Athey
D&R's description doesn't tell you much, A crafted blend of tobaccos that are combined and flavored by a very aged and guarded recipe. D. says: Smooth, mild, sweet, and uniquely aromatic...flake cut...Delicious. ~$19LB
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Frank on Friday, 26-Oct-2007
Athey is definitely an old fashioned type of tobacco. From reviews on here, I never would have tried it, but I have to say that too much is made of the slight cooling sensation of Athey. It is a sweet, very mild, and very delicious smoke - my favorite of all the DR offerings so far. Notes of honey, molasses, and a nice tanginess to the finish. Not a heavy smoke at all. The cooling sensation is similar to a carbonated drink - just gives a little zest to the smoke. Not overwhelming. I wouldn't recommend it to those looking for a standard American flavor, but for those who want that flavor, plus a little zing and extra sweetness, this is the ticket. I prefer the old fashion type smokes - Luckies, Chesterfields, and Pall Malls. Athey definitely fits the bill on its own, and is also great for blending two parts Athey with one part S.J. Perique. The sweet flavors complement each other very well, and the SJ brings out a fuller bodied flavor to the Athey. Also brings out its complexities, without overwhelming it. Definitely a Pall Mall of old.
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- athey
- Posted by adam on Thursday, 22-Feb-2007
this stuff is definately unique its aroma is almost like a wine and it smokes like a menthol but without the menthol its very good. in all honesty its a refreshing smoke i know that sounds weird but try it and see. not a smoke for all the time but definately worth having around. it seems like a good summer smoke on those really hot days or something you would bring to the beach or lake. d&r gets another thumbs up here.
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- Athey
- Posted by Captain U-96 aka Mike on Thursday, 08-Feb-2007
My order arrived from D&R around 3:00 this afternoon, and I'm still trying to place the bouquet of the tobacco; it's something I've smelled before! it registers to me as an empty Sherry barrel, with an equal part of Apricot Brandy and Honey Butter. It makes a good smoke in my Quick Roller, and I tried various tubes too! Vera Cruz Nocturne, good. Gambler FF good. Athey Non--filtered tubes, best for flavor and quite the match for this truly one of a kind tobacco. Unique and outstanding! I ordered 1 10/2 cup just to try it, and I wish I had done so sooner! I have never tasted anything like it! Mild, with a menthol like feeling to the back of the throat--but no menthol? If I had a fancy cardboard box to put the Athey tube/tobacco smokes in I'm sure someone would would ask where I got the imported smokes from!The RH of the tobacco is just right for tubing, and it smokes cool from start to finish. While not a replacement for my Ramback Gold, and Ramback/Two Timer blends, it's a smoke I'll return to often; just for the experience, and mystery of this one of a kind blend; to be sure! Mike
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Dan S on Saturday, 10-Feb-2007
At first I didn't like Athey at all . But I've grown quite fond of it. I by the small tubs and they last me a while, since this another one of those :I can't smoke it every day, but it's good for a change of pace smokes
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- Athey
- Posted by scott johnson on Tuesday, 21-Nov-2006
What is meant by "flake cut"? anyone got a picture or anything of this? I just can't figure this one and will not order a tub just to find out.
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Also, how easy is this to hand roll or use in a roll box?
Thanks!
- Re: Athey
- Posted by Matt on Wednesday, 22-Nov-2006
Athey is no longer in flake, but a string cut. In cigarette tobacco terms "flake" has a shape similar to small Frosted Flakes. The only brand I know that currently comes in flake is "Our Advertiser". I'd seen some Bull Durham when I was about 11 or 12 in a drawstring sack. (Didn't really roll any since Marlboros & Pall Malls were the gateway for me then.) Our Advertiser can be fun to roll but the cut really lends itself to becoming emulsified shake that you winds up in your mouth. I haven't tried rolling this in a machine, but I can't imagine it being a good thing.
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...& any of you pipe smokers can learn about pipe tobacco flake here which I suggest you try some good flakes from Gawith & Hoggarth, Samuel Gawith, Esoterica & MacBaren.
[link]
- Re: Athey
- Posted by platoslostdialogue on Friday, 13-Jan-2006
I got a cup of Athey yesterday in my order as well as a few other types of tobacco. I was looking forward to rolling some cigarettes because it had been a while since I've done it. However, when I opened the cup of Athey, I found long-cut strands of tobacco, not flakes or chips as the description reads. Also, this blend tasted sort of sweet, almost menthol, on the front end of the drag, but almost nothing on the exhale. Has anyone bought Athey lately? Is it possible D&R mislabled it, or perhaps gave me the "new" athey on accident? I'm going to write to D&R about it, regardless.
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Matt on Friday, 13-Jan-2006
I recieved a couple of the long cut Athey "beta" blends Mark was sending out the last part of '05. The last one he sent (November) was exactly like you described. It had a very unique throat sensation when inhaling that was like a menthol but without the taste of menthol. Truly I've never smoked anything like it. Don't know whether the flake cut has been dropped or if you got the long cut on accident. When he (Mark) sent out the last sample of the blend that has to be the one you described, he'd written that he thougt it was ready for market. Maybe it's replacing the old flake cut...who knows? Nevertheless, please post what you learned from corresponding because I wouldn't mind ordering more in the future.
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Bob Smith on Friday, 13-Jan-2006
Indeed, I also received the beta blends Mark was sending out. From what I saw on the label on the bag, there was a description of the orignal Athey blend, and the bottom paragraph was regarding "Old Timers Blend" that may have described the long-cut version.
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I had to toss the bag, as the seal had ripped, so don't quote me on all that :) It's been a while since I saw the label.
