Never had Ashton VSG or ESG

[jerseystepup]

I've never had an ashton VSG or ESG... My local B&M regularly stocks the VSG and occasionaly gets boxes of the ESG in... but everytime i go in my money ends up going towards something else... i here alot of talk about these lately... what am i missing?

[RightAJ]

IMO? You're missing alot! These are one of the staples in high end NCs, and are comprable in quality to Padron Annis and Opus. They are strong smokes that are consistantly good. If you can find some with age, even better!

aj

[Smokin Gator]

I like the VSG and not so much the ESG. They both, typically, have great construction and burn. Both are a little one dimensional. I have had way more of the VSGs and you just know what you will get. A quality smoke at a decent price.

[jerseystepup]

These are made by fuente correct? As im slowly loosing taste for my NC's and gaining more repect for Cuban tobacco... my fuentes i still love... my opus, my anejo, and most of all my sungrowns.. Im thinking some VSG's may be just what i need.

[JJG]

I finally tried a VSG not too long ago and I wasn't that impressed. I expected it to taste more like a Fuente. They're not bad, just a little boring. I'd buy a Don Carlos or Opus instead.

[DoctaJ]

I have never had an ESG either...never could pull the trigger considering the price point.

As for the VSG, I had my 1st one last year. All I can say is, it is well worth the try :2. Amazing smoke with some good complexity.

[papajohn67]

I like the VSG and not so much the ESG. They both, typically, have great construction and burn. Both are a little one dimensional. I have had way more of the VSGs and you just know what you will get. A quality smoke at a decent price.

:tpd: on the ESG. Was a real disappointment.

[bobarian]

:tpd: on the ESG. Was a real disappointment.

:tpd: The VSG is a good smoke. Some nice skinny vitolas as well. ESG? Meh. :2

[mariogolbee]

First time I tried a VSG earlier in my cigar hobby I hated it. I recently revisited one and absolutely loved it. I enjoyed the ESG very very much. If you like Opus then you'll likely enjoy the ESG. The ESG was much like the Opus except it seemed richer. This makes sense considering it uses a sun grown version of the Opus wrapper.

[SNKBYT]

I like the VSG and not so much the ESG. They both, typically, have great construction and burn. Both are a little one dimensional. I have had way more of the VSGs and you just know what you will get. A quality smoke at a decent price.

:tpd:agree

[darkninja67]

I am a huge fan of the ESG but the VSG is a better choice for most when you factor in price. I heard the VSGs get better with some age on them. Definitely try a VSG, you might like it a lot.

[troutbreath]

Love the VSG. Can't get enough. But, have never tried the ESG. Very pretty band.

[kelmac07]

VSG is the shiznit!! :tu

[quantim0]

I had a VSG a few weeks back and really enjoyed it.

The local b&m owner told me you need to smoke the ESG very slowly and with no distractions. Apparently he didn't do that for the first one he got and told the Ashton rep that it was not great and the rep gave him another and told him to smoke it slow. He said the complexity is hard to pick up if you aren't giving it your full attention, but if you put the work it, it's a fantastic stick.

[Robert Mabona]

ashton "proper" sucks, across the board. spend your money on san cristobal. sorry rex, you're a great guy!

[RichardW]

:tpd: on the ESG. Was a real disappointment.

:tpd: The ESGs are way more money than what they are worth. The VSGs, however, are a well made, complex cigar. Not cheap, but worth trying a few. :ss

[eber]

my limited experience with the VSG is that they are good cigars with great construction but IMHO not worth the price tag, I found them a little one dimensional but an enjoyable smoke none the less. That being said I have not been fond of the fuentes that I have smoked including different hemingways nat and mad, opus and a queen B SG. I just picked up an Anejo 50 maduro that I am letting rest. fingers crossed. just my :2

[ScottishSmoker]

About 6 years ago, the VSG was nothing but pure power and spice...very full-bodied. Honestly, today, I would invest my money elsewhere...the VSG still has a good flavor, great construction, and beautiful burn...but nowhere near the strength and spice of years past....I miss the really good VSGs...

[Goldie]

I prefer any of the VSG's over the ESG's. I only had one of the ESG's so maybe I just had a bad one. but that's just my opinion.

