G.A.R. Cigars

Where does the unique name of G.A.R. originate?
G.A.R. cigars are named after George A. Rico. The name is something of a pun, though, because many cigar aficionados refer to any cigar as a “gar” for short.
What is the story behind G.A.R. cigars?
It is quite a remarkable story. Don Guillermo Rico is known to be a patient man. He is a third generation tobacco maker known for his attention to detail. Going all the way back to the 1920s, his family was highly respected for the dark tobacco they produced. Don Guillermo grew up rolling cigars at home. In 1995 he moved to the United States and began working as a cabinet maker making cigar boxes. When he saw the boom in the cigar market occur afterwards, he founded his own cigar company.

His 29 year old son, George A. Rico, worked with him for 9 years, and then founded his own cigar company. Don Guillermo is proud of his son, and full supportive of his new organization, G.A.R. cigars.

What is the flavor of these cigars?
G.A.R. cigars begin with hints of spice and a taste of pepper, but it is not too much. After a bit, the cigar mellows and becomes a very nice, creamy smoke. It carries with it hints of sweetness and spice throughout. As you progress along the way, you also notice a mild, tasty flavor. This is a very complex smoke whose careful blend makes for a very comfortable and enjoyable cigar.

Specifically, the smoke is creamy and earth. There is also the definitive taste of well-rounded aged oak and the noticeable taste of sweet cedar flavor. All of the flavors come alive in the last third, making the finish on a G.A.R. cigar a true cigar moment in time.

What is the Construction and Draw like?
G.A.R. cigars are very well made. You never have to retouch or relight one. Many reviewers comment that it has a near perfect burn, making the draw absolutely fantastic as you puff away. You get a nice firm ash as well, but it never holds for more than ¾ inches. Some reviewers note that it takes about an hour to smoke one of these cigars and still have as much as two inches remaining.

What is the tobacco like in these cigars?

G.A.R.
This is a medium to full-bodied cigar with a full flavor. It is carefully hand-crafted with Ecuadorian Corojo wrappers and a mix of vintage Nicaraguan long-fillers. It gives a rich smoke with distinct tastes of roasted coffee and a creamy core of tasty tobacco flavors.

G.A.R. Lux
This is a full bodied Nicaraguan and Dominican cigar. It is has the bold flavors of Nicaraguan tobacco and the full flavor of Dominican ligero. It is contained within a Cameroon binder and an oily Nicaraguan wrapper.

G.A.R. Vanguard
This is a medium to full-bodied G.A.R. cigar with a full flavored Nicaraguan Puro. It is wrapped in a beautiful vintage Nicaraguan wrapper grown in the Jalapa valley. It has a distinctively sweet, tangy flavor with dark chocolate tones.

Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic Cigars

The Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic is also known as the black label. Don Garcia Pepin is a true master of cigar making. He started his career in Cuba and now operates his impeccable organization out of Miami and Nicaragua. Aficionados throughout this great big beautiful world of ours consider the black label to be very much like fine Cuban cigars.

Cigar Aficionado gave this cigar a rating of 92.

Where is the Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic Cigar made?
It is made in the Estelí factory in Nicaragua.

Is it expensive?
Surprisingly, it is not expensive.

What is the appearance and construction like?
The Don Pepin Garcia Cuban classic has a flawless appearance with no construction issues. It looks somewhat rustic, evoking memories of classic times. Its textured, smooth brown wrapper feels just right to the touch.

The cigar is firm to the touch, but there is just enough looseness within to give you a draw without complication or stress. You will feel no soft spots on the wrapper when you pinch it, and the few veins visible never protrude above the surface. Perhaps the best thing about the cigar in the beginning of the experience is the cap itself. It is very clean, with three sharp lines that define its triple layers. The cap is very firm too, allowing you to effortlessly slice off a wedge.

The oversized band draws immediate attention to it, increasing its attraction factor even further.

What is the aroma like?
The aroma of the Don Pepin Garcia Cuban Classic is dry and spicy. It has a powerful finish and good balance all the way to the end.

