r3db4r0n
BoM Jan '11
I did a terrible thing, I let work get ahead of my beloved hobby. It’s been too long, too few cigars smoked and too many people who have come forward to express how they miss the reviews. How to properly atone for a lengthy hiatus? By giving those who asked what they deserve, a fine review of a fine cigar – the Ashton ESG 21 Year Robusto which was kindly provided by Bob (hdroadglide).
Just a little background: Beginning in 2005, Robert Levin and Carlos Fuente Jr. commissioned the Ashton Estate Sun Grown (ESG), a limited release designed to commemorate 20 years of steady growth and sales, with plans to add a new size every year until 2010 – the Ashton ESG 21 Year Robusto is the second such cigar released in the series, originally having debuted in 2006.
Now, normally I would offer more information when it comes to the specifics of a cigar – in particular the tobaccos of which it is comprised – but I can’t seem to find anything other than the size (5x52 for those wondering). Apparently the guys over at Ashton/Fuente decided their ESG series was going to be so prestigious that they wouldn’t even share what tobaccos they used to roll it, but I suppose I can still list the essentials.
Can you say flawless? Well, it was the first thing that came to mind when I took this Robusto out of the cello. The average cigar consumer would probably agree that super premium-limited release sticks are put on the pedestal, sought after in a witch hunt-like fashion, and more often than not end up over hyped/overpriced as a result. Needless to say, the mystery wrapper that was used to encompass this ESG certainly makes it look the part. Caramel brown with a rich oily sheen, this unique tobacco – whatever it may be – even hides it veins well. Construction appears to be what you would expect from a prestigious limited-release cigar: Seams that barely show and a very aesthetic looking triple cap, although the filler was a little firmer than I favour, this cigar seems to be holding its own thus far – even the band is among the most elaborate and finely detailed I’ve ever seen.
Now, on to the good stuff.
Pre light draw: After talking about and admiring this cigar for so long, it seems almost a shame to do something like wet one end and then put a blade to it, but, alas I would much rather smoke this cigar than simply sit here and look at it all day. The cut is good, and the draw even easier, though I am surprised by the amount of spice that it carries: earthy undertones are present beneath the spice along with mild tobacco. Interestingly, the pre light draw almost seems to finish with a hint of black pepper. Fragrances from the foot and body prove moderately less complex, although cedar, barnyard nuances and some earthy tones are discernable over background nuances of mild tobacco.
Light: After enduring what seemed like an eternity, I finished toasting the foot and moved quickly to lighting – this act in itself turned the first quarter inch of the cigar into ash, a little much I thought. Unfortunately, the light is somewhat one dimensional, although the flavours are enjoyable: sweet floral notes that I cannot yet identify wash over the palate and are followed by spice, while the smoke plumes from the ambient burn offer a wonderful and pleasing meld of vanilla and caramel to the senses.
First Third: Giving the ESG about 10 minutes to settle, what I previously detected as floral notes have now come forth as vanilla and caramel – akin to the ambient burn – with a pleasing spicy hint on the finish. Taking in the expelled smoke, I am surprised by the contrast the retro-hale offers to the draw: It is deep, rich and filled with an oaky leather, highlighted by caramel – not quite as complex as I had expected given the reputation this cigar carries, but a very enjoyable first third nonetheless. I experienced some minor issues with the burn throughout the first, though for the most part they were self-correcting and the ash held for about an inch before dropping.
Second Third: As I enter into the second third of my smoking experience, the cigar has already begun to deepen. I can no longer make out the vanilla present in the first third, though notes of caramel continue to penetrate the palate. Toasted oak has made a transition from the retro-hale through to the draw, though much heavier, also carrying with it a strong leather on the finish, still with a hint of spice. The retro-hale remains largely the same at this point, although caramel has been replaced by almond, complementing the oak and leather nicely. The burn has made a considerable improvement over the last third, remaining very even by comparison though still dropping ash in inch-long segments.
Final Third: Moving into the finale, the ESG comes through for a strong finish. Toasted oak comes through in droves, heavier now than ever before. Leather is still strongly present, although spice has picked up considerably. The retro-hale remains quite consistent with the last third, still delivering a plethora of almond, oak and leather, though a spice is now also present on the finish. The burn has progressed nicely from the last third, now quite even, still dropping ash at one-inch intervals through to the nub.
Final thoughts: An excellent cigar, it isn’t often that I smoke a stick that shares notes on the draw with both the nuances of the retro-hale and the ambient burn, but this Ashton pulled it off nicely. While the changes weren’t overly complex, it started off floral and sweet – a preference of mine – building on itself, strengthening steadily and consistently for a strong finish. I’m not sure I would buy a box of these at the $17.50 a stick price point, but it’s something any Ashton or Fuente lover should try.