[Kreth]

I picked up a VSG Illusion last spring when Taboo had a sale on premium singles. It was pretty tasty. A bit pricy for my budget, but I'd grab another for a treat.
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[webjunkie]

The VSGs are one of my favorites, but a lot of the time I forego buying them to try out other cigars.

[gnukfu]

VSG -good; ESG - I don't like

[Dunkel]

The 2 VSG's I smoked were unremarkable. Never had an ESG. The Heritage was a much better smoke IMO.

[Addiction]

Now its been a while, but this is what I remember and my notes confirm this: In my opinion the Ashton VSG, Diamond Crown Maximus and San Cristobel are pretty much the same smoking experience except for some small differences. Given that I'd say buy the San Cristobel first given it is (or was at some point) the cheaper of the three.

[barbourjay]

About 6 years ago, the VSG was nothing but pure power and spice...very full-bodied. Honestly, today, I would invest my money elsewhere...the VSG still has a good flavor, great construction, and beautiful burn...but nowhere near the strength and spice of years past....I miss the really good VSGs...

agree completely. you can look at the bands and see the much older ones. they do not have the words cabinet on them for the newer releases. if you can find the older ones that say cabinet you will have a different experience.

[rizzle]

First time I tried a VSG earlier in my cigar hobby I hated it. I recently revisited one and absolutely loved it. I enjoyed the ESG very very much. If you like Opus then you'll likely enjoy the ESG. The ESG was much like the Opus except it seemed richer. This makes sense considering it uses a sun grown version of the Opus wrapper.

I'm with you on the ESG's, but I like the VSG's as well. The ESG is way more interesting though.
:tu

[Chemyst]

The VSGs are very good smokes. A bit pricey, but perfect
for special occasions. Actually all of the Ashtons are very
good cigars, IMHO.

I haven't smoked any ESGs, because I can't justify the price.
But, last fall I picked up a couple in trades, and am waiting
for the right occasion to smoke one.

Technically the San Cristobal is an Ashton, but it is a different
beast. The quality and reliability is there, but the taste is
different, due to the source of the tobacco. I go for San
Cristobal more often than VSGs or regular Ashtons now, but
that won't always be the case. The SCs just fit my taste,
lately.

Chemyst :cool2:

[barbourjay]

I'm with you on the ESG's, but I like the VSG's as well. The ESG is way more interesting though.
:tu

i'd agree there as well but i really think it depends on the size of the ESG. i was not impressed by them until i smoked the torpedo. it was smooth but one dimensional but i still liked it. wont buy them unless they are on sale.

[yourchoice]

I used to love the VSG...one of my favorites a few years ago when I first started out. I had one more recently and enjoyed it but not as much as I remember...I was just coming down with a cold though. The flavor that I remember picking up from them was "black cherry". :dr

[issues]

I do love a nice VSG Illusion! :dr

As for the ESG, I haven't tried it due to the price...

I may have to break down and try one on a special occasion.

[NCRadioMan]

After a few years of rest I like the VSG's. I also agree with ScottishSmoker. Not a fan of the ESG at all.

[e-man67]

VSG's are fantastic...there is not one cigar out there that tastes like it...very unique.

[Commander Quan]

If they do not smoke VSG's in heaven, then I shall not go.

-ME

[Bubba - NJ]

These are made by fuente correct? As im slowly loosing taste for my NC's and gaining more repect for Cuban tobacco... my fuentes i still love... my opus, my anejo, and most of all my sungrowns.. Im thinking some VSG's may be just what i need.

The VSG are very consistent and good . Peppery . I've only had 1 ESG and on the advice of a friend I waited a year to smoke it after I bought it , the original release version , was an excellent cigar , flawless construction and burn the whole way through . Flavor was excellent but the price is what has kept me away from the ESG . Worth a try if you've not had one .

[tedrodgerscpa]

Having smoked both, I can't think of a single reason to ever purchase another ESG, given the price point.

If someone handed me either stick for FREE, I'd still probably take the VSG. While neither stick has the complexity of a Nic puro, I like the blend of the VSG a bit more.

http://www.ashtoncigar.com/Ashton-VSG.jsp
http://www.ashtoncigar.com/Ashton-ESG.jsp

I also echo Addiction's opinion... The San Cristobal is probably their best stick, and usually a few bucks cheaper than the VSG. DEFINITELY dollars cheaper than the ESG