Ashton Virgin Sun Grown(VSG) Torpedo: Photo Review

[DoctaJ]

Appearance + Pre-light:
This box pressed torpedo had a flat brown wrapper with one medium sized vein running down one side. I was very impressed not only with the quality of the wrapper but also the quality of the rolling job down on this cigar. This stick had a faint sweetness smell to it, which was much more subtle than the maduro cigars I smoke. The pre-light draw was perfect and also had a surprise (and first) for me. I could actually taste cocoa! It was a silky flavor that tasted a little like milk chocolate. This experience made me pumped to light this bad boy up.






Setting:
Smoked this on my porch on a nice overcast 75 degree afternoon with just the slightest of wind. I was hoping to get this smoke in before the T-storms are supposed to hit the area this evening. I coupled the cigar with some Buffalo Trace bourbon neat.


1st Quarter:

Starts off with a slight hint of both spice and sweetness that intensifies with each puff I took. As i continue on these flavors are joined by a bit of a earthy tones. As I got to the end of this section, the sweetness started to take hold with the flavor of cherries.


2nd Quarter:

The flavor started to get creamier at this point with the sweetness being joined by just a hint of spice. At this point of the smoke I could actually make out the flavor of licorice. A very enjoyable part of this stick.


3rd Quarter:

As I started this section I could taste the sweetness starting to subside and the spice starting to be more apperent. As I kept taking puffs, the flavor became creamier and the spice got larger and larger. It was predominatly a peppery spice. Spice, spice and more spice for this section of the cigar! By far the most bold this cigar has been. For the most the cigar was more medium to full for the 1st half.


Last Quarter:

The peppery spice was still the major flavor for the begining of this section. As it got closer to the nub, that hint of sweetness returned and was also joined by the 1st leather tones I had tasted in the entire smoke. All of these flavors melded together very well to make for a fantastic finish. I smoked this one as far down as I could.


Conclusions:
This was a GREAT cigar. Its flavors changed throuout and gave a little bit of everything. It had points where the sweetness was like that of a maduro and also points where it was a little more mild. The middle was full of lots and lots of spice as well. The cigar burned perfectly throughout and the ash held up very well. The draw was also perfect from the 1st puff down to the last. This cigar did have a kick, I will say that. In the end it is definitly a full cigar and I would recomend not eating this on an empty stomach. I had a decent nicoteine buzz when all was said and done. I would highly recomend this cigar to anyone and this is a stick I will come back to .

Score:

Appearence: 9.5
Burn/Draw: 10
Flavor: 9.4

Final Score: 9.6

[emk]

Originally Posted by DoctaJ

Appearance + Pre-light:
This box pressed torpedo had a flat brown wrapper with one medium sized vein running down one side. I was very impressed not only with the quality of the wrapper but also the quality of the rolling job down on this cigar. This stick had a faint sweetness smell to it, which was much more subtle than the maduro cigars I smoke. The pre-light draw was perfect and also had a surprise (and first) for me. I could actually taste cocoa! It was a silky flavor that tasted a little like milk chocolate. This experience made me pumped to light this bad boy up.






Setting:
Smoked this on my porch on a nice overcast 75 degree afternoon with just the slightest of wind. I was hoping to get this smoke in before the T-storms are supposed to hit the area this evening. I coupled the cigar with some Buffalo Trace bourbon neat.


1st Quarter:

Starts off with a slight hint of both spice and sweetness that intensifies with each puff I took. As i continue on these flavors are joined by a bit of a earthy tones. As I got to the end of this section, the sweetness started to take hold with the flavor of cherries.


2nd Quarter:

The flavor started to get creamier at this point with the sweetness being joined by just a hint of spice. At this point of the smoke I could actually make out the flavor of licorice. A very enjoyable part of this stick.


3rd Quarter:

As I started this section I could taste the sweetness starting to subside and the spice starting to be more apperent. As I kept taking puffs, the flavor became creamier and the spice got larger and larger. It was predominatly a peppery spice. Spice, spice and more spice for this section of the cigar! By far the most bold this cigar has been. For the most the cigar was more medium to full for the 1st half.