Is this a full body cigar?
Yes. Being reminiscent of Cuban cigars, the Black Label definitely is a strong smoke for the strong smoker.

What type of flavor characterizes the Don Pepin Garcia Cigar?
More than anything else, these fine cigars draw upon the flavor of the tobacco itself. This works to compliment the entire blend. What you end up experiencing is a definitive mix of Earth tones and white pepper that cuts out the initial sweetness you taste when you first light it.

In the beginning one third, you will notice a distinct cherry core that transforms into the second third into a taste of cedar. The white pepper changes to black pepper as well, giving this cigar a good, strong finish.

What type of tobacco is used to make Don Pepin Garcia Cigars?
These cigars are made with Habano Rosado wrapper and Nicaraguan filler and binder.

What is the draw and burn like?
The draw is tight but not too tight. It complements the sharp burn and leaves a tight white gray ash behind it.

Don Pepin Garcia Cigars

Don Pepin Garcia Cigars are renowned throughout this great big beautiful world of ours as epitomizing strength, full body, quality taste, and excellent burn.

This is because each and every Don Pepin Garcia cigar that is made in the El Rey de los Habanos factory carries with it an exclusive seal of quality. El Rey de los Habanos carefully supervises the process from start to finish, ensuring the pride and quality of the family name.

How strong are these cigars?
Don Pepin Garcia cigars are medium to full body.

What is the keynote flavor to these cigars?
They are all known for something of a trademark peppery flavor. Other flavors you find in them are coffee, mocha, wood, and spice. Some labels also have hints of caramel, espresso, cinnamon, and cream.

What are some of the more renowned and popular Don Pepin Garcia Cigar labels?

Blue Label
The Blue label is full in body and features a very unique blend and composition. You will find it to have a very enjoyable flavor with a superb aroma and fantastic burn rate. It is made with Nicaragua filler and binder and a Corojo Oscuro wrapper. Blue Label comes in a box of 25 cigars that includes 10 natural Vitolas.

Series JJ
The series JJ is a medium to full bodied cigar that has a very deep and excellent flavor characterized by a notable taste of cream. It is made with a Nicaraguan Corojo Rosado wrapper that surrounds Nicaraguan filler and binder. It comes in an attractive “Flip Top” cedar box that contains 24 cigars, 4 of which are naturals, and 3 of which are maduros.

Black Label Edition
This is the newest label of Don Pepin Garcia Cigars that was introduced to the United States in 2006. It is made in Tabacalera Cubana in Estelí, Nicaragua and comes packed in cedar cabinets of 20. It has a Habano Rosado wrapper and Nicaraguan filler and binder. The black label has received a rating of 90 from Cigar Aficionado.

Vegas Cubanas
This cigar has a medium strength and is known for its magnificent flavor and aroma. It is made with Cuban Seed Corojo 99 blend and has a Habano Rosado Claro wrapper. The box of 25 includes 6 Natural Vitolas.

El Rey de los Habanos
This mild cigar is made with Cuban seed that is wrapped in Corojo Rosado Claro grown in Nicaragua. 23 cigars come in a completely new Cabinet Style cedar box of 23 with 5 natural Vitolas.

Series JJ Maduro
This is a cigar that begins medium and finishes with a strong full body. It has a fine draw and a perfect burn. It is renowned for its dark Corojo Maduro wrapper and superb Nicaraguan filler.

Don Pepin Cigars

Don Pepin Cigars are premium hand-made cigars that are manufactured by El Rey de los Habanos, Inc.

What do connoisseurs think of Don Pepin Cigars?
Jose “Don Pepin” Garcia has been called a master cigar maker. He makes several lines of cigars under his own name, and he also makes cigars for other brands as well. People come to him from all over the industry because of his impeccable skill and personal integrity. The man, simply put, knows what he is doing when it comes to making a fine cigar.

His Blue Label cigars are made in Miami. They are hand-rolled with tobaccos grown exclusively in Nicaragua. Other lines include the Vegas Cabana, Don Pepin Black, Don Pepin JJ, and many more.

