In the pantheon of premium cigars, Ashton stands as a titan, embodying the pinnacle of luxury, craftsmanship, and a commitment to excellence that has captivated aficionados worldwide. The narrative of Ashton Cigars is not merely a story of tobacco blending and artisanal craftsmanship but a saga of visionary leadership, enduring partnerships, and an unwavering pursuit of quality that has cemented its status as a luminary in the cigar industry.
The Genesis of Ashton Cigars
Founded in 1985 by Robert Levin, a Philadelphia native with deep roots in the cigar retail world, Ashton Cigars embarked on a journey to redefine premium smoking experiences. Levin’s foray into the world of cigars was inherited from his father, who acquired Holt’s Cigar Company, a historic cigar store in downtown Philadelphia. This early exposure to the cigar business ignited a passion in Levin that would eventually lead to the creation of the Ashton brand.
Ashton’s inception was marked by Levin's strategic decision to collaborate with the Fuente family, esteemed masters of cigar craftsmanship based in the Dominican Republic. This partnership was pivotal, marrying Levin’s vision with the Fuente family’s legendary expertise in handcrafting cigars. Together, they set out to produce a line of cigars that would stand as a testament to superior quality and exquisite flavor.
The Evolution of a Legacy
Ashton Cigars quickly rose to prominence, acclaimed for its range of blends that catered to diverse palates, from the aficionado seeking a robust, full-bodied experience to those preferring a milder, more nuanced smoke. In 1988, the brand introduced two pivotal blends that would further solidify its reputation: the Ashton Aged Maduro and the Ashton Cabinet Selection. The former, enrobed in a toothy Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper, became a benchmark among Dominican Maduros, while the latter offered a more refined take on the original Ashton blend, aged for a minimum of five to seven years, and was heralded for its complexity and sophistication.
The 1990s heralded a period of significant growth for Ashton, buoyed by the cigar boom and the meticulous production standards upheld by the Fuente family. This era saw the introduction of several iconic offerings, such as the Ashton Virgin Sun Grown (VSG), a trailblazer among full-bodied cigars in the U.S. market, and the Ashton Heritage Puro Sol, a blend celebrated for its complex, medium-bodied profile.
In 2005, Ashton commemorated its 20th anniversary with the launch of the Estate Sun Grown (ESG), an emblem of luxury and exclusivity. Utilizing a Sun Grown Dominican wrapper cultivated on the Chateau de la Fuente estates, the ESG is a rarity among Dominican puros, showcasing the brand's innovative spirit and dedication to crafting unparalleled smoking experiences.
The introduction of Ashton Symmetry marked another milestone, blending Dominican and Nicaraguan tobaccos for the first time under the Ashton marque. This blend, wrapped in a Cuban-seed Ecuadorian leaf, offered a rich tapestry of flavors, earning acclaim for its balance and complexity.
Ashton Cigars
Ashton: The classic Ashton line represents the epitome of smoothness and balance in a cigar. Crafted with exquisite Dominican fillers and a creamy Connecticut Shade wrapper, it offers a mild to medium-bodied profile, marked by elegant notes of cedar, cream, and a subtle spice. Perfect for those seeking a refined and relaxing smoke.
Ashton Aged Maduro: A standout for maduro lovers, the Ashton Aged Maduro is rich and velvety, showcasing a Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper that's been expertly fermented to achieve its signature dark, sweet profile. Underneath, aged Dominican fillers contribute to a medium-bodied experience filled with chocolate, coffee, and a hint of nuttiness.
Ashton Cabinet Selection: The Ashton Cabinet Selection is a luxurious offering that's often referred to as the White Burgundy
of cigars. It features a longer aging process for its Dominican fillers and an exquisite Connecticut Shade wrapper, resulting in a complex, medium-bodied smoke with layers of cream, spice, and a floral finish.
Ashton ESG: The Estate Sun Grown (ESG) series is Ashton's ultra-premium line, celebrating the brand's anniversaries. Utilizing rare Dominican Sun Grown wrappers from the Fuente family's Chateau de la Fuente estate, this full-bodied cigar offers a rich tapestry of flavor including leather, earth, and spices, with impeccable construction and balance.
Ashton Gift Packs: For those looking to explore the Ashton brand or gift a luxurious smoking experience, Ashton Gift Packs offer a curated selection of the brand's finest cigars. These packs allow smokers to sample a range of Ashton's profiles, from the classic smoothness of the original line to the bold intensity of the VSG.
Ashton Heritage: Embracing the heritage of pure, sun-grown tobacco, the Ashton Heritage Puro Sol is made entirely with sun-grown ingredients, including an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper and Dominican fillers. This medium to full-bodied cigar delivers a symphony of cedar, leather, and sweet spices, making it a vibrant tribute to traditional cigar making.
Ashton Small Cigars Cameroon: Perfect for when time is of the essence, Ashton Small Cigars in the Cameroon wrapper offer a medium-bodied smoke with the distinctive flavor of African Cameroon leaf. Expect a smooth, yet rich experience with notes of wood, spice, and a sweet finish in a conveniently compact size.
Ashton Small Cigars Connecticut: These petite cigars are wrapped in a beautiful Connecticut Shade leaf, embodying the classic Ashton profile in a smaller format. Mild to medium-bodied, they deliver a creamy, smooth smoke with nuances of cedar and a light spice, ideal for a quick, satisfying break.
Ashton Symmetry: The Symmetry line marks Ashton's foray into incorporating Nicaraguan tobaccos, paired with a Dominican blend and an Ecuadorian Habano wrapper. This medium to full-bodied cigar is a harmonious blend of richness and complexity, offering flavors of oak, spice, and a hint of sweetness.
Ashton VSG (Virgin Sun Grown): The VSG stands as one of Ashton's most acclaimed lines, known for its intensity and depth. Featuring a Sun Grown wrapper from the high elevations of Ecuador and a robust blend of Dominican fillers, this full-bodied cigar impresses with bold notes of espresso, leather, and pepper, appealing to those seeking a powerful smoking experience.
The Ashton Experience Beyond the blends themselves, Ashton Cigars represents an ethos of luxury, tradition, and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. The brand's diverse portfolio, from the mild and approachable Classic blend to the robust and intense VSG, ensures that there is an Ashton cigar to satisfy every preference. For those new to the brand or connoisseurs seeking to explore its breadth, samplers like the Ashton 10-Cigar Sampler and the Ashton 5-Cigar Assortment offer a curated introduction to its most celebrated cigars.
Critical acclaim and consumer loyalty have followed Ashton Cigars throughout its journey. Each blend in the portfolio, from the bestselling sizes of the Cabinet and Aged Maduro lines to the sought-after VSG and ESG, has been crafted with an eye toward perfection. This dedication to excellence has not only garnered numerous 90+ ratings from esteemed critics but has also solidified Ashton's place in the humidors of discerning smokers around the globe.
A Testament to Quality and Craftsmanship As Ashton Cigars continues to thrive, its legacy is a testament to the vision of Robert Levin, the craftsmanship of the Fuente family, and the brand's enduring commitment to producing premium cigars of unparalleled quality. Ashton has transcended its status as a mere cigar brand to become a symbol of luxury, dependability, and the rich tradition of cigar making.
In a world where the words premium
and luxury
are often overused, Ashton Cigars stands apart, a beacon of genuine quality and refinement in the cigar industry. Whether savored in a quiet moment of solitude or shared among friends, an Ashton cigar is not just a choice—it's an experience, a celebration of the art and pleasure of smoking.
As we look to the future, Ashton Cigars remains poised to continue its legacy of excellence, inviting smokers new and old to discover the indelible mark of quality that is Ashton
