Astley's No.109 Medium Flake

For the most part, I agree with all the positive comments already posted about this flake. I find this smokes best thoroughly rubbed, and dried out. The taste is mild, slightly sweet, and at the same time sort of deep and earthy. At times these flakes are so mild that they are almost tasteless and are a bit like smoking hot air. However, at other times they are very flavorfull in a mildly subtle way. All and all a very good mild virginia flake that I keep on hand for occasions that I'm in the mood for something a bit lighter, milder.

I would like to add one gripe about this tobacco. I don't doubt that the contents of the tin would actually register 50 grams on a scale, however, the tobacco comes so moist that once it is thoroughly dried, the smokeable tobacco you are left with is far less than 50 grams. Once dry the 50 grams is probably more like 25 - 30 grams which makes this a fairly expensive tobacco for regular consumption.

Given that this is such a popular tobacco, I spent my own dime to try it. I was hoping for something other than what I got, I'm afraid. We all have our tastes, and I couldn't taste this one at all until I neared the middle of the bowl. Its sweetness isn't apparent until the latter half. It's a very wet smoke, and while I enjoyed the flavor towards the end, it didn't strike me as a "come and get me" tobacco. I'm sure it's a fine tobacco, but regrettably, it's not my "thing."

I'm sorry to bring the average score down, but alas... My tastes differ. My favorite full-bodied blend is McClelland's Dominican Glory with maduro. You may or may not like it, and can qualify my opinion based on that.

It was smooth, and elegant tasting to be sure, but it's just not my sunrise.

This piper gives this a 3 out of 5.

Pleasant winds to ye all.

====UPDATE!====

Had some of this stuff aged, and thought it was superb. Nice tang, subtle sweetness... Didn't burn my tongue to a crisp this time. A very pleasant smoke!

DJM

Although my tin was marked as made in Germany, there was no indication that Kohlhacs & Kopp was the blender as with other of the Astleys tobaccos that I've enjoyed. I thought that A&C Petersen,indicated above, was in Denmark. Whoever the blender, they did a great job and I was not disappointed. My dark brown flakes were almost 6" long and folded into the round tin. Packing, lighting and the lack of relights were excellent even thought the tin moisture content was higher than expected. A rich, but smooth, naturally sweet, cool smoke, this blend didn't even hint of bite from start to finish. It is just as advertised but a bit mild for my normal tastes as an all day event. However, in hot weather or as my first smoke of the day, it's a pleasure. Although I personally prefer the added strength of their #44, I still had to give this the highest available rating for a good high quality VA flake. Try some.

This is more like it. After smoking Astleys No.2, I was not expecting much. But this is a good smoke. It comes in thin, long, dark brown flakes, folded over in the tin. It has a vegetal barn smell of good quality Virginia similar to sweet clover. It rubs out and packs easily. It lights easily with no harshness in the initial smoke. A light neutral sweetner has been added, but does not interfere with the Virginia flavor on the tongue nor in the aftertaste. This could be an all day tobacco, but may not have a heavy enough tobacco flavor to go the distance over several successive pipes. This would be a very good Virginia for the novice smoker. Absolutely no bite nor hint of a bite from start to finish which is unusal for a Virginia. I will keep this on hand, and smoke it occasionally. Highly recommended. Paddy.

I sometimes hesitate spending hard-earned cash to try a new tobak but I'm glad I took a chance w/this one. Astleys #109 is an excellent VA that is true to the "mild and mellow" tin description. As stated by others, this is a mostly dark brown to black flake w/smidgeons of lighter colors threaded in. It appears that it's one long flake that is folded over a few times and placed in the tin. Rubs out very easily to packing consistency and lights equally well. I was surprised when I noticed I almost didn't need to use a second match. I charred, tamped lightly, and read another paragraph or so before relighting. When I put the pipe back in my mouth I habitually drew on it before I even lit the 2nd match and lo and behold.....smoke! Once burning good, the natural, hard-to-beat, good VA flavor comes forth w/slight sweetness and faint citrusy notes. The typical VA tang is present but very subdued. Virtually NO bite here, folks! I notice a woodsy note that reminds me of the mild fermented aroma when I opened the tin, sorta like a forest after a Spring rain. The smoke is cool and creamy, mostly mid and high notes but there is some bottom to it especially farther down the bowl where a richer and more smokey flavor surfaces. This is a very tasty and flavorful VA, perhaps one of the best. Though it was somewhat moist in the tin (the tin seems to have a good seal to it too), moisture while smoking was pretty much non-existant; I used a pipe cleaner about 1/2way just for the heck-of-it. Some drying time wouldn't hurt. I used a GG size Castello "Old Antiquari" panelled Lovat that has a fairly deep bowl, but IMO this tobak would smoke good in most any size bowl. Burns to a fluffy ash and leaves the pipe clean and dry. IMHO, this would be a good tobak for smokers new to the world of VA's as well as seasoned pipers. My only complaint would be that I wish there was more tobacco in the tin, but it's a good tobacco for the price. My "smoke this on occasion" rating is because I'm going to make this tin last as long as I reasonably can, (gonna hafta use some restraint) and will definitely have a couple more in the cellar for the near future. This would be a good all day/all the time smoke but that could get a little pricey. As a now and then/frequent smoke this is a very good choice. I'll always have some of this around. Hey, works for me! ****Update**** This is just a brief update after having smoked more of this VA. tobak side-by-side w/#55. Since I gave #55 Elizabethan the highest overall recommendation, I felt it was necessary to also give the same rec to #109, simply because they are both, IMHO, excellent smokes. I still think I prefer #55 as I stated in my review, but #109 has a bit more body and burns a bit slower depending on how you rub it out, so spending your day w/Astley's VAs. would be very pleasurable, to say the least. I certainly wouldn't refuse either one, anytime.