What are the flavors like in Don Pepin Cigars?
It has been said that these cigars have something of a trademark taste of pepper. Many lines are definitely spicy. You can also expect to encounter other rich and unique flavors as well. There are hints of mocha, wood, coffee, and cream in many labels you can try. Caramel, cinnamon, and espresso are also. Most lines are noted to have a peppery, spicy flavor. Some have notes of mocha, wood, and coffee.

Are these full, medium, or mild cigars?
Most are full body in constitution.

What are some newer lines of Don Pepin cigars?
There are too many to enumerate in detail in a single blog. Some of the more acclaimed lines include the following:

DPG Series JJ’s
This is a Belicoso cigar known for its medium to full body strength. It has a Nicaraguan Criollo binder and a Nicaraguan Corojo and Criollo filler.

My Father by Don Pepin Garcia
This blend came about as a joint effort between Don Pepin and his son Jaime Garcia. It is made in the Habanos factory in Little Havana in Miami. Only 50,000 of these cigars are made per year.

Don Pepin Black Cigars
This has been called the most affordable and the newest of Don Pepin cigars. It is made in Estelí, Nicaragua, and it comes packed in cedar cabinets of 20. Each cigar is made with Nicaraguan filler and Habano Rosado, with the band being black.

Don Pepin Blue Cigars
Blue label cigars are made with Corojo and Criollo long filler and a dark Corojo wrapper. This results in a full body smoke that is hearty and satisfying. You can savor the rich taste of coffee, spice, and earthy flavors as you enjoy it to the last puff.

Davidoff Humidor

What are cigar humidors?
Cigar humidors are containers that are used to store cigars. Most are made out of Spanish cedar. This provides an ideal environment for cigar storage.

What does a cigar humidor look like?
It looks like a simple wooden box. However, it does so much more than simply store cigars. Its most important function is to maintain humidity and temperature levels. This keeps cigars fresh and preserves their flavor. Devices called humidifiers are installed inside humidors to keep the humidity at desired levels.

Why are humidors needed?
Without humidification, cigars become dry and lose their flavor. They will also burn and ash too quickly. That is why it is so important to spend the money on the type of quality you find in a Davidoff Humidor. The serious smoker takes pride in taking care of cigars, and in the investment made in the fine, exclusive, hand-craftsmanship for which the Davidoff workshop in Switzerland is renowned.

Here, exotic hardwoods are used to manufacture some of the world’s finest humidors.

What do I need to know about buying a humidor?
Whenever you purchase a humidor, you have to make certain that it is going to prolong the life of your cigars. Some places offer plastic humidors as a discount. These are all well and good as a temporary storage measure, but they are not good to use on a long-term basis. A quality box, such as a Davidoff humidor, is going to have several distinguishing characteristics to guarantee freshness in your most premium cigars.

• Constructed from wood
• Lined with Spanish cedar
• Preferably hand crafted for a better, tighter seal
• Inside of box has a raised lip around the inside
• Should be capable of storing at least 25 to 30 cigars

What are some other features that a Davidoff humidor can have?
Additional features could include locks that prevent people in your home or office from dipping into your cigar stash. Some humidors also have handles. Handles make a humidor easier to carry, and they add an elegant touch to the woodwork. Shelves and dividers can also be added that will let you organize your cigars by brand and line.

What types of humidors do you make?
There are small, medium, large, and travel-size Davidoff humidors. They are built to last a lifetime.

The large humidors are exclusively hand-made in a famous workshop in Switzerland. They are crafted from exotic hardwoods and then polished in natural wood veneers. They also are fashioned with locks, handles, and trays.

Why are Davidoff humidors better than most?
Their combination of superior craftsmanship and reliable technical function makes them the best investment for the serious cigar aficionado. Their classic design styles often qualify them as family heirlooms. They are covered in the finest European leather and lined on the outside with brass fittings.

Their humidification systems are self-regulating and give your cigars the very best relative humidity necessary to preserve flavor and aroma.

Davidoff Cigars

Davidoff cigars epitomized luxury-quality cigars, being called by some the elite of the elite. Made in the Dominican Republic, these favorites of cigar aficionados are known to be some of the smoothest and most consistent smokes in the industry. While this is the cigar of the connoisseur, no doubt, it also enjoys the unique position as being a cigar that any smoker of any level of experience can appreciate.

