Cigar Review: Ashton VSG

Ashton VSG

Today’s review comes from Tiger Woo and is of the Ashton VSG Belicoso #1. According to the Ashton website the VSG is blended exclusively for Ashton by Carlos Fuente Jr. using 4 to 5 year old aged Dominican tobacco taken from the finest and most fertile plants. The distinct flavor of VSG comes from its wrapper grown on a private estate in Ecuador owned by the Oliva family where this proprietary wrapper leaf is grown for the Fuente Family exclusively for Ashton VSG. The leaf is taken from the higher primings and matures slowly by sunlight filtered through the region’s natural cloud covering. The result is the rich intoxicating wrapper which has made the Ashton VSG the most in demand cigar on the market today.

Cigar: Ashton VSG
Origin: Dominican Republic
Size: 5.25 x 52
Wrapper: Ecuador
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

Appearance & Construction (19/20): When I think of an Ashton VSG, I’m reminded of the reason I like cigars in the first place. Without getting too philosophical, the Ashton VSG line seems to embody the virtues of a prototypical “good cigar.” Its classic character and beautiful construction all provide an experience that lives up to one’s expectations when they think of “relaxing with a good smoke.” This belicoso is no different. Its beautiful construction is highlighted by its dark, oily wrapper with a rough toothiness. While I usually smoke the Spellbound, this belicoso was a welcomed, shorter smoke.

Flavor & Notes (25/30): Pre-light, the aroma and taste was of classic tobacco notes with a hint of fertilizer. At the foot, floral notes accompanied fruit flavors reminiscent of plum. Upon lighting, I was welcomed by a medley of spice, cinnamon and a hint of clove. As the smoke progressed, these became a cedar sweetness with creamy notes of myrrh. In the last third, there was notable, but certainly not off-putting, bitterness accompanied by notes of raw peanuts. The sweet finish persisted through the end of the smoke, which left a pleasant after-taste.

Burn/Ash/Draw (22/25): The burn was even and slow, leaving a medium gray ash which held through the midpoint before it fell. The draw was indicative of the construction: easy with a slight firmness.

Overall (23/25): Overall, I was happy with the smoke. Its very elegant flavors underscored the classic notes of tobacco which, in my opinion, is the hallmark of the VSG line. A great experience. Its price, though on the high side, is warranted as one is guaranteed a very satisfying smoking experience.

Rating: 89
Price: 12.00

Cigar Review: La Aroma De Cuba Edicion Especial

One reason why I personally almost never order from online is because I like walking into a brick & mortar and being recognized by the owner or workers. Yesterday was a perfect example of this when I walked into the Cigar Vault in Brooklyn, NY. The owner, Joe saw me walk in and before you knew it he came over to me and said, “Barry, how have you been we got some new editions in the humidor this week let me show you”. You do not get that from shopping online. As we were completing my purchases he also informed me, “Barry I know how much you love the Opus X, those are coming in next week. It appears this is the Christmas shipment, and after that who knows because of all the flooding they had down there”. Its stores that go the extra mile to keep you informed that keep me coming back.

Today’s cigar was one of the new sticks that came in and I picked up a few most of which were for myself, and some to give my BOTLs over at cigarlive.com. So on a typical fall morning, with overcast skies, and the sea a color of steel I dove right into this one straight from the store.

Cigar: La Aroma De Cuba Edicion Especial
Origin: Nicaragua
Size: 5.5 x 52 (No. 5)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Nicaragua
Filler: Nicaragua

Pre-Smoke: This cigar is blended by Jose Pepin Garcia and is handcrafted in small batch fashion by a group of master rollers. The wrapper of this cigar has a beautiful color to it although it has some veins that stand out. The wrapper appears a little brittle, but it has a nice amount of oils showing as well. The scent of the wrapper was cedar and the foot offered notes of spices and wood. The pre-light draw was perfect and it too was woody.  I was pretty stoked because this did not seem like a typical Pepin smoke.

Smoke: Upon lighting the cigar up, I was happy to see this cigar did not have the signature pepper blast that Pepin cigars seem to have. To be honest I am getting rather tired of a lot of the Pepin blends being similar. The first third of the cigar offered heavy wood with some cinnamon notes that became stronger as I reached the 2nd third. In the final third, the wood which remained dominant throughout was joined by some earth and leather.

Overall: This medium to full bodied smoke was totally different then the regular La Aroma De Cuba which was very welcomed by this reviewer in fact the only thing similar was the band. The finish was woody with some spices that lasted long after the smoke that left me very content. It also managed to rekindle my interest in Pepin cigars. If you see this cigar on the shelf I suggest you pick up a handful, as you will not be disappointed.

Rating: 92
Price: $8.50

Ed. Note: I forgot to take a picture as I was smoking the cigar, and the photo is compliments of the Ashton Website… When I smoke another one this week I will replace the photo.

Review: Asthon ESG (Estate Sun Grown)

Having stayed up late last night to watch the All-Star game it was with amazing that I woke up at 5am today. With just a little bit of sleep after one of the better games in memory of the mid-summer classic in the final year of the greatest baseball venue I decided to go out and watch the sun rise and smoke a cigar. Since I started this blog I have not only learned to truly enjoy my cigars but life as well.

The Skinny:

Cigar: Ashton Estate Sun Grown (ESG)
Size: Robusto 5 x 52 (21 Year Salute)
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic

Pre-Light: The aesthetics of this cigar are flawless. From cap to foot, it is the definition of a perfectly rolled cigar. The label is one of best in the industry, and it is an eye catcher on the shelf. The wrapper scent was sweet with a touch of earth, while at the foot it was peppery causing me to sneeze relentlessly. I used a straight cut on the cigar and the pre-light draw was a combination of cinamon and a touch of cocoa.

Smoke: The burn was perfect on this. From the light, to the burn line, to the white ash. It never once needed to be touched up. It never risked going out on me. The notes were a little hard to identify but regardless it was a smooth, creamy smoke. In the background there were notes of leather which served as the canvas for  cocoa, cinnamon, and some pepper.

Overall: The Ashton ESG is a puro cigar from the domincan republic. It comes from the fuente plantation, and it has led me to refer to this cigar as Ashtons answer to the Opus X. Wether that is accurate or not I don’t know. But I have smoked a few of these, and I believe it is a fair comparison. This cigar is so enjoyable, so defined, and a totally classic smoke. Each year until 2010 Ashton will add a new size leading up to its 25th Anniversary.

My Local Price: $20.00 (NY Tobacco Tax is 39%)
Rating: 93(Out of 100)