Ashton Estate Sun Grown Cigars

Robert Levin and Carlos Fuente Jr. have teamed up to create the Ashton Estate Sun Grown, or ESG for short. Such a special occasion called for a very special cigar. The ESG uses a unique Dominican wrapper grown on the Chateau de la Fuente farm in the Dominican Republic. This wrapper has never been used on any other cigar. The blend is the creation of Carlos Fuente Jr. who is a master blender and has created the most sought after cigars in the world. With ESG the bar has been raised once again.

Ashton cigars come in a host of styles, from the considerably mild (Ashton Classic) to the seriously strong (Ashton Virgin Sun Grown). Closer in strength to the latter are Ashton Estate Sun Growns.

The brand was originally conceived as a way to celebrate Ashton's 20th anniversary, which was in 2005. The first cigar came out a year late, due to limits on their production by Tabacalera A. Fuente. The cigar is made with a very rare wrapper, a sun-grown, Cuban-seed leaf from Chateau de la Fuente, the home of Fuente Fuente OpusX (which is made from leaves grown under shade). ESGs can have a mellow start but they typically pick up in strength, leading brand owner Robert Levin to dub them "the Velvet Hammer" due to their sneaky strength.

Rated 91. Dark and attractive, this oily robusto burns evenly, emanating a full-bodied aroma. A fine draw loads the palate with sweet, complex notes of earth, spice and licorice. Full bodied

Rated 93 and #8 Best Cigar of 2014. The ESG 22-Year Salute emerged as the best of the ESG Cigars. The nutty smoke had notes of cream, leather and earth, with a touch of almond on the finish.

ESGs are cigars for special occasions, and priced accordingly. They aren't inexpensive, but this one is certainly worth the price.