Ashton Estate Sun Grown 20 Year Salute

Another elegant Ashton, the 20 Year Salute is smaller in stature than its cousin the Sorcerer, and for my buck, a little less magical (though not by much). Completely constructed from Dominican Republic tobacco, it features a dark brown wrapper, complimented with an oily sheen and a few veins smattered here and there.

For me, this cigar had an interesting mix of flavors, some I could not readily identify. Part licorice candy, part rich, heady coffee, and a tinge of pepper. It was definitely an interesting smoke. It had a pleasant draw and for its buck, was a nice, medium-bodied cigar. You could definitely do worse.

Size: 6 ¾” x 49

Rating: 88.7

Cubao No. 1

Made by CEO and master roller Don José Pepin Garcia, the Cubao No. 1 is just one of another in a fine line of cigars produced by this mastermind. Coming out of Nicaragua, this big boy weighs in at 7 1/8” with a fat ring gauge of 49. Its wrapper is dark and mottled, an Ecuadorean Sumatra Oscuro, that nicely complements the Nicaraguan binder and filler.

Boasting what, for me, was a near perfect draw, you can expect to find a thick bouquet when you light this one up. Flavors such as licorice, leather, black coffee, and wood roll around your mouth with each puff, topped off by a familiar spiciness that isn’t quite pepper. If you can get your hands on one of these, do me a favor and grab two. I’m sure you can find my mailing address listed on the site!

Size: 7 1/8”/49

Rating: 91.8