of smoke.

US221.jpg


There is buttercream late on the finish which is sublime. I noticed this 20-30 seconds into the finish.

This cigar has a nice balance of the flavors mentioned above throughout the cycle of draw to finish. I'm digging this smoke. One inch into the cigar, there is a clean burn, it's just the slightest bit uneven.

US222.jpg


The ash fell of at about an inch and half. The burn is razor sharp. The flavor profile is growing in intensity. My neighbors came over with a bowl of Shrimp Stir Fry (to be eaten later) and a bit of conversation, so I was distracted for a bit. Back to the 22.

US223.jpg
 
There is a strong blast of nut on the draw with the slightest cool spice on the tongue. I'm a little over the half way point and there is a blast of honey on the draw. What a great evening. The Green Tea is a perfect pairing for this cigar in the early evening before dinner. I'm getting hungry.

US224.jpg


I smell Candy Canes blowing smoke through the nose. This cigar definately does not suck. The burn on an AVo in itself is a beautiful thing. When you add the flavor profile of this cigar, it's exhilirating. The body is still mild approaching the medium spectrum. I'm getting antsy because I do not want this cigar to end. I'm an hour into the burn. This thing keeps picking up in flavor intensity the further you get into the burn.

2 inches left on the cigar, I need to slow it down. It's picking up the slightest bit of harshness, but I'm burning it hotter and faster. The flavor mix is exhilirating. It's hard to smoke this one slow. The cigar is a solid medium in body now.

US225.jpg


The nutty/creamy profile has disappered to be overtaken with a honey sweet tobacco flavor. The cigar finishes minty sweet in the last inch. Well all good things must come to an end. I could continue on this cigar down to the nub, but I don't want to ruin a good experience picking up any hot harsh smoke which this is tending towards.

Summation:

This is an excellent cigar that burned for an hour and 50 minutes. The best of the best in the AVO line. It's a shame Kelner can't recreate this blend. I'll enjoy the remainder that I have and hope that I can find more before none can be found. This has been a best smoking experience I've had in awhile. I believe the solitude and green tea had much to do with the experience as well. I'm going to eat my bowl of shrimp stir fry now.

US226.jpg





My Scale for rating is as follows:
Appearance: 1-10
Construction: 1-10
Burn: 1-10
Taste: 1-10
Overall Experience: 1-60

For this cigar:
A- 8
C- 10
B- 10
T- 10
O- 60 (doesn't get much better than this)

For a total score of: 98
 
These photos are kinda crappy (sorry), but you can get an idea of the difference in caps between the Boris 11, Outlaw 22, and the OR 22. The Boris 11 and Outlaw are indeed identical in construction and taste.

22caps.jpg


22caps2.jpg
 
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