Cigar Review: Ashton VSG Illusion

Introduction

When Ashton first introduced the Virgin Sun Grown (VSG) in 1999, it quickly became a hallmark of strength and refinement. Crafted by the Fuente family in the Dominican Republic and wrapped in a dark Ecuadorian Sumatra sun-grown leaf, the VSG was built to be bold. The Dominican binder and filler, aged several years before rolling, added to its reputation as a cigar of both power and pedigree. I’ve always admired Ashton and Fuente, but I’ll admit—sun-grown wrappers usually don’t suit my palate. They tend to overwhelm me with too much punch. Still, I’d been encouraged to try the Illusion size, a 6 ½ x 44 lonsdale, praised for how it transforms this blend. That curiosity drew me back to the VSG with the hope of finally finding a size I could fall in love with.

Pre-Light Impressions

The Illusion is a beautiful cigar in its rustic way. The gold, black, and red bands are timeless, and the wrapper feels smooth yet seasoned, as if it carries an age that demands respect in the hand. A gentle box press adds an unexpected but welcome touch. Veins and creases are visible if you search for them, but they fade into the background when you take in the cigar as a whole. The aromas are complex: the wrapper gives off barnyard earth and manure in the best sense, while the foot contrasts with ripe fig and date. Everything about the pre-light presentation suggests depth and intrigue. With that, I lit up using my Dupont soft flame.

First Third

The opening surprised me with its restraint. I braced for the usual sun-grown force, but instead I found thick, soft smoke layered with cinnamon, clove, and a molasses sweetness on the finish. The spice sat firmly in the baking spice category—warming, never harsh—and the sweetness filled out the edges like warmed molasses. A touch of woodiness grounded the profile, and the overall effect reminded me of sipping hot spiced cider on a cool autumn night by a warm campfire. Flavors didn’t so much transition as they swelled and retreated, rising like a crescendo and then softening again. Linear, yet dynamic.

Second Third

As the cigar settled into its stride, nuttiness crept into the mix—an echo of a holiday bowl of mixed nuts, where every handful is different. That image held strong, as I found myself waiting for each puff to reveal subtle variations in the complexity. The retrohale became essential here, not just amplifying the spice but also unlocking extra sweetness that reminded me of caramel apple. It felt like discovering a hidden door into the blend. The strength remained comfortably in the medium-full range, with moments of fullness that never tipped into excess. The Illusion vitola stretched the blend in a way that let it breathe, transforming what I remembered as an overpowering cigar into something balanced and engaging.

Final Third

The last act brought a darker turn. The smoke thinned briefly and charred wood took over, joined by espresso and eventually a trace of bittersweet chocolate. The retrohale, once a fountain of sweetness and spice, now marched in step with the palate, offering less contrast but more cohesion. The cigar flirted with bitterness but never toppled into it. Instead, the oak that had lingered quietly throughout came to the front, rich and aged rather than sharp. In the aftertaste, that oak stood tall, with just enough char to deepen the impression. By the close, the VSG Illusion wasn’t trying to dazzle me with fireworks; it finished in a steady, resonant register that felt like the echo of a well-aged barrel.

Conclusion

The Ashton VSG Illusion lives up to its name. The illusion is that this cigar will run you over with raw strength—but just when you think it might, it swerves, pulling back into balance with remarkable grace. It plays a game of chicken with your palate, and every time it veers off at the perfect moment. From autumnal spice and molasses sweetness to holiday nuts and finally to aged oak and espresso, the Illusion delivers a dynamic experience that feels both complex and restrained. For me, this vitola has redefined the VSG, transforming a blend I once avoided into one I’ll eagerly revisit.

The Retrohale Score: A (93)

The Ashton VSG Illusion earns a 93 for its ability to turn a blend I once avoided into a cigar I genuinely admire. Its strength is tempered by elegance, its complexity both steady and dynamic. The autumnal spice-and-molasses opening was captivating, the nutty middle unforgettable, and even the darker closing act carried weight and dignity. If the final third had retained just a little more of that earlier sweetness and spice, this could easily have pushed higher—but as it stands, the Illusion is a refined and rewarding experience, one that proves vitola can change everything.