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This cigar has such class and character, words can hardly do it justice. I think cigarfan of the [url=http://cigarfan.wordpress.com/][color=darkred:99a73e13f6]Keepers of the Flame[/color:99a73e13f6][/url] weblog couched it best as he writes, [i:99a73e13f6][b:99a73e13f6]"This is a powerful but graceful cigar." [/b:99a73e13f6][/i:99a73e13f6][url=http://cigarfan.wordpress.com/2006/10/01/ashton-virgin-sun-grown-belicoso-no-1/][color=darkred:99a73e13f6]His review of the Belicoso No. 1[/color:99a73e13f6][/url] has more on the background and composition of this exquisite cigar for your reading pleasure.
There is a size to fit everyone. A little pricey for everyday. Online they run $7.50 to $12.50 per stick when buying a box and at B&Ms I have seen the larger sizes run upwards of $20 a stick.
4.4 x 44 Tres Mystique
4.4 x 60 Enchantment
5.3 x 52 Belicoso No. 1
5.5 x 50 Robusto
5.8 x 46 Corona Gorda
6.5 x 44 Illusion
6.5 x 55 Torpedo
7.0 x 49 Sorcerer
7.5 x 54 Spellbound
I have smoked the Belicoso No. 1, Robusto, Corona Gorda and Torpedo sizes and find the Robusto is best suited to me. The most flavor coupled with the right length smoke. The torpedo was still going at an hour and 45 minutes and my head just couldn't take it any longer. Can't imagine trying to get through the Spellbound.
My robusto had about 9 months of age of it. Pre-light, the cigar did not have very much aroma. Maybe a little peppery. Feel is firm and very light in the hand. Wrapper is a dark mottled color with some minor veins. Light and draw were very easy. The draw so much so, it made me tend to smoke it too fast. Had to make a conscious effort to slow down. Lite bite is significant for the first inch or so but then settled in nicely. The flavor profile is heavy with emphasis on bitter dark chocolate and espresso beans. Many hints and notes of other flavors (toasted caramel, cedar wood, leather and earth) throughout the smoke. About as complex a smoke as I have had. Although full bodied and powerful, this cigar was easy to enjoy to the nub. Very nice nose after the lite bite calmed down. Absolutely one of my favorite cigars.
The Ashton VSG is a little hard to come by, but the chase is well worth it. If you enjoy a full flavored cigar and can handle a little kick, this one is top notch. Even if your preference is medium strength, this stick is so "graceful" you may hardly notice the potency (until your body starts tingling).
Hello Lucky - One of the most memorable cigars I have smoked was an Ashton VSG Sorcerer. I had heard about VSG and wanted to try one. I bot 3. The first one I smoked when I got home from the shop. I wasn't all that impressed. Seemed strong with little balance and "young". I put the others in my humidor and left them there for a year. Humidor time turned these cigars into some of the finest I have ever tried. I did have a beetle problem as we lived in a warm climate at the time and I let the humidor get a little too warm. Fortunately only one had beetle holes in it and had to smoke it while keeping my fingers over the holes. It was like smoking a piccolo. Although it was a bit of an effort the flavor was wonderful and rich. The balance was beautiful. I finished that cigar and smoked the remaining one the next day. I only wished I bot an entire box and aged them for a year. - Welcome to Cigarzilla. Come by our chat on Thursday night.
ReplyDeleteAided by lanshark's ample instructions, I now have mIRC on my machine and hope to chat with you Thurs
ReplyDeleteGreat review lucky7! Looking forward to meeting you in the chat.
ReplyDeleteAs a new member, the first thing I was interested in was the group's thinking on my favorite subject. The VSG. Glad to see there are at least a few others willing to deal with the price and availability issues. I feel the smaller VSG's are the best cigars available to the working class man.
ReplyDeleteMy personal favorite is the Illusion. Although much smaller ring than the Churchill's of other brands that I usually gravitate to, the Illusion just seems to "taste" better than the larger rolls. Good things do come in small packages. The Tres Mystique is equally yummy but it's short stature is just a tease. Burnt fingers are assured every time I fire up a VSG.
Put them on my Christmas list at the very top.
Welcome Grumpy :D
ReplyDeleteThe VSG tops every list I got. X-Mas, Birthday, Ground-hog Day ... you name it. Just wish they weren't so hard to find.
Join us in the chat Thurs night. It's a hoot!
Thanks 7,
ReplyDeleteI'll try to make it to chat.
I have a pretty good source of VSG's but not sure if I should post it. I'm not trying to plug a particular dealer, they have been good to me. I'll PM you with the company name.