Sometimes it seems like the Ashton Classic Panatela cigar has been around since the beginning of time, yet here it still stands to beat the pants off of more rookie mild smokes left and right. Crafted during the heady days of the mid-90’s cigar boom by Robert Levin and the geniuses at Arturo Fuente, it has survived and thrived despite the onslaught of hundreds of upstarts in the revitalized tobacco business. How it has accomplished the feat is a relatively straightforward matter of taking the best Dominican tobaccos, carefully fermenting and aging them for three to four years, then marrying them within an ultra-silky and flawless Connecticut Shade wrapper. We all know that a significant amount of skill and bit of luck go into creating a genuinely world-class cigar, but when you lay your eyes for the very first time on an Ashton Classic Panatela cigar, you will begin to realize just how special they are. Glossy and golden, each 6 X 36 vitola carries a regal bearing beneath the simple white and black band they proudly wear. Crisp aromas of fresh hay and peat roll off the seamless outer layer and the cold draw reveals hints of nuts and citrus. The thick smoke provided by the Connecticut leaf is appropriately grassy once alight, with the rich interior offering café con leche, orange peel, almond, and vanilla. Towards the nub you are likely to discover some caramelized sweetness and soft spice keeping any bitterness at bay, so definitely watch your fingers. Delicious and smooth from top to bottom, this is a cigar capable of satisfying everyone. The complete novice will delight in the delicious taste that doesn’t overwhelm the senses while the depth of complexity creates a savory treat for the grizzled veteran. Always good to have on hand, you will be richly rewarded each time you grab an Ashton Classic Panatela.