Real time review: Ashton ESG

[Lance]

I feel like a woman about to treat herself to a nice relaxing bubble bath.

I have a total of 3 of these, and I am about to fire up my first one. I purchased it at holts Wed. July 26th, 2 days after I got fired. I am smoking it 2 days before I start my new job. I already had a siglo VI as a celebratory cigar, this is just a special treat.

It has been kept at about 64% humidity since I got it.

I am pairing it up with Magic Hat Hocus Pocus beer. Its their summer ale which is drank with an orange wedge in it. Hopefully they will pair up nicely together.

This is a nicely constructed cigar, albeit a bit veiny. If gave my palio a nice amount of resistance before I finally heard a slicing sound followed by a solid "Kachunk" as the cutter slammed closed.

Prelight draw, perfect. Not too plugged, not too loose. This is the goldilocks draw, just right (Corny).

Even without it lit, the draw leaves a tingling in the back of your throat. Maybe its the hype that has surrounded this cigar, maybe its just the spice that is being confused for something magical, regardless, I get the feeling this is going to be special.

stay tuned....

[Lance]

Just lit it.

Flavors are elusive and faint. I catch hints of something sweet, and then it goes away. I could have sworn I smelled chicken pot pie, but thats doubtful.

It actually smells a bit like citronella candles, it is a little bit floral. But at the same time there is another smell. It smells like a painting of Churchill. Not the way the painting itself would smell, but the way you would imagine the room he was in smelled like. Old, and leathery. Musty, but not in a bad way.

The best quality of all though, this cigar is a smoke stack. There are plumes of smoke. I love that in a cigar. Enough smoke that if you were in a basketball arena, everyone in the whole place would be subjected to the smell and smoke, and thuroughly offended by it.

[Lance]

About an inch burned, and the ash is very solid. Pretty even burn. The flavors are starting to come in now. Its has almost no tobacco taste, which is nice. It is actually sweet and tart. It may be because of what I am drinking, but I dont think so.

I am glad I have 2 more of these, I will let one sit for 6 months, and the other for a year before revisiting them. The cigar is smoking a tad harsh for my liking. I think this can definately smooth out quite a bit with the right amount of time, however I dont think it will ever be creamy.

[Lance]

It has been a long time since a cigar knocked on my ass, hard. The last one was an Anejo Shark, but that wasnt until the end.

This stick leaves me feeling like I just took a handfull of percoset, and Im not even out of the first third.

There are little hints of chocolate, but they are faint. Leathery more than anything right now.

This is just a powerhouse....

[Lance]

Into the 2nd third, the cigar isnt all that complex really.

Too be honest, its not worth the premium, at least, not yet.

It is still harsh and unrefined, and pales in comparison to both the VSG and the Opus.

The flavors are getting muted. Still strong as hell though.

[Lance]

About 1/2 way in, and I just got an interesting flavor. Red hots. Spicy, but sweet also. Very interesting.

Definately has some sweet flavors to it with citrus undertones.

[Lance]

Coming into the last third chocolate flavors are picking up with some coffee flavor. Reminds me a bit of the first third of an anejo. Also has flavors of toasted,....something. Im not sure what though.

[LT Rich]

Great review so far, cant wait to see how it turns out, i just dropped a 40 spot on two of these today... dont plan on smoking the first one for about a year though, so i shall live vicariously through you tonight! Thanks!

LT

[aphexacid]

I want one.

[Lance]

Final third is finally smoothing out. Still rather bland though. Tobacco and chocolate flavors while the smoke is rolling in my mouth, rather sweet after taste which is nice, but again, everything is subtle. Hopefully the flavors become more prominent in time.

This review is getting hard to do though, because this cigar leaves me feeling like I took pain killers. Just makes it hard to focus.

[Blaylock]

I love these real time reviews...

Stay focused man!

[Lance]

Flavors of toasted almonds, or at least smells of it. Also tastes like burnt toast and leather.

Strong finish though, still lightheaded.

[PUFFNMO]

Lance - I recently smoked an Ashton Aged Maduro, and had similar thoughts re the flavor. It was very smooth, very enjoyable, but just not very much of it. Can't figure out whether to age some. Could they have even less flavor in a year?
Apart from that, there was no faulting the cigar.
Only reason I mention this on yr. thread is that I'm starting to wonder if the subdued flavor is a part of the whole Ashton line... Larry.

[Lance]

Well, there is still about an inch and a half left, but I dont see this cigar wowing me with whats left.

Overall, I give this cigar a 5.5/10

Value,...no more than 8 bucks. Even if it were $6 I dont think I would put this cigar in regular rotation.

Hopefully in another 6-12 months this cigar will really come alive. As it stands now though,...meh. It leaves a lot to be desired. I shouldn't have had such high hopes. If you want a cigar that will knock you on your ass, this can definately fit the bill, but Im sure you can get something more enjoyable for much less.

[Lance]

Originally Posted by PUFFNMO

Lance - I recently smoked an Ashton Aged Maduro, and had similar thoughts re the flavor. It was very smooth, very enjoyable, but just not very much of it. Can't figure out whether to age some. Could they have even less flavor in a year?
Apart from that, there was no faulting the cigar.
Only reason I mention this on yr. thread is that I'm starting to wonder if the subdued flavor is a part of the whole Ashton line... Larry.

Larry, give the VSGs a try. Those are definately a cigar that gives you a good bang for the buck.