Marlin Flake Tastes Like Stonehaven?

[Puffaluffaguss]

I just recently purchased the bulk bag of "Marlin Flake" I think 17.5 ounces. I never tried it before and wasn't sure if I'd like it, but I prefer to buy in bulk if I can. I havnt tried much "Stonehaven" in my short time smoking maybe a dozen bowls (thank you buddy) from a decent sized sample of it. Which im sure was from a bulk bag because it was almost a tin worth of a sample . Anyway I've been smoking the Marlin Flake for a few days now and I have to say this has a very similar taste to my buds as Stonehaven.

The Flakes are also "THE" most similar flakes that I've found compared to those lovely dark Stonehaven flakes of heaven. Not as dark but very similar in density and composition. I know the only thing they have in common is Virginia tobaccos but the flavors that are produced by both blends is very similar to my palate. The Stonehaven I sampled was also aged not fresh so the flavor was more pronounced with Stonehaven of course but I'm sure with some age this Marlin Flake will become more similar to me.

I'm not saying it should be a replacement, i'm just letting people know what I experienced and discovered of my own palate and maybe somebody out there with a similar palate may find this info beneficial. I know for a fact I'm glad I bought the big bag because now I got plenty and will probably add a few tins to the celler to see the difference between bulk and tin (which is like a new year's resolution for me lol). If anybody has these blends on hand yell me what you think I'd love to hear how my palate is different from others.

 

[Peter Turbo]

I have both of these and cant say the same, especially when it comes to how the flakes looks. Its not even close.

Palette of gold or palette of a goldfish?

 

[Puffaluffaguss]

The c

I have both of these and cant say the same, especially when it comes to how the flakes looks. Its not even close.

Palette of gold or palette of a goldfish?

I don't think you get what I'm getting because what I've seen with my own eyes I can't deny. They aren't exact but similar yes, I've never seen another blend that when I rub out the flake is so similar in consistency and appearance. To me the flavor is similar as well. If it's not for you well thats the whole point, I'm not saying I'm Jim but I won't go around acting like I can taste gold or goldfish in a blend, or will I buy a bag of Esotericas for 3 to 500 or more. I'm happy with my discovery for myself.

 

[sablebrush52]

The c
I don't think you get what I'm getting because what I've seen with my own eyes I can't deny. They aren't exact but similar yes, I've never seen another blend that when I rub out the flake is so similar in consistency and appearance. To me the flavor is similar as well. If it's not for you well thats the whole point, I'm not saying I'm Jim but I won't go around acting like I can taste gold or goldfish in a blend, or will I buy a bag of Esotericas for 3 to 500 or more. I'm happy with my discovery for myself.

And that's the point. Your experience of the two blends is that they hit your palate in a similar way, one that you love. Congrats!

Mine is that they are very different animals, in part due to the toppings and in part due to the leaf. That's my experience.

Our experiences are different, all of them legitimate for us, as they are our experiences.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

The c
I don't think you get what I'm getting because what I've seen with my own eyes I can't deny. They aren't exact but similar yes, I've never seen another blend that when I rub out the flake is so similar in consistency and appearance. To me the flavor is similar as well. If it's not for you well thats the whole point, I'm not saying I'm Jim but I won't go around acting like I can taste gold or goldfish in a blend, or will I buy a bag of Esotericas for 3 to 500 or more. I'm happy with my discovery for myself.

I agree, some folks have to throw shade & spit to see where it spatters. Don’t mind the bullocks! You do you…it’s your taste and your experience. That said, I’ve found them to be not too similar. Could be the right church…just the wrong pew IMHO. But, tastes vary so. ️️

 

[ashdigger]

Rattlesnake tastes like chicken

Or does chicken taste like Rattlesnake

 

[greeneyes]

I think I agree with Steve Fallon in his review that GH Kendal Dark tastes the most like Stonehaven. Very much under the radar.

 

[Puffaluffaguss]

I think I agree with Steve Fallon in his review that GH Kendal Dark tastes the most like Stonehaven. Very much under the radar.

