It was one of those overcast afternoons, the kind where you can smell the rain coming. I knew I didn’t have long, but when you’ve got an Ashton VSG Robusto in your humidor, you make time.
So I poured a bourbon, stepped out onto the porch, and lit up. The cool air, the quiet before the storm, and that first draw of the VSG, it all came together in one of those perfect cigar moments.
The Ashton VSG has been praised by Cigar Aficionado, collectors, and casual smokers alike for over two decades. It’s one of those smokes you keep hearing about in the humidor, and for good reason.
This is my Ashton VSG Robusto review, a cigar that proves why the Fuente family continues to set the bar for what a full bodied cigar should be.
Profile: Full-bodied cigar
Wrapper: Ecuadorian Sun Grown (Virgin Sun Grown, proprietary wrapper leaf grown by the Oliva Tobacco Company on private estates in Ecuador)
Binder: Dominican
Filler: Aged Dominican tobacco, blended exclusively to showcase depth and strength
Factory: Tabacalera Fuente, Dominican Republic
Sizes Available: Pegasus (Robusto 5.5" × 50), Tres Mystique (Corona 4.3 × 44, also known as Ashton VSG Tres Mystique), Illusion (Lonsdale 6.5 × 44), Corona Gorda (5.7 × 46), Enchantment (Perfecto 4.3 × 60), Belicoso #1 (5.2 × 52), Sorcerer (Churchill 7.0 × 49), Torpedo (6.5 × 55), Eclipse Tubo (Toro 6.0 × 52), Spell Bound (Presidente 7.5 × 54, often called the Ashton VSG Spellbound), and Wizard (Gordo 6.0 × 56)
Notable Feature: Blended exclusively by Carlos Fuente Jr. for Ashton Cigars
Flavor Highlights: Cedar, espresso bean, dark chocolate, black pepper, earthy spice
Price Point: Usually $15–20 per single, about $200–$250 per box
The VSG line debuted in the late ’90s, created by Robert Levin of Ashton and blended by Carlos Fuente Jr. using a proprietary wrapper leaf grown on the estate sun grown fields of the Oliva Tobacco Company in Ecuador. That wrapper gave birth to a cigar that was stronger and richer than anything Ashton Cigars had released before.
Since then, the VSG has racked up 90-plus ratings, including regular love from Cigar Aficionado. It’s become one of Ashton’s classic favorite cigars among aficionados worldwide, celebrated for its outstanding flavor, power, and consistency.
Once removed from cellophane, the VSG Robusto is gorgeous. The Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper is dark, oily, and smooth, showing a natural Colorado Maduro hue that sets the tone for a powerful cigar.
The hue reminds me of a full country maduro, and there’s quite a bit of natural oil that promises richness before you even light up. In hand, it feels hefty for its size, the kind of stick that promises a serious smoke.
At the foot, I picked up aromas of cedar, earth, and espresso. The cold draw brought in molasses, raisins, roasted coffee bean, and a touch of subtle sweetness. Right from the first pull, you know you’re about to enjoy an amazing cigar.
While I chose the VSG Robusto for my review, if you’re curious to try other vitolas of this bold Virgin Sun Grown line, the Ashton VSG Sampler Box is a fantastic way to explore multiple sizes in one sleek package.
The first light of the Ashton VSG comes alive with cedar, roasted espresso bean, and even a hint of coffee, with a steady layer of black pepper on the retrohale. Thick, creamy smoke pours out with every puff, coating the palate with depth and richness.
This is not a timid cigar. It’s bold from the start, but it still delivers a smooth smoke, one of the reasons the VSG Robusto has such a loyal following.
By the halfway point, the second third introduces leather and dark chocolate, keeping cedar and espresso at its core. The pepper mellows slightly, replaced by hints of sweetness that bring balance to the profile.
The tasting notes here are classic Ashton VSG, leather, dark chocolate, espresso, and a touch of sweet creaminess that keeps the cigar from ever feeling one-dimensional.
Construction is flawless: consistent burn, neat ash, and effortless draw. This is where the Fuente family touch shows, blending bold Dominican tobaccos into a cigar that smokes with grace.
In the final third, the Robusto shows its teeth. Black pepper ramps back up, layered over espresso and earth, with dark chocolate still hanging around. The last third is rich, full, and satisfying, the definition of a good cigar with good taste and a powerful close.
I took it down to the band, and while the burn line stayed sharp for most of the smoke, a quick, minor touch-up kept things perfect. No drama,just a great cigar doing its job.
Rolled at Tabacalera Fuente in the Dominican Republic, the Ashton VSG is proof of masterful construction. The draw stays easy, the burn remains even, and the ash holds tight. Every puff is a reminder of why this blend has been a good smoke for decades.
At $15–20 a stick, this isn’t an everyday cigar unless your lucky enough to have a humidor that is bottomless. But when you want to light up something special, the Ashton Virgin Sun Grown Robusto delivers. In a market full of aged maduros and boutique experiments, this blend stands tall as one of Ashton’s most favorite cigars.
It’s a cigar that earns its price tag through pedigree, strength, and flawless performance. If you grab an VSG, your not going to be let down.
The Ashton VSG is more than just a good cigar, it’s an extremely fine cigar. With cedar, espresso, and pepper at the open, a middle of dark chocolate and leather, and a bold peppery finish, it delivers complexity without ever losing its smooth smoke.
It’s a cigar I’d gladly keep in the humidor for those nights when I want to slow down and savor a masterpiece. While not as compact as a petit corona, the Robusto still feels like the perfect size when you want power without overstaying its welcome. Pair it with bourbon, dark rum, or a strong cup of coffee, and you’ll see why the VSG line has been celebrated for decades.
For me, this cigar is proof that Ashton blends with good taste and tradition in mind, the kind of craftsmanship that keeps people coming back to the Ashton brand generation after generation.
| Category | Rating (0–10) |
|---|---|
| Flavor | 8.9 |
| Construction | 9.1 |
| Burn / Draw | 9.0 |
| Value | 9.3 |
| Overall Rating | ⭐ 9.1 / 10 |
(That works out to about a 90 on the traditional cigar scale, lining up well with how Cigar Aficionado and other reviewers consistently rate the Ashton VSG.)
A consistent Ashton VSG that proves why the virgin sun grown VSG line belongs in the humidor of every fan of the Fuente family legacy and the Ashton brand.
The Ashton VSG Robusto isn’t just another cigar, it’s a benchmark. With its proprietary Ecuadorian Sun Grown wrapper leaf, bold Dominican tobaccos, and decades of accolades, it’s one of those favorite cigars every serious smoker should experience. Whether you’re chasing distinct flavor, flawless construction, or simply a good smoke to slow down with, the VSG delivers every time.
Buy Ashton VSG cigars today and discover why the VSG line stands among Ashton’s finest achievements, a bold, refined, and unforgettable smoke worthy of a place in your humidor.
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