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July 2007
By Charles Hill Full Virginia Ready Rubbed (#88) by Astley’s This one was a surprise for me. I was expecting some kind of broken flake (rubbed out). No.88 looks and smells just like stoved Virginia ribbon. It has the delightful caramel/brown sugar aroma and is nearly black. The taste is dominated by the caramelized sugar. Smoked straight, #88 is light in body and has little to offer. As a blending tobacco, it has many uses. If you’re looking for that great matured Virginia flake experience, give Astley’s #88 a pass.
Cut Virginia Plug by Fribourg & Treyer Fine grade Virginias, pressed into a ‘plug’, aged to perfection, and then sliced into beautiful mahogany flakes; this is as good a matured Virginia as can be found. I tasted the lemony citrus undertones of quality bright Va’s throughout the smoke. I aged my tins for 5 years before trying it out – well worth the time. Virginia flake fans alert… get this and cellar immediately! Highly recommended.Commonwealth Mixture by Samuel Gawith Don’t let the “Full strength� warning on the label put you off. “Commonwealth Mixture� is half Virginia’s and half Cyprian Latakia. I’m not a huge Latakia fan and 50% Latakia may seem heavy handed in a mixture. I’ve smoked newly produced tins of this and found it too much. What I’m reporting on now, however, is the effect of five years cellaring. The tobacco has become a smooth, rich, flavourful smoking experience with none of the throat searing intensity of unaged Latakia. Aged or not, “Commonwealth Mixture� is worth having. Then again, aged is best! |
