Avo Companero (LE-09)

[tedski]

Finally got a chance to try the Companero this afternoon. I do agree with many that it is an excellent stick. Very complex throughout the first half, with moderate spices trading places with sweet, cedary tobacco as the main player every few puffs. The second half the spices stayed in the background so that coffee, caramel, dark chocolate and tobacco could hold center stage. Still, if you ever wanted a hit of spice, you merely needed to exhale through the nose for some pepper and cinnamon. Very smooth and cool all the way to the band. Nice open draw, even burn and plenty of thick, creamy smoke. Medium strength and body overall.

Definitely not a value play at $13, but for Avo fans, this is right up there with the LE-05.

I give this a big :thumbsup:

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

I won't disagree with you about the LE-09 being a damn fine stick but they set the bar pretty high when they released the LE-05 and every stick they released from that point forward will always be compared to it in my opinion! :cbig:

 

[tedski]

They actually set the bar astronomically high with an even earlier LE, the Avo 22. They came very close with the LE-05. The annual releases since have been mostly blah IMO. (I haven't smoked my LE-10 yet.)

Although I've only smoked one, I'd put the Companero right after the LE-05 in my top three from Avo.

 

[scottYDucati]

This is definitely a very good cigar. You've got it figured out too. Going to have to revisit this cigar soon. Thanks for the spot on review.

 

[scottYDucati]

Well I did have a chance to smoke the 22s last year but they must have really mellowed out because I got nothing out of that cigar. Flavorless for me.

 

[Alwayslit]

The 22's and 05's seem to be loosing a bit. I'll need to try a 09 again.

 

[amsgpwarrior]

Wished I had the opportunity to smoke the LE 05. I haven't smoked many Avo's. Maybe i need to get on this bandwagon

 

[tedski]

Well I did have a chance to smoke the 22s last year but they must have really mellowed out because I got nothing out of that cigar. Flavorless for me.

The 22's and 05's seem to be losing a bit. I'll need to try a 09 again.

Well the original release of the 22 were big flavor bombs. I wouldn't doubt that 8+ years have mellowed them considerably. Something else to consider is that there was at least one secondary release from Avo that tried to emulate the original blend, but fell far short. I believe the same thing occurred with the LE-05s.

 

[Gokian]

We recently had an AVO event at my local B&M. Broke out a LE 05 and they still smoke amazing. Thank you for the short review.

 

[strife]

Thanks for the review, going to have to put this one on my to do list.