As with hot pepper sauces, proper manners when offering Old Ironsides to a novice would be to give full disclosure, but offer it nevertheless. If he loves it, you know he has the heart and soul of an Englishman. If he hates it, then there is nothing to do but hope for his eventual conversion.

OI officially comes in flake form, but my tins thus far have contained broken flake at best, really more like shredded flake. No problem though, I just stuff them in the pipe w/o further rubbing, except for a little finer consistency for the top light.

This stuff looks and feels like leather. It even smells like leather- like one might expect a smoke-tanned Indian tipi to smell. Its the real thing. Being that it is somewhat moist (and pliable) it is even harder than many latakia-heavy blends to light. In fact, I sometimes sprinkle a little Commonwealth Mixture on top to facilitate ignition. It will also go out if neglected, but it is such a cool, satisfying smoke that it encourages steady puffing.

Some have commented here that OI is rather one-dimensional, and that is a fair evaluation of this weed that I notice each time I smoke it. Though the constituents listed include Kentuky, Virginia and oriental, they are overshadowed by the looming latakia. The thing is, I LOVE this particular dimension! It is among my all-time favorite tobaccos, though I could not smoke it every day. It would lose its specialness.

The downside of this tobacco is the price. Even at Internet prices, it is pricey, and not available in bulk (that I know of). I also seem to burn through 50 g faster than I do with almost any other tobacco. This is contrary to my experience with other flake tobaccos; my half-tin of Marlin Flake seems to have lasted for ever. Maybe it is because the experience is so enjoyable that I puff harder and the bowl is finished sooner. At any rate, compared to wine, scotch, cognac, and various illegal substances, even expensive pipe tobaccos remain one of life's most cost-effective pleasures. Thats why I always try to have several tins cellared. Who knows when natural disaster may strike?

I would HIGHLY recommend this tobacco to anyone who considers him or herself a latakia fan.

Upon opening the tin one encounters a pleasently musty aroma with a unique note I can only describe as meaty. In fact, the smell reminds me somewhat of my late grandfather's very smoky deer jerky, and I am occasionally possessed by an irrational desire to forego the elaborate ritual of packing and smoking a pipe to simply eat the stuff instead. ( I have not actually done this... yet)

The tobacco comes in an odd (for latakia mixtures) thin flake cut. I have settled on the strategy of folding the flakes over on themselves several times and packing the whole bloody mess into the bowl. As the flakes are thin and fragile, they crumble into small chunks when subjected to this treatment. Lighting can somewhat of an ordeal, as with most heavy latakia blends, but given three heavy lightings, it tends to hold flame fairly well.

Obviously, latakia flavors predominate throughout, but this is not to say that the blend lacks complexity. There is an intriguing rich nutty flavor just below the surface, which is exposed by faster puffing. You may puff this blend as quickly as you want, by the way, as the smoke is cool and creamy. One could probably smoke this out of a crackpipe using a welding torch without experiencing any adverse oral effects. The latakia starts out smoky-musty, becoming more musty-smoky towards the end of the bowl. Note that when I say "musty" I mean something good, more like chanterelle mushrooms and less like your basement. Smokes especially well in a meerschaum.

This blend has two potential drawbacks: price and room aroma. If you have a wife, and your wife has some olfactory capability, you should definitely smoke this either outside or in the comfort of your local tavern or tobacconist. Its priciness may put a hole in your pocketbook but only a small one, as tobacco remains the undisputed bargain among life's luxuries. If a penurious peasant like myself can afford this stuff, then you certainly can.

One problem with Old Ironsides is that the aroma really tends to linger in the room, developing a musty, sour smell the next morning. Not a tobacco to please the wife.

Overall I found this to be a great blend. If you want something similar, but with less strength of latakia, try Penzance.

This is one of the most latakia-laden blends I have ever seen. Latakia is NOT a condiment tobacco in this blend, it's the actual meat and potatoes. What first caught my attention with this blend was that it came in flake form, a beautiful flake which (though there are Virginias and orientals present) was , you guessed it, largely dominated by the black gold. The dark flake gave off a wonderful smokey aroma when the tin was opened- though not as overbearing as I would have thought. But I must warn (if you haven't figured it out already)... don't go near this unless you can appreciate latakia.

Upon lighting, a thick whitish cloud whisped from my bowl and I knew I was in for business -thank God I am single. However, despite the strength of the aroma, the tobacco itself is rather mild. It is a very cool, easy burning tobacco which (though not as complex as say a full english blend) is rather enjoyable. For me, the VA and orientals are definitely dominated by the latakia, perhaps if I had a more refined palate I could better describe the nuances of their interplay, but alas when i try I seem to get stuck on the latakia. I mean it is clear when one smokes this that there is something happening, it's not merely smoking straight latakia, but it's clear this is no balkan. One would think the massive amount of latakia would be too harsh but it's actually quite mellow. thee is no btie whatsoever, as the latakia ensures a cool smooth burn. It is an enjoyable smoke, though I can't see myself smoking this everyday. If you like latakia, this is a must try....but if you don't, it's a must avoid.