In late 2003, Ashton introduced its Heritage Puro Sol line, with great reception. It marked the first time that a cameroon wrapper had graced an Ashton cigar. Born of the combined efforts of Rick Meerapfels and Carlos Fuente Sr., the Ashton Heritage Puro Sol features tobaccos grown in direct sunlight, from which the series takes its name. The African cameroon wrapper boasts a beautiful milky carmel color, and the aromas of chocolate, almonds, and vanilla. The binder and filler are both sungrown dominican tobaccos as well, and add to the wrapper's complex and deep flavor profile.
I have sampled and reviewed the Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Belicoso #2, and have given it a score of 86 out of 100.
VISUAL PRESENTATION:5 out of 5 A short but stout cigar that boasts the trademark Ashton crown on the label. It mimics the color of milk caramel, and the wrapper is fluid throughout. It is rolled very tight, with a traditional Cuban triple-cap. Dark veins run seamlessly throughout the wrapper, and its oily sheen invites you to savor the flavors that wait within.
PRE-LIT AROMA:4 out of 5 The pre-lit aromas of this cigar range from warm nutty scents to light traces of sweet vanilla and spicy pepper. Slightly toasted aromas of nutmeg and cinnamon also highlight the delicious golden brown wrapper.
CONSTRUCTION:5 out of 5 Throughout the lifespan of this cigar, it held together exceptionally well. Never did the wrapper swell nor tear at any point. The cigar was rolled tight, yet still provided an appropriate draw. The belicoso shape focuses the draw onto the palate for optimum flavor profiling.
ASH INTEGRITY:4 out of 5 The ash held exceptionally well, and did not break until the cigar was down to about 25% of the original length. It was bright well, signifying that a clean burn had delivered the majority of the tobacco's contents through the cigar and into the palate.
VALUE:4 out of 5 Taking into consideration its much more well-to-do cousin, the Ashton VSG, the Heritage Puro Sol is a great buy. It delivers phenomenal craftsmanship, strength, and flavor, at a fraction of the VSG's cost. With an MSRP of about $9/cigar, it is well worth the cost.
FLAVOR:12 out of 15 The Ashton Heritage Puro Sol boasts an amazing range of flavors. Beginning with sweet hints of vanilla and nutty almond and nutmeg flavors, it slowly released brief blasts of spicy pepper and rich leathery waves of intense flavor, before finally rounding out with a very creamy and smooth finish.
DRAW:12 out of 15 The draw began slightly less than needed. Tight to begin with, by the second-third of the cigar, the draw had opened up to allow plenty of smoke to funnel through the narrowed tip and into the palate. As the cigar neared its end, the draw became a little too loose and caused it to burn hotter than desired.
BURN:14 out of 15 This cigar burned exceptionally even and solid. Only getting hot at the end, due to a loose draw, it held an even burn pattern and took almost no coaxing or fingerwork to keep steady.
STRENGTH:13 out of 15 Solid and balanced best describes the overall strength of the Heritage Puro Sol. Only becoming harsh at the very end, it was stout, but never overpowering. Albeit, at the very end, due to a loose draw and too much heat, it did become slightly too much to handle.
AROMA:12 out of 15 Complimenting the complex flavor profile, the Heritage Puro Sol entertains another sense with a wide array of both delicious and floral scents. Everything from cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and chocolate to leather, wood, and pepper seemed to flow freely from this cigar.
Posts: 334 | Location: Corpus Christi, Texas | Registered: May 08, 2007
