Product Summary
The Ashton ESG 20 Year Salute, with its slender Churchill silhouette of 6 3/4 × 49 cm, is a masterpiece commemorating 20 years of collaboration between Ashton and the Fuente family. The Dominican Chateau de la Fuente's exclusive Sun Grown wrapper boasts a deep red, glossy sheen, encasing the estate's finest Dominican filler. Its meticulous and highly complex structure makes it the most representative and sought-after size in the Estate Sun Grown (ESG) series.
Main Specifications
Dimensions: 6 3/4 × 49 (Churchill)
Waistband: Sun Grown, Dominican Republic (Exclusive to Chateau de la Fuente)
Cigarette Tube: Dominican Republic
Eggplant Fillet: Dominican Republic (Chateau de la Fuente)
Flavor characteristics
The opening section features a strong aroma of cedar, red pepper and black cherry, with the Sun Grown wrapper bringing the signature spice and licorice. The middle section gradually unfolds with rich layers of roasted almond, dark chocolate and leather, with caramel and ebony intertwining. The finish is complete with rich cocoa, roasted toffee and delicate white pepper, resulting in a smooth transition and a long, powerful finish.
Origin and wrapper information
Rolled exclusively by the Arturo Fuente family at the Chateau de la Fuente estate in the Dominican Republic. The wrapper is grown only in the estate's specific microclimate plots, undergoes rigorous selection after harvest, and is naturally aged for several years to ensure ample oil content and even burning. Both the filler and binder are made from the estate's finest Dominican leaves. This Churchill size is classic, achieving an optimal balance between flavor intensity and elegance.
ESG Series Tips
The Estate Sun Grown (ESG) series was launched in 2005 by Robert Levin and Carlos Fuente Sr., aiming to showcase the ultimate potential of the Chateau de la Fuente Sun Grown wrapper. Production is strictly controlled, with cigars only made when the wrapper reaches perfect ripeness, resulting in frequent stock shortages. The 20 Year Salute was the series' first size, symbolizing the 20th anniversary of Ashton's collaboration with Fuente, and remains ESG's most iconic representation.
Reasons for recommendation
Cigar Aficionado has repeatedly awarded it high scores of 93–95 points, and in 2011, it included the ESG series in its Top 25 (8th place), commenting that "the layers of red pepper, cedar, and dark chocolate brought by the Sun Grown wrapper are a textbook example of Dominican puro." Halfwheel commented: "A straight burn and snow-white ash are the perfect interpretation of the Fuente Estate Sun Grown wrapper." The Ashton ESG 20 Year Salute is the core size of the series, suitable for seasoned connoisseurs who seek a powerful yet balanced cigar, and an indispensable classic in any collector's collection.