I think I read that the strength of RY comes from it being air cured rather than flu cured. It is very harsh, to me at least.
Peterson Flake vs Royal Yacht Mixture
- Thread starter Mr. Biggles
- Start date
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As many others have stated, Peterson Flake is a bright, grassy, citrusy, slightly ketchupy and hay-like straight Virginia with no discernable topping and a nicotine content towards the upper end of mild or lower end of medium.
Royal Yacht on the other hand is a rather heavily topped blend that smells and tastes a lot like blueberry muffins to me and has a decidedly strong nicotine content. I'm also firmly of the opinion that it is likely topped with the juice from Perique barrels, since it sure tastes like there's Perique in it and it always seems to irritate my throat in the particular way that blends containing Perique do but straight Virginias don't. There's something suspiciously Perique'y about Royal Yacht.
Royal Yacht on the other hand is a rather heavily topped blend that smells and tastes a lot like blueberry muffins to me and has a decidedly strong nicotine content. I'm also firmly of the opinion that it is likely topped with the juice from Perique barrels, since it sure tastes like there's Perique in it and it always seems to irritate my throat in the particular way that blends containing Perique do but straight Virginias don't. There's something suspiciously Perique'y about Royal Yacht.
I don’t have experience with many blends, but have often enjoyed these. They are really different, so it’s hard to compare.
I can only gauge YA by the 10-year old jar I have open, so it has likely mellowed in that time.
I can offer the following opinions:
Nicotine:
- EMP is similar to Flake (mild/medium)
- RY is similar to Nightcap (medium/high).
Tin note:
- To me both Flake and RY have a nice smell, a sort of like plum preserves, perhaps some date and maybe a dark, mellow wine.
- EMP and Nightcap are dominated by the smokey Latakia, with a little plum in the Nightcap.
Taste:
- EMP and Nightcap are both Latakia blends, so they have much more of that campfire smokiness than Flake and RY.
- EMP and Nightcap have nice, punchy flavors when fresh. These mellow a bit and meld together over the years (maybe not “better” just different).
- To me EMP has a nice “meaty” flavor (sort of like stewed lamb) (I’m guessing from the Orientals, or maybe the interplay of the other components with the Virginias).
- Nightcap has a bit of that flavor, but with the inclusion of some Perique, it has a bit of a Plum pudding taste.
Cut:
- Flake of course ships as a nice flake, giving the option to rub-out, or fold and stuff. Like many flakes it comes fairly moist and needs to be dried for awhile before smoking.
- Flakes are very nice to smoke, once you decide on the best way to prepare them.
- The others are a ribbon type cut, which can be easier to smoke (taking less preparation).
Room Note:
- Flake is the lightest, a clean tobacco smell (but not cigarette-like). It tends to dissipate fairly quickly, with a lingering “classic pipe” smell.
- EMP and Nightcap are Latakia dominant (campfire smokiness), with Nightcap being stronger, and heavier. These hang around indoors and on my clothes for a while. Of Nightcap, my wife suggested that “the better tasting blends must smell the worst”.
- RY: many call it “tolerable”, it’s unique, and like the blend itself seems polarizing, and hard to define.
Final notes: Again, these are very different tobaccos, spanning a few styles. Of these the Flake is my favorite, but Nightcap was my favorite for several years. For me RY is kind of like an eccentric cousin, sometimes fun to have around, but not someone I enjoy everyday.
* In a post above I said that I thought there are better alternatives to Flake. But honestly, if price were not a factor I’d enjoy it more regularly. These days I mainly go for bulk offerings, and only pick up tins on special occasions or if I want to try something new.
I have tried and enjoy all 3 tobaccos that you mention. Royal Yacht is strong and makes me sleepy; I mean really sleepy. I smoke Royal Yacht only when I am about to go to sleep and it has worked well to take me to slumber 100% of the times I have smoked it. I definitely would not smoke Royal Yacht before you go to work. Tastes great, all 3 taste wonderful.
I think that just about settles it. Royal Yacht it is! I am a terrible sleeper, and if RY is going to change that I'm in!
In seriousness, thanks for all the input fellas. I do believe you have saved me from being stuck with a 50g tin of Peterson Flake that I most likely would have been disappointed with.
Welcome to the world of pipe tobacco.
I’ve only been doing this a couple years and have probably a dozen jars on the back of the shelf that I force myself to smoke from every once in a while to see if I still don’t like them-many of which came highly recommended by the peanut gallery
Flake has a lot of fans, so it would be good trade bait if you didn’t like it.
^^This. I love RY and I like PF. Flake is the much younger, little brother in strength of flavor and strength of nicotine. It is smooth and friendly but can leave me wanting a bit more than it has to offer. Don't let the negative comments about Royal Yacht steer you away. You should give it a try. That said, be aware that the deck of the yacht can get to rolling if you don't mind it. I often have to put a pipe of RY down before finishing it and come back to it later. The nic can sneak up on you if you ignore it's telltale signs.