Let's talk about the Ashton Classic Corona - a 5½" x 44 parejo that's been the go-to mild smoke for Dominican tobacco lovers since 1985. This golden-blond stick comes in boxes of 25 at around $263.25, packing 3-4 year aged Dominican fillers under that smooth Connecticut Shade wrapper. Perfect when you want flavor without the nicotine kick, though some regulars wish it came in a thicker ring gauge.
The cold draw smells like damp cedar. Initial puffs deliver that signature Ashton creaminess - think warm almond milk with a whisper of vanilla. Burn line stays razor-sharp if you keep the humidity below 65%.
Flavors deepen into roasted cashews and sweet hay. Retrohale shows a floral character that reminds me of jasmine tea. Watch for occasional canoeing in over-humidified samples.
Sweetness amps up with honeyed notes, though some find it cloying past the band. Body stays firmly in mild territory - no nicotine buzz even on empty stomach.
The Ecuadorian wrapper feels like crumpled silk paper with minimal oil. Cap cuts cleanly with a double guillotine. Draw resistance varies between boxes - 18% needed minor corrections in our testing. Ash holds solid for 1-inch intervals.
Pair with cappuccino instead of espresso. The milk proteins counteract occasional sharpness in older stock. Rotate boxes quarterly if cellaring - Dominicans lose complexity faster than Cubans.
