Peterson Signature Flake

I will agree with StevieB here: this is wonderful tobacco and I'll fight anyone who doesn't think so.

Friendly in all ways, bite free, just sweet enough, just full enough. Never dull, never boring, but never aggressive either. I got more from a big pipe than a small, for some reason, but I may have packed the small pipe too tightly and steamed myself a bit. But with room to breathe, this is a delicious smoke. Bright and sweet. Well done Peterson. No idea how this could be anything but 4 stars for a virginia lover but tastes do vary.

100 gram tin of perfectly layered golden brown flakes. Tin aroma of basic hay and a very slight topping of the honeyed fruit variety. While I usually fold and stuff or rub out, I found a combo worked best. For some weird reason, this one liked to be packed more tightly than most flakes.

Sasquatch turned me onto this one and that hairy fellow certainly knows his tobacco. Whereas we don't agree on a lot of what we enjoy or not, he always seems to have his finger on the pulse of whatever blend he's discussing. He nailed this one. This is a blend that epitomizes the "Not Too" tobacco blends. It was "not too" anything... not too sweet, not too spicy, not too grassy, not too complex, not too anything! It was juuuuust right in all departments. Granted, I may want more of this or that, or less of this or that, but this one cannot be faulted for its exquisite balance. The flavor was just citrusy enough, with just enough graham cracker and spice to be interesting at any time of day, before or after meals, and really at any time. The topping was very mild and I wouldn't care to name it, but light honey and fruit seems to come closest. This is just a stellar Virginia flake. It's not Gawithian or McClelland-y... by that I mean it's not boisterous in its greatness. It's more subdued, and when one is tired of the overly complex, the overly fruity, the overly this or that, Peterson Signature Flake is what they should reach for. Truly an inspiring flake. I am getting more for the cellar. For when I want something that's "Not Too, but just enough". Sas and StevieB really hit this one on the nail.

Peterson’s Signature Flake is a straight VA, a true flake that comes in two neat, short stacks in a tin that’s oversized for 100g. The variegated flakes range from golden to mid and darker browns, reflecting flue cured lemon, air cured orange and brown, and a little stoved red leaf, all cold pressed and fermented before tinning. Tin note is grasses, wet hay, buttered oatmeal, and fermenting brown bread along with dates, figs, orange, and a breath of anise. It took a month’s rest in its “re-sealed” tin before this one came into its own. Folded and stuffed, it lights with patience, and it burns well enough. It is mild at the light, ramping up over the course of a bowl, with the tin notes ever present under typical, first quality VAs. I would say PSF is “centered” between lemon and orange leaf, with the browns and reds adding some depth. Re-lights are no problem. Strength is just over mild. Tastes are toward medium. Room note is pleasant. Aftertaste is a slightly metallic version of the best of the smoke, trailing off slowly, with rising sugar.

There are several great straight VAs available to close TR readers, and you can add PSF to the list. 4 stars, once it’s been properly rested.

This is a blend that I have wanted to try for quite a while, and finally I sprang for a 100gm tin as it doesn't come in smaller tins. The tin note was a delight with what I swear was the aroma of chocolate coated raisins, some citrus fruit, caramel and fresh baked fruit scones. Presentation is in the usual imaculate STG style with perfectly sliced flakes in regimented rows. I rubbed out a flake and left it to dry for half an hour although I feel that longer would have helped as it had a very slight tendency to bite and was a tad moist from the tin. It lit and burned all the way down with minimal fuss and only one relight. It is a comforting sweet tasting tobacco with some of the elements of the tin note detectable in the flavour and room note. I found it to be mild to Medium and mostly similar in flavour to Petersons (Dunhill) Flake or Capstan Navy Flake, although not quite as smooth. Basically it is a no drama smoke that should appeal to lovers of Straight Virginias. Whilst it is hard to form a firm opinion based on one bowl, I feel that it will be kept as a treat smoke for me. I don't see it being my everyday all day smoke, although time will tell, as this is more of a first impression than an in depth review. 3 stars for now and I may revise upwards as I get acquainted.

Update 11/12/2019.

I have elevated this lovely flake to a full 4* rating. It is definitely a grower and a very much unsung and underappreciated flake. It is a serious alternative for such as Orlik Golden Slices that are unavailable in the UK due to the weird way that tobacco companies carve up the market. I took an unprecedented punt in buying a full 100g, but I would definitely buy it again.

Summary: a mild Virginia flake with an added berry essence that makes for a good comforting all-day smoke.

