Avo by Davidoff of Geneva ~ Dominican Republic
The Avo cigar brand resides in the portfolio of Davidoff of Geneva. Avo Cigars are named after their creator, the visionary Avo Uvezian. Avo was a talented Armenian jazz pianist. Much like their founder, Avo cigars hold a commitment to harmony. These well-balanced luxury cigars draw in a plethora of appeal from aficionados across the world.
Avo’s pianist skill brought him all over the world. As a young man he played for the Shah of Iran with his group the Lebanon boys. In 1947, Avo came to the United States to practice music at the distinguished Julliard School of Music. Avo also composed music and most notably wrote “Broken Guitar” which was the original version of Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night”.
A falling out with the music industry regarding being given credit for his work soured Avo to the American music industry. Avo lived a prolific jazz career in the states during the 50’s and 60’s then left to Puerto Rico. On the island, he made a living performing at the Palmas Del Mar Resort.
While he enjoyed a more peaceful music industry scene he also developed his second life passion for cigars. After his performances he would give guest cigars he had rolled himself.
These cigars quickly drew in a lot of demand. Inspired by his young daughter, who suggested Avo should charge for his handmade cigars, Avo decided to expand his cigar career.
Avo traveled to the Dominican Republic to find a manufacture for his brand. He tried various samples of from different possible producers and decided on Hendrik “Henke” Kelner’s blend in 1982. Kelner is respected as one of the most knowledgeable tobacco guru’s to ever roll a cigar. Kelner takes extensive care of watching over every aspect of the craft, making sure each leaf in each cigar is of the best quality.
The original cigar blend, known as the Avo Classic, features Dominican filler tobacco in a silky Connecticut Shade wrapper. By 1988, Avo cigars began selling in stores and they started off exceptionally well. Perhaps because Avo guaranteed his cigars would get the highest quality leaf’s by paying Kelner more than the originally agreed upon price.
In 1995, Zino Davidoff, owner of a Swiss tobacco goods company with a worldwide following, bought Avo Cigars. Avo became a millionaire because of the sale. Avo stayed in the cigar scene, making appearances and sharing his passions with other aficionados.
Avo Cigars were and still are highly sought after smokes. In 2015, four boxes of Avo XO were stolen from the Davidoff store in Manhattan, totaling over $1,000 in lost merchandise.
The brand carries a certain charisma, which can be attributed to Avo’s likable personality. Avo’s had a classy clean cut style, often dressed in a recognizable white suit and wide brim hat, and it transferred into the high-class smokes he created.