Ashton Aged Maduro No. 10 Review: Looks Can Be Deceiving

The name Ashton holds weight in this industry. From their premier production lines to working alongside so many names in it, the Aged Maduro brings you rich Dominican tobacco in a sweet, smooth and earthy build. It’s a phenomenal choice for anybody looking for depth and sweet tobacco notes in a premium construction. From the dark blackish color of the aged leaf to the aroma that fills the air the moment you light it, this line is a refined and vibrant expedition into aged tobacco. Looks can be deceiving, and this cigar is no exception.

Ashton started in the early 1980s when Robert Levin decided to launch his own line after working at his father’s shop, Holt’s Cigar Company in Philadelphia. The original line debuted in 1985, and the Aged Maduro followed in 1988 as their second. It’s handcrafted in the Dominican Republic through the partnership between Levin and the Fuente family at Tabacalera A. Fuente in Santiago de los Caballeros, which makes it one of Ashton’s longest running lines. Rightfully so, for how this cigar performs. Their words for the process are a never hurried natural fermentation, and the aging that follows brings out a plethora of flavors.

Pre-light and first impressions

The name speaks for itself here. The No. 10 is the robusto of the line at 5 by 50, with more sizes available, and the blend and the process have stayed unchanged and true to the original intentions. Natural fermentation with patience is part of their dialogue, and the aging is something Ashton has genuinely excelled at. The Connecticut Broadleaf wrapper goes through a rigorous natural aging process of up to three years, while the filler carries tobacco aged up to seven, blended by the hands of the Fuente family. That combination has earned the line 90 plus ratings and draws out dark chocolate, molasses and the rest of what’s signature to it.

I finished my double espresso and used a V-cut for this one. With my double agent lighter I touched the edges with the single torch, then used the soft flame to bring the heat to the center.

Smoking experience

The start was reminiscent of the dry pull straight away: dark chocolate and molasses with a mild pepper, and the smoke that followed said the same thing. A smooth dark chocolate lingering on your lips, maple notes adding sweetness, and a subtle soft black pepper that brought no heat but kept the smoke lively. There was a robust leathery note sitting on my lips that kept me wanting more. It was hard not to keep puffing, and the cigar didn’t hold back. The burn stayed consistent, the ash came up white, and the smoke stayed smooth. The wrapper is a masterpiece on this cigar and it’s a big reason I respect it more.

Getting to pick this cigar apart was an experience. I grabbed a sparkling water to cleanse my palate and picked up where I left off. The second third continued with a steady climb toward the finale. Dark chocolate, molasses and mild pepper stayed consistent while that leathery note developed a nuttiness I’d compare to toasted almonds. Thanks to the aging in both the wrapper and the filler, the smoke was deep with these notes and filled the palate with everything you’d expect from a cigar this dark, while staying smooth and true to Ashton’s standard. The white ash holds on but a light tap or flick brings it loose in bits. As you finish this third you’ll find the oils have been quietly changing the pace of the cigar.

Ready for thirty to forty minutes of do not disturb smoke? The oils collected from the earlier thirds bring the burn down to a slow ember. The magic of the aging shines through in each puff, with the notes now wafting in the air as much as on the palate. The retrohale accentuates the subtle pepper and the earthy tones while staying soft. The smoke carries weight and a density to it, consistent with everything that came before. The dark chocolate mixes with the nutty nuances and stays on your tongue while the pepper, leather and molasses have a party all around it. I call it a climax because it lasts as long as the first two thirds put together. I enjoyed this No. 10 down to the last inches, and if it were possible I’d have smoked the cap too.

Burn, draw, and construction

The burn stayed even and the ash stayed white the whole way down, which is a testament to the hands rolling these, because I could not put it down once. There’s a level of attention in this line that you can feel in the smoke, the burn and the overall handling of the cigar.

Value and buying perspective

This sits in the conversation with everyday premium smokes rather than special occasion ones, and it performs above that benchmark. Filler aged seven years or more, a Connecticut Broadleaf that goes through its own three year aging and unhurried natural fermentation, and you can taste where that time went. Boxes of 25 bring the per cigar cost down if it becomes a regular for you, and for me it will.

Final verdict

Top tier cigar for the money. A solid choice for anybody who enjoys Dominican tobacco and dark chocolate notes, and who wants depth in a rich smoke that stays smooth from beginning to end. This cigar handles like a Rolls Royce, with black Connecticut Broadleaf encasing seven plus year aged tobacco, and it shines on all fronts. I’d also recommend it to anybody wanting to branch out from natural shades, or anybody who fears the dreaded dark cigar, because this one is smoother than meets the eye. It doesn’t stray from its intended experience. I enjoyed the adventure of smoking Ashton’s Aged Maduro and it stays a high recommendation when I’m making suggestions. Top pick.