12-09-2007, 01:22 PM
Although not new to smoking cigars if you count my years of smoking Swisher Sweets, I am new to the "Aficionado" aspect of cigar smoking. I have alway been intrigued with cigars and the look of bundles and boxes and their impressive displays. As a little kid rows of cigars looked like delicious chocolate bars.
After a few bad fake Cohiba's in Mexico almost ruined things for me about 7 years ago, I have to take the time to thank Fernando from the lounge at Melia Cancun for getting me into the proper Cuban smokes 4 years ago. But it was only this past summer that I started my journey from relative newbie to a cigar aficionado wanna-be. With that I began my study of all cigars Dominican, Honduran, American, Nicaraguan, etc. Thus eventually winding up here in Stogie Chat with all you wonderful comrades!
Now, many of the "ratings" and my fellow smokers tout the Ashton VSG as one of the greatest smokes out there. So back in August I tried one. I just could not see the big deal. Maybe it was my newbie palate? Maybe I had not acquired the taste of a great cigar yet and I was still an official newbie and not yet the seasoned aficionado that I strive to be? Or maybe my tongue is frozen and my palate affected by the minus 27 degree tempuratures here in North Dakota?
Last night my little brother came over and I treated him to a sweet treat of a Fuente Anejo #55 and I smoked the Ashton VSG Robusto. This Robusto I have had in my humidor for about 3 months and I know its been on the shelf of my local B&M for much longer before that.
Smoking conditions were in the teens below zero outside and dropping. Howver I have a gas heater in my garage and we smoked in a balmy 60 degrees while watching the UFC.
Prelight/Consruction: Very well made, no apparent flaws. The color of these VSG's never appeals to me. Again I am skeptical! I clipped the head with ease and began my Part 2 experience with the Ashton VSG.
Burn/Draw: This cigar lit easily but not at all too fast. When I took my first draw I found that this cigar drew easier than any cigar I have ever smoked. I passed the VSG to my little brother and he could not believe how easily he drew the smoke. Of course, the smoke frothing from the cigar had an appealling gray color and quickly filled my garage. And of course my little brother was able to blow smoke rings. I tried but failed miserably. The burn progressed faster on one side of this cigar and a quick touch up caught the other side back up. I also had a nice ash going and yet again my clumsiness prematurely knocked my burning ash.
Taste: My first taste was like this: Imagine the dryest piece of door shimming wood wrapped in a 1/10th inch piece of leather and set it on fire. This taste did no appeal to me at all. I did not dislike it but it was so woody and leathery to me. As I continued on with this cigar the flavor remained woody the entire smoke. The body of the cigar also increased as I progressed. However, I must say that this flavor began to improve and appeal to me. Not at all in my top 10 smokes but my experience with the VSG eventually began to vastly improve. I found myself liking this cigar and I can now understand why it may appeal to others. Especially if they like a woody, leathery cigar. If I were a complete newbie I would not like this flavor. But in my aficionado fledgling state my palate is beginning to accept this flavor.
I did not have my camera handy but my little brother's #55 had a perfect ash going. Again he was blowing some impressive smoke rings. Our libation of choice was Tommy Bahamma rum with Coke. Nothing beat a great night with my little brother, a great cigar, good booze, and a good TV show. We ended up smoking another cigar and staying up until 3:30AM. But that is another review!
I give the Ashton VSG 5 of 7 stars!
Happy Sunday!
Daryn from the Frozen Tundra
After a few bad fake Cohiba's in Mexico almost ruined things for me about 7 years ago, I have to take the time to thank Fernando from the lounge at Melia Cancun for getting me into the proper Cuban smokes 4 years ago. But it was only this past summer that I started my journey from relative newbie to a cigar aficionado wanna-be. With that I began my study of all cigars Dominican, Honduran, American, Nicaraguan, etc. Thus eventually winding up here in Stogie Chat with all you wonderful comrades!
Now, many of the "ratings" and my fellow smokers tout the Ashton VSG as one of the greatest smokes out there. So back in August I tried one. I just could not see the big deal. Maybe it was my newbie palate? Maybe I had not acquired the taste of a great cigar yet and I was still an official newbie and not yet the seasoned aficionado that I strive to be? Or maybe my tongue is frozen and my palate affected by the minus 27 degree tempuratures here in North Dakota?
Last night my little brother came over and I treated him to a sweet treat of a Fuente Anejo #55 and I smoked the Ashton VSG Robusto. This Robusto I have had in my humidor for about 3 months and I know its been on the shelf of my local B&M for much longer before that.
Smoking conditions were in the teens below zero outside and dropping. Howver I have a gas heater in my garage and we smoked in a balmy 60 degrees while watching the UFC.
Prelight/Consruction: Very well made, no apparent flaws. The color of these VSG's never appeals to me. Again I am skeptical! I clipped the head with ease and began my Part 2 experience with the Ashton VSG.
Burn/Draw: This cigar lit easily but not at all too fast. When I took my first draw I found that this cigar drew easier than any cigar I have ever smoked. I passed the VSG to my little brother and he could not believe how easily he drew the smoke. Of course, the smoke frothing from the cigar had an appealling gray color and quickly filled my garage. And of course my little brother was able to blow smoke rings. I tried but failed miserably. The burn progressed faster on one side of this cigar and a quick touch up caught the other side back up. I also had a nice ash going and yet again my clumsiness prematurely knocked my burning ash.
Taste: My first taste was like this: Imagine the dryest piece of door shimming wood wrapped in a 1/10th inch piece of leather and set it on fire. This taste did no appeal to me at all. I did not dislike it but it was so woody and leathery to me. As I continued on with this cigar the flavor remained woody the entire smoke. The body of the cigar also increased as I progressed. However, I must say that this flavor began to improve and appeal to me. Not at all in my top 10 smokes but my experience with the VSG eventually began to vastly improve. I found myself liking this cigar and I can now understand why it may appeal to others. Especially if they like a woody, leathery cigar. If I were a complete newbie I would not like this flavor. But in my aficionado fledgling state my palate is beginning to accept this flavor.
I did not have my camera handy but my little brother's #55 had a perfect ash going. Again he was blowing some impressive smoke rings. Our libation of choice was Tommy Bahamma rum with Coke. Nothing beat a great night with my little brother, a great cigar, good booze, and a good TV show. We ended up smoking another cigar and staying up until 3:30AM. But that is another review!
I give the Ashton VSG 5 of 7 stars!
Happy Sunday!
Daryn from the Frozen Tundra
