It is just great. I do not think there is much more that I can say that other reviewers have not mentioned. Except maybe that I do get a touch of anise, and slightly burnt cob nuts. I also found my tin labelling funny. It came with a German health warning, which I peeled off only to find a printed health warning in English underneath. I guess this particular tin was destined for export!

In my rotation? If I did not know of Peterson's Perfect Plug and S. Gawith's FVF there would be no rotation!

Opening which, the aroma is Latakia, of course, with VA and some Orientals noticeable. Dan Tobacco's typical, widely cut, ready-to-smoke flake slices are stacked up inside and shout: "let's get ready to crumbleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee".

Folding and twisting, lighting up, and falling in love are a matter of seconds.The taste is sweet and smoky (yes, there's DFK in there!), refined by the Orientals. The Latakia is the big dog here, but doesn't dominate too much. Concerning the room note, you may want to smoke this outside only. You'll end up doing that anyway when your significant other throws you out of the house. Unless she is a pipe smoker herself; then you should stock up on Viagra.

Beautiful English/Balkan flake, burns slowly down to nothing but ashes, beautiful taste -- I should have bought the bulk package.

While it is not bad, I was disappointed in that I have heard Lancers Slicers compared to Old Ironsides.

To me Lancer's Slices if far superior in taste and fulfillment.

One thing I will give Old Ironsides, is that it is the easiest Flake Tobacco that I have ever smoked to keep alight.

But for me something is missing in the flavor. Maybe I need more nicotine kick and more Latakia

Most of the time I am all about "meat and potatoes". It's the simple stuff that makes the world go around. A good plate of Mexican food or a greasy burger. Old Ironsides is a GOOD greasy burger.

I love this stuff. Wonderful plumes of Latakia smoke. Full, rich, predictable - exactly what the doctor ordered. A true friend indeed. Smokes good in just about every pipe I own.

This new release of it (thank goodness, because my stash of the original stuff was dwendling) is just as good as the original. The look is a bit different - more lighter components - and maybe the tate is slightly more smooth. But overall it is still the same Latakia drip I was used to.

actually.. both are :)

edit (30 march 2011): After many many bowlsfull of it, I believe OI is the best tobacco I've smoked to date

Opening the tin, it smelled wonderful, was a little moist, but I don't bother drying out my flakes, I just fold tease and stuff. I lit easily, and then the taste hit me. It was delicious!

I only tasted Latakia and a bit of a sweet Virginia, and no Orientals. The taste went to mostly Latakia about half way through the bowl, and stayed there all the way through. It never got hot hot, never got bitter, and didn't bite my tongue.

The only thing I can say bad is that it has the tendency to really dry out my mouth and throat while I'm smoking it.

Great tobacco, great taste. Recommended.

I'm not sure if my tastes have changed or if the blend has changed, but I find the new OIS fairly mild to the point of boredom. It may be the former as I've probably smoked a half pound of Penzance and another half-pound of Squadron Leader in its absence, but it seems to lack the underlying rich taste of these two. It is now what seems to be almost a pure Latakia taste which to my palate is almost a 'menthol' taste.

From the start, it appears different in the can. Instead of the finer grain that it used to be, it's now a nicely packed stack of slices like Penzance used to be. In fact, it looks like the old Penzance. Perhaps in the old packaging they crumbled the slices up, but it looks different. Given the cut I think it would be better packaged in a rectangular can rather than a round one. However, the aroma in the can is exactly how I remember it to be; that very smokey smell of Latakia. Cosmetically, the can now has an orange circle around the logo instead of the yellow one. Not sure why, but maybe to indicate that this is a slightly different blend. ??

Again, it may be my changed tastes, but this new OIS seems rather bland. A strong Latakia taste, but almost nothing underlying it to support and compliment the Latakia. A bowl full of OIS leaves me longing for the old Penzance.

I went through half a tin in three days. No matter how hard I puff this stuff it is smooooth with no bitterness, bite, or whatever. It's full bodied and has some Balkan creaminess to it. It's tasty in a subtle way. Nothing complex about it.

Edit: This tobacco is best if a load is dried out for 30 minutes and well rubbed out. Stays lit better and smoother smoking.

I should add that after having the tin open for a few weeks, the Latakia has tempered considerably. Overall, the blend is much more complex and mellow. At first it was a very good smoke, now it's excellent.

I find slices to be one of my favourites, especially the taste and they gently smoulder away for such a long time; just great. It really satisfies on all levels. I find if I have one bowl for the day and I really desire that certain "satisfaction" this is a good one to reach for.

Since, it's no longer made and doubtful to make return, I would suggest Cornell & Diehl's Pirate Kake which is somewhat similar, yet not as complex nor mellow. Of course, I always say the room note is tolerable, others especially your beloved may be pleading with you to move . . . "Just as soon and I'm done this bowl."

My favorite English right now is Larry's blend from pipesandcigars to which I added a large dose of straight Latakia. Told ya' I am a bit of Latakia freak. I've never run into a blend that I thought had too much.

I am glad I did.

Very, very, smoky flavor from start to finish that developes a little sweetness as the bowl progresses. I did not taste much from the orientals, and didn't really care either.

If you are looking for a man sized portion of latakia you will not find a better blend out there, IMHO of course.

I do save this one for the end of the day, because I find that it kills the taste buds for anything else for a while.

Add a star if you purchase in bulk or you are not inclined to pay a premium price for Penzance.

In addition, I found that when I did try Old Ironsides late at night, I was greeted each time by, yes, Old Ironsides firmly imprinted on my tongue first thing the following morning. What that eased that effect somewhat the most recent time was a good brushing on the tongue with toothbrush and paste right before bedtime, a good way to cleanse the pallet for the next morning in general (and a typical practice in India as a general means of oral hygene/breath freshening, as I understand it).

Also, my schedule doesn't seem to permit a nice full meal and then an evening of relaxation most nights. It is with no doubt in my mind that I tell you that a hearty meal in the belly is what's required for me to enjoy a blend like this! Whoa Nelly!

I am indeed a fan of Latakia. But I suppose even my fanaticism has its limits. The strongest blends that I've enjoyed in the past include Timm's London Blend 1000 and the currently available Balkan Sobranie (European pouched edition, not available in the USA). I've gotten enjoyment from those fine blends, usually in small bowled pipes with enough shank/stem length to add a bit of coolness. But Old Ironsides...*whew*...I guess this sailor is just not enough of a 'manly man' to handle this intensely smokey flake. Not sure what to do with the remainder in the tin...who knows, maybe it will grow on me? I'll Zip-Lok the tin and give it a few more tries ...