Share Your Thoughts On Erinmore Flake

[oldreddog]

I haven't tried the flake but I did buy a plug recently, might be time to break it out.

 

[deathmetal]

If you want to get closer to Lewis, just read 'im

Summary: sweet Virginias balanced by nutty Burleys and matured Virginias create a deep flavor from a simple idea.
Virginias taste like vinegar: sweet and acidic. Much of tobacco blending seems to have been a struggle to bring out the sweet while repressing the acidic. "Erinmore Flake" blends Burley and matured Virginias into the bright Virginia mix to broaden the flavor, expanding the taste rather than trying to obscure it, and then much as in "University Flake" a fruit salad topping is adding. That flavoring burns off quickly, leaving a sweetened nutty flavor with a bready center. On the high side of medium strength, this tobacco is easy to enjoy and its internal depth keeps it interesting over time.
Similar Blends: Peterson - University Flake.

I, who quake at fruity toppings, did not mind the fruity topping, much as I don't mind it in University Flake but usually like a craven coward give the flakes a half hour to burn some of it off.
These two tobaccos are like a genre in themselves: Burley + Virginia + Fruit Salad in medium-strength flakes.

 

[pipestud]

I'm with guyrox, the original Murray's Erinmore Flake was a much stronger and flavorful tobacco than the current Orlik version. I loved the original as a change of pace smoke. It was a blend that was not for those who don't yet shave. It was a flake that was stout, bold, different and an all-time classic.
When you open the tin, you will be able to tell that there is a flavoring, but Pineapple is not it. That was a myth perpetuated by the picture of a pineapple on the lid of the tin.
The flavoring is discreet, but noticeable, and you will certainly get a huge blast of true tobacco taste. Mostly a virginia/burley mixture, the top coating lends itself in a way that brings out the strength of the blend. It will be difficult to smoke this all day due to its strength, and it does get a tad harsh as you get near the bottom of the bowl.

 

[docspipe]

I agree with Pipestud. The Murray version was stronger than Orlik's and all around better in my opinion. I read somewhere that the topping is apricot and prune. The current Erinmore was in my daily rotation for a time, but I always found that it nipped at my tongue a bit too much for my liking. After a while the taste became cloying so now it's an occasional smoke for me. Interestingly, the mixture never nipped at my tongue like the flake did. I found the flavoring to be about the same but the overall smoke was not as strong as with the flake. One thing about Erinmore Flake and Mixture is the fantastic room note they leave. I always enjoyed smoking either in my car as I was in for a treat once I returned to my car after smoking some Erinmore; a very comforting aroma.

 

[simong]

I've had the murrays years ago when I nicked some behind my old grandads back, I've had the newer version recently & both (for my taste buds) suck to high heaven! In both cases they were the flake variety, I'm told the mixture is inferior,that would take some doing but I believe them. Very similar to my mind of condor, in that it's a quality tobacco no doubt at all, but totally ruined by whatever casing/flavouring they decided was a good idea to bestow upon the masses.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Finished my fouth bowl a few minutes ago, this time using fold and stuff on 1/2 flakes, loading it into my II S freehand pickaxe, and letting it sit overnight DGT style. Definitely more Virginia hay this way, and the topping takes the back seat, yet still perceivable in the retrohale. Liking this one more with each bowl!

 

[agnosticpipe]

Erinmore is the first flake tobacco I tried a few years ago. I read reviews that ran the gamut with flavor discussions. I never got pineapple or even juicy fruit for that matter. What I did get was a nice virginia flavor with a little taste of Lemon Pledge furniture polish. That is the only thing I can think of that the flavor reminded me of. Still, I did like it but haven't smoked it in over a year. Time to open the jar and give it another try...

 

[jvnshr]

Finished my fouth bowl a few minutes ago, this time using fold and stuff on 1/2 flakes, loading it into my II S freehand pickaxe, and letting it sit overnight DGT style. Definitely more Virginia hay this way, and the topping takes the back seat, yet still perceivable in the retrohale. Liking this one more with each bowl!

Fold and stuff method never worked for me. I was just rubbing the tobacco out and packing it. Totally agree with the DGT style. That's what I do with the Erinmore Flake recently.

 

[disinformatique]

Having taken up pipe smoking in the era when the Original Murray's Erinmore is not available anymore. I have found Erinmore Flake to be a good smoke. I have baked a tin of the flake and a second unbaked one. I smoke it in a Gr. 2 Size Prince (fresh one) and a Gr.5 Dublin 9" in length (baked one).
I have still to find the fruit, pineapple whatever they claim its there, to me both the fresh and the baked flakes have a bread like aroma to them and they are a good smoke. Just dont compare it to any other blends. It's a class on its own.
Cheers,

Chris :puffpipe:

 

[gtclark]

I last smoked it 10+ years ago, and was turned off by the strong fruity flavor. It sounds like the newer iteration is toned down quite a bit. I might have to give it another go...

 

[misterlowercase]

I just got an old 1oz. paper packet of the stuff,

still retains the scent, flakes are dark black.
I love the old Murray's version,

it had a backbone and was full bodied.

 

[docspipe]

I liked the Murray's version too misterlowercase...the Danish version was a bit too artificial in taste for me; which may be why it used to bite a bit too much.

 

[misterlowercase]

Of possible interest:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/an-examination-of-headspace-in-erinmore-tobacco

 

[andrew]

Juicy fruit? Urinal cake? Lol thank's fellows, you just saved me some money

I wouldn't let that turn you off. I just opened another tin and it's actually very citrus like, kind of a lemon flavor. The flavor is very in the background, at the forefront is all Va. With the last tin I smoked through I didn't get the urinal cake until the pipe I had been smoking it in had several bowls. Now I'm using a meer and it's a great lemon kind of flavor. It's definitely something you have to try to decide if you like it or not. I had the same experience with McClellend's Old world Cake, at the beginning it tasted just like Va, then after awhile smoking it I started taking apricot, then sometimes I would get that soapy Irish topping flavor. It doesn't turn me off the blend that soapy kind of flavor, and I only pick it up sometimes.