Last Quarter:

The peppery spice was still the major flavor for the begining of this section. As it got closer to the nub, that hint of sweetness returned and was also joined by the 1st leather tones I had tasted in the entire smoke. All of these flavors melded together very well to make for a fantastic finish. I smoked this one as far down as I could.


Conclusions:
This was a GREAT cigar. Its flavors changed throuout and gave a little bit of everything. It had points where the sweetness was like that of a maduro and also points where it was a little more mild. The middle was full of lots and lots of spice as well. The cigar burned perfectly throughout and the ash held up very well. The draw was also perfect from the 1st puff down to the last. This cigar did have a kick, I will say that. In the end it is definitly a full cigar and I would recomend not eating this on an empty stomach. I had a decent nicoteine buzz when all was said and done. I would highly recomend this cigar to anyone and this is a stick I will come back to .

Score:

Appearence: 9.5
Burn/Draw: 10
Flavor: 9.4

Final Score: 9.6

Thanks for review. Licorice wasn't exactly the flavor I have struggled to identify but close, when I smoked my only VSG, a Spellbound. I experienced a lot of pleasureable complexity but not so much in stages but throughout. I also did not have so much spice, just a touch, but oh that wonderful creaminess! If you have tried other sizes, were they close to this torpedo?

[beaglepower]

Wow... great review. Thanks for the pictures and the vivid descriptions.
The Ashton VSG is definitely on my list to try some day.

[azpostal]

Thanks for the review and great pictures. I enjoy all of the VSG's.

[docruger]

good review thanks. and the pictures are great

[DoctaJ]

Originally Posted by emk

Thanks for review. Licorice wasn't exactly the flavor I have struggled to identify but close, when I smoked my only VSG, a Spellbound. I experienced a lot of pleasureable complexity but not so much in stages but throughout. I also did not have so much spice, just a touch, but oh that wonderful creaminess! If you have tried other sizes, were they close to this torpedo?

This is actually the 1st VSG I have had. I was thinking the next one I would purchase would be either the Sorcerer or the Robusto to compare. In all honesty the spice came on quick during the 2nd third of the stick and than subsided to a more subtle flavor. But with this stick, when in came, it was bolddddddd. It was a good contrast to the rest of the cigar. As you said, this cigar had lots of creaminess! It was a rather favorable touch to the other flavors of this cigar .

[popNsmoke]

thanks for the great review!.....I always get a a floral taste great smoke

[tx_tuff]

I love me some VSGssssssssssss Thanks for the review. Next time pick you up a Enchantment size, freaking awesome!

[Herf N Turf]

Everyone I know has been telling my that I have to try the VSG. I have some Wizards (6x56) resting in my box, but haven't ventured into them yet. As a chocoholic, this makes me want to dig in.

Great review~!

[calhounhusker]

That makes me want one of my VSGs now...

[GlockG23]

Thanks for the review!
Ashton VSG, what a smoke I love em

[baddddmonkey]

Thanks for the review. I have yet to try an Ashton VSG. I've tried to get my hands on any Ashton, but I just can't ever seem to get them! Can't get them at B&M's, never seem to be able to win on cbid. Even when I tried to order some off a website, they called me and told me they were out...so I couldn't get them. It just seems like I'm being tempted, and then that temptation gets taken away from me haha. One of these days I'll get to enjoy one of these smokes just like you have.

[tx_tuff]

SeriousCigars.com premium cigars at discount prices they always have them in stock, maybe not ever size but they have them in stock.

[GlockG23]

Originally Posted by baddddmonkey

Thanks for the review. I have yet to try an Ashton VSG. I've tried to get my hands on any Ashton, but I just can't ever seem to get them! Can't get them at B&M's, never seem to be able to win on cbid. Even when I tried to order some off a website, they called me and told me they were out...so I couldn't get them. It just seems like I'm being tempted, and then that temptation gets taken away from me haha. One of these days I'll get to enjoy one of these smokes just like you have.

that is a shame Ben
we need to do something about that
pm sent

[calhounhusker]

Originally Posted by GlockG23

that is a shame Ben
PM me your addy

I was gonna ask the same thing but still have a couple weeks till I can view PMs...

It's a damn shame when people can't get their hands on a great cigar like this.