Astley's No.109 Medium Flake

This is one of my all-time favorites. It starts a little mild but really builds character by the middle of the bowl. It has very little bite and lights easily in either flake form or rubbed out. For a Virginian it requires little attention and unfolds with a variety of flavors throughout the bowl. If you want a powerhouse, this isn't it. If, however, you want a sweet, natural Va. that can be smoked all day.....look no further.

A very nice Virginia. I really like the looks of this in the tin. Rather large flake which does take a bit of effort to rub out. Seemed to work best for me if a rubbed out a bowls worth and let it sit for an hour.

It did take a light or three to get it going, this is not a one light tobacco ( after charring of course ). I found it rather strong, I got a definite nicotine "whirl" from this which rarely happens with other Virginia's. I did not detect any flavoring beyond the normal Virginia sweetness I'd expect. As stated, it does burn down to a nice clean ash. This tobacco is part of my Virginia rotation, and is quite enjoyable.

I can't give it 4 stars because then there'd be no room for Old Gowrie and Hal O' The Wind at the top of the Virginia heap. A very nice Virginia however.

I found this to be a very nice pure Virginia. It does have a tanginess or, as some have put it well, a citrusy flavor to it. I found I got a pretty good nicotine kick from this stuff, thus found it stronger than others have noted. All in all, a nice, smooth, good and pure tobacco.

If you rub it out it does dry up quite a bit. I found it had better flavor when moister, so consider rubbing out only that portion you intend to put in your pipe and let the rest be until next time.

Astley's 109 is a well-behaved little number that I believe has more complexity than other reviewers here seem to have found; its construction is odd (though this may be inherent to all Astley blends---this is the first blend in their line I have tried) but really does work very well in terms of being manageable and keeping lit easily. There is more sweetness than savoriness here; the VA note is strong and clear though certainly not overwhelming by any means. It is, after all, supposed to be "mild and mellow" and that is a fair and decent description.

Overall, 109 is an enjoyable blend with good manners that could easily be an all-day smoke.

Well this is not my after dinner smoke but let's do it some justice. It is extremely tasty with absolutely no bite. A tobacco that every virginia lover ought to try.

This is certainly a mild and mellow Virginia blend... in fact, a little too mild for my taste. That's really my only complaint with this well rounded mixture. I'll be sticking to Hal O' the Wynd as I like a little more fullness with my tobacco.

This is my 2nd favorite tobacco from Astley's. It is not the strongest or sweetest Virginia on the block. However for an all day Virginia or to give your senses a breather, this is a fine blend. Just remember, it is mild, don't try to puff more flavor out than it has, or you will get bit.

A long dark ribbon flake that comes rolled in the tin like Orlicks Golden. Darker than I anticipated with light streaks. A very pleasant medium Virginia. I give three and three quarter stars.

After much reflection on this blend and a full 50 g. tin I just don't get this blend. I don not dislike it, and I certainly love VA's, and am partial to them in fact. It reminded me of Marlin Flake in appearance, but the smoke that it renders doesn't please me as much. I did not find any bite in the smoke despite, I might mention, that it was VERY moist in the tin. And come to think of it the tin note is delicious. I would like to come across a tin of this that has aged for 5 or 10 years, I imagine that would be a real treat, but as for this weed as sold and in all it's splendor I will not keep in my rotation, and haven't the patience to cellar on my own. I cannot say that this is not a great weed, for it has recieved much acclaim by many a respected reviewer, but it is not for me. Update, Astleys No. 109 Well I have stumbled across another tin of this weed. As chance would have it I took this as an opportunity to uncover secrets that I had not previously found. I failed. I wonder if this blend is if the sorts that will open up and smooth out with age. Perhaps what I look for in a Virginia blend is different than other connoisseurs, but I feel that with such splendors as Marlin Flake, Full Virginia Flake, and Light Flake that this weed does not sound a resonance that holds its own.