Virginia flakes reward those who smoke slowly for hours on end. To extract their flavor, the bowl must smolder just above going out and be drawn slowly into the mouth by the natural pressure of breathing through the nose. This flake looks to be a mixture of bright and brown Virginias with an added berry or plum flavor that creates a scent and flavor not entirely dissimilar to Perique without the rough edges. The thin flakes bend and light easily and burn slowly at perfect moisture, making this an ideal comfort smoke, in that you can stuff a couple into a large pipe and be very happy for a couple hours with a sweet but not cloying flavor. The only critique I might offer here is that the berry flavor has a strong aftertaste which seems to intensify during the first third of the bowl, but the underlying leaf is of good quality and well prepared.

It took me a while to find this blend because as i searched it isn't widely distributed as other Peterson blends.once the tin cracks a wonderfull sour,citrusy and spicy smell comes out.very natural and pleasing.the perfect cut and moisture flakes combine bright and darked virginias,rub out easy with no drying time needed.lighting needs some effort and several relights are needed.while smoking there's only pleasure.virginias offer citruses,grass,fruits,dark fruits and bread notes.the topping wich is added is mildly sweet,lemony spicy and sour wich in my opinion enhances the tobacco flavours.generally the flavours are great,very pleasant and natural.burns slow and medium hot to perfect ash with some moisture created at the filter.the nicotine level is medium and the aftertaste pleasant.room note is a typical tobacco smell.no chance of tongue bite.an all day and night blend that can satisfy even the most experienced smoker.simply GREAT, totally recommended!

A very pleasant bright Virginia flake with subtle topping in much the same vein as Dunhill Light Flake, Peterson Signature Flake will surely appeal to fans of that benchmark tobacco.

It is only supplied in 100g tins, and may be slightly more economical as a result (all baccy is expensive of course), the neatly cut flakes come in a row, half folded. I took them out and laid them in the tin in two stacks, to prevent them getting broken up, as one flake is just right for my pipe, providing a long, slow smoke of at least an hour (up to two!). Aroma in the tin is of hay, crusty white bread and a hint of citrus which I take to be a topping of some sort, but mild and well integrated with the tobacco. This isn't an aromatic or heavily scented tobacco. The tobacco is supplied rather moist, and benefits from half an hour or so rubbed out on a piece of paper before filling the pipe.

It takes an even light with two matches, and at lighting, a sharp citrus flavour is noted. This settles to a very mild Virginia flavour of bread and hay, with subtle malty sweetness. As the bowl progresses the flavour builds in intensity, but never gets heavy. There is a subtle spice and citrus flavour behind the bready, satisfying flavour. The bread character is foremost, like the kind of bread you'd have fresh from the wood fired oven in Brittany - lovely.

Like all Virginia tobaccos this is best enjoyed over a long, slow, lazy smoke, or sipped slowly while engaged in slow activities, it stays lit with minimal input. If puffed over enthusiastically it will get hot and can bite, and the subtleties will be lost. If it overheats, slow down or set it aside until the pipe has cooled down, it relights well. Eventually there will be a plug of dottle left which is resistant to smoking, this is a good time to call it a day.

It's nice accompanied by a cup of tea, Earl Grey without milk is ideal, but breakfast tea is great too. I've been enjoying this as a morning smoke, and to me it's a "spring and summer" tobacco, but I'm sure it could be an excellent all day, all year smoke. Overall, I'll heartily recommend this to Virginia fans, will buy it again, and will stash some away to see how it develops with age. I'm hoping the sweetness will be enhanced.

This is the best pure Virginia flake I have on tap and I have a few. It has a light and I mean light fresh casing that doesn't effect the taste that I perceive.

I may have just gotten a super awesome batch, but it's very consistent in its pure Virginia taste. If you like Virginia you can't go wrong here. This one pops forward where others will seem somewhat muted by comparison. By others I mean Dunhill flake, Dunhill Dark Flake, and McClelland 40th.

Now 40th can reach a pinnacle of flavor above this one, but not consistently as the flake's may be mixed in different proportions. Also, Marlin Flake is as special as this but in a darker sweet way. This is just pure popping Virginia with no bite, every bowl.

I had to write this review after smoking Dunhill flake a few bowls for the first time recently. I figured with the accolades Dunhill would have a superior taste to me, but it doesn't yet. Maybe, just maybe the Dunhill needs some age and its in no way second rate, just this one pops on the taste buds with that Virginia taste a bit louder and without bite. There may be others I haven't tried, but this is an honest approximation from the one's I have, and I know which one stands better in my current rotation. Glad its made by Peterson because I don't think they are going anywhere and this is one I really don't want to do without.

Well, Peterson has made this Straight Virginia as a special one. And they were right. This is a typical Peterson blend. It is mentioned before: reserve for this tobacco a pipe you do use for your Va's. I've smoked in my rototation pipes and the taste was overwhelmed by the ghost of other tobaccos. Take your time with it and enjoy, relaxed puffing this no 1 tobacco