Ashton

Robert Levin grew up in his father's Philadelphia shop, Holt's Cigar Company, and took it over in the 1970s. He created Ashton in 1985 as a house brand and, rather than build a factory, arranged for production at Tabacalera A. Fuente y Cia in the Dominican Republic. The arrangement has lasted four decades and is one of the longest continuous contract relationships in the premium industry.

The line began mild, with Connecticut shade wrappers over Dominican filler in the Ashton Classic and Cabinet Selection, then moved into fuller territory with the Virgin Sun Grown and Estate Sun Grown blends, which use Fuente-grown Ecuadorian and Dominican leaf. Symmetry, Heritage Puro Sol and the Aged Maduro round out a range that has stayed comparatively small and stable. Fuente rolls the cigars, but the blends and the brand belong to Ashton.

Ashton Distributors also owns La Aroma de Cuba and San Cristobal, both blended and made by the Garcia family at My Father Cigars in Esteli, and distributes for other manufacturers. The company remains privately held and is run by Robert Levin with his son Sathya. The company also operates the Ashton Cigar Bar in Philadelphia, and Holt's remains one of the largest specialist cigar retailers in the United States.