Part of this is due to the unique cultivation, blending, and aging process used to make the tobacco. The other source of this wide range of popularity is the many different lines that Davidoff produces. Offering a full range of flavors and strength, these lines represent everything from creamy and smooth to spicy and strong.

What strength are they?
There are full strength, medium, and mild Davidoff cigars, as follows:

• Grand Cru-full body
• Millennium-full and mature, favored by Dominican lovers
• Classic Series-mild
• Thousand Series-mild
• Mini Cigarillos-mild
• Exquisito Cigarillo-mild

What is the draw like?
Deliberate and careful construction makes for a perfect draw. Davidoff is known to set the standard for a well-made cigar that makes for a comfortable and easy smoke. The burn is consistent, and evident of superb quality.

What type of flavor do they have?
You get complex, subtle flavor and rich aroma from Davidoff cigars. The people who blend these cigars go through extensive training to ensure that it gets done right. Years of experience on top of the training make for a rich aroma on top of the flavor. Reviews have described the tobacco as somewhat woody and sweet.

What type of filler do they have?
Davidoff cigars are made with tobaccos grown in the richest soils of select fields in the Dominican Republic. Several different varieties are used to produce the creamy filler that goes into these cigars.

Davidoff cigars are handmade in the Dominican Republic with a variety of mild and creamy Dominican filler tobaccos. Leaves are carefully selected on the basis of their aroma and put through a four year aging process to produce the consistently smooth taste that Davidoff is known for.

What kind of wrapper do they have?
Davidoff cigars are enclosed in Connecticut-shade wrappers.

Are Davidoff cigars considered premium in quality?
All Davidoff cigars maintain well defined standards of quality and excellence. They are handmade according to a 500 year old cigar-making tradition in the Dominican Republic.

All Davidoff cigars are handmade in the Dominican Republic, where for over five centuries this art has been passed on from generation to generation.

Like all Davidoff cigars, the Short Perfecto is rolled by hand from fully matured tobaccos grown in the Dominican Republic. For the Short Perfecto, a new blend of tobaccos has been created for the Short Perfecto format. These tobaccos are stored for up to four years before processing.

Camacho Corojo Cigars

Is the Camacho Corojo a premium cigar?
Yes. It is handmade in Honduras, and known for its authentic genetics, taste, quality, raw material, tradition, and superb blend.

Are these strong cigars?
Oh yes. They are, in fact, some of the strongest in the world. This is because they are made with a rich blend of tobaccos grown in Honduras from rare seed that was smuggled out of Cuba after the embargo.

This makes the Camacho Corojo a one-two punch of assertive, robust taste, and depth.

What is the draw like?
In spite of the fact that the Camacho Corojo is jam packed with tobacco, you still get an easy and consistent draw.

What type of flavor do they have?
The flavor is rich, distinctive, spicy and simplemente superb. It is the result of the vintage tobaccos that are grown in perfect soil and climate conditions that are comparable to those of Cuba’s renowned Vuelta Abajo Region. This creates a smooth, legendary, and outstanding taste.

Aficionados have described the flavor of Camacho Corojo cigars as being that of nuts and leather in the very beginning. Toward the midpoint, many notice a change toward that of espresso and peppery spice. Others describe the flavor of Camacho Corojo cigars as Havana-like in flavor.

People attribute this unique blend of earth and coffee to the Cuban origin of the seed tobacco, and the rich Cuban heritage from which this blend has sprung.

This is a flavor that endures the test of time. It starts strong and ends strong, ending well as it does so, and maintaining its title among new smokers and veteran aficionados alike that this is one of the strongest smokes every produce in this big beautiful world of ours.

What type of tobaccos are the fillers and wrappers made from?
The wrapper, binder, and filler are all Honduran Corojo. They are grown in the Jamastran valley. The wrapper is made from a stunning dark, oily wrapper that is authentic Corojo. The tobacco leaf is aged for two years, and the cigars are rolled by hand.

