Okay. Last night I saw something new to try. It’s a recent launch from Avo, the Syncro Nicaragua Fogata. Mine is a Toro (5×50). So, technically, it’s an: Avo Uvezian Syncro Toro Nicagraua Fogata Habanno El Davidoff Prima Grande Prefijo Bellicoso Fumar Magnifico… These cigar names are getting out of hand. (Okay … I added some of that…)

Alrighty. This newbie is in the modern tradition of the Heritage and the Domaine. Sayeth Avo’s website:

Inspired by the cosmopolitan lifestyle of Avo Uvezian, our Master Blender has ventured to the untamed heart of Central America. Capturing sweet and spicy flavors from the rich, volcanic soil of Nicaragua and blending them with the soft, creamy notes of the finest Dominican leaves. Resulting in a smooth and balanced box-pressed cigar with unexpected depth and complexity.

The first thing I noticed was the “new” sign next to the box. The elegant Avo presentation and the attractive, simple construction caught my eye. I noted the name. “Fogata” is Spanish for bonfire. I suppose a bonfire gives off a lot of smoke.

Out of the cellophane I immediately caught a wiff of Classic Avo. Bonfire or not, these smell, to me, like real cigars. The kind of take-you-back-to-Grandpa’s-trip-to-the-old-Tobacco-store smell. Perfect. Only then did I notice it was from Nicaragua.

And it not straight Nicaraguan either. The “Habana 2000” wrapper denotes Cuban seed though that could be grown just about anywhere (but Cuba). This is from the D.R. The binder is of Mexican origin. The long filler, full of flavor, come from the D.R. and Nica.

So it is that the bonfire-esque smoke holds (lightly) the earthy, leathery notes of Esteli. In addition the smoke is balanced with that “cosmopolitan” Avo signature – creamy, almost airy, and refined. It is definitely an interesting smoke.

Avo and a few of the major review sites rate it as a medium-full body experience. I would drop that a notch to almost solidly medium. The closest thing I can think to relate it to is Davidoff’s relatively new Nicaraguan blend (though that one is more quintessentially Nicaraguan in taste.

Whatever it is, it is good. I’ve never had an Avo that wasn’t. Come to think of it, being that fall is finally here, it might be a great night-time bonfire accompaniment. Try one the next time you’re burning NFL jerseys or the looted contents of a truck on I-85.

And don’t ever fogata about Avo.

My palate is in flux! The other day I reminisced about the Avo No. 2, a fine if exceedingly mild cigar. I’m still shying away from the usual 2-pound Nicaraguan dirt clods though I don’t know why.

Anywho … tonight I settled in for an Avo of a darker variety – a Domaine maduro.

Perrin Lovett.

Yes, dark like the rainy, mild but humid winter evening I found out of doors. I paired mine with a Sweetwater Festive Ale, a delightful ass kicker of a winter seasonal. Fitting, my first dark Avo in a year or more with what may be my last dark “holiday” ale until October. The match was nearly perfect. As an extra odd aside, David Lee Roth’s 1987-1988 Just Like Paradise was playing in my head. Hmmm…

Whereas the old No. 2 is smooth as glass and as inoffensive as Mr. Rogers, the Domaine is just as smooth but with a subdued earthiness and with more discernable independent notes.

The Domaine burns and draws as evenly, effortlessly and consistently as its milder cousin. I did notice that the ash tends to Pac-Man open at first. This generally indicates humidity issues or leaf control problems with a given stick. I consider this a minor issue especially, as here, when the event tapers after the first flicking. After that the Domaine burned “well” compared to the No. 2’s “flawless.” It was more than good enough for me.

I say it burned evenly and I mean it. It did. However, I did note a somewhat discombobulated, puffy ash. This could relate to the tobacco or my smoking conditions – I cannot fault my tobacconist, who keeps a damn near perfect 70/70 all around.

For me the most important aspect of any stick is its taste. This dark, well formed beauty tasted great! I believe she is of mainly Dominican ancestry with a Ecuadorian wrapper. I nearly had my fill of that dirty, earthy, wood smoke I crave in mass quantities. As I said, this flavor is understated, like an unusually powerful but silky Cuban.

I’ve read that some detect a “buttery” as opposed to “creamy” note in the Domaine. I still do not know what that means – no dairy science here – but I will go along. There is an underlying difference, beyond the earthiness, a heavier silk note without any pepper. In a word the taste is “fantastic.”

As a general rule I still will lean towards the soil of the continent and it’s unique, near-rotten aroma. Still, this islander has a place in my humidor and my heart. Another Avo classic if by taste but not name.

Perrin Lovett.

Happy smoking from the darker side of mild.