Are These Still Relevant?

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DanWil84

Lifer
Mar 8, 2021
1,691
12,667
40
The Netherlands (Europe)
Like said a review is subject to personal preference and I think a lot of reviewers don't have the tastebuds to review a blend properly. A example is how polarizing the Ratrays Exotic Passion / Orange reviews are; you either absolutely like or despise it, no inbetweens, just because of how heavily topped people say it is. A Gawith tobacco like Squadron Leader or Skiff Mix may have a lot of fanboy reviews where they perceive the tobacco for the review different than they should. I'm not saying everybody does this, but it can be human tendency to do so.

Look at the tobacco contents, know what you could expect from those contents and make a guesstimate to buy a sampler or even a 50g / 2oz tin.
 
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verporchting

Lifer
Dec 30, 2018
3,006
9,310
I think there are two separate questions here with different answers.

1. Is any tobacco relevant or not? From my perspective if I like it then it’s relevant. To me. Don’t much care if anyone else agrees or disagrees and if one is smoking to impress or to be part of the in-crowd then … well, another issue is lurking around the corner.

2. Is a blend commercially viable? To the extent that sales have declined or it’s not profitable in the current market, well, beloved brands have become “irrelevant” with alarming frequency lately.

Anyway, just a thought.
 
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mortonbriar

Lifer
Oct 25, 2013
2,815
6,151
New Zealand
You will see Irish Flake being recommended on this forum over the years as a good staple tobacco for those who like some strength in their blend, I prefer university flake as I am not looking for so much nicotine.

Squadron leader has always gotten some love from the crowd who smoke that kind of blend, but it is one of many options in that realm in my opinion, and when I was smoking more latakia I leaned more towards the skiff mixture.

You have to smoke them for yourself if you want to know if they are any good, there is no getting round that.
 
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verporchting

Lifer
Dec 30, 2018
3,006
9,310
Is Irish Flake still as strong as it was about ten years ago? So many of these that used to be strong seemed to have lost gusto recently. I was just wondering if this one has held its strength.
It’s a very good question. I don’t have an answer on that particular blend but I’ve had the same thoughts about a few others and have wondered if they really have lost some punch, maybe just crop production changes which would not be surprising, or maybe my memory is not accurate, my perception has changed from growing accustomed to stronger blends now, etc.