Ashton Type 3

This tobacco is not a typical VaPer as I never really tasted Perique in the blend, so it must be so deep in the background that the Virginia and Burley buried it. Also, while the descriptive says there is no casing in the blend, I sure bet to differ. Some kind of added sweetener (I can't tell what it is), has been misted onto the Burley to produce a lightly aromatic smoke. A very typically Danish roast in this can of beans.

Pipestud

Danish version - not sure how old this one is. A darkish-looking broken flake. Tin aroma is of matured virginia tobacco with a mild casing. Smelled a bit more cased than I usually liked but I dug in anyway, hoping that 100 grams wasn't more than I could tolerate. I finished the tin with no problem.

The casing was fairly prominent, but it provided a mellow sweet smoke, and it wasn't too strong. Reminded me of a heavier-cased Tordenskjold VA Slices. The flavor was very similar but there was a bit too much casing here to get the 4th star. However, this was still a good tasting smoke. The perique was felt when I exhaled through the nose but I didn't really taste it, at least not consciously. I'd call this a fairly typical Danish virginia, not too aromatic but aromatic enough. The room note was excellent and non-smokers commented favorably on it. The taste was mostly non-aromatic, so this is a nice "crossover" blend. This would make a nice all day smoke, but don't puff at it too vigorously or it will nip. As is my custom, I took this tobacco to the brink of bite to see when it started sizzling my tongue and this blend was more easily amenable to biting than a normal VaPer. Slow puffing cadence is advised.

Recommended for those who like a nice virginia tobacco with some added and noticeable casing. Good tasting sweet tobacco but not as sweet as Mac Baren Virginia #1 or some of the other Danish cavendish/VA blends. A good 3 star blend. Nothing fancy, just very nice.

I share the opinions of the guys who preceded me in this review. Ashton 3 mild, sweet, creamy and spicy, the best first pipe in the morning you can get. The sweetness and mildness of the smoke makes you want to puff intensely, in that case may bite a little. I'm reviewing the K&K version currently on the market, which is still a broken flake, with more black presence of Perique, a more pronounced casing, a higher humidity, and it's a little bit stronger than the previous "Made in Denmark" version. One month ago I came through a tin of that - unfortunately the last one at that tobacconist - and it was milder and rounder, the flakes larger and soft, Perique was just a touch. To me this one is surely the best of the "numbered" Ashtons.

When I worked at a local tobak shoppe I purchased the remaining 10-12 50gr. tins of the old Ashton product so we would have room for newer blends on the shelf. The stuff had been sitting there for who knows how long, but by now I guess the tins are 9-10 years old if not a little more. I got them in 1996. There were two tins of this Type 3 amongst the lot and I still have one tin of #3 left stashed along with a #1, a #2 & some 4's, 5's & 6's. Type 3 is a mostly blond/gold/light brown broken flake with a wonderful tin aroma like fermented VA. Perique was light but definitely there and the Burley added that walnut-like aroma. IMHO, I would say this was mostly like a cross between maybe Orlik Golden Sliced, Hamborger Veermaster and Brindle Flake. The tin states "Made in Denmark" (the #1 tin says "Made in England") and any topping is nearly non-existant. Broke up and loaded easily enough, took the match and burned equally as well. First flavors are VA; slight sweetness but there was very little sharpness. Burley was present with its nutty character which rounded the smoke nicely. I noticed a wheat-like taste with a figgy sort of flavor in the background that gives a base for the mild citrus flavor and the light spice of the Perique to ride on. Nice tobaccoey taste like it should be. Nary a gurgle during the bowl, used one cleaner 1/2way, and burned to salt & pepper ash. I was impressed with the smooth & cool way this stuff smoked with no bite and very little, if any, sharpness. Could be the age, and/or the way the VA & Burley are mixed, whatever. I like it and I wish there had been more in the tin lot I purchased. If one can find an older tin or two, one might want to purchase it for the experience as well as the nostalgia. Maybe someday soon I'll crack that final tin; a special occasion perhaps. Good stuff and worth trying. Works for me.

Pure VA. I really don't taste no sign of Perique! Nice and naturally sweet. Good alternative to Englishes. Smoke slow and easy. It will bite and get hot if you don't. Other than that it is a good quality leaf.

This aromatic is nothing special, but it's not bad either. I'd say it's a very good Virginia mixed with Captain Black White. It burns cool for an aromatic, tongue bite is tolerable, and flavor is mild. Upgraded to 2/4.

This tobacco comes in practical 100g tins. The one I bought has been maturing on the shelf for over a year. It requires a bit of drying (like Dunhill Ready rubbed). It contains good quality leaves, tastes rather sweet with some spice from Perique. I can recommend it to any Va/Pq smoker as good everyday 'baccy. It might not have the quality of Deluxe Navy Rolls or 3Nuns but you won't be dissapointed