Charatan Black Flake

[BingBong]

After having struggled a bit to manfully get through a tin of Charatan's Flake (K&K's take on Dunhill Flake), which did not inspire, although there was nothing particularly wrong with it, it was with some caution that I popped a tin of their Black Flake, their take on Dunhill Dark Flake.

Whatever I found missing in the Flake has been rectified here. The casings, I suspect, are the same for both - sniffing the opened tin gave about the same slightly fruity scent. Possibly liquorice, cloves and cinnamon in there with some sort of berry, it's present but not overbearing.

Half a flake, slightly moist, folded thrice and stuffed into my Peterson Cara 406 Prince, took a match quite easily and away we went. I get the idea that this has been pressed for longer than the Flake, a darker more substantial flavour with a tingle from a modest pinch of perique, producing quite a copious and satisfying amount of smoke. No bite, even with some enthusiastic puffing, smooth rich delivery with well integrated taste. Now and again, a pure virginia note, towards the end, a burst of cloves, but generally all of a piece with the perique tingle whipping the horses on.

I found this a much better experience than the first offering which ended after one tin, whereas this tagged me a mental note to buy again, it fits my rotation and has earned its place from the first smoke. The room note and aftertaste are pleasant.

I will have another bowl later and look forward to it.

 

[BingBong]

It has been described as "malty" and that fits the picture. Nicotine hits in the final quarter. It's some good stuff, for my tastes, firmly smoke #3 in my morning sequence at the moment. Bought two more tins before the price goes up.

 

[khiddy]

Sounds delicious. I’ve not had a Charatan blend, the reviews I’ve read of their Dunhill replacements have usually sent me looking at other options, but since no one else seemed to pick up the Dark Flake mantle, your comments make me want to add theirs to the wishlist.

 

[Auxsender]

After searching it appears this is not available in USA. Bummer because it sounds real good.

 

[karam]

Thanks for this recommendation, I’ll try it. Charatan are readily available here but I never paid attention as I thought they were typical mild European aromatics.

 

[BingBong]

Thanks for this recommendation, I’ll try it. Charatan are readily available here but I never paid attention as I thought they were typical mild European aromatics.

Hope it's satisfactory!

 

[karam]

Do you reckon it bears any resemblance to F&T Cut Blended Plug? That blend I like and have cellared to some extent, tastes like smoking a biscuit!

 

[BingBong]

Do you reckon it bears any resemblance to F&T Cut Blended Plug? That blend I like and have cellared to some extent, tastes like smoking a biscuit!

Ah, I've only had Cut Virginia Plug and it's unlike that. It has a resemblance to Vintage Aged Orlik without the circus but with stronger perique. Maybe a bit of roast lamb there?

 

[karam]

Ah, I've only had Cut Virginia Plug and it's unlike that. It has a resemblance to Vintage Aged Orlik without the circus but with stronger perique. Maybe a bit of roast lamb there?

Right, Cut Virginia Plug is quite a bit lighter compared with Cut Blended Plug in my experience. I've had both but never rebought the first, while building up my cellar of the second. Never tried the Orlik blend but what you're saying makes me positive for Charatan Black Flake

 

[andystewart]

After having struggled a bit to manfully get through a tin of Charatan's Flake (K&K's take on Dunhill Flake), which did not inspire, although there was nothing particularly wrong with it, it was with some caution that I popped a tin of their Black Flake, their take on Dunhill Dark Flake.

Whatever I found missing in the Flake has been rectified here. The casings, I suspect, are the same for both - sniffing the opened tin gave about the same slightly fruity scent. Possibly liquorice, cloves and cinnamon in there with some sort of berry, it's present but not overbearing.

Half a flake, slightly moist, folded thrice and stuffed into my Peterson Cara 406 Prince, took a match quite easily and away we went. I get the idea that this has been pressed for longer than the Flake, a darker more substantial flavour with a tingle from a modest pinch of perique, producing quite a copious and satisfying amount of smoke. No bite, even with some enthusiastic puffing, smooth rich delivery with well integrated taste. Now and again, a pure virginia note, towards the end, a burst of cloves, but generally all of a piece with the perique tingle whipping the horses on.

I found this a much better experience than the first offering which ended after one tin, whereas this tagged me a mental note to buy again, it fits my rotation and has earned its place from the first smoke. The room note and aftertaste are pleasant.

I will have another bowl later and look forward to it.

Thanks for the review - I love this blend, although it’’s not Dunhill Dark Flake!