Let's cut straight to the chase - the Ashton Classic Imperial Tube packs 5.5" of Dominican goodness in a sleek aluminum tube. This corona-sized stick (44 ring gauge) carries that classic Connecticut Shade wrapper we all love, retailing at $334.80 for boxes of 24. Perfect for that 60-minute smoke break when you want mild sophistication without breaking a sweat.
The cold draw serves up sweet hay notes before ignition. Initial puffs reveal toasted almond flavors with a distinctive baking spice kick - think nutmeg sprinkled on cappuccino foam. Smoke production stays moderate, just enough to play with those classic O-rings.
Dominican filler tobaccos aged 3-4 years start flexing their muscles. Creamy cashew butter emerges, complemented by faint cedar undertones. Watch for that signature Ashton sweetness lingering on the lips between draws.
The tube's protection shows in perfect burn alignment as we reach the home stretch. Flavors intensify with espresso bean bitterness balancing earlier sweetness. Retrohale brings white pepper tingle without overwhelming newer smokers.
That iconic Fuente factory roll shines through - tight seams with springy resistance to finger squeeze. The Connecticut wrapper glows like antique parchment under sunlight. Tube storage keeps foot intact better than most cellophane-wrapped counterparts.
Keep these at 65% RH for optimal performance. Over-humidification mutes the delicate spice notes, while under-humidified tubes develop harshness in final third. Perfect pair? Black coffee for morning smoke, añejo tequila for evenings.
