Ashton VSG Enchantment review

[moki]

Okay VSG fans! I get it now! I just sparked up an Ashton VSG Enchantment that I've had sitting in my humidor for a month or so, and it's quite a wonderful smoke. I wasn't too keen on the VSG Belicoso No.1 -- the first VSG I'd ever had -- because though it seemed like there was a great cigar in there, it was just too bitter.

The VSG Enchantment is diminutive little smoke with a large ring gauge, wrapped into Figurado form, with a nice little nib on the foot that you light it from. I think a new term should be devised. If the end of the cigar is called a "foot", smokes that have this little nib on the end should have it referred to as a "little toe". Construction is great on this little dynamo, with a nice velvety wrapper, draping tightly over the cigar like it's just been in a wet t-shirt contest.

Sparking up the little toe, I pulled in some really wonderful citrus flavors through a very easy draw. This smoke is really tasty, with a nice bit of spiciness blending together with citrus-nutty flavors that are quite rewarding. This cigar reminds me a bit of the Monte Cristo Platinums or Zino Platinums... except that is has flavor!

I'm really pleased with this little wonder... it burned straight and true, and the ash was totally impressive: it hung on for the duration of the smoke, and looked exactly like the unburned cigar, right down to the little toe on the end.

Each draw gives you a little citrus tease, followed by a little nibble from a chili pepper, leaving you with a slightly musty/nutty taste in your mouth. A few minutes after a puff, your mouth tastes sweetly pleasant, with the slight tingling sensation that you get after eating spicy food. Good stuff, all of it!

These cigars are really quite wonderful; my only regret is that it's a relatively quick smoke. That's a good sign, though, I'm wishing there was a bit more of it to have! These will definitely be on my "buy" list, and I'm hoping that with a bit more aging, the VSG Belicoso No1 I have in the humidor will be just as wonderful.

 

[Lumberg]

What is this shape called? I think of it as the Hemingway shape cos that's the most common manifestation of it.

Some call it a perfecto but a perfecto is tapered at both ends, liek a La Aurora Preferido.

 

[moki]

What is this shape called? I think of it as the Hemingway shape cos that's the most common manifestation of it.

Some call it a perfecto but a perfecto is tapered at both ends, liek a La Aurora Preferido.

I dunno -- how about just "Figurado"?

 

[Triple_D]

Mmmm VSG

The belicoso must need a little time in the humi b/c it shouldn't have been bitter. I love them so much b/c of there smoothness.

 

[SamGuss]

The VSG is an excellent line and the Enchantment is Melly's favorite size and my second favorite (after Robusto's). Awesome review :thumbs:

Sam

 

[Lumberg]

What is this shape called? I think of it as the Hemingway shape cos that's the most common manifestation of it.

Some call it a perfecto but a perfecto is tapered at both ends, liek a La Aurora Preferido.

I dunno -- how about just "Figurado"?

figurado refers to any cigar that is not a tube shape with a round head.

so torpedos, perfectos, belicosos, etc. are all figurados.

 

[moki]

figurado refers to any cigar that is not a tube shape with a round head.

so torpedos, perfectos, belicosos, etc. are all figurados.

Well, I guess what I mean is that I can't think of any other term to use for these suckers, so I'd just fall back on the more generic figurado? No?

 

[Lumberg]

figurado refers to any cigar that is not a tube shape with a round head.

so torpedos, perfectos, belicosos, etc. are all figurados.

Well, I guess what I mean is that I can't think of any other term to use for these suckers, so I'd just fall back on the more generic figurado? No?

OK I see what you mean.

I'd like something more precise but I suppose that'll do

 

[Ludwig]

Been awhile since I have smoked cuz its so damn cold but I just had an Enchantment myself, damn good, ash held the whole way through, burn started off uneven but what do you expect for a large cigar..

 

[moki]

A friend of mine who is a casual cigar smoker gets treated now and again when I shove a cigar in his face and say "here, try this one"

So it was with Padron 1964's, Padrón 1926's, a Padrón Millennium, Opus X (hey wait a minute -- he's getting treated far too well ), and most recently, an Añejo Shark No.77 and a VSG Enchantment.

Out of the lot, he liked the Opus X better than the Padróns, and better than the Shark. Rather surprising, but he likes a stronger cigar, so it makes sense. Most of all, though, he liked the VSG Enchantment. A score for VSG fans.

 

[Triple_D]

Most of all, though, he liked the VSG Enchantment. A score for VSG fans.

Don't know if I'd consider that a score. The way I figure is if no one else likes them then I can buy them all :0 And the prices would drop causing me to buy even more

 

[lucasbuck]

Great review! I love the VSG's, yes I do. I'm with Sam, the Robustos are supreme but they're all great. The Enchantment is a great short smoke :thumbs:

 

[doohnibor]

Thanks for the review. The VSG line is excellent overall and to me probably the best of the non-cubans.

:thumbs:

 

[lucasbuck]

The VSG line is excellent overall and to me probably the best of the non-cubans.

Agreed :thumbs:

 

[moki]

The VSG line is excellent overall and to me probably the best of the non-cubans.

Agreed :thumbs:

I think it's a matter of personal taste. I'd put the Padrón 1964/1926/Millennium's, as well as the AF Añejo's and Opus X over the VSGs, but my friend preferred the VSG. One thing is for sure, they are all wonderful smokes.

I haven't had any Cubans I'd want to smoke in lieu of any of these.