Cigar Review – Ashton VSG Wizard

by club co-founder Robert

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Ashton VSG "Wizard".

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Vitola: Toro

Origin: Dominican Republic

Length: 6”

Ring Gauge: 56

Filler: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.

Wrapper: Equadorian Sumatra

Strength: Full

Price: $15

Made by Tabaclera A. Fuente y Cia. and distributed by Ashton Distributors Inc., this size was added to the line in 2006. The only VSG not box-pressed, it has a nice dark looking wrapper. The Ashton website promotes that they get their wrapper tobacco from a private estate in Ecuador owned by the Oliva family, and grown for the Fuente family exclusively for the Ashton VSG. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 87 (from the Feb, 2007 Cigar Insider).


Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar with fellow Cohiba Club member Eric, and enjoying a glass of Pendleton & DP on the rocks. Pendleton is a Canadian blended whisky and the Diet Pepsi doesn’t add too much sugar to the mix, as the Pendleton is just sweet enough. I think the touch of sweetness of the Pendleton is a very good complement to the Ashton.

The construction was solid and firm through the entire length. The roll was a little lumpy and the wrapper had a large vein running down the length, seen below, but the cap was perfect. The pre-light draw was very easy, too easy. But it didn’t distract a lot from enjoying the cigar. This cigar is big, a 56 ring gage (7/8” diameter), and even my careful shallow cut across the cap exposed a lot of cigar cross-section. Perhaps when you smoke yours, try using a punch or notch it (and keep it small) to manage this. At about the ½ point the wrapper let go and started unwrapping, I ended up just holding it in place as I gripped it.

It lit easily and produced a large volume of smoke, even in between puffs. The ash was dark and flaky for the first inch. Later it whitened very noticeably, but the flakes continued to cover me the whole time. The burn was fairly even, and it self-corrected nicely.

The flavor of the VSG is an interesting mystery. Very smooth and consistent through its length, I tasted wood, but couldn’t quite put my finger on it, cedar or sandalwood? It had hints of mellow spice, but not pronounced, and not strong enough for me to identify, vanilla, ...something else? I’m not the only one who found the flavor elusive, after writing this review I found that other published reviews had the same experience.

I was fascinated while smoking this cigar, and really enjoyed trying to tease out the flavors. Lastly this is a strong cigar, I had a nice steak dinner before firing-up this big fatty, and it still got a hold of me toward the end. But I’d do it again.

Try this cigar, and see if you can find the mystery flavor. I’m sure you will enjoy the experience.
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My rating for the Ashton Wizard is 82.

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Here's the points breakdown:

I. Appearance & Construction: 11 pts (73% of the points possible)

II. Flavor: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)

III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)

IV. Overall Impression: 30 pts (86% of the points possible)

Click on images above to enlarge.

Thanks again to Cigars Direct and thanks also to Vitolas.net for some of the background info herein.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Cigar Review – Ashton ESG 20 Year Salute (Churchill)

by club co-founder Fernand

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Ashton Estate Sun Grown “20 Year Salute”.

Vitola: Churchill
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 6 ¾”
Ring Gauge: 49
Filler: Dom. Rep.
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: Sun Grown Rosado (from D.R.)
Strength: Med.-Full
Price: $29.95

Made By: Tabaclera A. Fuente y Cia. and distributed by Ashton Distributors Inc., it features a dark, rich looking Dominican rosado wrapper grown on the Chateau de la Fuente farm and used exclusively on this cigar! The current Cigar Aficionado rating for it is 88 (from Oct, 2008).

The Ashton ESG churchill is named “20 Year Salute” in celebration of Ashton’s twenty-year history of growth and success. Blended by Carlito Fuente for Ashton owner Robert Levin, it’s considered a ‘special occasion’ cigar comprised of rare tobaccos; hence the limited quantities.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar while enjoying a pint glass of home-brewed winter ale made by club member Joe.

With a beautiful matte sheen and moderate veins, this Ashton appeared very well-constructed. The pre-light draw gave only the essence of graham cracker. To my great satisfaction, it drew (and subsequently burned) perfectly, so clearly roll quality was excellent. This cigar produced tons of luscious smoke though I found the ash to be a little less stable than I typically like to see and it had a mild tendency to flake around its perimeter, just a bit.

The flavor was initially a mild, soothing leather. Very refined and easy going. I found it to be of mild-to-medium strength through the first third. Into the middle third, the flavor warmed to a smoked-pepper sort of character. Finally, it culminated in a meaty, savory strength that was heading firmly into the medium-to-full range.

