So here is my full review, which seems to differ slightly from others people experience. Again, this shows how subjective tasting is as we both have our own flavor memory bank we compare things with.
The smell from the pouch is quite subdued, most likely due to the shipping time to Scotland. On the upside, the flakes are at the perfect moisture for smoking!
Laurel flake has a bit of a fermented vinegar small with a subtle hint of smoked black tea. St James flake on the other hand has a slightly sweeter smell of stewed fruits with also a hint of vinegar.
I smoked both flakes in a Comoy dublin as well as a virgin Jacono brandy.
The LF starts of with a sweet caramel like flavour with hints of black tea and chocolate. This flavour develops in this typical deep stewed imperial virginia flavor with a bit of earth. The smoke is thick and creamy and sometimes is just oozing with a sweet sour taste that stimulates saliva production. Every now and then, little flavor pops of smoke & wood with sweet baby talc/powdery perfume appear. The smoke is absolutely bite free.
St James Flake is a bit more fruity and fresh tasting, starting with a sweet/sour taste that gradually decreases as the bowl progresses into a more stewed fermented earthy taste of imperial virginia. Sometimes hint of smoke appear and it has a nice almost herbal aftertaste. It is a bit more monotonous and a bit more sharp but burns easier.
While they are both in the same flavour genre, there are some differences to be found most likely due to age and different batches of tobacco being used. So I guess even when you make the same blend (so the same % of virginia, perique etc...), the flavour will still be a bit different as processing of the leaf might vary year to year. Of course, I assume they will blend batches of different years together, but at some point some difference most occur.
Thank you again ashdigger for granting us this wonderful experience. I really had a nirvana smoke with the Laurel Flake. I am not able to pick a favorite, but have their merits.
