Paul Olsen No. 333

Paul Olsen - No.333 (My Own Blend).

Wonderful stuff! I hadn't read the description correctly and was expecting a ribbon/ready rubbed mixture so I was enthralled when I opened mine to find a set of nice flakes! Some are wider than usual being about one and a half inches. Despite it says on the Danish Pipe Shops website that there is an addition of rum I can't identify any in the aroma. The first good point to stand out is that the flakes are bang on perfect with moisture. This comes to even more fruition when preparing it, it's so easy to rub. Even if you favour the fold and stuff method they still break apart into crumbly pieces when they're folded! I find the rum addition slightly easier to ascertain in the smoke, it doesn't have what I would quantify as an aromatic attribute but there is a very subtle sharpness from the rum. Don't expect a taste to rival Gawith Hoggarth's rum flake in aromatic strength. I don't find the nicotine particularly strong, it's not dead weak but I think mild with it possibly borderline medium for some folks would seem fair. The smoke is a really comfortable one as there's no bite along with a cool temperature. The room note has zero rum quality whatsoever, it's not a bad one just a little simple.

I find this a brilliant smoke and can't see any reason why it shouldn't receive full marks! Highly recommended.

The light and golden Virginias offer a lot of grass, hay, and citrus, along with a few drops of honey and light acidity. The spicy Jamaica rum topping is barely noticeable, though it is responsible for the spice note. The strength and nic-hit are at the center of mild to medium, while the taste is just past that mark. I recommend a slow smoking pace to avoid potential tongue tingle. Burns a little warm and clean with a slightly slow rate with a very consistent flavor to the finish. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires a few relights. Has a decent, short lived after taste that is marred by the acid content of the tobaccos. An all day smoke. Two and a half stars.

-JimInks

My favourite winter outdoor smoke for a number of years some time ago. Big medium colour flakes in the 100g tin, a tad moist ready to pack after little airing. I never found the rum topping very strong, it's more like a fleeting spiciness from time to time. I like to pack this coarsely rubbed out and then take a walk in the cold. Yes it is a bit monotonous, but it is a quality VA smoke and all this goes well with the task of observing the scenery. Recommended

Update: I think I treated this flake a little unfairly in my initial review (see below). While it isn't big on flavor, its considerable tendency to bite was tamed by letting the tin set for a few weeks. I also had to rehumidify the tobacco, and that brought the more delicate flavors out.

The rum flavoring isn't really present, but instead comes through almost like a little bit of perique instead. I'm not a fan of perique or rum, so this is a bit off putting for an all day smoke. Still, it's a good quality, tasty tobacco. I would not choose it as my personal smoke, but everyone I have ever let sample it has fallen in love with it.

*A little weak on character and flavor; not much aroma; lots of tongue bite, even puffing very slowly. Smoked in same pipes normally reserved for MacBaren Navy Flake, and still bit considerably more. Not sure what the heck this flake is supposed to be all about anyway; kind of bland, kind of dry, just barely kind of anything really (but it is kind of inexpensive, so maybe worth one's while there).

11/25/2005: Nothing wrong with this flake. Reminds me a bit of P.S. Deluxe Navy Flake. Easier to rub out than most. Perfect moisture content. Three and one-quarter stars.

11/27/2006: Upon re-visiting this flake I find it too suggestive of a cigarette for my tastes. Still a quality flake.

Paul Olsen 333. January 2005. The appearance of these flake's is medium in colour,and has a very pleasant aroma.Most likely the rum! I rub the flake's out but not to much,as it's very easy to light and usually only requires 2 strike's of the lighter. Taste is semi sweet mild virginia's,along with the slight detection of the Jamaican Rum in the back-ground. I never find 333 over powering,infact,it's very consistant throughout the bowl.Just right for a very enjoyable easy going smoke. If you remember to tamp now and again,you won't have to relight. "No brain work required" Very easy to get along with,leaving a grey white ash without goop!Nice and simple. Enjoyable without being heavy or bitey. Recommended.

I have a hard time smoking Virginia tobacco's. I seem to always burn myself. But this is one that works well for me. Outstanding flavor.

This is Paul Olsen's answer to Stokkebeye's Luxury Curly Cut, and perhaps a bit smoother. This is not a first or second tier Virginia, but it is very, very good. The tin aroma is typical Danish, offering a combination of very faint anise, peach and chocolate. None of these flavors come through in the smoke. It comes in a 100g tin in flakes about the size you would find in a 50g tin, all jumbled about. It is quality tobacco, rubs out and packs easily and burns well all the way to the dottle. It has a lightly sweetened Virginia flavor. I do not detect the rum. This is a very good smoke. It does not rank with Samuel Gawith Best Brown and Full Virginia Flake or the Rattray Virginia flakes because it lacks the depth of Virginia flavor I enjoy, but I will probably keep this on had to remind me of how well the Danes can do a straight Virginia flake. Well recommended. Paddy.

I love a good Virginia for the sweetness alone, but I believe Olsen was nipping at the Jamaica Rum when he blended this tobacco. I had a hard time trying to distinguishing the smooth taste of Virginia as the Rum made it more of a spicey taste.

a lot of strange reviews here. First off, Olson My Blends use absolute top flight tobacco. They are different varietals than Gawith uses and different still than McClelland. They are part of the Scandinavian Tobacco group which means they share common sourcing with most of Dunhill now and Orlik and escudo and Larsen. Gawith is famous for very distinct Virginias ... and of course for how they press. The point is that the Olsen My Blends are made in the same factories (not entirely of course, because actually Lasse Berg makes some himself I believe) as a good many Dunhill blends these days. #333 is close to F& T's Special Brown Flake. They are very close in strength and taste. And Planta makes Friebourg and Treyer these days. Its a big like Chevy's being made in Brazil and toyota in Missouri. Anyway.......i think the My Blend series is very underrated. I dont know why.