Webmeister
Senior Member
Registered: June 2007
Location: Indian Trail, NC
Posts: 5149
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Review Date: Sun August 12, 2007
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Would you recommend this to someone? Yes |
Price you paid? In US$: None indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Excellent construction, smooth and complex
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Cons:
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Ashton VSG Illusion (6.5 x 44)
Environment: Upper 80's, about 8pm (dusk), no breeze, listening to Dog Watch.
Prelight
Wrapper: Excellent construction, shiny med-dark wrapper, fine veins, firm and well packed, no soft spots head to foot. One very small blemish above the band (moisture spot?).
Smell (wrapper): woody (light cedar) and a touch of coffee
Smell (foot): same as wrapper, although less pronounced
Tongue: slightest bite, coffee, woody (cedar)
Draw: perfect draw - not too tight, not too loose
Light: Draws well, lots of smoke. Great tasing creamy, coffee, cedar, maybe just a hint of cocoa. Forgot to empty the ashtray before lighting and knocked the ash off at about an inch (mea culpa). Excellent even burn, white flakey ash. Would pair well with a latte or espresso. Flavor is not overpowering about medium body.
About two inches in - woody flavor has dimished a bit with creamy, coffee and cocoa flavors taking the fore. A little more flavor, but not too much. Burn is perfect, ash is very light gray/white and nicely layered.
Second third: Draw is perfect - this is what every cigar should aspire to be. Many cigars get a little soft this far in, but not the VSG - still firm. Taste mellowed ever so slightly, still lots of smoke, coffe and a little less cocoa. Ash is hanging on at about an inch and a half. Wrapper has picked up a chocolatey taste - sweet, not bitter like cocoa. Very smooth...
Last third: About two inches of ash before it dropped. Taking the opportunity to pop the band off. Still very smooth, and this cigar has a little kick to it. Burn is still perfect as is the smoke and flavor. Around this time, I usually start expecting the cap to begin to disintegrate, but not the case for the VSG. The stick is still firm and not soft or spongy. Rich, creamy smoke - very well balanced and smooth. At this point, definitely a full-bodied smoke.
About an inch and a half left with a two inch ash. A little bite and stronger flavor. Smoke is still cool, as is the cigar. Nubbed it!
Webmeister scale:
1 - Not bad, but not memorable
2 - Maybe, but I'd like to try another stick
3 - Pretty darn good - I think I'll buy a fiver
4 - This is a keeper - gimme a box for bombing!
X 5 - A great stick - Buying a box to keep for myself!
On the "official" scale, I am going to give this a 9 overall.
9 for construction
9 for draw, ash, and volume of smoke
9 for taste and complexity
The VSG is a deceptive stick starting out medium and becoming full-bodied toward the last couple of inches. Very smooth, well-balanced great tasting smoke throughout. So smooth you don't realize the punch it packs. I rate it as outstanding, and prefer it to sticks that cost twice as much. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys a full-bodied cigar. Not for the faint of heart - or for consumption on an empty stomach!
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Discussion is an exchange of intelligence; argument is an exchange of ignorance.
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