Total smoking time was about an hour and 20 minutes.
Cheers,
Shawn
Just a little background: Beginning in 2005, Robert Levin and Carlos Fuente Jr. commissioned the Ashton Estate Sun Grown (ESG), a limited release designed to commemorate 20 years of steady growth and sales, with plans to add a new size every year until 2010 – the Ashton ESG 21 Year Robusto is the second such cigar released in the series, originally having debuted in 2006.
Now, normally I would offer more information when it comes to the specifics of a cigar – in particular the tobaccos of which it is comprised – but I can’t seem to find anything other than the size (5x52 for those wondering). Apparently the guys over at Ashton/Fuente decided their ESG series was going to be so prestigious that they wouldn’t even share what tobaccos they used to roll it, but I suppose I can still list the essentials.
Can you say flawless? Well, it was the first thing that came to mind when I took this Robusto out of the cello. The average cigar consumer would probably agree that super premium-limited release sticks are put on the pedestal, sought after in a witch hunt-like fashion, and more often than not end up over hyped/overpriced as a result. Needless to say, the mystery wrapper that was used to encompass this ESG certainly makes it look the part. Caramel brown with a rich oily sheen, this unique tobacco – whatever it may be – even hides it veins well. Construction appears to be what you would expect from a prestigious limited-release cigar: Seams that barely show and a very aesthetic looking triple cap, although the filler was a little firmer than I favour, this cigar seems to be holding its own thus far – even the band is among the most elaborate and finely detailed I’ve ever seen.
Now, on to the good stuff.
Pre light draw: After talking about and admiring this cigar for so long, it seems almost a shame to do something like wet one end and then put a blade to it, but, alas I would much rather smoke this cigar than simply sit here and look at it all day. The cut is good, and the draw even easier, though I am surprised by the amount of spice that it carries: earthy undertones are present beneath the spice along with mild tobacco. Interestingly, the pre light draw almost seems to finish with a hint of black pepper. Fragrances from the foot and body prove moderately less complex, although cedar, barnyard nuances and some earthy tones are discernable over background nuances of mild tobacco.
Light: After enduring what seemed like an eternity, I finished toasting the foot and moved quickly to lighting – this act in itself turned the first quarter inch of the cigar into ash, a little much I thought. Unfortunately, the light is somewhat one dimensional, although the flavours are enjoyable: sweet floral notes that I cannot yet identify wash over the palate and are followed by spice, while the smoke plumes from the ambient burn offer a wonderful and pleasing meld of vanilla and caramel to the senses.
First Third: Giving the ESG about 10 minutes to settle, what I previously detected as floral notes have now come forth as vanilla and caramel – akin to the ambient burn – with a pleasing spicy hint on the finish. Taking in the expelled smoke, I am surprised by the contrast the retro-hale offers to the draw: It is deep, rich and filled with an oaky leather, highlighted by caramel – not quite as complex as I had expected given the reputation this cigar carries, but a very enjoyable first third nonetheless. I experienced some minor issues with the burn throughout the first, though for the most part they were self-correcting and the ash held for about an inch before dropping.
Second Third: As I enter into the second third of my smoking experience, the cigar has already begun to deepen. I can no longer make out the vanilla present in the first third, though notes of caramel continue to penetrate the palate. Toasted oak has made a transition from the retro-hale through to the draw, though much heavier, also carrying with it a strong leather on the finish, still with a hint of spice. The retro-hale remains largely the same at this point, although caramel has been replaced by almond, complementing the oak and leather nicely. The burn has made a considerable improvement over the last third, remaining very even by comparison though still dropping ash in inch-long segments.
Final Third: Moving into the finale, the ESG comes through for a strong finish. Toasted oak comes through in droves, heavier now than ever before. Leather is still strongly present, although spice has picked up considerably. The retro-hale remains quite consistent with the last third, still delivering a plethora of almond, oak and leather, though a spice is now also present on the finish. The burn has progressed nicely from the last third, now quite even, still dropping ash at one-inch intervals through to the nub.
Final thoughts: An excellent cigar, it isn’t often that I smoke a stick that shares notes on the draw with both the nuances of the retro-hale and the ambient burn, but this Ashton pulled it off nicely. While the changes weren’t overly complex, it started off floral and sweet – a preference of mine – building on itself, strengthening steadily and consistently for a strong finish. I’m not sure I would buy a box of these at the $17.50 a stick price point, but it’s something any Ashton or Fuente lover should try.
Total smoking time was about an hour and 20 minutes.
Cheers,
Shawn
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