Not a Habanos - Ashton Estate Sun Grown

[NJLimoDriver]

This is a new release cigar available in the US market. It was obtained in a shop.

First unwrapped this churchill and admired the band - one of the best I've ever seen. Before I cut it I put it in my mouth and noticed the spicy almost hot taste of the tobacco. Smelling it I notice a fermenting smell much like a farm or silo.

After cutting the pre-light draw and inspection showed it was well bunched and made with an impeccable draw. After lighting it the first puffs were very VSG like with a more mild taste perhaps due to the ring gage which is like a sorcerer.

The smoke lasted 75 minutes and was shared with a couple of bottles of Red Stripe as I was not trying to overpower the smoke. It burned well with the initial ash very dark changing to a lighter gray with dark flecks. Contruction was excellent and got a great burn not requiring touchup but rotation was needed due to s slight burn irregularity. The flavor picked up half way thru the smoke but was never overpowering,

The price will probably keep this smoke out of the regular smokes but I would smoke another. Definitely a great speacial occasion cigar. Would give it about a 92. Mike

[korryp]

Split half a box with a friend and it is a very good cigar except they need some age. Just like the VSG's they should age well.

[BigSlick]

The one I smoked seemed like the tobaccos haven't quite figured each other out yet. Will be better with age IMO. Liked it, didn't love it. For the price, I would rather purchase a fundi. TD

[shrink]

Thanks for the review, Limo. I was recently in Las Vegas, and picked up a VSG corona gorda at the Davidoff store. Hadn't had one in a couple years, or so. I was reminded why I used to like these: toasty, cedary smoke with quite a bit of spice on the finish. But since I've been onto Habanos, these just don't warrant a box purchase.

[cigarnv]

I was gifted a few of these and while I have enjoyed the VSG line over the years I thought the ESG was a dog. The two I tried were bland, one dimensional and had a very metallic taste on the back end. For what I gather is an $18 cigar and one you have to scout for to boot, I think I will pass.

[ThreeD]

» I was gifted a few of these and while I have enjoyed the VSG line over the

» years I thought the ESG was a dog. The two I tried were bland, one

» dimensional and had a very metallic taste on the back end. For what I

» gather is an $18 cigar and one you have to scout for to boot, I think I

» will pass.

I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on this cigar. Some people love them some don't. I think the best bet is to let them get into the market for a while and then purchase some and let them sit for a spell. The band is a nice one at that.

[12stones]

A local shop here carries them at ~$23/stick and I just can't bring myself to buy one. For that price, I'll save up a little more and take advantage of one the the deals here. ;-) That being said, the owner of the local B&M said he wasn't too fond of them and that he thinks they'll require at least a year before they're worth anything (if still not near the price being paid for them). I'm not sure if I'll ever drop the loot for one of these based on what I'm hearing so far.

[anacostiakat]

I like this one and agree that they will benefit from some snoozing.

Thanks, Mike! ;-)

[Spud2]

Bought a few hand fulls so far, but the best one I smoked was gifted to me by you Mike, Thanks. Agree these will be great with some age. :-D

[Mark Twain]

» A local shop here carries them at ~$23/stick and I just can't bring myself

» to buy one. For that price, I'll save up a little more and take advantage

» of one the the deals here. ;-) That being said, the owner of the local

» B&M said he wasn't too fond of them and that he thinks they'll require at

» least a year before they're worth anything (if still not near the price

» being paid for them). I'm not sure if I'll ever drop the loot for one of

» these based on what I'm hearing so far.

I gotta agree with you. Thanks for the review man, but from what I've heard about this cigar it's just not worth the price right now. Might get better with age.

[cigardawg]

I have several that I picked up at Holt's. Based on what I have read, I have yet to smoke one. Fact is, I think I'll just let them sit for several months to a year. There is nothing like hearing the hype, paying outrageous prices, and then being disappointed by an average cigar. I hope to avoid this.:-P

[Mel]

I do not believe that I have tried these but I have liked the VSG. I have some that are around three years old and need to sample one soon.