Here we have an Ashton Aged Maduro #20, weighing in at 5.5×44 with an almost vein-free very smooth wrapper with a slightly oily appearance. There is a very well done, firm, double cap reaching down well past the head of the cigar. The cigar is very firm, with almost no give when squeezed which has me a bit concerned pre-light. The cap cuts very cleanly revealing a better draw than I was expecting.
The foot toasted quickly and the first couple of puffs provided a similar rich, dark flavor that I am used to from my favorite maduro Fuente products (858 Flor Fina and Rothschild). The body is mild to medium at the start getting no more than medium by the end. The burn was near razor sharp leaving behind a light grey ash with an attractive ripple I see in many Fuente cigars.
The second third yields little to no build in the body or finish but the same rich maduro flavor and smoothness. At this point the extreme smoothness of this cigar really has my attention, I think I’ve yet to have another cigar with this much flavor that still remained this smooth. While the flavor profile is very similar to some Fuente Gran Reserva maduros, the only ones I’ve had that were this smooth had a year plus of humidor time.
By the time I get down to the last third of the cigar there is the slightest amount of build to the body to what I would call a medium. The finish is medium, lingering on the palate just long enough to enjoy. This cigar was very enjoyable, and while I’m not generally one to smoke a cigar very far into the final third the picture below shows how much and for how long I smoked this one. I feel this line of cigars shows the benefits of aging, the flavor profile is similar to other Fuente maduros yet with a smoothness I’ve never seen from any Fuente without a year of age. Don’t have the patience to age a box of 858 Flor Finas? Pick yourself up a box of these, I just don’t see how you could be disappointed.
Nice review, Brian. Do you happen to know how long these are aged before release?
Thanks, I looked around before smoking it but could only find references to ‘aged filler’ and select wrapper. If you find any other information I’d love to hear it.
The best I can do is say that the blend is made of select 3-5 year old tobacco. The cigar itself is aged an additional year after being rolled before being released for resale.
The reason I ask is that it seems that most premium cigar makers are using aged tobacco from the start, but not too many are holding the rolled cigars for long before release. From my experience, a year in the humi can make a big difference. That might explain the smoothness of this maduro. Thanks for the info guys!
I got one of these (not this size) in a Ashton Sampler I received for my birthday. After Brian’s review and now Gary from About.com has weighed in, I can’t wait to try it.
the biggest problem is people smoking there cigars at the wrong humidity… this is why you have to let your cigars settle for 6-8 weeks in a 65% environment after you purchase. Unfortunately cigars don’t travel well.
I agree cigar family guy, though I assure you there were no humidity problems with this one. It had been in my humidor for almost 2 months at 60-65% humidity.
Tom, I believe these are rolled from aged tobacco and also allowed to age after being rolled. On the Ashton website there is a slideshow ‘Making of an Ashton’ where they show already-rolled cigars in the ‘Aging Room’.
Would anyone suggest this cigar to a noob smoker or does it take a trained cigar smoker to enjoy this fully?
Kirk, I don’t think it takes a trained smoker to enjoy any cigar, ‘enjoy’ is far too subjective. Not sure I would recommend a box purchase, but I would definitely pick up one of these and a maduro Fuente Gran Reserva (green band) to see the difference the aging makes.
If you can’t tell the difference, enjoy the cheaper smokes and revisit the Ashton Aged in a few months.
I’ve had a No.40- great smoke. Lots of dry woodsy (cedar) tastes in mine. Very smooth. Thanks for the review Brian!
I went to an Ashton hosted event this evening at a local smoke shop and tried one of these tonight, and I have a new favorite cigar!
Bad thing was that the shop didn’t have any to sell and I was willing to buy a box.
I am getting a box of these next week to age in my humidor, and maybe a few to smoke over the next month.
These are dark and they taste great.
The gentleman who asked about being a noob and smoking these… go for it, you will not be dissappointed at all.
This is a great cigar, and my first Ashton!
Tom, they sure are tasty aren’t they?
I don’t see how anyone who enjoys a good cigar wouldn’t like these. Good luck holding on to a box long enough to age them any further. 🙂
Personally, I don’t find them any better than the Montesino Maduros, and they are triple the price.
cigar family guy, I’ve yet to try a Montesino Maduro but I received one in a trade just this week. There was just a certain smoothness, which I almost hate to say since I already used that word five times in the review, to this smoke that I’ve only experienced in cigars with a good bit of age on them. I would _love_ it if the Montesino ends up having the same characteristics.
I don’t see how you smoked it down so far. Did it burn your front teeth?
Why did you throw away the best part ? This cigar requiers a roach clip.
#20’s are good but I enjoy the #30’s a lot more.