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MR. 965

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McConnell - Folded Flake 50g
3 Years Later
Amazing in the right pipe. Doesn't like my Castello's but it loves this finicky Ascorti go figure. 3 years in the tin, still perfect, perhaps better? Looks like it hasn't aged, sealed well. Folded, not rubbed out.

Wessex - Brigade Sovereign Curly Cut 50g
Strong! *****
Smoke this sitting down. This tin is Dark Fired/Perique forward. Fancy spun cut dimes and a beautiful tin note, natural. Good in a small pipe. Group-3. Short smoke. Ass kicker...

Mac Baren - Danish Mixture Modern 3.5oz
Unique
...for a light contemporary mixture- I found this to be quite appealing, actually intriguing. It imparts a solid tobacco flavor to the palate, reminiscent of the older Flying Dutchman or Scandinavian blends of yesteryear, along with some campfire notes. Unique amongst the Mac Baren line, more attune to the HH CUBE (Silver or Bronze) tobaccos minus the bite, with a solid nic hit. A pleasant burn for out of doors. This is an authentic Danish smoke, sweet, yet not cloying or confectionary-like, less aromatic than the 7 Seas line with steady tobacco flavor upfront and a peppery nose with a slight dryness. It has a sense of sophistication and works well as a crossover to fuller mixtures such as Scottish Mixture or Solent.

Mac Baren - Club Blend 3.5oz
Scotch
Compared it to a tin from the late 70's 1980 (Fireside) and it's still spot-on. A longtime favorite.

Savinelli - Janus 2oz
Unique, One Of A Kind
...beyond compare. "Facinatingly nuanced & exotic" it says on the tin, believe it. Ambrosial as in floral tasting as well. Medium to Strong VaPer. Orientals undetectable yet balanced and intriguing. Fancy Grade-A Flake with a mysteriously complex tin note that follows through, past the initial punch. Moist & Clumpy. May need some air or several re-lights, slow burn. No bite. See for yourself, an adventure. The only somewhat similar blends that come to mind are Peterson's Hyde Park, and a tad citrus-like Dunhill Flake (now Peterson's) off the top. Perhaps Gawith&Hoggarth?

Savinelli - Juno 2oz
1970's
This is a throwback to the 1970's. High Class VA. I would consider this a "Baseline Tobacco" to be compared. Excellent quality in every way shape and form. If you liked the early Dunhill Flake, Elephant&Castle, and some of the more esoteric VA's you are going to appreciate this in a big way. It holds true to the old fashion greatness of yesteryear. Dry to the nose, medium to full, lovely copper color and fruitiness in the tin. A pure VA with all the natural sweetness. Bouquet! I'm going to consider experimenting by adding some Perique or perhaps some McConnell's Caribe. Perfect for blending. Top Shelf.

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - 2012 Anniversary Blend 3.5oz
Autumn Sipper
I was hoping for something distinctive along with a tad more body. Its subtle sweetness and piquant tobacco flavor kept me searching. Light pear essence turns to apple, almost a sweet&sour apple aroma half way down the bowl, linear throughout, increasing in depth. Cider? Burns rather hot, better for sipping, pungent on the re-light. Toward the second half expect a serious Nic Hit 7+... I first smoked it partially rubbed, not circular, but rolled broken flake, loaded vertically with the grain. Tried again fully rubbed... better, still somewhat bland to taste, but a smoother straight ahead Virginia, medium strength. On third try, take out a Cob! Missouri Meerschaum Emerald Bent enhanced the autumnal flavor profile significantly. Cooler smoking than the previous Group-4 briar. Therefore, if you're looking for a moderately topped silky smooth Virginia flake, clean on the palate, along with a kick, this is for you. Reminds me of a fine Apple/Pear wine.