- Re: Athey
- Posted by platoslostdialogue on Thursday, 19-Jan-2006
Well Mark got back to me today. Apparently they are moving the production of athey in-house to better quality control. They've gotten many requests to turn athey to a long-cut and have decided to go ahead with it. Also he wrote in another e-mail that there have been recent inconsistency problems with the flake-cut production, and he is trying to "develop a comparable substitute with a better quality tobacco as the base. like making a sow's ear out of a silk purse." This stuff is weird, and good, sorta nutty and sweet. I mixed a bit with some two-timer. It's like theres a party in my mouth and everyone's invited.
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Dan on Tuesday, 28-Feb-2006
Since I've pretty much liked everything from D&R I figured I'd give Athey a try and ordered a batch. I really don't care for it. It is pretty mild, at first I thought it had sort of a taste like sherry, kind of reminded me of the inside of a wine barrel(if that makes any sense?) But after a couple of smokes it made me think more of some kind of laundry soap or fruity shampoo.It was not at all what I was expecting.
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Dan on Wednesday, 12-Apr-2006
I decided to give the Athey another try.
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Maybe my first post was a little harsh.
I stuffed a few smokes using Charbon tubes and Rizla Cigsize, and found them to be pretty tasty.
I guess the lighter tubes mellowed out the flavorings a bit.
Maybe letting it rest for a month helped to.
Dan
- Re: Athey
- Posted by Tom on Wednesday, 26-Oct-2005
The tasting of Athey was a lot of fun this past month. Those of you that were lucky enough to receive samples. I want to thank you for your feedback. Sorry that the samples were limited, but when there is free tobacco, there is never enough.
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There were over 200 individuals that were able to enjoy the tasting. The general results were that a 100% liked Athey (i'm sure that, because it was free, may have had something to with that percentage). Also, in general Athey was considered something special. Like a fine wine, or a good cigar.
Mark indicated that in November we will be able to do this again. Another tasting of Athey with a few changes. Also, I might mention, there "may" be a samples of Marks cigar blends. Don Giovanni Sigaro and Sigaretta! Hey, life don't get better than this!
- Re: Athey
- Posted by Terry Ash on Thursday, 03-Mar-2005
Athey is my favorite tobacco and I smoke it every day. Which is good and bad. It has a sweet/nutty taste. Everyone that I have let try athey, loves it. The problem is in the making.
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I absolutely HATE hand rolling. I use a supermatic premier and because Athey is a flake cut tobacco, it gets over and under the cutter very easily. It gets behind the spoon. Because it is a moister tobacco, it sticks to the machine. I let the tobacco dry out more but it doesn't really improve things much. I've needed to replace parts way more often that I would like to admit. When I use other tobaccos, I never have a problem.
Is there a type of tobacco that tastes the same or similar to Athey but is a different cut of tobacco. I've asked D&R and they say that they don't know of another blend which is similar.
I've tried to blend Athey with other types of tobacco with some success but then I lose the Mild subtle flavor in athey.
A friend of mine has moved away from Athey for these reasons, but I haven't found anything similar that could replace Athey.
I'd be willing to try a different machine for the same tobacco. But, is there something as simple and quick to use as a premier supermatic?
- Re: Athey
- Posted by D. on Saturday, 10-Jul-2004
~$16.00 to $27.00/pound depending on unit size.
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The maker's description: "A crafted blend of tobaccos that are combined and flavored by a very aged and guarded recipe. This special preparation is then "old fashioned" cut in a manner that resembles flakes or chips. The interesting result of these dedicated efforts is a prestige tobacco that is a sensory delight. Our Old Timer's Blend also works better in the traditional roll your own format."
The new name "Athey" replaces the old name "Old Timer's Blend".
This is very interesting stuff and I liked it. Smooth, mild, sweet, and uniquely aromatic. Amongst the flavors, I'm guessing there's whiskey or bourbon casing in the blend. A very tasty treat, but not something I'd have as my regular smoke. The flake cut is messy to hand-roll, and, being a hand-roller, I'd probably smoke it more often if it had a longer cut. Delicious.
- Re: Athey
- Posted by Kurt Wall on Sunday, 28-Nov-2004
How does the Athey stuff? If it's messy to roll, I can't imagine it would be easier to stuff.
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Thanks,
Kurt
- Re: Athey
- Posted by D. on Saturday, 11-Dec-2004
I can't comment because I don't stuff.
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Kurt Wall on Sunday, 12-Dec-2004
I'm pleased to report it stuffs pretty easily. It doesn't
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stuff very tightly, though, so the resulting stick is too
loose. I understand now why D&R say it is better suited for
rolling than stuffing.
- Re: Athey
- Posted by Dave L on Monday, 13-Dec-2004
Can't you just stuff a bit more tobacco into the slot?
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Ron Reed on Thursday, 24-Mar-2005
When I tried a sampler of this tobacco, I was reminded what the "old timer" meant. For any of you old enough to have grown up in the rural parts of this country during 40s and 50s, you may remember guys trying to roll Prince Albert or Sir Walter Raleigh pipe tobacco between their fingers while pouring the tobacco from the can. The resulting "cigarette" shared a lot more in common with a frayed rope or a mushroom that had been stepped on then it did with a cigarette. So, take heart, I think these difficulties just come with the "Old Fashioned" territory!Only those who have the nostalgia for those days could possibly be patient enough to re-live the aggravation of rolling this stuff.
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- Re: Athey
- Posted by Ron Reed on Thursday, 24-Mar-2005
To further the previous remarks, It may be that buying yourself a corn cob pipe would be the answer. As a matter of fact most people who rolled pipe tobacco "way back then" were indeed pipe smokers who just wanted to grab a quick puff. Try it! It ain't bad.
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