The latest issue from Astleys, a blending house that, IMNSHO, is only matched by the "House of Pease" in consistency throughout it's entire line. #109 is named after the company's address on Jeremy Street in London. Tin appearance: 50g tina a la dunhill or mac baren.

Tobacco appearance and tin note: Extremely dark colored, well aged, broken flake with just an occasional bit of lighter weed peeking out. Moisture: Higher than I like, the entire contents have melded together (pluck at one flake, the entire contents lift out). Tin fragrance, glorious, light, sweet Va, with no (zero, zip, nada) hints of catsup, vinegar, acetic acid, or anything that isn't glorious tobacco. Flake breaks up well, but I highly recommend letting it dry on a paper for a few minutes before packing. . We're packed. Opening "Blood Rave" Theme from the Blade Soundtrack on the faithful Nakamichi, assisted by a pair of old Advent Heritages.... let's rock! Flame hits weed releasing.... wow.... mmm..... wow! One of the softest, lightly fragrant smokes that I have ever encountered. It has sufficient body that the delicate citrus and cashew notes have support, but *just* enough. Smooth? Less friction on the palate than liquid teflon on black ice. If you are in to such things, this is unquestionably the most inhale able tobacco that I have ever run across. The fragrance and room note carries all the delightful elements of a carolina curing barn sans the grassiness. Mid bowl: the fruit mutes a tad, making ways for more of the cashew butter aspects, the bowl develops more complexity, and it was no slouch in that department to start with. Very slow burning, you can't hurry this one (nor would you want to) not because it would slap your tongue, but because when ya hurry you'd miss al the nuance in this one's conversation. End bowl. Unbelievable. A Va that has nary a nip or bite even down in "no man's land" at the heel. Now rich and buttery. Summary: This is it! The Finest Va flake that I have found. Deliciously light, smooth and fragrant. If you shy away from Va's, because of bite, burn, or the dreaded "Heinz" factor, get this one. Trust me. You *will* become a fan. 10 out of 10 Bearclaws. -- Bear Graves

Not very good. I’ve tried this at various times and always had the same opinion, which is that this blend is nothing special at all. I know that quite a few people enjoy it and fair play to them. Occasionally, there is the hint of a grassy undertone, but it disappears almost as soon as the smoker notices it and is replaced by nothing. I suppose it’s okay if you just want to stick something in your pipe to smoke and don’t really care what it is. If you are looking for something with more depth and nuance try something else.

My first question was to this tobacco: Mr. Perique, are you there? I swear there is some of it. The tin note is of mildly sweet and sour dried berries. I did not detect the typical hay and grassiness. The flakes are have a beautiful deep brown colour. A 20-30 min. of drying time helped for me with this one. After that I folded and stuffed the flake. Lighting was easy and only 2 relights were needed. The smoke is cool and tangy, lots of sour berries. The taste remains all till the end. I like the more hay and bread like taste of my Virginias, but still, recomended. This is a nice, quality baccy.

The presentation is neat and there is a stack of wide, chocolate brown flakes. The smell is slightly tangy and bready. That tanginess recedes with air time.

There is an overall bready, molasses flavor. Not many bright peaks. There is a nice cinnamon bread note I kept getting, and cocoa and nuts. There is also a slight chemical note I get a hint of, which I didn't like, but it goes away, and the more dry time, the less it shows up. This reminded me a little of Wessex Brown Virginia Flake, which I enjoyed more. It's kind of close to Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake, which I did not enjoy.

The Nicotine was noticeable. Strength was mild to medium and the taste was the same. I don't love this blend, but I would recommend it to straight Virginia lovers who like many of the European-styled Virginia flakes. It's a simple and enjoyable blend.