AshMap
Overview
There is a quiet confidence to the Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos, a cigar that doesn't announce itself with pepper bombs or leathery bravado but instead unfolds like a well-kept secret. It arrives box-pressed, its Colorado-hued Dominican Sungrown wrapper warm with amber undertones, smooth and semi-oily to the touch — a visual promise of refinement that the smoke itself keeps. This is Ashton's all-island manifesto, a blend where every leaf, from the Olor Dominicano wrapper to the aged Piloto Cubano filler, traces its lineage to Dominican soil. It is not a cigar that competes for your attention; it commands it through sheer composure.
The pre-light draw offers a creamy cedar and toasted almond introduction, a gentle handshake before the first third ignites. Once lit, the smoke is immediately refined — a silky creaminess anchored by sweet wood, with a mild white pepper that dances on the retrohale without ever turning sharp. As the ash forms its pale silver-grey column, notes of dried apricot and sun-warmed hay emerge, lending a subtle fruitiness that keeps the profile from becoming one-dimensional. This is a cigar that rewards patience; it settles into a rhythm that feels less like a performance and more like a conversation.
By the second third, the narrative deepens. The creaminess transforms into something richer, almost buttery, with a nougat-like density that coats the palate. Roasted coffee bean and dark caramel step forward, while a leathery mid-palate presence adds structure. A gentle earthiness and dried herbs weave through the sweetness, offering complexity without ever overwhelming the balance. This is where the Puro Sol reveals its true character — not through force, but through the layering of flavors that speak to the five years of aging each leaf has undergone. The box-press holds firm, the draw offering ideal resistance, and the burn line stays razor-even, a testament to the craftsmanship at Tabacalera de Garcia.
The final third tightens into a concentrated expression of espresso and dark cocoa, with oak and a faint mineral note on the retrohale. The natural sweetness lingers on the finish, accompanied by a clean, warming spice that never turns harsh. It is a masterclass in restraint — a cigar that knows exactly when to peak and when to fade, leaving you with the memory of a smoke that was both elegant and deeply satisfying. This is not a cigar for the impatient; it is a 90-minute meditation for those who understand that true complexity is found in the spaces between flavors.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Dominican Sungrown — Olor Dominicano — Colorado |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Olor |
| Filler | Aged Dominican long-fillers — primarily Olor and Piloto Cubano, aged a minimum of five years |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic — General Cigar's La Romana / Tabacalera de Garcia facility |
| Vitola / Shape | Torpedo |
| Size | 6.0 x 52 |
| Strength | Medium |
| Price | $18–$24 per cigar |
| Tier | Premium |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of five years prior to rolling; Heritage Puro Sol line emphasizes extended Dominican leaf condit |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with creamy cedar and toasted almond. Once lit, the first third delivers a refined creaminess anchored by sweet wood and mild white pepper on the retrohale. Subtle notes of dried apricot and hay emerge as the cigar settles into a rhythm.
Second Third
The profile deepens considerably — roasted coffee bean and dark caramel come forward with a leathery mid-palate presence. The creaminess from the first third transitions into a richer, almost buttery nougat quality. A gentle earthiness and dried herbs provide welcome complexity without overwhelming the natural sweetness.
Final Third
The final third tightens into a more concentrated expression of espresso and dark cocoa, with oak and a slight mineral note on the retrohale. The natural sweetness lingers on the finish alongside a clean, warming spice. Construction keeps the draw effortless and the flavors never turn harsh — a hallmark of well-aged Dominican leaf.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction is exemplary — the box-press holds firm throughout the smoke, burn line stays razor-even with minimal correction required, and the draw is slightly firm with ideal resistance. The ash is a pale silver-grey, compact and holds with authority past the inch mark.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Dominican rum (Barceló Imperial or Brugal 1888) — the island synergy is undeniable; alternatively a 12-year Speyside Scotch such as Glenfarclas 12 to complement the caramel-wood notes
Wine
A medium-bodied Rioja Reserva or an aged Côtes du Rhône — the cedar and dried fruit notes in the cigar harmonize with Grenache-dominant blends
Non-Alcoholic
A single-origin Colombian or Dominican coffee — medium roast, black — mirrors the caramel and roasted nut profile without competing with the cigar's natural sweetness
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the smoker who has crossed the Rubicon of bold, pepper-forward blends and now seeks something that whispers rather than shouts. Picture a man in his late forties, a collector with a humidor full of Nicaraguan heavyweights, sitting alone on a stone terrace as the evening cools. He has just poured a glass of Barceló Imperial, and he wants a cigar that will match the quiet rhythm of his thoughts — not interrupt them. He already appreciates the finesse of Cuban cigars but craves something with a distinct Dominican voice. The Puro Sol Numero Dos will give him that: a smoke that rewards his attention with layers of caramel, oak, and dried fruit, never demanding, always offering. It is for the moment when the day's noise fades, and the only thing left is the slow, deliberate pleasure of a well-aged leaf.
