What Flavourings In Peterson's Irish Flake?

[mawnansmiff]

Being something of a fan of Peterson's Irish Flake I can't help but think that there is some kind of fruity topping added to the blend.
According to the label on the tin...
"A full bodied blend made of equal proportions air-cured, flue cured, and dark fired. True to the pure, unspoiled tobacco taste. Recommended for the experienced pipe smoker."
...[my emphasis].
I have also smoked (and thoroughly enjoyed) the Rattray's 'version' or 'copy' of IF which is their Stirling Flake and it too has that sweet fruity flavour.
Does anyone have any info on either of these blends that might shed some light on this? I certainly cannot believe what I am tasting is solely down to the blender's art of mixing different leaves with nothing at all added.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[texmexpipe]

Jay to my taste it is a licorice sort of flavor. Or somewhere on that spectrum, I get a little citrus in it as well. iF has quickly become one of my favorite flakes. I love the way it smokes and the strength is just right.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Tex, I have read often of folks tasting liquorice in the blend but I don't. What I am getting is something slightly floral/fruity in taste.
One reviewer claimed to taste prunes but I haven't eaten prunes since school so cannot be sure if that is what I am tasting.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[oldreddog]

Jay I get plum and alcohol of some sort,although the newer incarnation seems to have less booze and more fruit,in particular blueberry.

I don't get a particular anise flavour, but I have read that the tobacco industry is one of the largest buyers of liquorice,and a lot of tobacco has liquorice added as pure tobacco is a little unpalatable.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Licorice is added to almost all European Virginias. It is a sweetener that adds more sweet per volume to the smoke than most other sugars. Woods had given me a link to a doc that listed all of the chemicals added to every blend sold in the UK or maybe it was another EU country... but I was surprised at how they all had licorice added. I can now taste it in all of the Virginias if I concentrate, but it may also just be the power of suggestion.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Dave, I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets a fruity taste from IF. It's not off putting at all, I just wish I knew what it actually was. It's not that different from the fruit flavouring in Erinmore but not at all as intense.
Yes, I am aware that liquorice is used to case many blends though thankfully I have never actually tasted it. I do like liquorice as a flavour in food but would rather not taste it in my tobacco.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[hawky454]

Do you mind posting that link? I would like to see it.

 

[samcoffeeman]

This topic has come up a few times. If you use the forum custom search engine you will probably find an old thread but I'll give you the gist to save time. I actually emailed Peterson about this very question and the response confirmed use of anise in this blend. So much for unspoiled tobacco taste, lol.

 

[pitchfork]

I think this might be the thread:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/peterson-irish-flake-anise-topping

 

[mawnansmiff]

Thanks for that link Pitchfork. It's interesting to see how many folks confuse casing with topping but the highlight for me was your comment...
"Thanks, waymon. I can also read the tin."
...classic!
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Interestingly, on the Tobaccoreviews.com webpage for Rattray's Stirling Flake, alleged by many to be a direct copy of IF (and I would wholeheartedly agree) when it comes to listing flavourings it states "Other/Misc" which hints at some kind of flavouring at least in SF.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[pitchfork]

You're welcome, Jay. Yeah, that old comment reads way more sarcastic than I meant it at the time. (But I did chuckle just now.)

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

when comparing,Is this Peterson Irish flake much stronger in taste and Nic than say, R. Mc Connel's Scottish Cake or Rattrays Old Gowrie?

 

[mawnansmiff]

Hi Paul, I've never had the Scottish Cake you mention but Old Gowrie I have and would say OG is slightly lighter on the nicotine front than Irish Flake. As for taste, they are entirely different in that regard, OG again having a 'milder' flavour.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

All Right,Jay,this made it clear, many a times I have had very nice strong tobacco with no bite,but often they turn out to be a little too much in nicotine (so far)and unfortunately I end up smoking them only a half a bowl before I'm forced to put pipe

beside me and take a brake from with some additional gulps of wiskey,even If I was planning to smoke this stonger blend in whole bowl down during an hour,which often may lead to unexpected nasty symptoms-nevertheless by this day I'm getting a bit more experienced to take 'precautions and prevent this to happen, have a great weekend there in England, Paul

 

[dottiewarden]

Despite the subtle toppings used, this is certainly a Burley forward blend, and that's what puts it high on my list of best tasting blends ever. I've never quite adapted to the nicotine punch so I usually smoke it in my modest sized Peterson Sterling Silver 80s Bent Bulldog. Perfect pairing indeed!

 

[hawky454]

That was a good thread you linked, Pitchfork. Interesting about the DDNR!

 

[texmexpipe]

Jay, I smoked my first bowl of SG 1792 tonight and the parallels to Irish Flake were very strong to my tastebuds. So much so that it make me wonder if there is some tonquin in Irish Flake. I think I understand your statement about the floral notes. They are certainly their own blends but very similar, I wonder if it has more to do with the base leaf than the topping. Tasty blends both!

 

[simong]

Interesting reading about the change of blenders, I've still got a stash of tins I bought 5-6 years ago. Irish flake for me I save for two occasions, last smoke of the night,with a large whiskey.

The other being in the bath, also the last smoke before bed. Always smoked in my petersons churchwarden, both occasions bringing a most welcome 'head spin' before lights out.

 

[mackeson]

what flavorings?

Angel farts - It's good stuff.
I swear I taste a bit of licorice, but mostly tobacco. Good stuff