Astley's No.44 Dark Virginia Flake

I have been disappointed because what I discovered was not a dark VA flake, but a rather medium coloured flake. The taste reminds me, somehow, of offerings such as Old Gowrie or brown Clunee from Rattray.

Recommended as a VA Flake, but not recommended if you are looking for a Dark VA.

Nice dark flakes. Good volume of smoke after lighting this one up. Stayed lit well. Flavor was not as robust as I was hoping for, HOTW is much more my style. This did have a nice spicey note when taken through the nose. Expensive blend, 11.25 for 50 grams, I won't be buying this one again, but it was good to try one in their line finally.

By jove, this is no dark VA flake! Whoever said that should be hanged on the main mast without any chances of appeal! This is rather a light brown leaf with some shades of golden and medium brown. As you can tell, I was disappointed upon opening the tin.

However, this flake, I admit, still remains interesting. Being manufactured by K&K, which also manufactures Rattray's and McConnell's, this flake is a hybrid between Scottish Flake and Hal'O The Wynd. It has the aroma and the looks of SF but the strength of HOTW, in a lesser harsh way.

Easy to light and smoke- the humidity level was low in the tin,on the borderline of being dry- no 44 does not require attention,will bite only if you push it and smokes even with a combination of sweetness and natural VA taste. The nicotine kick is acceptable.

Lacking the unique flavor of SF, though, this mixture remains acceptable, but nothing more. I would not rebuy it.

Does anybody knows who wrote " Dark VA flake" on the tin? I have some business to attend...

Astley's No. 44. Opening the tin was rather surprising. The flakes are much lighter in color than I would have expected for a Dark VA. The tin note was also surprising as it was full citrus and very sweet, with grass/hay notes in the background. Again, not at all what I was expecting in a dark VA. The taste was citrus way out front. Very sweet too sweet not to be topped with something. The grass/hay was present behind this. I also got a little earthiness and some wood throughout the bowl. After about the first 1/3 of the bowl, I also picked up subtle notes of graham crackers, dark fruits, and a little spice. After smoking a couple of bowls I begin to say this tastes a lot like something but could not place it. Then it came to me and while I have no way of confirming I think it is Reiner's Long Golden Flake minus the perique and white burley and where these are lacking an orange VA has been added to the base components. The topping is heavier than LGF and may or may not be the same, I fall short in describing toppings. In a side-by-side comparison with LGF, this flake is a little lighter in color which may account for the lack of perique. That said, it is not a bad flake but not what I am looking for in a dark VA. There are lots of others that are just better suited for me. The room note is fine for me, others were not overly impressed by it. The finish lingers a little and is all citrus and sugar. I don't see myself purchasing this again but I have finished the tin.