Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Erinmore Flake

Being out of baccy while travelling, I bought a tin of this expecting the worst, but was surprised that it was entirely smokeable and reasonably satisfying. Quite deep and dark, but with none of the fruity, mucky taste that I thought I remembered from decades ago. It had none of the vile toppings and synthetic flavourings I thought I remembered. Had been smoking some very strong stuff beforehand, so this may have been the reason this seemed quite acceptable. If you come at it from very light smokes, you will likely have a different experience. One flake lasted ages with minimal relights and very little ash. This tin had been hanging around the shop for a while, so it seems to benefit from cellaring for a couple of years if you can.

This is mediocre for me. I have only had this young, so perhaps with some time under its belt it might get better. I can detect a flavoring, but it is lost in translation somehow. I’ve tried a few other flake similar to this and find this wanting.

It's been over a year since I reviewed this tobacco and gave it a two-star rating. Before finishing my tin, I put it aside and left enough tobacco for two loads of pipe. Yesterday I loaded my Stanwell to see how I perceived it at this moment and he bit my tongue, something that had not happened to me in a long time. So before the damage was greater, I emptied my pipe, since I have no vocation to be a martyr in favor of science. However, I discovered that what I had written in my review was false, so before confusing potential readers I have preferred to eliminate it while maintaining the rating and general values of tobacco. I have yet to smoke another tin and do a more accurate review.

Well where do I start? The whole pineapple issue! Anyone that truly has found pineapple in this tobacco has probably also found 24crt gold in gold block! Yes there is sweetness but to suggest it's the tin mentioned pineapple had a bit of a push!!! I have been meaning to try this flake for quite some time but some how it slipped of my radar. On opening the tin you will find one of the most perfect cut flakes you can find. The moisture for me was right on point. I started by rubbing out which was easy and left me with an easy loading weed. This tobacco smokes easy and slow even when rubbed out and does produce a lovely sweetness without hiding the true nature of the underlying tobacco. At no point did I find the experience amazing but I no point did I wish I was smoking something else. This tobacco will have a place in my smoking future but does not have enough character to make it into my day to day rotation.

This blend isn’t too bad , burns well. I think the Jucy fruit flavor that others have mentioned is more of the funny after taste that is similar to the gum.

The aroma in the tin, is different to the smoking aroma. I don't get much smoke off it, if you inhale the hit is quick and short lived, I therefore find it a watery boring kinda smoke. The smell lingers on your breath for many hours afterwards.

Another old favorite of mine that appears to have fallen victim to the new owners/blenders at STG. The first thing I noticed was the tin note: No longer the pronounced "juicy fruit gum" aroma, but now a very toned down floral note unlike the original aroma. The presentation, quality and strength of the flake was as I remembered, it's now just a toned down and different flavor which is unfortunate. Not sure if I'll buy again.

Unusual blend. I get a muddled fruity flavor, with very little distinct tobacco notes. The fruit is subdued, but still over powers the tobacco flavor. More burley or Virginia might help. Maybe even just a pinch of latakia. Needs some drying time.

Room note is not bad.

Not a horrible blend, but could use more tobacco character.

I smoked many tins of this flake and the mixture since it is relatively easy to find them in Turkey.

First Impressions: The tin is small and beautiful, when you open the tin you meet the flakes in form of very even rectangules. It makes me feel too industrial, i prefer uneven flakes of Samuel Gawith. Tin aroma is strong and fruity. I can detect peach and apricot... Moisture is perfect, flakes can be easily rubbed, filled into pipe and smoked right out of the tin.

The taste; you can feel a strong peach and apricot flavour... No tongue bite, satisfying amount of nicotine. Burley becomes a little harsh at the final third but no big deal. So if you like the peach and apricot aroma you may like this mixture as a strong aromatic.

Unfortunately I don't like strong aromas in my tobacco so i extensively air this flakes (24 hours minimum) then rehydrate and smoke after that. This way you taste a very ordinary Va/Bur with some fruity topping.

Verdict: If you like the aroma it's an OK mixture, if not, there are much better Va/Bur mixtures...