Sippin' with Stogies
September 2021
Ashton ESG 24-Year Salute
Origin Country: Dominican Puro
Wrapper: Dominican
Binder and Filler: Dominican
Vitola: Perfecto 6 5/8” x 48”
Price: $23.00
I do love to find undiscovered or lesser-known gems when it comes to cigars, and the Ashton ESG may be one of them – as highly--rated as it already is. Compared to its alleged sibling, it can cost roughly half the price, and Opus cigars are rumored to be in short supply... If the hearsay is true, Opus aficionados will need to supplement their supply. But, is the Ashton ESG, made by the Fuente family in the same place Opus cigars are rolled, any less a smoke?
Visual / Pre-light Draw
As to be expected, the construction is flawless. There are lines visible, but you can feel the consistency and “wrapper integrity” just from holding it. Imagine a cookie that’s crisp on the outside but soft and moist on the inside, and you’ll understand how the ESG 24--Year Salute feels in the hand. Enough oils come off on my fingertips to feel them, but what I smell in the cigar before lighting it doesn’t come along with them. Those smells immediately include a combination of nuttiness and baking spices… not overly sweet, but enough to smell tasty and complex. Following slightly behind is a whiff of coffee beans.
First Third
This is a complex cigar; the rich, smooth smoke tastes of what I can only describe as “snickerdoodle” – vanilla, cinnamon, gingerbread… that combination of “sugar, spice, and everything nice” with some nuttiness. The wrapper, however, has a tangy citrus note that lingers briefly on the lips like orange or clementine zest. The retrohale brings both sides together and is surprisingly smooth with no discomfort, even after several retrohales. The Ashton ESG’s smoothness isn’t to be mistaken for light--bodied; it’s a rich, satisfying cigar (so far) that’s smoothness and complexity seem to make its strength easily palatable.
Second Third
Rarely have I seen such a perfect burn – no relights, no touch--ups. I’m told Dominican wrapper leaves are the most difficult to grow, but they do seem to be worth it! The second third introduces a hint of black pepper, but not enough to interfere with the consistent flavors of the first third. A slight taste of maple syrup seems to keep it rich and bold but creamy. I’d say the retrohale now has a kick to it, but it’s more like a love tap. I can taste it, but it’s not offensive at all.
Final Third
I can now taste cedar in the ESG’s complex flavor profile, and the nuttiness has come forward. As I taste the final third of the cigar, I’m reminded of the question I began with… how similar is the Ashton ESG to the Fuente Opus X? There are similarities – the construction, the perfect burn… but compared to my Opus X experiences, there are some nuances. The Ashton ESG 24--Year Salute is, in my opinion, a bit nuttier and creamier, whereas I remember my last Opus X being a bit more intense with a stronger pepper flavor. The Ashton ESG’s finale carries more of that citrus zing from the wrapper rather than a peppery kick, but I can taste without a doubt that both great cigars come from the same place. The Ashton ESG is definitely worthy of its own space in any Fuente Opus lover’s humidor!
The Pairing:
For the pairing I chose what I thought to be another under-appreciated gem, Bulleit Bourbon. It comes with a very approachable price point but won a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2012… and I can taste why. The nose perfectly complements the citrus notes of the Ashton ESG, followed by some toffee and caramel which pair perfectly with the body of the cigar. The Bulleit isn’t overly sweet, but flavorful and complex like the cigar. The finish does have a bit of a peppery burn, which I found to be a perfect contrast to the creamy nuttiness of the cigar.
