Had this dark beauty for the first time today, after spending over 3 months in the humi, a #40, measuring 6x50.
The pre-light construction is simply gorgeous, looks like a long piece of dark chocolate that you simply want to sink your teeth into.
First light notes hints of coffee and dark rich coffee beans. The flavor is smooth as silk and never harsh. The only drawback was a bit of an uneven burn the first 1.5 inches, which evened out eventually.
The cigar produces tremendous amounts of thick white smoke that carries a great aroma, which even non-smokers admired.
Half-way through the maduro makes its presence well known with a sweeter note and hints of chocolate, also nuts come into the picture. The burn also evened itself out at this point.
The finish is fantastic and smooth. The flavors all come together here, and the nuts and woodiness of the smoke really come out, smoked it to the very nub.
If you're a maduro fan, and have never tried this one, you won't be dissapointed.
"I guess you really love women... Above all things... A very very distant second, is a Ferrari"
Posts: 199 | Location: NJ | Registered: February 25, 2004
these are great cigars, i find myself reaching for these when i go to my local shop. the shop has so many good maduros that it's tough. i just keep trying to smoke them all
Posts: 1431 | Location: North Carolina | Registered: November 29, 2003
I just purchased two 5 packs of the Ashton Aged Maduro # 10 cigars. I am glad that you guys love this cigar. I can't wait until the time comes when I smoke one.
I love these, one of the best maduro's out there. I hate the price. I have troubles buying mild cigars that cost this much, but every now and then, I'll grab a couple.
I would rather spend a few extra dollars and buy better quality cigars than waste my money on cheap ones which will end up being bad smokes. But that's me.
Georgesquared, I agree, I don't buy crappy cheap cigars either. If I'm spending spending $10 though, it's on a Padron anni or a VSG, or even a Davidoff MB, or something with a little more oomph.
Please forgive me for my comment. I did not mean to be rude. I was not implying that you yourself purchase cheap cigars that are of poor quality. What I really meant by my post is that I myself as a cigar connieusuer would rather buy the premium brand cigars than buy the lower end cigars. Through my own experience, I have noticed a very big different in taste and quality between the lower priced and higher priced cigars. That's why I prefer the higher end cigars. I hope that you understand what I mean by this.
Georgex2, quality cannot be defined by price tag. You shouldn't discount lower cost sticks are "lower end" because of the tag. I smoke the Padron 3km often, and pay less then $6 a stick for 'em.
Look at the stick, not the tag. Judge each one according to its taste profile and you might find that you hvae sticks that you can buy 2 for the same price as a "premimum".
Alan
Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it. --Mark Twain
B.A.S.E. #0006 <(O)>
Posts: 770 | Location: Greater Boston Area | Registered: August 16, 2004
Georgesquared, no offense taken at all. I know what you meant, but as A-hol (sorry I had to ) points out, a Padron 3k will cost around $4 and will blow many $8 cigars out of the water. I agree with you that the Ashton Aged Maduro is a top notch cigar, and I do buy them occasionally. Would I buy a box for $180? Probably not, when I can buy a box of JdN Antano Beli's AND a box of Padron 3K for $130. Welcome to the boards by the way.
I understand what you are trying to say here. You have a point. Some $4 dollar cigars "do" blow away some $8+ cigars. But in most cases, I think that there are only a few $4 dollar cigars that can blow away an $8 or a $10 cigar. I believe that you get what you pay for.