Ashton Golden Flake

This bright Virginia flake offers a bit of grass/hay along with some natural, tangy citrus. The orange Virginia has a light dark fruitiness, a hint of spice and a touch of wood. The lemon topping takes a lead over the orange and honey, and only mildly tones down the tobacco. The nic-hit is very light. No chance of bite or harshness, and is a little mellow. The flake is easily broken apart and burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with a one dimensional, consistent flavor as it easily burns to ash. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. Has a pleasant after taste, and is an all day smoke.

-JimInks

Kind of a hazy straw color of perfectly proportioned flakes in a square tin with a nose of citrus. This tin was from 1993 and made by Robert McConnell rather than K&K (although McConnell blends are now produced by K&K) and the contents had dried out a bit. As bright Virginias can get a bit bitey, I didn't dry this out anymore, but it was pretty dry to begin with. I rubbed this out for loading.

The word for this one is fruity. I think there's a fruit topping here but it's pretty mild. Then again, the lemon flavor inherent in lemon Virginia is often very much in evidence. But in this one it tasted a bit overblown. Not as much as Orlik Golden Slices but in that general direction. There was a light spiciness that became more prominent when snorked. As I preferred the taste of this with that spiciness, I pretty much snorked every puff. This was a good tobacco but certainly not a statement blend by McConnell, and I assume he made it to Ashton's specifications. Just not much to say about this one except that it's a prototypical bright Virginia flake with a touch more personality due to the age. And it didn't age anywhere near the level of many others of similar vintage and components. But still a nice "set it and forget it" that seems to have ridden off into the sunset, as I haven't seen it for sale anywhere in many years.