Astley #44- Tin Note With A Hint Of Aged Horse Stable?

[zack24]

Popped a fresh tin of Astleys #44 yesterday, stuck my nose in it and was struck by the complexities of the tin note- fresh cut hay, a little woody, and a faint whiff of...mature horse sh**t?. Despite my misgivings- Fired it up with one charring light, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I called Harris and he starts laughing at me- tells me it should smell like plums. I tell him- only if you've been picking your plums of the bottom of a stable.
About this time Greta comes outside- she smells it, wrinkles her nose and said in that cute little Peruvian accent- "Zachary, that smells like manure!"...and then she sat down and smoked the rest of the bowl...
Has anyone else had a similar first impression?

 

[papipeguy]

I guess one man's plums are another man's road apples. You've made me very curious about this blend. I must find some now.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Ugg, one more Astleys blend that is going to be hard to find now. Geez, can't we all just be quiet about this blend.
Oh wait, I get it, why yes, yes, it smells like manure, and tastes like it too. Dirty horse manure tobacco. I would recommend everyone avoid this blend with a passion. Smoking it will make your wife cheat on you, scratch your car, and make your dog die. Avoid at all costs.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I also note hints of rotten oysters in this blend :wink:

 

[cmdrmcbragg]

Mixture 79 thinks No. 44 tastes bad.

 

[zack24]

Hmmm....just noticed- on the Trois Pistoles bottle, there's a picture of a horse...a coincidence? I think not!
(This is all part of my master plan- when everyone makes a mad rush for the #44, their TAD budget will be blown for the month just about the time that Stonehaven hits the stores....and I'll get it all!)

 

[lestrout]

Hmmm - there IS a blend called Merde de Cheval - but that's a horse of a different color. heh heh
hp

les

 

[northernneil]

I have not yet tried the #44, but this thread reminds me of an experience that I had with Esoterica Dunbar.

I remember really liking the smell of the blend in the store, and the description sounded wonderful. However, when I got home and sat down to really study the blend, I noticed a rather funky smell that I could not put my finger on. Towards the end of the 2 ounce tin I finally figured out the scent, it was smelly feet! Fortunately the smell did not translate into the smoke!

 

[derfargin]

I enjoy the Astley's #44. I got a sample from Yaz during a member meetup. Not really have been a huge fan of Straight VA's but this one I found nice.

 

[phil67]

Never noticed that smell with No.44, and it's one of my top 10 tobaccos.
However, I recently received a sample of Gaslight from P&C. Upon opening the little 1/2 ounce brick and placing it up to my nose it smelled like shit... literally! I immediately then wrapped it up in some foil and haven't had the nerve to try it yet. I did however open it up a few days ago and the rancid smell did seem to subside a tad. Some evening when I succumb to a few stiff drinks I'll venture into slicing some off, rubbing it out (in a cob of course) and hope that it doesn't in any way shape or form taste what it smells like!

 

[yazamitaz]

Glad you liked it derfargin, I am a huge fan. I never noticed the barnyard odor as well. I just stuck my nose into my tin and got raisins and molasses. My tin has been open since April if that helps.

 

[zack24]

Now this is interesting- 24 hours after opening, Greta is smelling cherries, I'm smelling figs....A huge improvement.
Apparently, it needs to breathe a little....

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I am a huge fan as well, but have never smelled fecal matter.
This is a great blend and, to be honest, I think I actually like it just as much as (and on some days even more than) Wessex BCDF

 

[cosmicfolklore]

:::sigh::: no, I've never smelled manure... Or rotten oysters in the tin... I hate to admit it, but it is one of my... Ok ok dammit, it IS my favorite. When I tried it, it blew 109 out of the water for me. But, now that the cat is out of the bag on this blend, it'll be months before I can get any again. Damn! You meddling kids!

 

[zack24]

Peck,

This is a great blend and, to be honest, I think I actually like it just as much as (and on some days even more than) Wessex BCDF

In spite of the first less than grand opening, I tend to agree with you. My top 3 at this point are Stonehaven, Astleys #44, and Wessex BCDF...all big, bold flakes...

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Well Cosmic, I have 144 tins in the cellar, and the youngest is 13 months old, so I have known it is good stuff for some time. I don't plan to buy any more. Zack is your competition.

 

[mrenglish]

I will join this club as well. I much prefer the #44 over BCDF. Never smelled horse manure though...

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Zack, when you and Greta smelled the horse manure, could it be by chance that Harris was over for dinner at that time?

 

[zack24]

Zack, when you and Greta smelled the horse manure, could it be by chance that Harris was over for dinner at that time?

He's coming over for ribs this weekend- I'll get downwind to see if there's an odor in the air....
(...and on the subject of smoking ribs,I really may have to throw a flake of Stonehaven in the smoker just to settle the question that's been floating around lately....)

 

[peckinpahhombre]

You should tell Harris to get his ass back on the forum. We are all wondering if he thinks that he's too good for us.