My rating for the Ashton ESG 20 Year Salute is 92.
Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 15 pts (100% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 24 pts (96% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 31 pts (89% of the points possible)

All in all, a great cigar smoking experience and I’m grateful to Cigars Direct for providing me with the opportunity to enjoy this rare and masterfully executed cigar.

Pictured from left to right: myself (happily conducting this review) joined by fellow club members Tom, Pat, and Joe.

Click on images to enlarge.

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© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Cigar Review - Arturo Fuente Añejo Reserva No. 50

by club co-founder Robert

Another in our ongoing series of reviews of cigars given to us by the good folks at Cigars Direct. Featured this time is the Arturo Fuente Añejo Reserva No. 50, given to us in November of 2008.

Vitola: Robusto
Origin: Dominican Republic
Length: 5 ¼”
Ring Gauge: 50
Filler: Dom. Rep. (said to contain a mix of Don Carlos, Hemingway, and Opus X filler leaf)
Binder: Dom. Rep.
Wrapper: USA Connecticut Broadleaf Maduro
Strength: Medium to full
Price: $20.95

(click on images below to enlarge)

Produced by Tabacalera A.Fuente y Cia, it had an amazing, near-black maduro wrapper of Connecticut Broadleaf. The unique slightly tapered shape was very attractive. The current Cigar Aficionado rating for the Añejo Reserva No. 50 (from Nov, 2007) is 89.

Following Cigar Aficionado's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) I sat down to rate this cigar with a glass of cheap scotch.

Due to my business trip to the outskirts of Shanghai China, the cheap scotch was the best choice available. It gave me a challenge to enjoy the cigar and tune out the scotch, so I quickly gave up on the drink and concentrated on the cigar.

Even though I knew well the excellence of the Arturo Fuente brand, I was still impressed by the flawless wrapper and the fantastic sweet smell from a wrapper that was aged for five years (of which 6 to 8 months was spent in cognac barrels).

It roasted and lit easily, the aromas were sweet and tempting. It was difficult to be patient and not just fire it up and puff away. The first taste was sugary sweet on my lips, and the draw was very good. As the sweetness faded I enjoyed the thick mouthfuls of smoke and it brought flavors of anise and a hint fruit. Later a coffee flavor came aboard with just a slight bitterness.

Again, the high reputation of such a renowned Fuente cigar almost made me search and nitpick for issues – I found none. The burn was even, and the ash was white and it hung on tenaciously. The flavor slowly increased throughout its length but never got pronounced. Just writing this review makes me want to try another one.

My rating for the Arturo Fuente Añejo 50 is 87.

Here's the points breakdown:
I. Appearance & Construction: 15 pts (100% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 28 pts (80% of the points possible)

Thank you Cigars Direct for the chance to review this cigar, I’ll be keeping an eye out for these.

Thanks to Vitolas.net for some of the background information herein.

© 2009 The Cohiba Club - All rights reserved.

Herf #21 - Blind Luck

January 31st, 2009 - Fife, WA

In attendance were Fernand, Robert, John, Eric, and Patrick. As usual, we gathered to enjoy a good cigar and give our opinion on it by holding a 'group tasting' following dinner. However, this was a special herf for us to get the opportunity to share it with fellow brothers-of-the-leaf outside of our club.

Tacoma’s finest were kind enough to host us in their home court. The law enforcement men of 10-7 Habaneros Aficionados hosted us at Smokey Joe’s, the cigar lounge inside BJ’s Bingo down in Fife. Also making this herf unique, was that it was our first time doing a blind taste test.

The five of us were treated to fabulous service by the staff at Smokey Joe’s. The food was really good, they had a nice beer selection, and their mixed drinks were first class. Once everyone had their fill, it was time to get down to business.

Our selections for this Herf were two competing lanceros, one plainly labeled 'X' and the other labeled 'Y'. Only one person in the room (Fernand, Co-Founder of The Cohiba Club) knew what treats lie beneath the stark white bands. Soon the willing taste-testers would be smoking an Oliva Serie V Lancero and a Don Pepin Garcia (Blue Label) Lancero. The anticipation in the room had the guys all looking like kids on Christmas morning.

Both cigars were dark looking, sweet smelling lanceros measuring 7 to 7 1/2 inches long with a ring gauge of 38. The Don Pepin Blue was Cigar of the Week back on January 12th, 2009 which received a 92 from Cigar Aficionado's expert tasting panel.

Made by Pepin's expert artisanos in Miami, this cigar’s wrapper had a dark, well-aged look that gave off a slightly sweet smell. The texture was smooth, with very fine veins, and the roll quality was firm and uniform along the entire length of its slender profile. The deftly applied pigtail cap was perched like a crowning cherry on top.

