AshMap
Overview
The Avo XO Intermezzo is a study in restraint—a cigar that whispers when others shout, and in doing so, demands a different kind of attention. Named for the musical interlude between larger movements, this robusto is precisely that: a pause, a breath, a moment of clarity in a day otherwise crowded with noise. It arrives from the Davidoff-affiliated Santiago factory carrying the DNA of Avo Uvezian, the jazz pianist who understood that the most powerful notes are often the quiet ones. This is not a cigar for the impatient; it is a cigar for the listener.
From the first cold draw, the narrative is set: the Dominican Olor Dominicano wrapper, a golden caramel leaf with a silky sheen, offers a prelude of hay and faint sweetness, like the air in a sun-warmed barn. The light is gentle, almost apologetic, but the construction—that hallmark of the Davidoff umbrella—announces itself immediately. The draw is effortless, the burn laser-straight, and the pale grey ash holds with a stubbornness that feels almost arrogant. The first third unfolds with delicate cream and toasted white bread, a whisper of floral honey that never cloys, and a soft cedar note that provides structure without ever raising its voice. It is a palate cleanser, a reset button for the senses.
By the second third, the Intermezzo begins to reveal its quiet complexity. Roasted almond and cashew emerge, dry and nutty, alongside a faint vanilla bean that feels less like dessert and more like a memory of one. A citrus zest—lemon, perhaps, or a hint of yuzu—dances at the edges, adding a brightness that cuts through the creaminess without ever becoming sharp. The smoke remains exceptionally smooth, but not in a passive way; it is cohesive, each note folding into the next like a well-rehearsed quartet. There is no harshness, no bitterness, only a gentle, building momentum that suggests the best is yet to come.
The final third deepens, but never darkens. White pepper arrives, mild and tingling, joined by a more pronounced cedar that now feels like the backbone of the blend. The nuttiness lingers, now more walnut than almond, and the creaminess—though diminished—never fully departs. The finish is clean, sweet-spiced, with a hint of cinnamon and a whisper of honey that fades slowly, like the last note of a ballad. There is no bitterness, no harshness, only a quiet resolution that leaves you wanting another movement. This is a cigar that rewards patience and punishes distraction; it is not for the full-strength chaser, but for the connoisseur who understands that elegance is its own form of power.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Dominican Republic, Olor Dominicano (Connecticut Shade-grown) — Colorado Claro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic, Olor Dominicano |
| Filler | Dominican Republic, aged Olor and Piloto Cubano long-filler |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic — Davidoff/Oettinger Imex factory |
| Vitola / Shape | Robusto |
| Size | 5 x 50 |
| Strength | Mild-Medium |
| Price | $14–$18 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of two to three years prior to rolling; finished cigars rested before release |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The light opens with delicate cream, toasted white bread, and a whisper of floral honey. A soft cedar note emerges underneath, providing gentle structure without any harshness. The draw is easy and inviting from the first puff.
Second Third
Complexity builds subtly — mild roasted almond and cashew notes emerge alongside dry hay and light vanilla bean. A faint citrus zest dances at the edges, adding brightness. The smoke remains exceptionally smooth and cohesive.
Final Third
The finish deepens slightly with mild white pepper, more pronounced cedar, and a lingering nuttiness. Creaminess never fully departs, and the cigar closes with a clean, sweet-spiced finish without any bitterness or harshness.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — a hallmark of the Davidoff manufacturing umbrella. The burn is laser-straight with a firm, pale grey ash that holds well past an inch; the draw is effortless with medium smoke production.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
A light, aged Dominican rum such as Brugal 1888 or Ron Barceló Imperial; alternatively a delicate single malt Scotch like Auchentoshan 12 Year
Wine
A lightly-oaked Chardonnay from Burgundy (e.g., Mâcon-Villages) or a dry sparkling Cava — the cigar's subtlety demands a wine that won't overpower it
Non-Alcoholic
A medium-roast Colombian pour-over coffee or a lightly sweetened chamomile-honey tea
Who Should Smoke This?
