Ashton VSG No.1 Belicoso
Shape: Torpedo
Size and Ring: 5.25 x 52
Wrapper: Ecuador
Average costs for single: $9~$10
I finally tried the VSG Belicoso torpedo. The first thing that was curious, there was no pre-light aroma. There was virtually no smell at all. To make sure my sense of smell wasn't the culprit, I looked to the Torano 1916 torpedo and my Wife’s Drew Estate Java. Sense of smell definitely there! The construction and wrapper appeared to be in pretty good shape.
The cut went well using a double guillotine with no unraveling. The pre-light draw was a little loose for my tastes. Hmmmm, not a good start. I toasted the foot and lit up using my torch. It was too windy for my preferred method of the wood match. The smoke was ok, but not billowing. The burn was a tad bit uneven. I have seen better burns, I have seen worse. The ash was a darker gray, but tight. I would have to say the aforementioned attributes were middle of the road with some lean to the negative side.
Now for the highly subjective attribute of taste or the lack thereof. It started off on the bitter side and then after about 1/3 done, hardly any taste at all. As it got closer to the nub, it started to burn hotter. Until it started burning hotter, it was like smoking air and blowing smoke.
To sum the experience up in a word? Bland. I was disappointed all the way around. By comparison, the Torano 1916 Cameroon at $4.40 was leaps and bound better. The taste is usually the deal breaker and subjected to personal opinion of likes and dislikes. However, the physical attributes, i.e. wrapper, construction, draw, burn, aroma etc., are universal. This is where this VSG was disappointing. The proverbial nail in the coffin was the bland taste.
I am hoping someone can say that this was a dud and this is the exception rather than the rule and to give it another shot.
Thanks for looking!
Shape: Torpedo
Size and Ring: 5.25 x 52
Wrapper: Ecuador
Average costs for single: $9~$10
I finally tried the VSG Belicoso torpedo. The first thing that was curious, there was no pre-light aroma. There was virtually no smell at all. To make sure my sense of smell wasn't the culprit, I looked to the Torano 1916 torpedo and my Wife’s Drew Estate Java. Sense of smell definitely there! The construction and wrapper appeared to be in pretty good shape.
The cut went well using a double guillotine with no unraveling. The pre-light draw was a little loose for my tastes. Hmmmm, not a good start. I toasted the foot and lit up using my torch. It was too windy for my preferred method of the wood match. The smoke was ok, but not billowing. The burn was a tad bit uneven. I have seen better burns, I have seen worse. The ash was a darker gray, but tight. I would have to say the aforementioned attributes were middle of the road with some lean to the negative side.
Now for the highly subjective attribute of taste or the lack thereof. It started off on the bitter side and then after about 1/3 done, hardly any taste at all. As it got closer to the nub, it started to burn hotter. Until it started burning hotter, it was like smoking air and blowing smoke.
To sum the experience up in a word? Bland. I was disappointed all the way around. By comparison, the Torano 1916 Cameroon at $4.40 was leaps and bound better. The taste is usually the deal breaker and subjected to personal opinion of likes and dislikes. However, the physical attributes, i.e. wrapper, construction, draw, burn, aroma etc., are universal. This is where this VSG was disappointing. The proverbial nail in the coffin was the bland taste.
I am hoping someone can say that this was a dud and this is the exception rather than the rule and to give it another shot.
Thanks for looking!
From all accounts, I most likely received a dud. At least I hope that is what it was. Later in the evening, I had a staple of mine, a Padron #3000 and it was good as always.