The Oliva V was equally alluring in its appearance as well, with its art of construction clearly not second best, but rather a mirror of craftsmanship to the El Rey de Los Habanos product. Made in Esteli, Nicaragua by the torcedores of the highly acclaimed Oliva family, this lancero is the perfect culmination to the popular and highly rated Serie V line.

Following CA's 4-part rating system (Appearance & Construction, Flavor, Smoking Characteristics, and Overall Impression) we began the tasting session. A few of the guys chose to smoke both the X and Y cigars. One adventurous sole (Robert, Co-Founder of The Cohiba Club) even smoked both his X and Y at the same time, comparing the two in an alternating fashion, taste-for-taste; a very insightful way of comparing their attributes.

These cigars both drew quite well. Most everyone commented how it was just the way they liked it, although one of the guys smoking the Pepin 'Blue' found his drawing a little too tight, while another said he would have liked to see a firmer roll. Those smoking the Oliva V had fewer complaints about the draw or roll. In fact they awarded more points to the Oliva’s appearance and construction: an average of 93% of the points possible, compared to the 88% that the Pepin Blue received for it’s build quality.

An initial spice that eventually succumbs to sweet or savory notes, has be come the trademark of Pepin’s blends and this blue label lancero was no different. The flavors were described by the tasters as a peppery sweetness, full-bodied, and even “not really tasty” by one. The Oliva gave favorable impressions as well, but also not exactly what you could call stellar. Comments for the Serie V were along the lines of smooth, earthy, and with a pleasant finish. Ultimately, they scored about the same, each earning an average of 88% of the points possible in the flavor category.

Ample amounts of smooth smoke were produced by both. The ashes, however, could have been more stable (perhaps a trait of the the smaller ring gauge vitola in general) and maybe even a little lighter in color. The burn was even, though a few did require a couple re-lights as things progressed. It was the Pepin blue that earned a slight points advantage with regard to smoking characteristics, just edging above the Oliva; 84% to 80% of the points possible.

The final category, ‘Overall’ went to the Oliva, which also won out in the end when all was totalled.

After averaging our scores, 10-7ha and The Cohiba Club give their official combined rating for the Don Pepin Garcia (Blue Label) Lancero a score of 83. A very good cigar.

Here's the points breakdown for the Pepin 'Blue':
I. Appearance & Construction: 12 pts (80% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 21 pts (84% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 28 pts (80% of the points possible)

After averaging our scores, 10-7ha and The Cohiba Club give their official combined rating for the Oliva Serie V Lancero a score of 85. Also, a very good cigar, and in this case - slightly preferred over it's rival by Don Pepin.

Here's the points breakdown for the Oliva:
I. Appearance & Construction: 14 pts (93% of the points possible)
II. Flavor: 22 pts (88% of the points possible)
III. Smoking Characteristics: 20 pts (80% of the points possible)
IV. Overall Impression: 29 pts (83% of the points possible)

Upon closer examination of the scoring data, it’s interesting to break it down according to how each club rated their cigars. For example, would one club provide higher scores than the other? After all, The Cohiba Club has been using their cigar rating scorecard for almost two years now, whereas it was a new experience for 10-7ha to fill them out while smoking. The total points given by 10-7ha average out to 83.4 (for both cigars). The total points given out by The Cohiba Club average to 84.0, so it's readily apparent that the two clubs awarded points very similarly overall.

There were some subtle differences, however. 10-7ha preferred Pepin’s Blue Lancero, giving it an average score of 83.7 compared to the 82 that The Cohiba Club gave it. In contrast, the Oliva V Lancero earned 83 from 10-7ha and 85.2 from The Cohiba Club. It’s clear that our law enforcement brethren preferred the Pepin, while we preferred the Oliva Serie V – but not by particularly wide margins.

Some thought must be given to the fact that our average scores for these two cigars are quite low, relatively speaking. For these two premium cigars to both average in the mid-eighties gives one pause for reflection. It may simply be the nature of blind tasting. So often, when we know what we’re smoking, and moreover, when we know what rating that a national cigar publication has bestowed upon it, we are swayed by that knowledge. Many of us often think, "Wow, this must be a really good cigar." and our brain goes along with it. I acknowledge that this is a complex topic for another time, but it’s one that cannot be ignored when seeing these numbers.

Finally, the co-herf of our two clubs was a dramatic success and we sincerely hope for more such events to come. Thanks to J&J Cigars in Shoreline for giving us such a good deal on these lanceros and thanks to Herman at 10-7ha for the photos herein.

Read their account of the evening's festivities here.

Until next time friends...