Well let's see-my first impression is I don't get it and not in how hard it is to find. Booker had sent me 6 samples of 2007 aged flakes(plug) to try, Kendal Creme Flake, 1792, Kendal Plug, Dark Flake, Balkan Flake and Stonehaven and of course a sincere thank you for your kindness. Now off to my review.
The Stonehaven was good and I enjoyed it, but I can say the same thing about a lot of blends I have tried so far. I rough cut it, rubed it out a little and gravity filled the bowl and packed it slightly to get just a hint of draw resistance. The burn was smooth, cool and complete to the bottom of the bowl and I have had 3 so far in different sized bowls.
I was able to pick up the woody, nutty tastes and probably due to the burley. There was a slight sweetness and no tongue bite. The mouth feel and smoke volume were good. The aftertaste was good. Now since being new and not very experienced having only smoked a pipe for about a year, I must be too uneducated and not experienced enough to really appreciate this blend as I found it too subtle or if you will mild. And really mild compared to the 1792 I tried the day before. Now not being to much of a burley fan at the present, I could tell it was there but not dominant and I am guessing this has depth and complexity although I just don't get it. I want something more in my blends and this was just too much work for me to "get it."
Now the Balkan Flake really floated my boat so to speak. It was rich , creamy, sweet and spicy and in my perspective a much better blend, far more interesting and I attribute that probably to my Latakia craving.
So all in all it was a very good blend and smoke and if you get the chance to try it please do so. Would I purchase a bag if I get the chance, sure I would for the cellar. Am I going to spend much time looking for it and/or pay anything over retail for it, no. If I had to choose only one blend to smoke in the future it would be Gaslight. I realize the allure of the hard to get blend and I can fall into that trap as easy as anyone, but in this case you won't be in competition with me. If this is your Holy Grail then I wish you well in the pursuit, but for this newbie and Stonehaven, I just don't get it!
The Stonehaven was good and I enjoyed it, but I can say the same thing about a lot of blends I have tried so far. I rough cut it, rubed it out a little and gravity filled the bowl and packed it slightly to get just a hint of draw resistance. The burn was smooth, cool and complete to the bottom of the bowl and I have had 3 so far in different sized bowls.
I was able to pick up the woody, nutty tastes and probably due to the burley. There was a slight sweetness and no tongue bite. The mouth feel and smoke volume were good. The aftertaste was good. Now since being new and not very experienced having only smoked a pipe for about a year, I must be too uneducated and not experienced enough to really appreciate this blend as I found it too subtle or if you will mild. And really mild compared to the 1792 I tried the day before. Now not being to much of a burley fan at the present, I could tell it was there but not dominant and I am guessing this has depth and complexity although I just don't get it. I want something more in my blends and this was just too much work for me to "get it."
Now the Balkan Flake really floated my boat so to speak. It was rich , creamy, sweet and spicy and in my perspective a much better blend, far more interesting and I attribute that probably to my Latakia craving.
So all in all it was a very good blend and smoke and if you get the chance to try it please do so. Would I purchase a bag if I get the chance, sure I would for the cellar. Am I going to spend much time looking for it and/or pay anything over retail for it, no. If I had to choose only one blend to smoke in the future it would be Gaslight. I realize the allure of the hard to get blend and I can fall into that trap as easy as anyone, but in this case you won't be in competition with me. If this is your Holy Grail then I wish you well in the pursuit, but for this newbie and Stonehaven, I just don't get it!
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