The wrapper is firm, dark, and oily. The slow fermentation that has gone into making it contributes much of its acclaimed flavor. However, there is another ingredient at work here. The 100 percent authentic Cuban-seed tobacco contributes a rich toastiness that is both uncommon and sophisticated.

How highly are they rated?
Camacho Corojo cigars have been called the best non-Cuban Habanos you can find. The Corojo also received a rating of 93 from Cigar Aficionado. This is also the perfect cigar for the smoker who remembers the pre-embargo days when you could smoke a real Cuban without politics and contraband getting in the way of Universal High Life.

Camacho Havana Cigars

What is the strength of these cigars?
Camacho Havana Cigars are Medium to Full Body in Strength. It is a more powerful blend that is meant for the experienced smoker more than the beginner. It has been said that this is the closest thing to a Cuban you can get without smoking a Cuban itself—or paying Cuban prices.

What is the draw like on these cigars?
The draw is easy at first. It gives you some resistance, but only a little. The intention is to give you a good mouthful of thin white smoke so you can immediately plunge into the experience of the flavor. Toward the last one-third of the cigar, you will notice more resistance to the draw, which keeps the palate moist all the way till the end of the smoke.

What is the flavor like?
It has a very complex flavor. The taste is very spicy and strong like old Havana blends. There are hints of cedar and oak, and there is a noticeable taste of honey.

Is the Camacho Havana a premium cigar?
Yes. This is one of the most popular brands in the cigar world. These cigars are hand rolled and are constantly in high demand.

Are there different blends of Camacho Havanas?
Yes. There are five blends in total, as follows:

Churchill
This is an oily, cuadradro box-pressed cigar distinguished by a medium body and lots of thick smoke.

Figurado
Look for notes of leather, steel, and chocolate in this rich, thick, chewy blend.

Gigante
This is yet another rich, strong, spicy-tasting blend with a peppery finish.

Monarca
Look for a leathery flavor than turns to chocolate toward the one-third mark. At the final third, you notice a distinguishable taste of pepper..

Toro
This has been described as a rich, creamy, and flavorful smoke.

How highly are they rated?
Let’s just say just about as highly as any cigar could be rated. Not too long ago, there was a blind taste test between Comacho Havanas and three Cuban blends. The Camacho’s won 11 times based on their power, body, and flavor. Aficionados agree that much of this success is attributable to Corojo filler and binder and the unique new Camacho Havana.


What type of filler and wrapper are they made with?
Each cigar is handmade with carefully-aged, 100% Honduran-grown, Cuban-seed Corojo fillers surrounded by Jamastran Havana Criollo wrappers.

How much does the Camacho Havana Cost?
The great thing about these cigars is their price. As a Honduran cigar with near-Cuban quality, it sells for less than half the price of many of the very best Honduran equivalents.

Camacho Cigars

How highly are Camacho cigars rated?
They are considered the very best Habano cigars found anywhere in the world, with the exception of Cuba. The tobaccos used to make these cigars come from seeds taken from Cuba to Honduras. Here, they have since become a mainstay in the world of cigar smoking.

Who makes Camacho cigars?
They are made by Camacho Cigars®, a company owned since 2008 by the Oettinger Davidoff Group. Camacho grows its own tobacco, manufacture the cigars themselves, and handle their own distribution.

How highly is this rated?
Camacho cigars are rated exceptionally high among cigar aficionados. They are considered to be among the world’s most premium cigars.

Where is the tobacco grown?
The tobacco is grown in the Jamastran Valley, located in Honduras. Cigars are made completely from Maduro filler and wrapper.

What is Maduro tobacco, exactly?
In Spanish, Maduro means “ripe.” In the cigar world, it refers to a tobacco leaf that is medium or dark brown. Several different methods are used to create this dark color. Some are fermented, while others are simply left on the plant for a longer period of time before being picked.

In the case of Camacho cigars, the leaves are fermented for a lengthy period of time that draws all of the sugars out of the plant.

Is this a mild, medium, or full-bodied strength?
The best way to describe it is a medium strength bordering on full. The degree of fullness depends on the degree of Maduro in the tobacco.

