I've really been into flakes and coins here lately. Most of them have been either straight Va's, Va/Burs, Va/Pers or some combination thereof. But I've also discovered a few slightly aromatic flakes that I really enjoy. They all behave well, much the same as my non-aro flakes do. They offer the same cool, slow and fairly dry smoking qualities that other flakes do. And unlike most aromatics, they're not all monotone, but actually have pleasant flavor profiles that tend to change at times during the smoke.
Here are the ones I've tried so far;
Mac Baren Mixture Flake
Mac Baren Vanilla Cream Flake
Peterson University Flake
Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake
As a matter of fact, I just tried the PS Luxury Twist Flake for the first time tonight. It's very different in appearance from any other flake I've ever came across. It comes in roughly 1-1/2x1-1/2" squares and the tobacco is very wavy in structure as opposed to the fine, straight grained lines I'm used to seeing. Upon opening the bag I was hit with a very pleasant aroma, vanilla, honey and the classic hay tones of Virginia.
I gave it very little drying time, as it was at a decent moisture level already. I took two flakes, used the fold n' stuff method, and loaded it into a Savinelli 614 Roma Lucite (a pipe which I have dedicated to aros). It took to the match very well, both on the charring light and the true light.
It burned cool, mostly dry, and lasted the better part of 2 hours with only 2 relights, and burned to ash!
The flavor was very pleasant, with notes of vanilla, honey and molasses, while still letting the Virginias come through.
All in all I was very pleased! I took a chance and ordered half a pound of it, at only $17.50 I'm glad I did!
I'm sure I'm not alone, but how many of you guys enjoy these slightly aromatic flakes? Are they something you only smoke from time to time, do they make up a goodly part of your rotation, or to you avoid them all together?
To me, they seem to be a nice break from the norm.
Here are the ones I've tried so far;
Mac Baren Mixture Flake
Mac Baren Vanilla Cream Flake
Peterson University Flake
Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake
As a matter of fact, I just tried the PS Luxury Twist Flake for the first time tonight. It's very different in appearance from any other flake I've ever came across. It comes in roughly 1-1/2x1-1/2" squares and the tobacco is very wavy in structure as opposed to the fine, straight grained lines I'm used to seeing. Upon opening the bag I was hit with a very pleasant aroma, vanilla, honey and the classic hay tones of Virginia.
I gave it very little drying time, as it was at a decent moisture level already. I took two flakes, used the fold n' stuff method, and loaded it into a Savinelli 614 Roma Lucite (a pipe which I have dedicated to aros). It took to the match very well, both on the charring light and the true light.
It burned cool, mostly dry, and lasted the better part of 2 hours with only 2 relights, and burned to ash!
The flavor was very pleasant, with notes of vanilla, honey and molasses, while still letting the Virginias come through.
All in all I was very pleased! I took a chance and ordered half a pound of it, at only $17.50 I'm glad I did!
I'm sure I'm not alone, but how many of you guys enjoy these slightly aromatic flakes? Are they something you only smoke from time to time, do they make up a goodly part of your rotation, or to you avoid them all together?
To me, they seem to be a nice break from the norm.