Ashton ESG 23 year salute
Wrapper- Dominican Sungrown Rosado
Binder-Dominican
Filler-Dominican
MSRP-$19-25
Size- 6.2 x52
In honor of the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 list coming out this week, Ive decided to review some of my favorites from the selection. We are starting off with a fantastic smoke and the holder of the #8 spot on the list; The Ashton ESG. The actual size that was rated was the torpedo but I will be smoking the toro. The ESG, like many of the Ashtons, is made by the Fuente family and has a very rare Dominican Rosado Sungrown wrapper grown by Fuente just for Ashton
Im using a V-cut for this bad boy because I feel as though it’s the least likely to mangle the cigar and really centralizes the draw. I always use a v-cut on my higher end smokes to obtain optimal enjoyment. Im also using matches on this to add in a little extra aroma and flavor.
Pre-light/First Third
Before I even light it up I have a nice aroma with a hint of spice and cocoa. Once the fire hits it, a good amount of pepper and spice hits my tongue. A lot of flavor but not overbearing. The smoke is medium in consistency but also looks like silk. As I keep going, a terrific ash forms at the bottom, very white and solid.
As I start to hit the middle to end of the first portion, the flavor all of a sudden becomes creamy and silky, with a little nutty taste. The burn wasnt terrific at first but that’s mostly due to my using paper matches.
Second Third
The ash remains solid as we hit the middle portion of the cigar and its really firm. The creaminess stays throughout while that pepper taste remains in the background. The burn has now almost entirely corrected itself, which shows the great construction on this cigar.
The draw out of the V-cut is perfect, almost like silk pouring out with ease. And slowly but surely the pepper and spice starts to sneak its way back in.
Right as Im about to hit the final third, the ash finally does drop but after a few inches have formed.
Final Third
Even after the first portion of ash had fallen off, a second portion has formed almost as solid as the first. I’m really tasting the pepper and spice, along with a real earthiness and some leather. The draw is now almost too much, the cigar is pouring out smoke, which I love. By the time I take off the label the flavors have come in full throttle. Its definitely a cigar you smoke until it burns your fingers.
Conclusion
This remains one of my all time favorites and definitely earns its spot on the top 25. The complex flavors and amazing construction make it a spectacular all around smoke. Like I said, the only real drawback is the price, but that $20 was definitely worth the hour of heaven I was in
My Rating- 94
Wrapper- Dominican Sungrown Rosado
Binder-Dominican
Filler-Dominican
MSRP-$19-25
Size- 6.2 x52
In honor of the Cigar Aficionado Top 25 list coming out this week, Ive decided to review some of my favorites from the selection. We are starting off with a fantastic smoke and the holder of the #8 spot on the list; The Ashton ESG. The actual size that was rated was the torpedo but I will be smoking the toro. The ESG, like many of the Ashtons, is made by the Fuente family and has a very rare Dominican Rosado Sungrown wrapper grown by Fuente just for Ashton
Im using a V-cut for this bad boy because I feel as though it’s the least likely to mangle the cigar and really centralizes the draw. I always use a v-cut on my higher end smokes to obtain optimal enjoyment. Im also using matches on this to add in a little extra aroma and flavor.
Pre-light/First Third
Before I even light it up I have a nice aroma with a hint of spice and cocoa. Once the fire hits it, a good amount of pepper and spice hits my tongue. A lot of flavor but not overbearing. The smoke is medium in consistency but also looks like silk. As I keep going, a terrific ash forms at the bottom, very white and solid.
As I start to hit the middle to end of the first portion, the flavor all of a sudden becomes creamy and silky, with a little nutty taste. The burn wasnt terrific at first but that’s mostly due to my using paper matches.
Second Third
The ash remains solid as we hit the middle portion of the cigar and its really firm. The creaminess stays throughout while that pepper taste remains in the background. The burn has now almost entirely corrected itself, which shows the great construction on this cigar.
The draw out of the V-cut is perfect, almost like silk pouring out with ease. And slowly but surely the pepper and spice starts to sneak its way back in.Right as Im about to hit the final third, the ash finally does drop but after a few inches have formed.
Final Third
Even after the first portion of ash had fallen off, a second portion has formed almost as solid as the first. I’m really tasting the pepper and spice, along with a real earthiness and some leather. The draw is now almost too much, the cigar is pouring out smoke, which I love. By the time I take off the label the flavors have come in full throttle. Its definitely a cigar you smoke until it burns your fingers.
Conclusion
This remains one of my all time favorites and definitely earns its spot on the top 25. The complex flavors and amazing construction make it a spectacular all around smoke. Like I said, the only real drawback is the price, but that $20 was definitely worth the hour of heaven I was in
My Rating- 94
Nice review, really like the ESG's.
