 Ashton Cigars was created in the early 1980’s by second generation tobacconist from Philadelphia, Robert Levin. Levin’s experience in the industry at that time included years of importing and retailing cigars. His dream of creating Ashton Cigars was realized when Levin teamed up with the world renowned Dominican tobacco manufacturers, the Fuente Family. With Fuente’s growing and blending expertise backing him, Robert Levin has created one of the most sought after premium cigars in the world.
Ashton Cigars are made with the finest and richest Dominican leaf for their filler and binder and wrapped with the oiliest Connecticut Shade grown and Ecuadorian wrappers. Each Ashton cigar is made by Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia. These exceptional cigars are offered in six distinct blends: Ashton Classic, Ashton Cabinet Selection, Ashton VSG (Virgin Sun Grown), Ashton Heritage Puro Sol, Ashton Estate Sun Grown (ESG), and Ashton Aged Maduro.
Ashton Cigar Recognitions/Ratings
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Torpedo: #9 in Cigar Aficionado’s 2009 “Top 25 Cigars of the Year” with rating of 92, and #5 in Cigar Aficionado’s 2007 “Top 25 Cigars of the Year” with a rating of 93. Blended by the Fuentes, the VSG ushered in the era of the strong cigar in 1999. Their immediate popularity was due to their beautiful dark color that invigorated the palate with a surge of undeniable power. The VSG is still immensely popular.
Ashton Estate Sun Grown 20-Year-Salute: #8 in Cigar Aficionado’s 2006 “Top 25 Cigars of the Year” with a rating of 90. This is a 6 ¾ by 49 cigar made to celebrate Ashton’s 20-year anniversary in 2005. However, it came out a year late due to the rarity of its wrapper. Its sun-grown, Cuban-seed leaf from Chateau de la Fuente had never been used commercially before. (The Fuente Fuente OpusX uses this farm’s shade-grown wrapper). It was no easy task getting new Ashtons at that time but when the ESG finally made its debut, it was well received. ESG has been dubbed the “Velvet Hammer” for its sneaky strength.
Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Spellbound: #7 in Cigar Aficionado’s 2005 “Top 25 Cigars of the Year” with a rating of 93, and #7 in Cigar Aficionado’s 2004 “Top 25 Cigars of the Year” also rated 93. The boxed pressed VSG definitely sparked a trend in 1999 for strong cigars. The Fuente Fuente Opus X was already on the market as a successful and powerful cigar, but after VSG arrived, many cigar makers went to their tobacco suppliers hoping to duplicate the strength. At 7 ½ x 54, the Spellbound is definitely leathery/cedary mouthful. Ashton has made every effort to increase production, yet the VSG remains in short supply.
Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Robusto: #10 in Cigar Aficionado’s 2008 “Top 25 Cigars of the Year” rated 92. This series was made with thin Cameroon wrappers grown by the Merrapfel family in the jungles of western Africa which had long been out of Levin’s reach in that it was earmarked for Fuente’s Hemingway, Don Carlos and other Fuente cigars. Levin was able to get just enough of this toothy leaf to create the Ashton heritage Puro Sol. Levin had the cigar world expecting ultra-powerful, yet this smoke is all about balance and elegance.
Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Belicoso No.2: #21 in Cigar Aficionado’s 2004 “Top 25 Cigars of the Year” rated 91. This line has four sizes, the best of which is the Belicoso No. 2. It measures 4 7/8 inches by 49 ring.
Ashton Cigars is a brand that offers a blend for almost any palate. No matter what Ashton you choose, you will be assured you are smoking a brand that is unsurpassed in quality and consistency giving you many hours, months, and years of pure cigar smoking pleasure.
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