They still exist, legends that stand the test of time and all the fashions, trends and ephemeral phenomena. But such living legends, including Avo Uvezian, are role models in their way of life, their taste and their demeanor. What makes Avo Uvezian a special legend is that his name is inextricably linked with the premium AVO little cigars he created. Aficionados all over the world do not only meet people with appreciation. Connoisseurs also pay their respects to the
AVO little cigars, as they embody his philosophy of “cigars in perfect harmony” in their purest form.
For Avo Uvezian, who was born in Lebanon in 1926 and whose roots lie in Armenia, it was clear early on in life where he was going: a father who had studied classical composition in Leipzig and directed a symphony orchestra, and a mother who was trained as a singer are the reason that Avo was practically born with music. He began to play the piano as a child. Not even of legal age, his father died, so that he knew how to take responsibility for himself and his family early in
life.
After he got married and moved to Puerto Rico with his wife to open a restaurant and a piano bar there, he made the fateful acquaintance of an Armenian resident in Switzerland. But what was surprising was the fact that it was Dominican cigars – back then as a tobacco nation, much less popular than it is today. For the two connoisseurs, it wasclear to specialize in cigars from this country, which is why Avo Uvezian was soon on the flight to the Dominican Republic and after a year met Hendrik Kelner, a professional in cigar production. Hendrik is known to many because he already produced cigars for Zino Davidoff and still does so today.
That Avo was not only a brilliant pianist, but also an excellent businessman, is shown by the fact that, thanks to the sustained success of AVO little cigars, he managed to sell his company to the Swiss Oettinger Davidoff Group. Avo Uvezian was a multimillionaire in one fell swoop. His AVO little cigars are now part of the Davidoff Group’s portfolio, alongside the Griffins, Zino and
Private Stock series.