Rattray's - Sir William 100g
2 Years After...
Initially, I disliked this blend with a vengeance, but two years later enjoy it very much in a small pipe. I put it aside and forgot about it, only to come back and Wow! After aging it matures to a rounder, richer, balanced smoke. Mysterious... a slight topping and rather alluring Burley forward blend of exotic leaf. Hang on for the ride! A serious Nic Hit (6.5 to 7) and piquant flavor profile, suitable for short smokes in smaller pipes (Group-3 max). Complex for a semi-aromatic, begin by smoking it sitting down in a Group-2.

Fribourg & Treyer - Cut Blended Plug 50g
...to be continued
Unmistakable tin note, beautiful K&K flake that keeps me coming back until lit... then I get bored. A very linear smoke (F&T Style) that doesn't change, unidimensional top to bottom. Virginia upfront, similar to Rattray's Trio but not nearly as rich and balanced. Edgy.

Peterson - Irish Dew 40g
Back Pocket
All around fantastic!

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - 1931 Flake 1.4oz
Desert Island
First choice, any day, any time. Ages to perfection. Head-on with Mac Baren Navy Flake.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Bob's Chocolate Flake 50g
Pure Pleasure
I knew Bob, personally. A lovely man who introduced me to this decades ago and it remains the same as it always was, great flake. Burley forward...

Peterson - 3 P's Peterson's Perfect Plug 50g
Authentic Uncut
If you are looking for something authentic and reminiscent of yesteryear search no longer. Shave it thin against the grain, rub it out and voila! You are floating back in time— 40, 50, 60+ years ago to the Old School of Euro Flakes. Best in a smaller pipe; Group-3. Smooth, round, rich, no edges, and a throwback to great tobacco. I like it best fresh out of the tin cut thin and rubbed. Fig notes. Tends to get rather staunch after it ages more than a year. In the Condor class of tobacco with a definite Nic hit.

Peterson - Hyde Park 50g
Exotic
Pop the tin, sniff, put it away for at least three months, then come back to it— better in a year, needs aging to really show. Extraordinary incense notes amongst earth and lots of depth. Herbaceous tin notes. Old fashioned rough cut takes some rubbing, worth the wait. Best in a Group-4 to larger size pipes, it needs room to mingle. Definitely aimed at experienced smokers. Matured leaf. Sugar crystals.

McConnell - St. James Park 50g
Mixed Bag
Full bodied, heavy in the room, it lingers. Taste: All strength, little to no flavor. Yang, but no yin... this is not Aperitif, more a confluence of Dunhill London and __________ (fill in the blank). Baby's Bottom? The tin note was very Nightcap, but not in the bowl. Great nose, yet too full for a pre-meal smoke. Room note: It will blow people out of the room. The Dominator!

Rattray's - 40 Virginia 100g
Rare Silk
Silky smooth with a fine brandy-like tin note, not to be confused with an aromatic. Natural, clean and rewarding. My first attempt upon opening was hmm, until I returned one month later. It aged & matured, creating an alluring smoke beyond compare, reminiscent of a rare Armagnac. Smooth, succulent, creamy, and delicious. This is a keeper.

McConnell - 5 Year Matured Virginia 50g
Unique & Complex
Not for newbies or the faint-hearted, this is serious tobacco. Tin note equals raisins, hay, and fig, with an underlying whiff of natural cocoa and a slight spiciness. In the bowl we have saddle leather and wood, earthy barn board aromas. A dusty, somewhat musty cask essence meets the mottled brown Virginias exuding a rich and satisfying smoke, not to be mistaken for an Aromatic. Much rounder and forgiving than the long since discontinued Dunhill Three Year Matured, yet similar intensity, less oak. It mirrors Dunhill's 'dry nose' of the 70's depending on the pipe chosen. Find yourself a neutral tasting pipe, not one smoked with English mixtures. A dedicated pipe for Virginias only, this is fit for the connoisseur.

John Aylesbury - Classic Flake 50g
Blindfold Test
"Fribourg & Treyer" with a touch of perique.

McConnell - Barking Road 50g
Amphora Brown
If you were a fan of the original Amphora (Brown Label) back in the 1970's 80's this is nearly identical, a close approximate and IMO higher quality leaf. Tin note: Molasses & Spice.