Picture a woman in her late forties, a curator at a small art museum, who has spent the morning in a meeting that went nowhere. She steps out onto a quiet terrace, the city hum muffled by distance, and lights the Intermezzo. She has smoked cigars for a decade, mostly medium-bodied Cubans, but today she wants something that won't demand her attention—something that will let her think. She appreciates the way the first third tastes like the memory of her grandmother's kitchen, the way the second third sharpens her focus without jangling her nerves. She pairs it with a pour-over coffee, black, and lets the 50 minutes stretch out like a stolen afternoon. This cigar is for her—for the person who has nothing to prove, who smokes not to make a statement but to make a space. It will give her clarity, not a buzz; refinement, not a rush.
Bottom Line
The Avo XO Intermezzo is a masterclass in subtlety, a cigar that proves mild does not mean meek. It is the rare smoke that rewards the attentive palate with a symphony of quiet notes, all wrapped in flawless construction. If you dismiss it as 'too mild,' you are not paying attention—you are missing the point.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Avo XO cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Avo XO Intermezzo a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Mild-Medium (2/5) on the strength scale. Physically, you will feel a gentle warmth and a slight relaxation, but no nicotine rush or heaviness. It is designed for those who prefer a lighter touch, where flavor takes precedence over power.
What does Avo XO Intermezzo taste like?
The flavor progression moves from delicate cream, toasted white bread, and floral honey in the first third, to roasted almond, cashew, dry hay, vanilla bean, and citrus zest in the second third, and finishes with mild white pepper, pronounced cedar, and lingering nuttiness, all wrapped in a persistent creaminess.
How long does Avo XO Intermezzo take to smoke?
Given its Robusto vitola (5 x 50), expect a smoking time of 45 to 55 minutes. The draw is effortless and the burn is even, so you can savor it at a leisurely pace without worrying about touch-ups.
What is the best pairing for Avo XO Intermezzo?
A light, aged Dominican rum like Brugal 1888 or Ron Barceló Imperial is ideal—the rum's subtle sweetness and oak notes mirror the cigar's creaminess and cedar, while its low proof won't overpower the delicate flavors. Alternatively, a medium-roast Colombian pour-over coffee enhances the nutty and vanilla notes without adding bitterness.
Is Avo XO Intermezzo good for beginners?
Yes, in terms of strength, it is very approachable at Mild-Medium (2/5), with no harshness or nicotine spike. However, the price point of $14–$18 per cigar is on the higher side for a beginner who is still exploring. If you are willing to invest, it is an excellent example of refined, mild smoking, but a novice might want to start with something more budget-friendly.
Where can I buy Avo XO Intermezzo?
You can find it at premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online, such as well-stocked tobacconists, Davidoff-branded stores, and reputable e-commerce sites like Cigar.com or Famous Smoke Shop. Given its tier, it may not be available at gas stations or discount chains.
What is the price of Avo XO Intermezzo?
The Avo XO Intermezzo typically retails for $14 to $18 per cigar, placing it in the premium tier. Prices may vary slightly by retailer and location, but this is the expected range for a single stick.
Is Avo XO Intermezzo worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged two to three years prior to rolling, and the finished cigars are rested before release, the Intermezzo can benefit from additional aging of 1–3 years. The Connecticut Shade-grown wrapper is delicate, so aging will mellow the remaining edges and deepen the creaminess and nuttiness, but be careful not to over-age, as the subtle citrus and floral notes may fade.
What wrapper does Avo XO Intermezzo use?
It uses a Dominican Republic Olor Dominicano wrapper, which is Connecticut Shade-grown. This wrapper is known for its silky texture, golden caramel color, and mild, creamy character, contributing notes of hay, toast, and a light sweetness without overwhelming the blend.
Where is Avo XO Intermezzo made?
It is hand-rolled in Santiago, Dominican Republic, at the Davidoff/Oettinger Imex factory. This is the same facility known for producing Davidoff's premium lines, ensuring rigorous quality control and consistent construction.