Please log in to add or edit a review. If you do not have an account yet, you can sign up for one here.

< PREVIOUS Showing reviews 21 through 23 of 23 reviews of this tobacco
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Bear	08/18/2002	Medium	None detected	Medium	Pleasant
Right off the bat, I'd like to admit that the Astley's range of tobacco has become one of my favorites. They have a line of tobaccos that, IMNSHO, is only matched by the "House of Pease" in consistency throughout it's entire line. Astley's # 2 is their Virginia/ Perique representative in the market place. Tin appearance: 50g gold colored tin a la Dunhill or Mac Baren, emerald green label with gold and white block lettering. Tobacco appearance, and fragrance: Fully rubbed ribbon, dappled dark blonde and light reddish brown tobacco, uniform cut. Scent has natural Va characteristics with unusual elements of mandarin. The Perique contributes a bit of fig, but not much. Unlike most of the other Astley offerings, this does have some acetic acid aspects, but comes off as a soft balsamic, not as catsup. Moisture content: Right out of the tin, a little moist. I let it dry for about a half an hour . Packs very well, it likes it a bit on the loose side. Stevie Ray Vaughn's "The Sky is Crying" on the noble Nakamichi....... let's rock! Flame touches weed releasing a very well balanced, smooth and interesting smoke. The upper olfactory registers tart elements of a lemon va (maybe about 10% of the overall note) spliced with mild pepper from the Perique. Anchoring the top notes, a solid, slightly nutty, slightly woody, and sweet center and bottom that I like in Red Va's. On a scale of 1-10, I'd say the strength would come in between 4-5. Mid bowl: Burns very well. Due to the cut and pack, the mid bowl came pretty quickly. The tartness of the lemon leaf has disappeared, leaving a subdued citrus dancing (no longer mandarin, more lime) on the top third, and the pepper slightly more dominant. In addition, there is a bit of a salty aspect that I find (and like) in the Schurch range. End bowl: Unlike some of the other Astleys, there is more fight in this one, at the end. The burn is still excellent, the fragrance and taste showing some earth to it. If you are the type of person who will just about attach a roach clip to the end of a cigar that you are really enjoying, or really get into a zone at the end of a bowl, you'll love it. Summary: Solid offering in the Va/ Perique category, with medium strength and great burning characteristics. Would recommend this one late in the day, before that gang buster bowl at evenings end. Highly recommended, 8 out of 10 Bearclaws. Bear
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
provguy	07/29/2002	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable
This is the third Astleys blend I have tried. I have to say it is the one I like the best. Although each of their tobaccos has been excellent. This one is a Va/Perique blend and is superb. Very enjoyable, burns cleanly, has a nice spicy note to it and the flavor is very good. Compared to other Va/Perique blends, Escudo and Haddo's Delight for instance this one ranks up there with Haddo's. If you are looking for something really good and this could easily be an all day smoke, pick this one up and give it a whirl. I am now coming back to this review after having finished my tin and I like it even more now . This makes a wonderful smoke early in the AM, as well as all day long. 4 stars.
Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Sykes Wilford	10/06/2001	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
Well, to be honest, I used to smoke this very regularly...I have only recently rediscovered a past love and been reminded of why I liked it so much. This used to be my everyday smoke until Haddo's Delight by Greg Pease won that top spot in my rotation. I've had an open tin for quite some time and recently started smoking it more frequently again. It is an ideal morning smoke, a little something to warm up the tastebuds before I start smoking heavier Va/Perique blends such as Haddo's and Escudo. The Perique most definitely does not overwhelm the Virginias; complementing rather than predominating, the Perique holds the blend together rather than imparting considerable flavor (though it is very much detectable). The lighter Virginias offer a distinctly citrusy note-- really more tart than sweet. This combines nicely with the slight sweetness imparted by the darker Virginias. The blend ostensibly contains "red and gold Virginias", but really the golden Virginias seem lighter than that, moving in the lemon Virginia or Carolina belt ribbon classes (of course, I'm disagreeing with the label based on subjective taste: your mileage may vary). All in all, a superb morning smoke or a fantastic biteless all day smoke for the lover of lighter Va/Perique blends.
< PREVIOUS Showing reviews 21 through 23 of 23 reviews of this tobacco