This straight burley flake has been comprised by time to some extent. The sample I tried is from 1944, and was manufactured by The American Tobacco Company. There’s more than one kind of burley present, and the white burley is the most prominent varietal. Very woody and earthy with a light molasses sweetness, some sharpness and roughness, and a distinct nuttiness, it’s a very savory/sour experience. As there was no topping, the smoker gets an unrefined, no nonsense taste of tobacco. The nic-hit is mild to medium. The strength is almost medium, but I suspect it was a little stronger when fresh. The taste level is medium. Won’t bite. As this needed hydration, it’s impossible to know what the moisture level was when fresh, but the flavors are consistent all the way through. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and needed a few relights. The after taste is strong, unattractive, and lingers quite a while. I’m giving this a neutral two star rating because it is a compromised sample.
Update 7-12-2019: These comments pertain to the 2005 production. It is similar to the older version in that it’s very mildly molasses sweet, very woody, earthy, and fairly nutty with a light savoriness. There a touch of sour and a small rough, sharp edge more often than there isn’t that comes from the white burley. The only real difference I see from the 1944 manufacture is that the white burley is a little less obvious here, and this is a tad less stronger all the way around. The nic-hit is mild to medium. The strength and taste levels are almost medium. Won’t bite. Needs a light dry time. Burns cool, clean and slow with a very consistent, lightly sweet and savory flavor that also translates to the mildly lingering after taste. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and needs some relights. Can be an all day smoke, but tends to dry your mouth if you use anything more than a small bowl. This later offering gets three stars.
Medium to dark burley flakes tend to be hit and miss for me; this was a hit, perhaps because of the aging. A nice, slightly bitter (like a good dark beer) all burley flavor, working best in cobs. The flakes were thin and easily stuffed, and as the ads claimed, one flake fills a medium-sized bowl pretty well. The 2005 tin was in excellent shape, and was ready to smoke with no fuss. A shame it's another loss from production.
I recently acquired a sample of this tobacco and being I did not know what expect from this,when it arrived I opened the package and started smoking it right away! I have never been someone with a palate capable of picking out exact nuances of a tobacco blend.I never could understand how a reviewer finds a leathery flavor or a taste of burnt crabgrass in a tobacco..until today! I tasted something reminding me of nuts and was a bit sweet. The taste was pleasant and the smell reminded me of my grandfather smoking his pipe.. looking back the aroma was that of just tobacco.. to me it tasted just as it smelled,like tobacco..Both taste and smoke are rich yet not overpowering. To my wife sitting next to me the aroma was one of the better smelling blends I have ever smoked! I will say this about the tobacco, it did have an "old smell and taste" but by no means was it offensive or rancid. This was an all burley blend and has opened my eyes to burley blends! I had a few relights and the flakes seemed a bit dry as they would start to crumble with a light touch. I find this tobacco very enjoyable and a pleasure to smoke. Three stars from me!
Pipe Used: MM country gent
Age When Smoked: 77 years!
Purchased From: gifted
Similar Blends: Nothing I have ever smoked before! Time for me to explore burley blends!!!.
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