Ashton VSG Enchantment

[Herf N Turf]

Brand: Ashton VSG

Vitola: Enchantment - 4.375 x 60 (Figuardo)

Price Paid: $8.80



Conditions: Inside the house, AC running, 66% RH, 69 F.
Beverage(s): Water, then 15yr old Oban single malt scotch whiskey.
Construction: Very well constructed, with clear signs of hand rolling. Nice, firm cap. Not even close to perfectly round, but this added tremendous charm.
Draw: Medium.
Body: Full
Strength: Medium
Duration: Exactly 1hr

Prelight: The wrapper and tiny foot just smelled of really nice, aged tobacco leaf. After moistening the head, I clipped as shallow as I could, about an eighth inch. Again the aroma was straight tobacco. The taste of the wrapper had a very slight sweetness to it; rather pleasing.



First Third: I was very surprised to get some leather notes along with the expected earthiness of the smoke. There was some unevenness to the burn, right off the bat, as though there was a hard spot on one side, near the tip. Right about the time this began to self correct it began to reveal a rather mocha-like flavor; dark coffee and a hint of semi-sweet chocolate. I wouldn’t call the delivery, “pillows of smoke”; smoke is ample, rich and slightly creamy textured. I often “chew” the smoke a bit with really fine cigars and I found myself doing so with this VSG.
I find that a figuardo invariably begins to deliver flavor more quickly than other vitolas and this was no exception. As I continued through the first inch, it began delivering more cream and more cocoa. This wasn’t at the expense of earthy leather; rather they seemed to be old friends meeting up.
By the end of the first inch, the burn anomaly had corrected and I was now appreciating a pretty round burn pattern. This was about the right time to upgrade from water, to my adult beverage. Glad I did too, as these two got along famously.



Second: Right at the transition into the second third, a very small bulge developed right behind the burn line. It only raised about 2mm, but was enough to produce a very small opening of the wrapper. No binder showing, so nothing to panic about.
Now, well into the second third, I got some pepper in the mix. Generally I wait to sneeze before I notice pepper notes, so these weren’t real pronounced. Ash was about an inch and a half at this point and consistently white. Narrow striations testify to the care taken by the torcedero.
I was expecting a lot of chocolate from this stick and it finally came round nearing the end of the second third. Not cocoa, but really good quality milk chocolate. Not anything you’d find in a grocery store, but something that reminds me of the wares of a boutique chocolatier I frequented in San Francisco’s Union Square. Finally! Hooray!



Final Third: I was really enjoying this smoke. Even if I concentrated hard, I couldn’t come up with anything that didn’t taste really good. Another small opening developed, but again, not bothersome.

Suddenly… Disaster strikes! I got stupid and greedy at the same time. I had the entire ash holding on for dear life. I took a normal tug and, wow, it was sooo good, I stole another big mouthful.
PLOP!
Ash dislodges and explodes all over the floor! HA! I guess you’ll just have to take my word that it held a very nice ash.




Finish: I generally make it a policy to do a gentle purge, before I get to what I consider to be the finish. I know what’s about to happen and I don’t want it sullied by stale smoke, or any potential tar build up. This guy rewarded my effort by delivering absolutely scrumptious flavors. Every puff gave up something interesting. I could have smoked the flavors in the finish of this VSG for at least another inch! I nubbed it shamelessly.



Conclusion: Go out and get one of these little fat men and let him show you why you smoke cigars.

[GlockG23]

Thank you for this review!!
I love VSG!

[slyder]

Excellent review! I happen to have a VSG in my humi. Thanks Bill!

[GlockG23]

Originally Posted by slyder

Excellent review! I happen to have a VSG in my humi. Thanks Bill!

that thing needs to be smoked lol

[slyder]

Originally Posted by GlockG23

that thing needs to be smoked lol

Its too pretty to smoke!

[beaglepower]

A shortie but a good one it appears!

Thanks for the great review and pics!

[ssutton219]

Great Review








Shawn

[baddddmonkey]

Thanks for the review. That looks like it'd be a nice quick cigar when you have limited time to smoke. I really like the figurado shape. I seem to enjoy those shapes in a cigar. Just seem unique, makes the cigar that much more enjoyable. I have yet to try an Ashton VSG. But I will get there one day! I got to get through the rest of my stash before I can order anymore. I'm slowly making room for a few Ashtons.

[azpostal]

Awesome review! I love the VSG.

[popNsmoke]

great review of a great stick!

[Herf N Turf]

Originally Posted by baddddmonkey

I really like the figurado shape. I seem to enjoy those shapes in a cigar. Just seem unique, makes the cigar that much more enjoyable.

I really like them too. If the ease of lighting them weren't enough, as I said in the review, I think you get to a cigars full flavor a lot faster than with a standard cylinder. Only trouble with the Ashton is that it's awkward shape makes it not get along well with others in the humi. You just have to smoke 'em up!

[karmaz00]

very nice. thanks for sharing

[tx_tuff]

Thanks for the review. Those of you who like VSGs but haven't had a Enchanment, run don't walk and get one!! I think this is by far the best cigar in the line, used to be my fav cigar period!