Irish Flake Comparison With Stirling Flake

Peterson's Irish Flake has been my number one tobacco for many years and after hearing K-H no longer would be producing it, I was a bit upset. Several forum posts stated that Irish Flake was being blended by Mac Baren. In response to a query, Per Jensen, himself, stated that Mac Baren is not producing the Peterson Flake tobaccos. Trying to find out who the current blender is for Irish Flake has been without success.
Enter Kolhase-Kopp with their new Rattray line with an entry for Stirling Flake, and having a similar description to Irish Flake. After weeks of being backordered at Pipes and Cigars, I managed to snag two tins from 4 Noggins. As far as I can tell, this is the same as Irish Flake. Same tin style/packaging, same number of flakes (12), same thickness of cut, similar looking leaf, and similar tin note. After smoking several bowls, I find it to be 99% identical. The only difference, and a slight one, is a tad more spiciness (which I like very much) and the ever so slightest after taste something mint-like(which fades very rapidly throughout the smoke and may actually be due to the freshness of the leaf). I read where K-H still managed to keep the recipe and apparently are still producing the same flake, but under the Rattray banner. Also, I haven't noticed any changes in taste for the newly produced Irish Flake. In a double blind smoke off, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference...and I'm happy about that! Your thoughts and comments would be appreciated.

Peck, I agree with you on this with regard to Orlick taking over. While K-H was making the Peterson flakes, it was said that they only blended the components, but the actual flakes were pressed by Orlik, so it would make sense for Orlik to take over.

You are welcome cobguy. In thinking all of this, how many tobacco manufacturers in addition to Kolhase-Kopp(talking mid-to-large scale operations) are there on the European side of the pond that could have taken over the production of Irish Flake? I can think of Mac Baren, Orlik, Samuel Gawith, Gawith-Hoggarth, Germain. They most likely produce the name brand pipe tobaccos that we import into the US. Kolhase-Kopp is obviously out. Doubtful it's SG, G-H, or Germain and Mac Baren has said no. That does leave Orlik.

Junkyarddawg you make an interesting point. I don't know much about how this works but maybe K-H dumped Peterson and not the other way around. Sterling Flake is going for nearly $11 and Irish Flake holding around $9 (at P&C, Smoking pipes, and 4Noggins). Maybe K-H felt that their profit margin wasn't enough. All of their other produced flakes are at least $11 and if they have to ship them to Orlik for the pressing, perhaps they weren't satisfied with their profit on the Peterson offerings. Case in point...Mac Baren makes Eric Stokkebye's flake which is similar to their Navy Flake and it's more pricey (manufacturer's profit margin thus maintained). Peterson probably sets the price and K-H may have said bye bye!

I just opened up the next tin (I date and number them as I receive them) in my lineup of Irish Flake. I immediately noticed that fruity smell typical of many Danish produced Virginias and none of the licorice smell I get with deep inhalation of the tin after opening. The leathery/tarry smell typical of Irish Flake was present, but at half strength of what I'm used to. The coloring of the flake, thickness, texture, and handling was the same. The smoke was enjoyable, but there was a pronounced difference as the fruity smell described translated to the taste throughout the entire bowl (group 1 billiard). Stirling Flake definitely is more like the Irish Flake I've been smoking for years now. Perhaps with this new incarnation it was decided that they shouldn't be exactly the same. I certainly don't know what goes on behind the scenes with these "big tobacco company" decisions. Any one else out there notice the changes I have? Your input would be appreciated.