The Ashton Heritage Puro Sol Corona Gorda sits comfortably in the medium-bodied category, delivering a 5 3/4" x 46 ring gauge Dominican experience wrapped in oily Ecuadorian Habano leaf. At $12.38 per stick (box of 25), this parejo-shaped smoke offers better construction quality than most Dominican counterparts in its price range. Let's fire one up.
The cold draw brings whole-wheat toast and cashew butter. Initial puffs deliver cedar planks and caramel drizzle - surprisingly sweet for Dominican tobacco. Burn line stays razor-sharp despite the oily wrapper. Smoke output feels modest, requiring deliberate draws to maintain flavor density.
Nutmeg emerges at the 1-inch mark, complementing the fading sweetness. Savory elements develop - think roasted almonds dipped in 70% dark chocolate. The ash holds firm for 2 inches before dropping. Retrohale shows faint white pepper, milder than most Nicaraguan counterparts.
Mineral notes surface around the band point, with salinity reminiscent of Islay whisky pairing. The last inch introduces bittersweet cocoa powder, though nicotine strength remains manageable. No relights required despite the thick wrapper oil.
The triple-seam cap peels cleanly with a straight cut. Visible oil streaks appear across the Colorado-maduro wrapper. Firm pack density suggests good aging potential. Two minor veins run lengthwise but don't affect combustion.
