AshMap
Overview
The Ashton VSG Double Corona is not a cigar that whispers. It strides into the room with the confidence of a blend that has spent five years in the shadows, waiting for its moment. From the first cold draw, there's a declaration of intent: dark cocoa, dried fig, and a cedar spice that feels less like an invitation and more like a handshake from an old friend who knows exactly what you need. The wrapper—a tawny, toothy Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra seed leaf with an oily sheen—promises complexity, and it delivers with every puff. This is the vitola where the VSG blend stretches its legs, where the 7.5-inch length gives the tobaccos room to tell a story that shorter formats can only hint at.
The first third hits like a wave of espresso and toasted oak, with a peppery retrohale that announces the cigar's full-bodied nature without apology. But beneath that power, there's a creaminess—a hallmark of the aged Dominican filler—that softens the edges and hints at the depth to come. By the second third, the narrative shifts: earthy leather and dark chocolate take center stage, while roasted cashew and hazelnut weave through the smoke like supporting characters who refuse to be ignored. The pepper mellows into a background warmth, and a dried fruit sweetness—raisin, dried cherry—emerges on the finish, adding a layer of intrigue that keeps you leaning forward.
The final third is where the VSG Double Corona proves its mettle. The strength builds noticeably, with bold espresso and charred oak dominating, but the cigar never loses its composure. Dark earth and leather anchor the experience, and the long, lingering finish of dark chocolate and pepper is a testament to the structural integrity of the aged filler. This is a cigar that demands your attention for 90 to 110 minutes, and it rewards every second with a controlled, coherent evolution that few blends can match. It's not just a smoke; it's a meditation on what Dominican craftsmanship can achieve when given time and respect.
Cigar Specifications
| Wrapper | Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra seed (San Andres Valley) — Colorado Maduro |
|---|---|
| Binder | Dominican Republic |
| Filler | Aged Dominican long-fillers, primarily from the Cibao Valley, aged a minimum of five years |
| Country of Origin | Santiago, Dominican Republic — General Cigar's La Romana facility |
| Vitola / Shape | Double Corona |
| Size | 7.5 x 52 |
| Strength | Full |
| Price | $28–$36 per cigar |
| Tier | Prestige |
| Aging | Tobaccos aged a minimum of five years prior to rolling; the VSG line is known for strict pre-blending aging protocols |
Tasting Notes & Flavor Progression
First Third
The cold draw opens with rich dark cocoa, dried fig, and a cedar spice that announces the wrapper's character immediately. Upon lighting, the first third delivers a powerful wave of espresso, toasted oak, and a peppery retrohale that establishes the cigar's full-bodied credentials without apology. Creaminess emerges underneath — a hallmark of Dominican aged filler — softening the edges slightly.
Second Third
The middle third is where the VSG Double Corona hits its stride — earthy leather, dark chocolate, and a developing nuttiness (roasted cashew, hazelnut) weave through the smoke. The pepper mellows to a background warmth as cocoa deepens toward bittersweet dark chocolate. A subtle dried fruit sweetness — raisin, dried cherry — emerges on the finish.
Final Third
The final third intensifies with bold espresso and charred oak, the strength building noticeably. Dark earth and leather dominate, anchored by a long, lingering dark chocolate and peppery finish. The cigar remains controlled and coherent — never harsh — a testament to the quality of the aged Dominican filler doing the structural work.
Construction, Burn & Draw
Construction on the VSG Double Corona is exemplary — the long format allows for a consistently cool, slow burn that yields a tight, firm ash holding well past an inch. The draw is open and effortless, producing dense, voluminous smoke throughout the 90-plus minute smoking experience.
Pairing Recommendations
Spirit
Aged Scotch single malt (Glenfarclas 15-year or Dalmore 12) or a well-aged añejo rum such as Zacapa 23 — the caramel and oak notes in both spirits amplify the cigar's chocolate and leather complexity
Wine
A robust Amarone della Valpolicella or a California Zinfandel with high fruit concentration — the dried fruit and dark berry notes in these wines mirror the VSG's raisin and dark cherry undertones
Non-Alcoholic
A double espresso or cold-brew coffee with no sweetener — the bitterness and roasted intensity create a seamless continuum with the cigar's dominant espresso and cocoa notes
Who Should Smoke This?
