A Visit With An Old Favorite, the Ashton VSG. . . .

These are rather hard to come by, and another cigar I haven't smoked in years. I usually get these, IF I get them at all, to include in packages to others.

I had a wonderful breakfast this evening of broiled strip steaks, which Maxine Bacon, the Original Virginia Ham, ever The Happy Hippo cat, has also finished her share of. Then I went to a two shot tasting of my new No. 7 rye, Sazerac, the younger version, or as it's known at LeNell's, Sazerac, The Baby. I decided on a cigar, and spying an Ashton Virgin Sun Grown at the bottom of Desk Top I, my original humidor, yes, a "T Word" purchase :sm_angel: :roll: , I decided it was time.

I have given much credence to the discussions here regarding that these cigars may not be what they once were. I also remembered that they don't age well, losing strength and flavor quickly. I could use the loss of strength, but flavor is what it's all about, unless of course, the texture of your smoke is as refined and wonderful as the original Ashton cigar, now called The Ashton Classic.

I lit this cigar at 2008 hours, and finished it at 2123 hours. I am happy to report that Earnie Shavers has not materialized out of nowhere to put me on the floor of my den. I'm spitting very little, and I have the memories of a medium bodied, full flavored cigar with a rainbow assortment of flavors that included flint, demerara sugar, Violet candies, earth, and clove.

I'm sorry if the strength is no longer pleasing to those who look forward to the kick as much as the flavor of a cigar, but then again, you all know that I like those . . .

Girly Man Cigars. 8) :sm_angel: :sm_angel: 8) :roll: :mrgreen:

Oh yes, it measured about 6 5/8" x 52.

I definitely had this for about six months. I got it in a sampler pack that I ordered from one of my favorite web sites last fall. I sent away a couple of the smaller Ashton VSG's that came in the packs, but kept two of these, I believe. I ordered one pack, then decided on another a couple weeks or so later.

I'd say it was at its peak, at least for someone like me. I'm quite sure it would have been too strong for me, if I had smoked it soon after getting it in. In about another six months, it's hard to tell. These are notorious for fast aging. It's possible I still would have liked this one in another six months, though.

Wow, memories. As much as I love you bro, I think I did confess back then that I found it flavorless, but at least Earnie Shavers didn't hit me.

:cryinlaugh: :cryinlaugh: :rotflmao: umpkin: umpkin:

That's right, for anyone interested, the Opus X doesn't age well, either. At least not for six years, or however old that thing was. :sm_angel:

No, not at all. That would be wrong if anyone flamed you. Earnie Shavers was a boxer, contemporary of the late-stage Muhammad Ali and solidly in the Larry Holmes era, guys he both fought. Shavers was basically a journeyman fighter, but occasionally a whisker away from being the champ. A big, tough guy, with a squeaky high voice, and considered by many boxing pundits as perhaps the hardest single punch heavyweight of all-time.

Shavers had a sneaky right hand that came out of nowhere that could put anyone on his butt in a flash. As a matter of fact, that's exactly what happened when it suddenly flashed in the Larry Holmes fight. Holmes, always in top condition, and able to take a punch, got up, EVENTUALLY shook off the cobwebs, and won a couple rounds later in a TKO, simply outboxing Shavers. But Shavers one-punch thunder showed itself in that bout, which was just one incidence when testament to his power could be made. There were many in his career, although he took a few beatings himself.

Thank you. Always good to see you around. Hope all's well.