Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute Review

ESG 22 Year Salute
Made by: Ashton
Country: Dominican Republic
Vitola: 6 by 52

The last Ashton cigar review was the VSG for the event we had a while back. This is another top of the line offering from Ashton, the ESG Torpedo. The smoke time wont be what it was on the huge VSG I reviewed but I am sure this will have a lot of interesting characteristics. Needless to say I have my expectations up, lets see if the cigar can hold up to them with a Ashton ESG 22 Year Salute Review.

Prelight

To start out, there is not much tooth, visible seams. Pretty lumpy pack for a cigar of its level. The foot is giving off a slightly floral note, with a fruity sour note accompanying it. There is a cedar undertone that is pleasant. Clean cut and just a bit of loose tobacco. The prelight draw is slightly off kilter, coming off one side heavier. Still presenting the slightly sour fruit note with cedar on the prelight draw. Good draw resistance despite the lopsided aspect, I expect that not to be an issue. Lets get this started.

1/3

The primary notes are grass and hay on the front with a tangy fruit undertone. A cedar base, is creating a great balancing factor. Medium bodied and medium strength, but it feels like the strength could creep up later in the cigar. As the first third burns down there is almost an orange flavor coming off the cigar, cedar undertone maintains. And there’s light oak in there, as well as a light white pepper coming up on the finish. The fruity note remains and is reminiscent of a sour orange. The grass and hay notes are falling off of the front as the cedar develops.

2/3

The orange flavor has begin to drop off, and in its place a toasted marshmallow has come up. The cedar has come up and it’s affecting the profile. Interesting profile good transitions and complexity. As the second third burns down there is heavy cream from the wrapper, great thick smoke production. This is affecting the cedar profile causing the toasted marshmallow note. Slightly bitter note with a macadamia nut and cashew on the finish. Very balanced finish. Great profile wonderful cigar probably about a 94 at this point the only issue being the starting aesthetics. The nutty bitterness has developed into a stronger note at the end of the second third.

3/3

Body came up to a medium-full, medium strength still, bitter macadamia has come up even more. Strength is definitely detectable but not overwhelming. Oak came up at the nub. The woodsy notes of cedar and oak have begun to control the profile toward the end of the cigar. The nuts dropped, and the flavors began to wash over and blend.

Smoke Time: 1 hour and 35 minutes

Conclusion: 94

The cigar held a wonderful profile, great transitions throughout. The complexity was magnificent, a solid and well-constructed cigar. Absolutely a need to try if you have not, and it is justifiable to buy a box of these for smoking and/or aging. I really don’t have much to say bad about this, other than the beginning aesthetics and the first impressions of the cigar where little bit off. Flavors were solid but left room for improvement, a thumbs up for Ashton.

Click on the picture to find this cigar at anthonyscigars.com