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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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Yes, yes…. I keep meaning to sign up
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.
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.
Ashton is another on my list. I haven’t tried one, but will at some point.
Not being a wise guy, but is this another “cedar, pepper, wood” profile that could be had at lower cost?
DJ-
Most cigars have the same basic flavors. The price point makes a difference, but what sets the VSG apart is the sungrown wrapper.
Oh and the CRA Sampler pack is well worth it…
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.
I got one of these and this review only makes me want to smoke it sooner. Thanks Barry!
Nice review, Barry. I wish I had the funds to pickup one of these CRA samplers.
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…
Ok, I’ve have to fit a CRA order in with the rest of the Christmas presents, gift to myself and all.
Hey Barry, did you detect any difference in this VSG? Did the CRA size make any changes on the taste?
If anything the cigar seemed to be toned down compared to others but not really enough to comment on it
I love the VSG. I haven’t received my 2 sticks from CRA yet. I hope this is one that I receive!
I have to agree: these reviews are driving me closer and closer to CRA membership (oh, and their legislative goals are good too!)
The VSG was one of the first smokes I ever had and is still one of my favorites.
I like the vsg, a little pricey but good…..
CRA better sharpen their game! NYC et al. thinking of banning all kinds of freedoms…