Bottom Line
The Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos is a quiet masterpiece, an all-Dominican blend that proves elegance is its own form of power. It is a cigar for the connoisseur who has outgrown the need for strength and now seeks depth, balance, and a story told in caramel and oak. Smoke it slowly, and it will reward you with one of the most refined experiences in the premium market.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos a strong cigar?
No, it is rated Medium (3/5) on the strength scale. Physically, this means it delivers a comfortable nicotine presence that is noticeable but never overwhelming — you will feel a gentle warmth and mild relaxation, but you won't experience any dizziness or harshness, even on an empty stomach. It is designed for flavor and complexity rather than a nicotine punch.
What does Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos taste like?
The flavor profile evolves significantly across the smoke. The first third opens with creamy cedar, toasted almond, and mild white pepper on the retrohale, with subtle dried apricot and hay. The second third deepens into roasted coffee bean, dark caramel, and a buttery nougat richness, with leather, gentle earthiness, and dried herbs. The final third concentrates into espresso, dark cocoa, oak, and a faint mineral note, with lingering natural sweetness and a clean, warming spice.
How long does Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos take to smoke?
Given its Torpedo vitola and 6.0 x 52 dimensions, you should expect a smoking time of approximately 75 to 90 minutes. The box-press and slightly firm draw encourage a slower, more deliberate pace, so plan for a full hour and a half if you want to experience all three thirds without rushing.
What is the best pairing for Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos?
An aged Dominican rum like Barceló Imperial or Brugal 1888 is the ideal companion. The island synergy is undeniable — the rum's caramel and vanilla notes mirror the cigar's dark caramel and nougat qualities, while its gentle warmth complements the white pepper and spice without overpowering the blend. The result is a harmonious pairing that feels like a single, unified experience.
Is Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos good for beginners?
It is not the best choice for a novice. While its Medium strength is approachable, the $18–$24 price point is a significant investment for someone still developing their palate. The flavor profile is subtle and layered, which may be lost on a beginner accustomed to more straightforward smokes. This is better suited for someone with at least a year of experience who can appreciate its nuances and is willing to pay for the craftsmanship.
Where can I buy Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos?
This is a premium-tier cigar, so you will find it at well-stocked brick-and-mortar tobacconists that carry a curated selection of high-end brands. It is also available through reputable online retailers like Famous Smoke Shop, Cigars International, or Neptune Cigars, which often have it in stock. Given its limited production, you may need to check availability or sign up for restock alerts.
What is the price of Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos?
The retail price ranges from $18 to $24 per cigar, depending on your local market and the retailer. This places it firmly in the premium tier, reflecting the five-year-aged Dominican tobaccos and the hand-rolled, box-pressed torpedo construction. It is an investment, but one that delivers a smoking experience commensurate with its cost.
Is Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos worth aging?
While the tobaccos are already aged a minimum of five years prior to rolling, this cigar can benefit from additional humidor time. The Dominican Sungrown Olor Dominicano wrapper and the extended leaf conditioning mean the blend is already well-integrated, but 1–2 more years of aging will further soften the white pepper and allow the caramel and dried fruit notes to deepen into a more honeyed sweetness. It is not necessary, but it will reward patience.
What wrapper does Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos use?
It uses a Dominican Sungrown — Olor Dominicano wrapper, which is a shade-grown leaf with a Colorado color, presenting a medium-brown hue with warm amber-reddish undertones. This wrapper is smooth and semi-oily, contributing a refined creaminess and subtle sweetness to the blend, while its sungrown nature adds a touch of complexity and a gentle pepper note that emerges on the retrohale.
Where is Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Numero Dos made?
It is hand-rolled at General Cigar's Tabacalera de Garcia facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic. This factory is renowned for its precision and quality control, and it is here that the triple-cap, box-pressed torpedo is crafted. The production emphasizes the all-Dominican nature of the blend, with every leaf sourced from the island and aged for a minimum of five years before rolling.