Dobie's Four Square Mild Navy Cut (Yellow)

I am saddened to be in the midst of my final bowl of the Danish made Dobie’s Mild (Yellow) Navy. The tin was at least ten years old and likely older. Wonderfully light and sweet, with mild body and no bite, although it can burn a little hot if pushed. I find it very similar to Capstan Gold Navy in many ways. Dobie’s is mild in strength and if there originally was a topping, I find it difficult to detect at this point. It’s very straight forward in taste without much change from the top to the bottom of the bowl. As one would expect with a light flake, the notes are much more on the high side, but not lacking any of the flavor that I sometimes find in lighter flakes. These tins are hard to come by and IMO worth the expense for lovers of Virginia flake tobaccos.

I managed to acquire about an ounce or so of this via a trade on PSF.com, I wasn't really expecting it so it was a pleasant surprise to receive it. The sizable slabs of dark tobacco were a little reminiscent of Dunhill Flake, if a little less lighter in colour. I was reliably informed it was aged ten years too so a win win.

The tin aroma was very mild, perhaps hints of fruits and the rubbing out was very easy, perhaps because the flakes were quite dry, though a good spot of rehydration made little difference to this. The packing and lighting were easy enough and the taste was of a rather nice, if mild lemon, all the way to the bottom. The only downside I had was the smoke was very quick and, probably as a result, the pipe got tremendously hot, often to the point of making it impossible to hold. Initially, I put this down to both the dryness of the of the tobacco and a tad too much keenness to sample it on my part. The good dose of rehydration I alluded to before and every attempt to slow my smokes down, however, proved rather futile, giving rather damp powder to an otherwise excellent smoking gun.

On the whole then, an excellent mild smoke, little different from other similar virginia flakes but definitely rates as good as any of them save for that hot burning. As for it being discontinued, I find it rather a shame that, given there are much poorer offerings still available, a very good quality tobacco is no longer generally available. However, given that there is no shortage of top notch tobaccos in the same vein as this one. Given this situation though, I will be keeping an eye open to see if this tobacco and it's brethen raise their heads on the open market once more and will be plumping for a tin should that occur.

I was able to get a tin off Ebay. It is the rectangular small grey/silver tin, produced in Denmark.

What a nice unpretentious flake! It reminds me quite alot of yellow Capstan, but it does have more of the sweet 'n sour dried apricot scent to it than Orlik-made Capstan. Said aroma is the same as in the Danish-produced Four Square Red, but in smaller proportions.

Whereas Four Square Red, had approximate similarities to Old Gowrie, this is brighter, milder and somehow sweeter.

As a reviewer aptly stated: A blast from the past, and an excellent morning smoke!

Lovely!

Jakob kiilerich, Denmark

This tobacco was my first Virginia flake after years of aromatics. So I could say that this flake was my introduction to a more natural pipe tobacco. Dried figs and matured Virginia undertones, a smooth all day smoke that I will always remember.

Virginia lover

Less "strong" than the Medium navy Flake, this was still an enjoyable smoke. Four Square reeked of outstanding quality.

The small tin was so convenient to carry around, it barely took any room in my jean's pocket.

Another very mild flake very similar to light flake or larson no32, Quite nice but no longer availble I believe well not availble in England. So a blast from the past,.

Unfortunately, this was one of my regular smokes but I can no longer find it in the US. Mild, cool with a great natural flavor. If you like straight VA flakes, and find some of this blend, it's a must try.