How many different lines does Camacho offer?
There are premium blends and ultra premium blends. Serious Cigars is proud to carry both as follows:

Camacho Triple Maduro
This is the world’s only 100 percent Maduro cigar. It has a full-bodied strength that derives from all Maduro, Honduran wrapper, binder, and filler.

10th Anniversary
This is a box-pressed, anniversary cigar. It has an all Corojo wrapper, binder, and filler with a medium to full body strength.

Diploma
This is a full body cigar that is also made Corojo wrapper, binder, and filler.

Liberty 2007 and 2009 Series
These cigars have been called Camacho’s tribute to America. The 2007 a Barber Pole wrapper and a Honduran binder and filler. It is described as a medium to full body strength.

The 2009 has a Habano wrapper, a Honduran binder and filler, and a full body strength.

Select
This Camacho cigar has been described as having the best Cameroon wrapper ever. It has Honduran filler, a Honduran binder, and a medium to full body strength.

Corojo
This is the world’s only authentic Corojo cigar. It is made using Corojo binder and filler, along with a Corojo wrapper, to produce full body strength.

Coyolar
The Robb Report called this blend the Best of the Best in 2006. It is an all-Coyolar cigar with full body strength.

Camacho Havana
This Camacho cigar has a Habana Criollo wrapper surrounding an authentic Corojo binder and filler. It has a medium to full body strength.

Camacho SLR and SLR Maduro
These cigars are made with Corojo filler, Honduran binder, and Habano/Broadleaf Maduro. Expect a good, full body strength from these cigars.

Camacho Connecticut
This is a mild to medium, well balanced smoke for the luxury minded. It has a blend of Dominican and Honduran filler and a Honduran Binder. It also has a Connecticut (Ecuador) wrapper to contribute to its exceptional flavor and strength.

Ashton Cigar Sampler

Ashton Cigar Sampler- Pack of 10
Heritage Puro Sol
This is one of the most popular blends in our Ashton cigar sampler pack of 10. It was introduced to the market in 2003 and became instantly popular. This was because it was the first Ashton blend to use an African Cameroon sun-grown wrapper around 100 percent Dominican filler. This is a medium-bodied cigar that discriminating smokers simply love.

Belicoso
This very hard to come by cigar is included in our Ashton cigar sampler. It is blended by Carlos Fuentes himself using very small-batch Dominican long filler that has been aged up to 5 years. The wrapper comes from and exclusive, very private estate in Ecuador.

Corona Gorda
This is reputed to be one of the best in the Ashton sampler pack, and indeed the world, in terms of both size and shape. The draw is excellent. The full-bodied smoke has a leathery flavor touched by sweetness, cedar wood, and a hint of chocolate.

Ashton Classic Magnum
The Magnum is a Mild to medium bodied cigar.

Ashton Classic 8-9-8
The 8-9-8 is renowned for its Dominican tobacco that takes 3 to 4 years to age. It is characterized by medium body and hints of peppery spice. The draw is just right for any smoker, anytime, anyplace.
The Aged Maduro The Aged Maduro has a full, sweet, and complex strength that comes from a Connecticut wrapper and Dominican filler.Virgin Sun Grown: Robusto
This is a VSG addition to the Ashton cigar sampler with a Dominican sun grown wrapper. It is a straight cigar (in terms of shape) and has a nice full bodied strength to it.

Virgin Sun Grown: Sorcerer
This is a full bodied, straight cigar in a full-bodied Dominican Republic wrapper.

Cabinet: #8
This is a medium, rich cigar with a Connecticut wrapper and Dominican filler and binder. It has a very nice and complex taste. It has been called the “White Burgundy” of the cigar world because of its special aging process in French Oak Barrels.

Pyramid This is medium body strength with a Colorado wrapper. It is pyramid in shape, hence its name.

Ashton Sample Pack of 5

Sorcerer
This is a double corona size cigar has mocha hints mixed with vanilla. It also has some deep roasted notes to its taste. The flavors are consistent throughout, and it has a nice construction.

