I have never posted a tobacco review before. But I just finished a tin of Erik Stokkebye's 1931 Flake and I felt compelled to sing its song.
TLDR; This is a delicious, burley-forward blend of quality tobacco.
The tin note is gentle and not room-filling. The fragrant notes of “nutty” and “earthy” from the burley are present and inviting. The moisture of the flakes upon opening was nearly perfect. The tobacco readily accepted flame within only a few minutes out of the tin. This blend lends itself very well to “fold-and-stuff” packing. The flakes are not very robust, and will maintain their shape only with delicate handling.
The tin I opened had just over two years of age, which proved to be enough time for the component tobaccos to adequately meld together and provide a mature, complete experience. Among the components, the burley is center-stage and fairly clean considering the addition of honey/flavoring . The US Virginias deliver a sweetness without forcing “hay” or “grassy” flavors to the forefront. The black cavendish is subtle, contributing less to the blend’s flavor, and more to the smoothness and texture of the smoke. And the casing/toppings used are well measured and never cloying.
I sometimes struggle with fold-and-stuff packing, often choosing to rub out flakes instead. But the flakes of this blend are forgiving enough that a few of the bowls I folded and packed from this tin burned to the bottom with only a single relight. It seemed that the flavor became deeper and richer as I approached the half-way point. I find with certain stronger blends my palate is fatigued by the end of the bowl, and flavors diminish. Such was not the case with this blend. I feel that this is a blend that can be smoked in back-to-back sessions and still be flavorful and enjoyable.
There is a nose tingle on retrohale, but the sensation is pleasant and repeatable. I found this blend to be most flavorful when I clench the pipe while shallow breathing. Gentle but deliberate is the way to sip this tobacco, and in doing so, tongue bite is never a concern.
I enjoyed this blend in a variety of pipes, including briars, a cobb and even a meer. But I kept coming back to a burley-dedicated cobb and a side of coffee.
4 out of 4.
TLDR; This is a delicious, burley-forward blend of quality tobacco.
The tin note is gentle and not room-filling. The fragrant notes of “nutty” and “earthy” from the burley are present and inviting. The moisture of the flakes upon opening was nearly perfect. The tobacco readily accepted flame within only a few minutes out of the tin. This blend lends itself very well to “fold-and-stuff” packing. The flakes are not very robust, and will maintain their shape only with delicate handling.
The tin I opened had just over two years of age, which proved to be enough time for the component tobaccos to adequately meld together and provide a mature, complete experience. Among the components, the burley is center-stage and fairly clean considering the addition of honey/flavoring . The US Virginias deliver a sweetness without forcing “hay” or “grassy” flavors to the forefront. The black cavendish is subtle, contributing less to the blend’s flavor, and more to the smoothness and texture of the smoke. And the casing/toppings used are well measured and never cloying.
I sometimes struggle with fold-and-stuff packing, often choosing to rub out flakes instead. But the flakes of this blend are forgiving enough that a few of the bowls I folded and packed from this tin burned to the bottom with only a single relight. It seemed that the flavor became deeper and richer as I approached the half-way point. I find with certain stronger blends my palate is fatigued by the end of the bowl, and flavors diminish. Such was not the case with this blend. I feel that this is a blend that can be smoked in back-to-back sessions and still be flavorful and enjoyable.
There is a nose tingle on retrohale, but the sensation is pleasant and repeatable. I found this blend to be most flavorful when I clench the pipe while shallow breathing. Gentle but deliberate is the way to sip this tobacco, and in doing so, tongue bite is never a concern.
I enjoyed this blend in a variety of pipes, including briars, a cobb and even a meer. But I kept coming back to a burley-dedicated cobb and a side of coffee.
4 out of 4.
