Peterson Irish Flake vs. Rattray's Stirling Flake

[Arkansas Paul]

So I've been smoking a lot of Peterson Irish Flake lately. I was smoking HH Old Dark Fired almost daily but since that's going away I was trying to find something to replace it with. Irish Flake has done a good job of that. It is bold and in your face with a prominent dark fired flavor. I like it a lot.
I've also been reading of how similar it is to Rattray's Stirling Flake. I've been meaning to order a tin of Stirling Flake, but haven't gotten around to placing an online order. So I'm in my local B&M last weekend and they have it on the shelf. So I couldn't resist.
I smoked both side by side to get an idea of just how similar they are. I literally had a bowl fired up of both of them at the same time and would go back and forth. Probably looked silly but I really wanted to see firsthand how they compared.

Are they very similar? Yes
Are they exactly the same? Nope

The Stirling Flake is not quite as strong to me. It still has that great dark fired component that I love so much, but is smoother and more balanced. It is definitely sweeter to me. Perhaps the Virginias are more prominent. As much as I love Irish Flake, it is a bit harsh at times and a bit rough around the edges. The Stirling Flake is not. It maintains the same flavor profile but in a slightly sweeter and smoother manner to my tastes. While I do not consider Irish Flake to be one note, the Stirling seems to have more going on.

Now full disclosure, I have only smoked 2 bowls of the Stirling Flake, so I am not saying I like it better than Irish Flake, which I have smoked countless tins of. Too early to say that definitively. But it is extremely good and I'll definitely be buying more of it.

 

[fr0st]

I’m also a fan of Irish Flake, and this morning I’m smoking some 2015 Irish Flake with my coffee. I have a little left in a jar, and even though it’s dried out quite a bit it still smokes well.

Yesterday I stopped into a Tobacconist while visiting family out of town. I happened to pick up tins of both Irish Flake and Stirling Flake. I wasn’t aware of the allegations that they were the same (or that Stirling is the actual old Irish Flake) until I sat down later and read through the reviews. I’m a fan of Rattray’s other offerings so I was reasonably sure I would like it.

Your timing for this thread is fortuitous, and saves me opening both tins to compare. I’ll just enjoy them in good time. Thanks!

 

[K.E. Powell]

I'm a big fan of Irish Flake, especially once it has been allowed to mellow in a jar or tin for a year or so. I never tried Rattray's Stirling Flake, but this makes me want to try it. I'll keep it on the radar. Thank you!