vortex
"A billion Eddie Barzoons jogging into the future
- Joined
- May 5, 2006
- Messages
- 5,510
Ashton Estate Sun Grown - ESG
This 6 3/4 inch X 49 ring double corona has created a splash by force of preconception. The combination of its price(MSRP - $18) and scarcity, coupled with the powerful act it had to follow (the beloved Ashton VSG), works to set one up for a disappointment. I was NOT disappointed.
I picked this up on my trip to Philly to check out Holt's Cigars, Mahogany(cigar club upstairs), and meet Master o' Mayhem at Twin Shoppe in South Philly. Holt's is one of the few local places which stock the ESG and you have to go there to get them - two of them is the limit per customer. They have been resting in my 65% humi the five weeks since.
This stick has a Dominican sun grown wrapper that is dark brown, a bit toothy, and had two medium veins. It feels firm and solid and the band is very gaudy. A bit showy for my tastes. Straight clip reveals good draw and a taste and odor of barnyard and cocoa.
1st Third: Toasted with my cheapo triple-flame and first draw is mostly leather - really tasty leather - with light cocoa notes. Very nice start, IMO. I try to put the price and hype out of my mind and imagine a blind taste test. As I close my eyes and focus on the cigar, I realize I simply like this flavor at this point. Sweet cocoa and other spices are starting to make an appearance now. A very pleasant finish is starting to linger on my lips.
2nd Third: Through this period the sweet flavors slowly increase and begin to balance the leather much better. The aroma is very pleasant and would be accepted in polite company more readily than some. Burn wanders a bit but self-corrects. The sweet, spicy flavors include cocoa, cinnamon, and raisin.
Final Third: Sweet spice has continued to build throughout this smoke. They now overpower the leather flavors and remind me more of a VSG. The colorful band is easily removed now. Body and strength also have increased to medium-full from medium. I nub this with 3/4 inch to go quite satisfied.
Conclusion: I thought this was an enjoyable, well-balanced, and complex cigar. It was not as in your face as some sun grown cigars. It starts with a very good leather taste and is slowly and gradually balanced by the sweet, spicy flavors of cocoa, cinnamon, and raisin. Even though I am fortunate to be so close to one of the few places that sell ESGs for MSRP, I doubt I will buy many more. Although I like this cigar, it is out of my normal price range and, unlike the LA Cien Anos Belicoso, this cigar is not a great value in spite of it's price. In my imaginary blind taste test, I would love this cigar but be put off after learning the price.
Summary:
Construction: 10 of 10
Draw: 10 of 10
Burn: 9 of 10
Flavor 8 of 10
Complexity 8 of 10
Finish 9 of 10
Value 6 of 10
Hand-mades start with 30 points. . . .
Total Score: 90 of 100
This 6 3/4 inch X 49 ring double corona has created a splash by force of preconception. The combination of its price(MSRP - $18) and scarcity, coupled with the powerful act it had to follow (the beloved Ashton VSG), works to set one up for a disappointment. I was NOT disappointed.
I picked this up on my trip to Philly to check out Holt's Cigars, Mahogany(cigar club upstairs), and meet Master o' Mayhem at Twin Shoppe in South Philly. Holt's is one of the few local places which stock the ESG and you have to go there to get them - two of them is the limit per customer. They have been resting in my 65% humi the five weeks since.
This stick has a Dominican sun grown wrapper that is dark brown, a bit toothy, and had two medium veins. It feels firm and solid and the band is very gaudy. A bit showy for my tastes. Straight clip reveals good draw and a taste and odor of barnyard and cocoa.
1st Third: Toasted with my cheapo triple-flame and first draw is mostly leather - really tasty leather - with light cocoa notes. Very nice start, IMO. I try to put the price and hype out of my mind and imagine a blind taste test. As I close my eyes and focus on the cigar, I realize I simply like this flavor at this point. Sweet cocoa and other spices are starting to make an appearance now. A very pleasant finish is starting to linger on my lips.
2nd Third: Through this period the sweet flavors slowly increase and begin to balance the leather much better. The aroma is very pleasant and would be accepted in polite company more readily than some. Burn wanders a bit but self-corrects. The sweet, spicy flavors include cocoa, cinnamon, and raisin.
Final Third: Sweet spice has continued to build throughout this smoke. They now overpower the leather flavors and remind me more of a VSG. The colorful band is easily removed now. Body and strength also have increased to medium-full from medium. I nub this with 3/4 inch to go quite satisfied.
Conclusion: I thought this was an enjoyable, well-balanced, and complex cigar. It was not as in your face as some sun grown cigars. It starts with a very good leather taste and is slowly and gradually balanced by the sweet, spicy flavors of cocoa, cinnamon, and raisin. Even though I am fortunate to be so close to one of the few places that sell ESGs for MSRP, I doubt I will buy many more. Although I like this cigar, it is out of my normal price range and, unlike the LA Cien Anos Belicoso, this cigar is not a great value in spite of it's price. In my imaginary blind taste test, I would love this cigar but be put off after learning the price.
Summary:
Construction: 10 of 10
Draw: 10 of 10
Burn: 9 of 10
Flavor 8 of 10
Complexity 8 of 10
Finish 9 of 10
Value 6 of 10
Hand-mades start with 30 points. . . .
Total Score: 90 of 100
Different taste too, both are very nice tho IMHO.