Cigar Review: Ashton VSG CRA Edition

Ashton VSG CRA Edition

Ashton VSG CRA Edition

The Cigar Right of America offerd a 10 pack of cigars to it’s members for a rediculous price and I jumped on it. According to the CRA website, “Ashton Distributors will offer CRA members a memorable experience using 4-5 year old Dominican tobacco and an Ecuadorian wrapper. Ashton Distributors Vice President Sathya Levin stated, “Ashton is pleased to provide this one-time only presentation of the VSG. For the many fans of the VSG, this should be a great experience.” On a side note, other then the size I think there is nothing different between this and the regular VSG line.

Cigar: Ashton VSG CRA Edition
Size: 6.5 x 52 (Toro)
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Dominican
Strength: Full

Appearance and Construction (19/20): The CRA Edition of the AShton VSG feature a rustic looking wrapper on this box pressed stick. The cigar has a few minor veins and a gorgeous roll right down to the triple cap. The cigar has no soft sports from cap to foot and looks like it will be a great smoke. The cigar features the standard Ashton VSG Label and a secondary CRA label underneath. The VSG is a strange cigar, the wrapper is grown on a plantation owned by Oliva for the Fuente Family who in turn makes these cigars for Ashton.

Flavor & Notes (27/30): The prelight ritual for this smoke reveals some pepper on the lips, but the draw offers a nice sweet tobacco flavor. As the first third smokes there are some wonderful sweet mocha notes, a slight pepper and something else that eludes me at this point in time. The second third of the smoke has a sweet mocha that is well defined with some pepper notes that remain. The note that eluded me is a roasted nut, or a charred wood. I can’t really choose which it is, but it adds a nice complexity to the stick. The final third of the cigar the roasted note idenitify themselves as nuts and the cigar takes on some leather notes as well.

Burn/Ash/Draw (23/25): The cigar started out with a really horrific burn, but I decided to ride it out and sure it enough in true VSG fashion the cigar evened out and burned like a dream. The cigar did get kind of soft on me, but the ash was mostly white with some marble effects throughout. It held on rather strong and I only had to ash 3 times for the duration of the smoke. The draw started off rather tight but it become ideal about 1/4 into the smoke.

Overall (23/25): When I first started to smoke cigars I despised the VSG. I never found them enjoyable and I always chose to give away those that were gifted to me. In time though the VSG grew on me and became one of my top sticks. Despite this being a part of the CRA sampler, it smoked and tasted like a VSG and that was a very good thing.

Rating: 92
Price: $Unknown

Check out Chicago Cigar Co. for a box of Torpedo VSGs….

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19 Responses to “Cigar Review: Ashton VSG CRA Edition”

  1. DJ DJ says:

    Yes, yes…. I keep meaning to sign up

  2. Matthew Matthew says:

    Thanks for the review, interesting how your tastes changed towards the VSG; I haven’t had that on a cigar yet, in time maybe I will–I usually like em or hate em.

  3. JoshK JoshK says:

    Barry,

    The VSG was 1 of the 2 freebies I got for signing up for CRA (along with a Punch). Have you smoked any of the other yet (whether they warrent a review is another matter)?

    My cigar budget is getting tighter and I was wondering whether it was worth getting the CRA 10 pack. I am really interested in the CAO Lx2 Rosado and the Tatuaje Black while the rest (while still good and worth the cash) I could live without.

  4. Rustmeister Rustmeister says:

    Ashton is another on my list. I haven’t tried one, but will at some point.

  5. DJ DJ says:

    Not being a wise guy, but is this another “cedar, pepper, wood” profile that could be had at lower cost?

  6. Barry Barry says:

    DJ-

    Most cigars have the same basic flavors. The price point makes a difference, but what sets the VSG apart is the sungrown wrapper.

  7. Barry Barry says:

    Oh and the CRA Sampler pack is well worth it…

  8. chas chas says:

    Very nice, I was unaware there was no toro in the lineup of VSG! Thanks for the review, I also got a VSG and Punch from CRA. Don’t think the two are the same though.

  9. I got one of these and this review only makes me want to smoke it sooner. Thanks Barry!

  10. Nice review, Barry. I wish I had the funds to pickup one of these CRA samplers.

  11. DJ DJ says:

    Sadly, I must curtail acquisitions–I have no more humi space; insufficient opportunity to puff; and mouths to feed other than my own!

    Ah… life…

  12. JoshK JoshK says:

    Ok, I’ve have to fit a CRA order in with the rest of the Christmas presents, gift to myself and all.

  13. Matthew Matthew says:

    Hey Barry, did you detect any difference in this VSG? Did the CRA size make any changes on the taste?

  14. barry barry says:

    If anything the cigar seemed to be toned down compared to others but not really enough to comment on it

  15. Chris McCann Chris McCann says:

    I love the VSG. I haven’t received my 2 sticks from CRA yet. I hope this is one that I receive!

  16. DJ DJ says:

    I have to agree: these reviews are driving me closer and closer to CRA membership (oh, and their legislative goals are good too!)

  17. Jessup Jessup says:

    The VSG was one of the first smokes I ever had and is still one of my favorites.

  18. BradinBuffalo BradinBuffalo says:

    I like the vsg, a little pricey but good…..

  19. DJ DJ says:

    CRA better sharpen their game! NYC et al. thinking of banning all kinds of freedoms…

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