“If you deserve it, go get it!”
—Conor McGregor
What Makes It Special
Ashton VSG cigars are made in the Dominican Republic and are one of the most prized non-Cuban cigars. The blend is robust with a flavorful smoking experience, even for seasoned cigar aficionados with achieved palates.
VSG Robusto
Brand: Ashton
Vitola: 5.5×50
Filler: Dominican Republic
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sumatra Virgin Sun Grown
Binder: Dominican Republic
Age: 4-5 Years
Body: Medium to Full Blodness
Price: $14
Visual / Pre-light Draw
Subtle amount of oil on the dark brown veiny and bumpy wrapper. Exterior aroma of fresh farm hay. Gold and red wrapper with a crown, displaying two foo dogs on each side, representative or symbolic of royalty.
Big burst of berries, medium pull, with lingering oat notes in the background.
First Third
The initial arrival is robust and meaty with a very noticeable berry note. The cigar flavor is full of oats and robust fig notes. There is also a hint of espresso bean. Nice even burn and the ash is holding well.
Second Third
The ash is still holding well and then fell off with dignity. There are darker cherry notes present, followed by robust oats. This is a very enjoyable cigar, with subtle hints of spice, and tons of foot smoke aroma. The cigar draws beautifully.
Final Third
The ash is still holding well and then fell off with dignity. There are darker cherry notes present, followed by robust oats. This is a very enjoyable cigar, with subtle hints of spice, and tons of foot smoke aroma. The cigar draws beautifully.
This pairing is like settling down with a bowl of Captain Crunch Berry cereal, with a side of buttery biscuits, sugary churros, or even cinnamon glazed fried dough. INDULGING!!!
The Pairing
Getting your hands on a bottle of Mitchell & Son’s Blue Spot Irish Whiskey is a must! The triple distilled whiskey is aged in bourbon barrels, sherry butts, and madeira casks. The nose on this seven year old Cask Strength 58.7% ABV whiskey is intense: “a light mix of pineapple, kiwi, green banana, and lime zest followed by Pot Still spices, apple, hazelnut and toasted wood”. This pairing is like settling down with a bowl of Captain Crunch Berry cereal, with a side of buttery biscuits, sugary churros, or even cinnamon glazed fried dough. INDULGING!!! The sherry butt and madeira cask influence meshes perfectly with the berry notes of this cigar. The high proof whiskey is mellowed with “a subtle mix of fruit, vanilla, and cinnamon”, remaining on level with the cigar. FIND THIS PAIRING and treat yourself right, you deserve it!
Merry Christmas WBSE!
Acknowledgment
Thank you Binny’s Spirits Consultant and whisk(e)y enthusiast, Joe McEwan, for recommending the Blue Spot! Thank you Binny’s Customer Service Manager Damien Stewart for leading me to this amazing Ashton stick. Amazing pairing! You guys rock!
Photography by: James Archie