Torpedo
This torpedo-shaped cigar in our VSG Ashton cigar sampler measures 6 1/2 inches in 55 ring guage. It has exceptionally high ratings.

Corona Gorda
This is a special size of the Heritage Puro Sol. It is said to be a very well-made cigar. It has an even burn and a good flavor to its smoke. It starts out mild and evolves toward a medium strength. It is 100 percent sun grown.

Robusto
This is a great smoke for a new smoker because it has a mild strength with toasty notes and it is not so big in size.

Our VSG Ashton cigar sampler also includes Belicoso No. 1 so you can have that rare cigar anytime you like.

Ashton VSG

How highly is the Ashton VSG ranked by aficionados?
Since its emergence on the scene, Cigar aficionados the world over have consistently rated the Ashton VSG as one of the very best non-Cuban cigars, anywhere. The VSG is highly touted for its deep and rich color which derives from its sun-grown tobacco.

What are the basic facts about Ashton VSG cigars?
It has a powerful, rich, and complex flavor that comes from an Ecuadorian wrapper surrounding Dominican binder and filler.

Is this a premium cigar?
Most would either describe it as a fine or very good cigar. Some people instantly take to it as their all-time, new-found favorite.

Is this a mild, medium, or full-bodied smoke?
It is a full-bodied smoke that is generally appreciated more by veteran smokers who want a complex blend of flavors and aromas. It is definitely a more powerful smoke for those who appreciate the virtues of strength, although it also has a creamy flavor that many also notice and absolutely adore.

What specifics can you tell us about the flavor?
Many have described this as an elegant cigar with an intoxicating flavor. In the beginning, just after lighting it, you will notice floral notes and flavors that remind you of plum.

There is a distinctive taste of natural tobacco. There are also hints of spice, clove, and cinnamon. Towards the middle an Ashton VSG, it is less dry; with some saying there is a leathery component that adds sense and sensibility to the smoke. Some also report a cedar sweetness that begins to form on the taste buds. This continues all through the duration of the third stretch of the smoke, with a note of raw peanuts being added along the way.

What accounts for the uniqueness in flavor?
The Ecuadorian wrapper has a great deal to do with it. It is grown by the Oliva family in Ecuador exclusively for the Fuente Family. The leaf comes from the matures and higher primings that are sunlight filtered through this part of the world’s cloud covering. This unique wrapper has made the Ashton VSG the most in demand cigar on the market today.

What is the burn on this cigar?
The Ashton VSG is respected for its slow, even burn. It leaves a medium gray ash, which often lasts through the midpoint before it falls. This is due thanks to an even and firm construction.

What is the size and appearance of the Ashton VSG?
It has a distinctively square shape that it has become known form, with a dark and oily wrapper to give it extra flavor and aroma. There are also round cigars you can buy if you prefer. The most common size is the 55 ring-size Torpedo. Ashton also makes this blend in ring sizes of 44, 46, and 52.

Ashton Maduro

What are the basic facts about Ashton Maduro cigars?
They have a full, sweet taste and complex aroma. They are made with fine Dominican filler, a Dominican binder, and a Connecticut shade-grown wrapper.

Because the Connecticut broad-leaf tobacco that is used to make the wrapper is available in only limited quantities, the Ashton Maduro is an extremely rare form of cigar.

You describe the flavor as full. Does that mean it is strong?
No. Fullness here refers to complexity, not harshness. Cigar reviews of the past have noted that the Ashton Maduro is a remarkable example of how fullness is different from strength. Fullness is about the pleasure derived from tasting and smelling the cigar. Strength, on the other hand, refers to the power of the cigar’s nicotine content. One of the things that makes this such a truly fine cigar is you don’t get that punch to adrenalin that could ruin a relaxing moment. Instead, you get something that goes down smooth like a neat scotch—or even better, with one—and can be equally appreciated by cigar veterans and neophytes alike.

What specifics can you tell us about the flavor?
When you first light up an Ashton Maduro, the first taste of it is very sweet. As you progress, the flavor transforms into a very rich and nutty flavor. There are also subtle hints of apple, and a finish that many cigar experts have referred to as creamy in cigar guides and reviews.

