Dunhill Flake

[sunriseboy]

Gents, I just got a couple of tins of Dunhill Flake and am quite disappointed in the quality. I have just a little of the last lot left and it is brilliant but this stuff is very ordinary to say the least.

The colour is considerably lighter than the previous lot and tastes quite different. Sort of honey and grass/hay.
Anyone else had a similar experience recently.
BTW, what is a similar style of tobacco as DF? I think I'll be looking elsewhere. Very disappointed as I said, because that was my "go too" smoke!

 

[sasquatch]

Are these the new round tins? I have only the older square ones around. This is not good news!
There are lots of excellent virginia flakes around, but I've never found one that I would say matched Dunhill Flake for being sweet and smooth and open....
Pure virginias you might try include Dan's "Mellow Mallard" (this is very good stuff) and the Erik Stokkebye 1855 (it's a bit less interesting). There are other flakes like the "Former" series (Birdseye, Cross-grain, and straight grain flakes) but they fall a little flat for me. I like Mac Baren's "Virginia Flake" too, but it's a little sharper than the Dunhill. Tastes really good though.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

There is so much variety between each of the Virginia flakes, that I wouldn't look for similarities, myself, but learn to savor the differences. FWIW, I am not crazy about Dunhill Flake either, but some love it. Everyone has different tastes, so...

 

[sunriseboy]

Thanks for that gents. I think I'm getting the idea now. Harvests, rainfall, location of crops and of course how I'm feeling on a particular day.
I never realized how one's metabolism effects the "taste" of so many things.
(And Michael, sorry to have posted two threads. I'm a bit slow on working out this forum stuff).

 

[kimbiker]

Just bought a tin at the weekend. Good stuff.
It was in the 'square' tin though.

 

[deathmetal]

The colour is considerably lighter than the previous lot and tastes quite different. Sort of honey and grass/hay.

Probably just newer. Bright VA flakes get darker over time, and more of a molasses or caramel flavor than the zesty sweetness of a fresh one.

 

[earthbound]

Sunriseboy, what lot of Dunhill flake are you comparing this new lot to? Dunhill Flake as it is today is apparently equivalent to Dunhill Light Flake of days gone by. My experience with DF is that it has always been a mild straw yellow color and had a good mellow taste about it. It does do well with some age. If you're looking for something in that ballpark I'd recommend Orlik Golden Sliced or even Sillem's Mayor 1814 flake. Most other VA flakes have a dash of perique in them. Im a DF lover and I have about 30 tins stashed away for the Dunhill Tobaccopocalypse.

 

[cortezattic]

TobaccoReviews.com has an excellent search facility. SmokingPipes.com also has a tobacco locator that is very helpful.

 

[deathmetal]

If you like Bright Virginias, Dunhill Flake is great stuff. I'd compare it to Capstan Blue, C&D Virginia Flake, Newminster No. 400 Superior Navy Flake, Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake, Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake or Gawith Hoggarth Bright CR Flake. Mix it with Brown Twist Sliced for a natural molasses-style flavor!

 

[cortezattic]

Good call. Capstan is currently on sale.

https://www.smokingpipes.com/tobacco/by-maker/Capstan/?utm_source=PipesMagazine&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=Capstan_Promo

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Reiner Long Golden Flake?

 

[didimauw]

I wish I liked pure Virginia's. But I'm bound to my Carter Hall for life...

 

[cortezattic]

Peck said that "Brigham commissioned RL Will of Solani fame to come up with his own interpretation of the venerable Dunhill blends. [...] Some say Klondike [Gold] is more like the old Murrays Dunhill Flake, which Will was trying to channel..."
Alas, it may be a little hard to find these days.

 

[oldmansmoking]

Yes I also have found how I am physically or emotionally effects my taste with tobacco.

It can be the difference of a good or a bad smoke.

I smoke Irish Flake and notice this a lot.

 

[saltedplug]

FVF and Christmas Cheer

 

[woodsroad]

Try Sutliff 507c. It's actually an STG product.

 

[wyfbane]

If you don't like them, jar them up for 5 years or so. They will be wholly different by then.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Oldmansmoking,the same here,

 

[sunriseboy]

Thanks for all of the above, fellas. Great advice. Thank you.

 

[jorchamp]

I used to really enjoy the old Dunhill Light Flak: the sweet, smooth and rewarding smoke it was. Then the Dunhill Flake seemed a bit sterile. I have tried the new round tin. I agree the Reiner Long Golden Flake does bring back memories.