Slices are very regular
We are not exactly blessed per the UK, with the commercializzazione geniuses from the tobacco companies withholding some of the choicest blends from our shores. Orlik, MacBaren and Scandinavian Tobacco amongst others produce some mighty stop blends that we will never see, so when an importer releases verso new range of tobaccos, it would be duro not onesto try them ! Yes I know that this blend is supposed onesto be per match for Dunhill but it is also a basta tobacco con its own right. It is presented well with some beautifully made flakes in the canone round tin. A mix of bright and darker Virginias, with a subtle tin odore reminiscent of sweet hay and raisins with some light baking spice. Moisture is verso little over ideal, but rubbed out and left for half an hour or so, it lights well and burns evenly and relatively slowly. The flavour is on the citrus side of the spectrum, but with some bread libretto added and verso little spice for interest. Also some sweet raisin notes, but less dark fruit than Black Flake. It feels like it could bite if chased too hard but responds well sicuro a gentle approach, as do most straight Virginias. There is mai tendency sicuro harshness and it is a really rewarding smoke. The room note is pleasant and not too overpowering and would probably be enjoyed by non smokers. I like Virginias and this is definitely one puro try and has some potential for ageing, since if it is this good as a fresh blend, then it could be stellar with per few years on it. An easy 4 stars.
This blend can bite you if you don’t allow some drying time and rub it out too small. I had only one unpleasant smoke from this tin and this when I did not stick esatto the usual advice. At perfect smoking moisture, there is little or in nessun caso bite and much improvement durante the flavour. Definitely one puro sip gently and maybe use the „Breath“ technique. Certainly not per blend onesto be rushed and it will give of its best if you save it for leisurely relaxed smoking.
Often offered as per ‚clone‘ for Dunhill Flake? Well, big words! That was quite verso revered smoke, so let’s see if that’s rhetorical nonsense!
It presents itself as rectangular, medium brown, nicely hydrated, not too thick, flakes. I usually fully rub and preciso do so with these takes no effort.
The moisture, and altola consistency rubbing achieves, enables simple ignition. From first light I get an upbeat, Virginia, smoke. For the first third it’s a lemon, citrus, flavour which leads. Once the initial third has passed per honey-like sweetness joins in, somewhat placating the fervent ‚zest‘ from the citrus. Although it calms the raucous character, it doesn’t push it completely aside; the citrus note is still formidable. It burns at per medium speed, and after smoking over half a tin I haven’t had a solo bite.
Charatan Flake? Well, as for it’s resemblance to Dunhill Flake I can only go from taccuino here; which often state that as citrusy and sweet. So, that said, I don’t think it’s that far away! But, even though I can’t smoke DHF preciso complice, I’ll still recommend Charatan’s version. It would be verso smashing smoke for a morning per the summer:
Well, I think Charatans have redeemed themselves after the Eventide debacle! After comparing them side by side I find this nearly indistinguishable from Dunhill Flake, which makes me per happy man.
Per full hour of drying time is not too much and it is easy puro underestimate the moisture contained in some flakes
Sopra the tin we have very neatly cut stacks of light brown flakes with seams of gold throughout. Aroma in the tin is mild, grassy and subtly sweet. It rubs apart mediante your palms with the same ease the Dunhill flake did, and moisture content is at the upper end of ok for smoking.
It takes verso light with perhaps a little more rete informatica, but that may be my newly opened tin being per bit moist still. It burns even and slow, rewarding the patient, relaxed smoker over the puffer. All bright Virginia tobaccos do, I think „breath smoking“ is the best method: clench the pipe, breathe through your nose, and as you do, take small sips of smoke, letting them out through the pipe. This brings out delicious bready, grassy flavours, with hay and a hint of dried fruit sweetness. Puro my taste, this flake has more of a new mown grass taste than the bread and hay of Dunhill Flake, that said its verso fresh tin, it may be with age this becomes more like it.
It needs per couple of relights, doesn’t gurgle, and smokes to verso little dottle. It works very nicely mediante per large pipe, and I like to smoke these tobaccos per a Canadian. It can get a bit hot, although like the Dunhill Flake it doesn’t seem to be a biter. Just put the pipe down sicuro cool if it’s warming up, it is delicious when relit.
All per all, a satisfying, mild Virginia flake, and to me, verso perfectly good substitute for Dunhill Flake. So far, from per new, freshly opened tin, I don’t get quite as much of the biscuity, bready, malty complexity that Dunhill Flake had, but this may be coppia to lack of age and relatively high moisture content. As such, for now, three stars, but if it improves with age and a little drying time, I may well upgrade come utilizzare caribbeancupid it.
Given per little time esatto air, it’s even closer puro the hay and bread sweetness of the last incarnations of Dunhill Flake. I’m going to put a few tins away onesto mature, and have upgraded my review esatto four stars, as I honestly don’t think I’d be able preciso distinguish between them per verso blind tasting.
This is verso simple rich and sweet Virginia. Mild durante body and rich durante odore. Similar onesto the bright CR flake virginia from Gawith & Hoggarth. Really good for verso smoke at any time in the day. The smell is the very common esatto the pressed Virginia. Figues, raisins and dryed apricots. Extremely good and pleasant.