Ashton ESG Review

[onlyonerm]

Length..........7
Ring.............49
Filler.............Dominican
Binder...........Dominican
Wrapper....... Dominican Sun Grown(cuban seed)
Cost.............23

Apperance
A real nice looking cigar, though slightly veiny.

Pre-Light Draw
Near Perfect, it was obvious at this point it was going to burn well with plenty of smoke

Taste
Extremly smooth with hints of leather with some floral overtones.

Overall
My description of this cigar is quite short because for the most part I am unsure how to describe it. Without a doubt the smoothest cigar I have ever had, smoked it to the point where my 2 fingers could not hold onto it but never for a minute got the least bit hot.

Conclusion
An extremely well made cigar, The smoothness and subtlety of flavors is what dominates my thoughts. Perfect burn with plently of smoke. It's one flaw is that it may be compared to the VSG and that just is such a great cigar with so much flavor. I don't think the ESG can be smoked fresh and measure up to the VSG but I can only hope that with some age and perhaps some different shapes that the cigar will develop into something great.

[aphexacid]

I'm hearing way too much conflicting opinion on these.

I need to pick one up for myself.

Thanks for the review!

[Tapewormboy]

Onlyonerm, thanks for the review.

I agree with Aphexacid, lots of conflicting reports on this cigar. Some love it, some hate it. Young, aged, complex, boring, beautiful, ugly, rare treat, overpriced/overhyped. Everything has been said about this cigar.

What I'm surprised by is Cigar Insider's ratings. The initial rating a few months ago gave it a provisionary rating of 91-93, while the most recent issue gave it a rating of 88. Very different score ranges.

I smoked one and thought it was more similar to an OpusX. Didn't remind me of a VSG, but I'll need to smoke another to confirm this.

Watch out for bad sticks though. I've seen several that have splits, holes, and/or patches on the wrapper.

(For the FOGs, what was the initial market reaction to the OpusX and it's rarity and pricing? Was it similar to the ESG introduction at all?)

[Teninx]

I don't wish Ashton or the Fuentes any ill, but I think that it's time for us cigar lovers to tell the industry that we're tired of the hype. We can do that by just letting these $18.00 (or more) sticks sit on the shelve. There are plenty of great, available smokes out there.

[qwerty1500]

Originally Posted by Teninx

I don't wish Ashton or the Fuentes any ill, but I think that it's time for us cigar lovers to tell the industry that we're tired of the hype. We can do that by just letting these $18.00 (or more) sticks sit on the shelve. There are plenty of great, available smokes out there.

Saw some at a local B&M on Saturday. They said that they only received one box. The ESGs were selling for $22 per stick with a limit of 2. Probably didn't need the limit because only one was missing from the box.

[Beagle Boy]

When I lit mine up last week, I thought the first half floral, the second was more X like. Part of that could have been due to a bit of a burn problem about half way through, where I had to purge it.

Very good taste, nubbed it and enjoyed it all. With our taxes in MN, it was 28 before sales tax

[onlyonerm]

Originally Posted by Tapewormboy

Onlyonerm, thanks for the review.

I agree with Aphexacid, lots of conflicting reports on this cigar. Some love it, some hate it. Young, aged, complex, boring, beautiful, ugly, rare treat, overpriced/overhyped. Everything has been said about this cigar.

What I'm surprised by is Cigar Insider's ratings. The initial rating a few months ago gave it a provisionary rating of 91-93, while the most recent issue gave it a rating of 88. Very different score ranges.

I smoked one and thought it was more similar to an OpusX. Didn't remind me of a VSG, but I'll need to smoke another to confirm this.

Watch out for bad sticks though. I've seen several that have splits, holes, and/or patches on the wrapper.

(For the FOGs, what was the initial market reaction to the OpusX and it's rarity and pricing? Was it similar to the ESG introduction at all?)

I hope you did not think by my review that I was comparing the flavor of the ESG to the VSG I was only saying that with so many fans of the VSG that perhaps people were looking for something they liked as much or that was similar.

As to Overhyped/Overpriced, well we sit around talking about this cigar for a year waiting for the release it is almost impossible for it not to be overhyped. Overpriced I suppose few cigars are really worth 20-25/stick but I try not to think of the price when I review, I either like it or not, knowing full well their are great sticks at all price ranges.

[Mister Moo]

Can't possibly be worth $18-$22.
Can't possibly fail to buy and smoke a couple of them.
Darn it.

Overpriced cigars....

[BUCASmoker]

I drove across my entire state to find one of these, but no luck

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by BUCASmoker

I drove across my entire state to find one of these, but no luck

How many times?

[BUCASmoker]

Originally Posted by Mister MaDuroo

How many times?

So many that I broke CS!

[RPB67]

Originally Posted by BUCASmoker

I drove across my entire state to find one of these, but no luck

When you get to Boston, we can meet at Churchills or Stanzis.

I have some.

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by RPB67

When you get to Boston, we can meet at Churchills or Stanzis.

I have some.

I suspect you've given in and smoked maybe one by now? A comment or two?

(hint hint. nudge nudge. say no more. say no more.)

(puff puff.)

[DETROITPHA357]

Originally Posted by BUCASmoker

I drove across my entire state to find one of these, but no luck

BucaSmoker PM sent to Ya

[BUCASmoker]

Originally Posted by RPB67

When you get to Boston, we can meet at Churchills or Stanzis.

I have some.

I fly in Aug 30 at 9 AM.

I will meet you there at 9:05!