Ashton Estate Sun Grown - ESG Review

[doctorcue]

I have been meaning to pick up a stick, but at CA prices, the only shop I have found it at sells the stick for $30. CA taxes hurt! I think I'll get one or two, but it will have to be online.

Thanks for the review; very detailed.

[rutkus]

i lit one up this weekend. i went in very open minded considering the price. is it something that i would buy regularly...no. however my experience with this cigar did warrant the price, $18. this is a very enjoyable cigar, excellent construction, flavor, and burn. i purchased two and the second one will rest in the humi for a while. if it was $10 a cigar, i would buy a box but at the msrp its not worthy of a box purchase imho.

[mhillsing23]

My local has one box of these, and I just can't bring myself to drop the cash on one. A single stick that is only 10 bucks less than a box of my go-to Sancho Panzas. I am cheap.

Thanks for the review. The closest I will be getting to these is reading about them.

[Isombitch]

Originally Posted by mhillsing23

My local has one box of these, and I just can't bring myself to drop the cash on one. A single stick that is only 10 bucks less than a box of my go-to Sancho Panzas. I am cheap.

You and me, both, brother! I got them in the spirit of a road trip with fellow BOTL as a "right of passage" type of thing. My coolerdor has Sancho Panza Dulcinea right on top where I can easily lay my hands on them. IMO, one of the best blends out there! Another great sleeper I stock is Punch Grand Cru Maduro Robusto. Put about two years of extra age on them and they are unbelievable.

I also want to say that, for me, part of the fun is finding great sleepers(inexpensive but good cigars). Variety is another big chunk o' fun, too. Only smoking Cubans is like only eating Thai. I love Thai but not all the time!

[ja3480]

AWSOME REVIEW I have couple 20 and 21 yrs sitting just sleeping away. Enjoyed them once will enjoy again.

[jcruse64]

I will have to say I agree with the initial review...this was a great cigar. I picked up one, in a smaller size, 3 weeks or so ago at my B&M. I let it sit in the humi until Xmas, and smoked it at the in-laws Xmas afternoon. After having been disappointed with more than a couple of the VSG's, I was a bit concerned that I'd wasted $$ on this stick; I was wrong. It lit well, drew well, burned well, had great construction and appearance. Finally, it was a great smoke! I do say this in light of the fact that at this price, it SHOULD have been a great smoke, and I doubt I'll drop that much coin on another one, as there are other great cigars out there for well under that price. But, it WAS great!

[mustang1]

ESG is fantastic imho, however I agree with most here that the only flaw is $$. Can't see dropping that kind of cash on an NC.

[rx2010]

I have a little over half a box of these that I'm gonna give 6 months before I try one, then another 6 months before I start working through them

although I do have one that I got over a year ago, its time is coming soon

[Chico57]

Smoked my first ESG 21 Yr. a couple of months ago. About half way through the cigar (I know that this will sound stupid but) I became so mesmerized by the flavor, the smell and sight of the smoke waffing off the cigar, not to mention the construction of the cigar that I turned off my laptop and just focused on smoking the cigar and not paying attention to anything but the cigar. I was in the "zone" that I had not previously experienced with any other cigar. Hope that it will happen when I smoke my next ESG 21 but I sincerely doubt it. Anyway, IMO it was worth the price.

[zmdegeor]

Awesome review. I have had the pleasure of half (yes, only 1/2) of an ESG that my friend let me finish. It was by far the greatest cigar I had ever had. I had been on the VSG's pretty regularly, and I'm kind of dissapointed that I find something that I desire more than that (especially since it cost so much more). To me the construction and draw of the cigar was what set it apart. I have yet to find a cigar that smokes like an ESG. It was as if the cigar smoked itself.

[ragin' cajun]

Originally Posted by Isombitch

Ashton Estate Sun Grown - ESG


Conclusion: I thought this was an enjoyable, well-balanced, and complex cigar. It was not as in your face as some sun grown cigars. It starts with a very good leather taste and is slowly and gradually balanced by the sweet, spicy flavors of cocoa, cinnamon, and raisin. Even though I am fortunate to be so close to one of the few places that sell ESGs for MSRP, I doubt I will buy many more. Although I like this cigar, it is out of my normal price range and, unlike the LA Cien Anos Belicoso, this cigar is not a great value in spite of it's price. In my imaginary blind taste test, I would love this cigar but be put off after learning the price.


Summary:

Construction: 10 of 10

Draw: 10 of 10

Burn: 9 of 10

Flavor 8 of 10

Complexity 8 of 10

Finish 9 of 10

Value 6 of 10

Hand-mades start with 30 points. . . .

Total Score: 90 of 100

Originally Posted by mustang1

ESG is fantastic imho, however I agree with most here that the only flaw is $$. Can't see dropping that kind of cash on an NC.

I agree with both of these opinions, however the 90/100 I feel is just a little overrated. I would have rated it no higher than an 87 or 88. And for the price that their selling at the local B&M there's no way I'm gonna buy any more any time soon. The first one I smoked was at a herf, so therefore my taste buds were already overwhelmed, the second was at home, and taste buds were kicking full force. The leathery flavor was by far the better of the flavors and the raison was not so much. Overall definetly an 87 to 90 range cigar.

One last thing: Isombithc props on your review!

[ca21455]

Great review. The ESGs are good, but do not live up the the price. Many other fine cigars like the Aston VSG, Padron 1926 and 1964, Anjeo and Opus X deliver more for the price IMHO.

[worr lord]

Anejos and Opuses are tasty, but need a good year or two to get out of that nasty sick period (IMO, anyway). As others have stated, if they were in the $10-$12 range, I'd have a box in my humi right now. Great cigars, distinct flavor, but overpriced. Maybe they'll come down in price in a few years.

[SR Mike]

Nice review, I too have been wondering if these are any good. My local B&M has had these for a while, they move slowly with the $28 price tag.

[hotreds]

The ESGs and VSGs are outstanding IMO