This is for the collector who has a humidor full of Nicaraguan powerhouses but secretly craves something with more finesse. Picture a late autumn evening, the kind where the air is crisp and the world feels quiet. You're on a patio, a glass of Glenfarclas 15-year within reach, and you want a cigar that matches the contemplative mood. You've smoked enough to know that strength isn't the only measure of greatness—you're looking for complexity, for a blend that evolves over the course of an hour and a half. The VSG Double Corona will give you that: a journey from bold espresso to bittersweet chocolate, with moments of leather and dried fruit that make you pause and savor. It's not for the impatient or the faint of heart, but for the smoker who understands that the best experiences are the ones that take time.
Bottom Line
The Ashton VSG Double Corona is a masterclass in balance and restraint, a full-bodied Dominican that outshines many of its Nicaraguan rivals. If you've overlooked this vitola, you're missing one of the most refined and rewarding smokes in the premium market. Buy it, set aside two hours, and let it remind you why you fell in love with cigars.
Similar Cigars
Explore all Ashton VSG cigars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashton VSG Double Corona a strong cigar?
Yes, it's rated Full (4/5) on the strength scale. Expect a noticeable nicotine kick that builds through the final third, so it's best suited for experienced smokers who can handle a robust, full-bodied profile without feeling overwhelmed.
What does Ashton VSG Double Corona taste like?
The flavor progression moves from dark cocoa, dried fig, and cedar spice in the first third, to earthy leather, dark chocolate, roasted cashew, and hazelnut in the second, and finishes with bold espresso, charred oak, dark earth, and a lingering peppery dark chocolate note.
How long does Ashton VSG Double Corona take to smoke?
Given its Double Corona vitola and 7.5 x 52 size, plan for 90 to 110 minutes of smoking time. The slow, cool burn and dense smoke production make it a leisurely, contemplative experience.
What is the best pairing for Ashton VSG Double Corona?
An aged Scotch single malt like Glenfarclas 15-year or Dalmore 12 works beautifully—the caramel and oak notes in the whisky amplify the cigar's chocolate and leather complexity. For a non-alcoholic option, a double espresso with no sweetener creates a seamless continuum with the cigar's dominant espresso and cocoa notes.
Is Ashton VSG Double Corona good for beginners?
No, this is not a beginner's cigar. With a Full strength rating and a price point of $28–$36 per cigar, it's designed for seasoned smokers who appreciate complexity and have the palate to handle a bold, evolving profile. Beginners should start with milder, more affordable options.
Where can I buy Ashton VSG Double Corona?
You can find it at premium cigar retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online, such as Ashton's authorized dealers, high-end tobacconists, and reputable online cigar shops. Given its prestige tier, it may not be available at every discount outlet, so check specialty stores or the official Ashton website for a list of distributors.
What is the price of Ashton VSG Double Corona?
The price ranges from $28 to $36 per cigar, reflecting its prestige tier and the extensive aging and craftsmanship involved in its production. It's an investment, but one that pays off in a memorable smoking experience.
Is Ashton VSG Double Corona worth aging?
Yes, but with nuance. The tobaccos are already aged a minimum of five years prior to rolling, so the blend is well-integrated from the start. However, the VSG line's strict pre-blending aging protocols mean that additional humidor aging of 1–3 years can further mellow the pepper and deepen the cocoa and leather notes, making it a rewarding cigar to cellar if you have the patience.
What wrapper does Ashton VSG Double Corona use?
It uses an Ecuadorian-grown Sumatra seed wrapper from the San Andres Valley, with a Colorado Maduro shade. This wrapper is air-cured and sun-grown without fermented shade, contributing to the cigar's distinctive strength, toothy texture, and complex notes of cedar, cocoa, and pepper.
Where is Ashton VSG Double Corona made?
It's hand-rolled at General Cigar's La Romana facility in Santiago, Dominican Republic. The production process involves strict pre-blending aging protocols, and the filler is composed of aged Dominican long-fillers primarily from the Cibao Valley, ensuring a high level of craftsmanship and consistency.