« Cigar Review: Bobalu 91 Aged Dominican toro | Home | Cigar Review: Punch Gran Cru Maduro Robusto »
Cigar Review: Ashton ESG 20 Year Salute
By Alex | June 26, 2008 |
Brand: Ashton
Line: Estate Sun Grown
Vitola: 20 Year Salute (6.75 x 49)
Origin: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Dominican Republic
Filler: Dominican Republic
Binder: Dominican Republic
Strength: Medium
Body: Medium
Price: $20 Each
According to Ashton Cigar’s website, the Estate Sun Grown was developed to celebrate their 20 years in the business, and is constructed with “a unique Dominican wrapper grown on the Chateau de la Fuente farm in the Dominican Republic.” I’ve never had a chance to sample one of these, as it’s out of my usual price range, but my lovely bride purchased one for me as a birthday gift, so I mixed myself up a mint julep and smoked this one on a lovely, cool summer evening.
Construction: This is just a lovely looking cigar. I had no visible spots or soft spots in mine. It’s a nice, veiny brown. The wrapper is a little bit on the delicate side, but otherwise I had no issues with the construction.
Burn: The burn was wonderfully even, with an easy draw that produced lots of smoke. The ash was a light grey that was slightly flaky, but maintained its shape for a long while.
Flavor: The overwhelming characteristic of this cigar was smooth. The initial taste was nice and sweet, with hints of leather and cinnamon, mellowing out with a nice bit of pepper and a sweet cinnamon cocoa flavor. The leather undertones remained, adding a nice base to the whole flavor. The pepper and leather notes remained through the second third of the cigar, with little hints of cocoa and mint making their way in and out. As the cigar transitioned into the end, the sweetness came to the fore, with strong notes of cinnamon, with some lighter spices while the leather flavor diminished for awhile. The cigar finished nice and strongly, with the leather coming back into the front with the cocoa and cinnamon flavors hanging around in the background. I only reluctantly put the cigar down so that I could avoid burning my fingers.
Verdict: The Ashton ESG has leaped up near the top of my favorite cigar list. There were lots of wonderful flavors playing in and out throughout the smoke, making for a nice, complex experience. Best of all, the smoke remained smooth, even at the finish. I will definitely ask my wife for another one for Christmas!
If you're new here, you may want to check out the Cigar Review Index or subscribe to get updates through RSS or Email. Thanks for visiting!
Tags: Ashton Cigars, Cigar Reviews, Expensive Cigars, Premium Cigars
Topics: Cigar Reviews |
June 26th, 2008 at 7:33 am
[...] I have another cigar review up this week: The Ashton ESG has leaped up near the top of my favorite cigar list. There were lots of [...]
June 26th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Great review of a great cigar… Nice quick to the point. :) If its not a video review I like short quick ones.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Isn’t the band supposed to go on the other way? You make me want to buy a box of these things.
June 26th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Heh I just noticed that.
June 26th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
That’s my bad. I usually take the bands off before I smoke ‘em and I took this one off before I realized I hadn’t taken a picture. So I put it back on. Obviously the wrong way…
June 27th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
I love the ESG it’s just so damn pricey. I’ve seen them from 16-30 per stick depending on the size.
June 30th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Pretty slick, Alex. Way to go. (Kidding.)
You know, I’ve still never had the ESG. I’m going on vacation soon, so I may pick up a stick!
July 4th, 2008 at 8:03 am
[...] Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Oliva Serie G. Cigar Jack lights up an Ashton ESG. The Cigar Spy torches up a Don Lino 1989. Keepers of the Flame tries the [...]
July 18th, 2008 at 4:52 am
[...] Around the Blogs: Stogie Review reviews the Ashton Aged Maduro. Cigar Jack smokes the Ashton ESG. Cigar Spy lights up a Cabaiguan. Cigar Inspector inspects a Oliva Serie V. [...]