Astley's No.55 Elizabethan

Yes, this is a lighter tobacco that will bite you if you hurry it, but if you'll let it dictate the pace, it will reward you with long, slow sips of delicious smoke that offer a surprising spectrum of flavors.

This tin is from 2008. It has aged well. In the tin: a hint of tree fruit (casing not top flavor) with grain and fresh Virginia grassiness. In the mouth: a fine play between sweet and savory elements.

In the nose (this is where it happens!): soft, delicious, captivating. Draw the smoke in again through the nose, or let it out through the nose. What a pleasure!

If you'll take some time with this one, smoke slowly, and follow its gentle lead, it will reward you with a wonderful and compelling smoke. This is one for times when you don't want to do anything but smoke your pipe and muse. It develops more depth as the bowl progresses, and although it is not particularly moist right out of the tin, a bit of drying produces a cooler and more flavorful smoke.

Although this is not by any means a nicotine threat, it may not be for the novice as it does require some skill to allow it to open up and show what it can do. On the other hand, if you are new to the pipe, this may be the very one to help you acquire that skill and learn how to get the very best out of a 'simple' Virginia.

But, having said that, even though this is delicious tobacco, it may require too much attention for many a pipesmoker. For this one it's a question of mood, time and place.

Taken on its own terms: highly recommended. Not taken on those terms: somewhat recommended. The average: three stars.

Zipadeedodahhh! This is a perky little smoke.. burns hot and fast! Slightly rubbed out flake!!! Really?? That's the shaggiest shag I've seen.. if I was judging on burning qualities alone this would be a one star smoke.. luckily.. there is flavor.. nice hay.. creamy.. a little sweet.. and frisky! Sometimes that's exactly what the doctor ordered. Update.. dry it out! improves the burn.. also brings out some flavor.. deeper eartiness

"A pure blend of light and mild ribbon cut Virginias" is an apt description. After half a lifetime of smoking cigarettes, a blend like this one showed me what tobacco actually tastes like. As a sidelight on that note, if anyone reading this is in the process of switching from cigarettes to pipes you'd be well advised to start with something like Astley's No. 55.

I like the taste of a straight VA very much. This is the blend I smoke when I'm not in the mood to play with the flakes LOL.

Upon opening a can of Astley's No. 55 I am greeted by what seems to be to me a cross between sour plums, raisins, and oatmeal. No wonder I like this mixture in the morning. I just finished a three year old can, and found it much better than a new can I recently endulged in. I think in both cases the tobacco is perfect in the moisture content. It packs really well being a ribbon cut with a little broken up flake thrown in. To say it is a "Slightly rubbed out flake", as on the can is something I would agree with as I smoke Astley's No.109 regularly. Between the two I would have to give the nod to No.109 just because I can rub it out to achieve a variety of conditions in a variety of pipes I reserve for Virginias such as these. No. 55 lights packs well, lights well, and is downright enjoyable from top to bottom. It does seem like there is a smidgeon of Perique present in the top half. The tobacco smokes really pleasantly dry, much more so than a mixture like Dunhill's Elisabethan Blend. I can consistently get by with only one pipe cleaner about mid bowl. No. 55 picks up about mid bowl and there is a wonderful light Virginia taste for the rest of the bowl. It finishes up with a nice white ash. I think this is a wonderful tobacco for my morning pipe. I am usually an English or Balkan smoker in the evening. I want more body later in the day that most straight light Virginias or Virginia Perique mixtures don't give me. If I do want to smoke something like that in the evening for a change in pace, I will find myself loading a pipe up with Haddo's Delight. No. 55 is an excellent morning puttering or gardening tobacco. A perfect choice for those activities. Also, good for waiting in the car while the wife wanders through the stores on a Saturday. Given the right place and the right time of day, Astley's No. 55 finds little competition for me.

(5/10/03) The aroma upon opening the tin is that of a musty sweetness with hints of figs and sometimes I pick up a peach aroma. The tobacco is a ribbon cut and offers all shades of color in the tan/brown spectrum. The moisture is almost perfect right from the begining, which for me, is on the dry side. I only let this sit open for about two hours before packing a bowl and firing it up. This stuff packs very easily and fires up like a dream. I like to smoke this in a medium size bowl. The first third of the bowl is kind of mild with the usual tangy / semi-sweetness offered in quality Virginias. There is also a subtle nutty flavor that comes to the front now and then. The middle third of the bowl is far richer than the first. In the final third the richness of the flavor profile stay about the same but there is a slight spiciness that comes to the front and picks up a little as you reach the finish. Nicotine content seems on the mild to medium side. I am an aggressive smoker and I kind of watched myself with this one. Although I never did get bitten, after a dozen bowls or so, I feel that this one will bite, if pushed too hard. This is simply another great Virginia Blend. I will always have some on hand.