Well now in need to find some of that. As my new years thing I'm try different blends in bulk and tin and I'm having a good time with it thus far. It's just crazy to me how everybody can taste different things from the same blend and then that changes from tin to bulk and all the other differences between tobaccos. Discussions like this show that is true for us and this blend and I'm sure many more but we still smoke and I'm not stopping anytime soon. If I taste Penzance in a blend be prepared for the same long winded comparison lol

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

It’s completely reasonable to notice similarities in blends whether they be seem identical or subtle. I’m not any kind of aficionado of pipe blends. I simply appreciate the blend for what it is and what it is not. ️

 

[Sigmund]

Its been a while but Id rather smoke marlin flake.

From memory I can see where you are coming from.

 

[kcghost]

Marlin Flake and Stonehaven are two distinct flavors to me.

 

[jpberg]

Yeah. They are in different zip codes to me, but if you got it, you got it.

 

[peteguy]

Age may change taste between pipers as well. Stonehaven changes a lot for my palate, not in a good way. Might be something to add to the discussion when comparing.

 

[Sigmund]

Its got me curious. I have a little SH in a jar. I may give it a taste tomorrow.

 

[Puffaluffaguss]

Its got me curious. I have a little SH in a jar. I may give it a taste tomorrow.

When I started this thread that's what I was hoping for. Others to give there opinion weather or not the 2 blends are similar or not to them. I'm happy when people have an opinion, it let's me know the sheep are few and far between on this forum. I can see peoples own biases and personalitys will be a big factor in admitting such things can be true but I'm not trying to convince anybody of anything and if people find the same similarities as me or nobody else In the world concurs I'm a happy camper

 

[dobbs]

I fired up some Marlin Flake today because of this thread. I totally see where you're coming from, but they're rather different to me. I think the burley in Stonehaven takes it to a very different place, and the jar note is much more blueberry (fruity anyway) to me than the Marlin, but the comparison isn't totally off the map.

-dobbs

 

[sablebrush52]

Part of the issue is that Stonehaven is something of a chameleon. Batches are inconsistent, with "brown" batches that have much less topping which can be comparatively dull and "black" batches that are the full monte. Add to that that it's not an easy blend from which to pry all of it's flavors, that raisony chocolate bag note. It has to hit a very narrow moisture range where it really delivers.

I suspect that most people don't know how get the most from this PITA of a blend and only experience a small portion of what's there.

Years ago, after a meeting of the Los Angeles Pipe Club, I was chatting with a member who complained about Stonehaven, how frustrated and disappointed with it he was, and that he had decided to "punish" it, his exact word, by dumping the bag in the back seat of his car and letting it "fry to death" in the summer heat. The bag had been there for a couple of weeks and he said that if I wanted this "shit" I was welcome to it.

I accepted the offer. What the hell, why not? It was free. So I took the bag home and checked it out. The flakes were really dry, almost crispy dry, and I loaded up a bowl. It was totally amazing. Every note was there, the chocolate and the raisins, the whole nine yards. It tasted like the bag notes. Needless to say, I immediately jarred it and enjoyed really amazing smokes from that bag over the next year. Since then I've been able to replicate that same experience through trial and error. Before this serendipitous event I had smoked Stonehaven, rarely getting all of that flavor profile and often finding it OK, but hardly memorable.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Not similar to me. Stonehaven tastes like treacle cough syrup and Marlin Flake is just a sweet Virginia.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Not similar to my tastes.

 

[Sigmund]

Ok...Im smoking some SH. Marlin Flake is much more sweet. SH more floral. I get what you are talking about. They both have a dark and smooth presentation and some similar effects in a retro inhale. Id say they feel more alike than they taste. Anyway, its next to impossible to find so such is life. SH is good though. Im going to try not to think about it! I only have a small amount.

Stonehaven is also darker and drier in flavor and the fruity perique notes are not there. Its a little more nutty too. Dang...Im gonna only be able to smoke this on occasion. THis is good stuff. Its from 2009.