Ashton VSG
Up for review this week is the Ashton VSG. This particular stick was requested for review a couple of weeks back. Being one of the first cigars I laid eyes on as I rummaged through my cooler, I decided it was about time I stopped looking at it and started smoking it.
During a quick pre light inspection I found the wrapper to be a consistent medium brown color with a few medium sized veins running throughout. When pinched I found the body to be slightly soft but otherwise consistent down the length of the stick. The aroma at the head and foot were both rich and very appealing as was the oily sheen which coated the wrapper leaf.
After a quick cut and light I had my VSG burning evenly and producing a good volume of flavorful smoke. The draw was free with little resistance and paved the way for a nice medium body to start. The finish was smooth and easy on the palate while the base flavor was Nutty with a mild coffee flavor. At this junction in the smoke, the most appealing thing was how clean and crisp the flavors tasted.
As I continued to smoke I found myself into the second third of my cigar. The draw was free and produced a large volume of thick and flavorful smoke. The body slowly began to creep towards the full range while the finish remained smooth and easy on the palate. The base flavor was now more along the lines of Wood and Leather as the original Nutty flavor faded.
As I reached the final third of my Ashton VSG I found myself totally engrossed by the smoke. The body continued to build and made a smooth transition into the full range while the finish remained smooth and enjoyable. The woody base flavor was beginning to fade and Leather was becoming the dominant component. In addition to the leather I was picking up a sort of Tangy like flavor, most likely due to the Sungrown Wrapper, that I found to be a really nice little change of pace.
Overall I think that this was a fantastic smoke. With a price point of about $8.00 and up, these sticks are out outside of my comfort zone (not to mention budget) but to me, are worth every penny. I was very impressed by the crisp and clean flavors of the smoke and definitely recommend them to anyone who enjoys a good sun grown wrapper.
Related posts:
- Arganese Connecticut Ambassador
- Ashton Aged Maduro #20
- Cuba Aliados Anniversary
- Ashton Cabinet #3
- Indian Tabac Cameroon Legend
Filed under: Stogie Reviews, Videos
Nice review.
Can you recommend a good Ashton? I am getting a fair amount of searches for “ashton”, but got nothing to offer
Nice review, Walt.
Good review Walt and cool story about the cigar bomb. I’ve just tried the Ashton Classic and thought it to be too mild for my taste. I think i’m ready to move up to something with a little bit more punch. I’ll have to put the VSG on my to do list.
Hey guys! thanks for all the great reviews and such wonderful things!
todaly is my 18th birthday and i thought i should thank you for all your great recomendations. i went to my local B+M today and bought some cigars based on your reviews and they turned out great! so thanks agian for the reviews and such htings! hope to see more soon! (oh and btw that cigar looks great!)
Great review Walt. I like the VSGs a lot too, I’ve had a hand full of them and I wish there were cheaper as well.
Anyway, Fuente don’t have seconds, they discard imperfect cigars. Tampas are apprentice rolled. I’m positive you know that, it probably just slipped your mind.
Happy belated birthday Kitt!
You will never, never discover the true identity of Smoke & Aces! Our cause will live forever!
Nice review, I enjoyed this smoke for the first time this week while on vacation. Very good smoke but like you it is out of my range to smoke all the time.
[...] Walt tells us what he thinks of the Ashton VSG. [...]
Yes, perfection comes at a price. I recently smoked an Ashton VSG “Tres Mystique” and found it of similar high quality. On the other hand, I’ve had 4-dollar cigars that come darned close, such as the Carlos Torano 1916 Cameroon corona.
i smoked the perfecto over the weekend. i dug it a lot. i was a bigger fan of the robusto size though. the head of this cigar tasted great. it had a great finish on it. ashton has the kind of impeccable quality that i come to expect. i only wish that they were a bit cheaper to get them into my rotation a little more often. in the chi suburbs they go for about 11.
With only about 30 sticks’ worth of experience, I am a real neophyte, so discount my opinion if you must.. But the an Ashton VSG Tres Mystique I just smoked is the finest cigars I’ve enjoyed. Walt’s review was dead on - I would add that the flavor of the last third had a pronounced spicy kick to it. As the flavor got bolder, the smoothness remained. This cigar is above me, but I can tell a damn good smoke and this is now my new standard for cigars in the VSG’s class.
[...] Ashton VSG Body: Full Approximate Price: Ranges from $11.00 and up My personal favorite cigar which I [...]
I love the Ashton VSG,one of my favorites is the Spellbound!!