This shifting of flavors is as smooth as the draw of the smoke, and is never a shock to your palette. It is there thanks to the fermentation and aging of the Connecticut-shade wrapper in Sherry finished, French oak barrels.

Why are the wrappers fermented with such painstaking care?
There is a good reason for this. The aging process used here makes the wrapper exceptionally oily. If you are new to the world of cigars, please understand the importance of this. An oily wrapper, contrary to what you may assume in comparison to other oily things in the world, is a PREMIUM WRAPPER. Dry wrappers do not burn as evenly, nor do they taste as good.

Is the filler in an Ashton Maduro equally premium in quality?
Yes. Not only is it an exceptional quality of tobacco in and of itself, but it is carefully rolled by hand by only the most experienced torcedores at the Fuente factory.

You mentioned the easy draw of the Ashton Maduro. What does this mean?
When the filler is evenly distributed and properly contained within the binder and the wrapper, it is smooth and firm within your grip. It will be tight enough to not fall apart on you, but not so tight that you cannot easily draw smoke from the end. Easy draw, then, more than anything else, comes from impeccable construction

Is this a cigar you should smoke everyday?
If you choose to invest in a premium cigars for daily use, why not? However, most smokers consider the Ashton Maduro to be a cigar for special occasions due to their premium quality and justifiably higher price.

Either way, this blend is well worth the money you spend on quality regardless of the quantity you buy.

Ashton Cigars

Who makes them?
Ashton Cigars was founded by Robert Levin in partnership with the Fuente family. They are known to be the best cigar manufacturers in the world. Their brands are the most highly ranked, and often very hard to find. Levin’s business sense and Fuentes’s expertise in cigar-making create an award making synergy that has made cigar history.

Are they mild, medium or full bodied?
Ashton cigars are known for their mild to medium taste. Many people like them as after dinner smokes. Of the six different lines, a few are robust, but none are ever harsh.

Are they considered premium cigars?
Yes.

Where are they made?
Ashton cigars are made in the famous Fuente factory in the Dominican Republic.

Where is the filler grown?
Almost all of the filler used in Ashton Cigars is grown in the Dominican Republic.

Where is the wrapper grown?
Ashton Cigars are wrapped in Connecticut shade-grown wrappers. There have been past limited releases using Connecticut Broadleaf, Ecuadorian cloud leaf, and Cameroon leaf wrapper.

What flavors do they come in?
Ashton cigars come in six distinct blends, each of which offers something unique and distinguished.

VSG
VSG stands for Virgin Sun Grown. It was released in 1999 and has been the most popular blend to date. It has a full-bodied flavor and a deep, smooth draw. It is the personal creation of Carlos Fuente, Jr. himself. He took two years working with Ashton to perfect this fine blend. The Dominican filler and Ecuadorian wrapper create a full-bodied taste with a deep, smooth draw.

ESG
ESG stands for Estate Sun Grown and uses a Dominican wrapper grown on the Chateau de la Fuente itself. It has never been used on any other cigar. The ESG is meant for very special occasions and is one of the rarer and highly sought after cigars in the world.

Ashton Heritage
The Ashton Heritage Puro Sol has a smooth, calm draw resulting from a Dominican filler and binder surrounded by a Cameroon wrapper. All tobaccos are 100% sun-grown. This is a mellow and medium-bodied smoke with notes of wood and graham cracker.

Ashton Aged Maduro Cigars
This is a rare blend because it uses extremely limited Connecticut broad-leaf wrapper. The filler and binder are grown in the Dominican Republic. It has a taste that is sweet in the beginning that turns rich and nutty as you continue smoking.

Ashton Cabinet Series Cigars
This cigar is known for its even draw, smooth and creamy flavor, and rich aroma. It shows subtle hints of oak and earth. The Dominican filler is aged four to five years, and the Connecticut shade-grown wrapper is aged for an extra year.

Ashton Classic Cigars
This cigar is made with Dominican filler and a Connecticut shade-grown wrapper. It has a mild to medium body with a touch of peppery spice.