Let's cut straight to the chase about this Ashton Cabinet No.1 - a figurado-shaped stick measuring 9"x52 that'll set you back about $236 for 10 pieces. The Connecticut Shade wrapper glistens with that signature oil sheen, rolled by Fuente's top artisans in the Dominican Republic. Medium strength alert, but don't let that fool you into expecting blandness.
The cold draw whispers sweet cedar. Upon ignition, immediate creaminess coats the palate like whipped butter. Almond skin texture emerges at the 1" mark, paired with baking spices that tingle the nose without assaulting it. Smoke output? Decent but not fog-machine levels.
Here's where the Dominican fillers flex - toasted cashew flavors blend with white pepper that's more rhythmic vibration than sharp burn. The ash holds firm for about 2.5". Watch out though - humidity swings above 65% might bring slight canoeing.
Vanilla extract sweetness kicks up as the burn line approaches the band. Earthy undertones develop but steer clear of heavy barnyard notes. Retrohale reveals floral hints, though nicotine buildup stays manageable for a 90-minute smoke.
The triple cap requires a sharp cutter - tried it with punch cut and lost some flavor complexity. Wrapper seams stay invisible until the nub. Box date tracking matters here - 18+ months aging deepens the vanilla sweetness considerably.
Rolled in Tabacalera A. Fuente's Dominican facility, using Yaque Valley fillers beneath that Connecticut Shade cloak. The "Cabinet" label ain't just marketing - these actually get 6+ months cedar aging pre-shipment.
