Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Erinmore Mixture

ERINMORE MIXTURE (EM) and Erinmore Flake (EF) have some similarities, but actually they are two completely distinct blends with a lot of differences. Here I want to speak about the differences between these two peculiar blends, from the point of view of Erinmore Mixture compared to Erinmore Flake. Similarities: first of all they have the same base Virginia and Burley. Secondly, both are flavored blends. Thirdly they have a common fruity note. And here I stop. Now the differences that are many more. Above all the cut: EF is, as the name suggests, a classic flake. EM is a ribbon cut, very similar to a loose cut. Secondly the recipe: EM contains Black Cavendish and it is more aromatic than EF because it is employed a cased Black Cavendish. Thirdly the flavoring: EM is not only fruity. It has also a slightly Lakeland flavoring that is not present in EF (I never detected it). Overall the flavoring is mild in EF while in EM is stronger. Fourth the strength: EF is stronger than EM. In EF there is a greater nicotinic “boost”. Fifth and last the tobacco taste: EF has a real tobacco taste that EM doesn’t have. In conclusion, EF is more natural, more spicy while EM is sweeter, more aromatic. Again, EF is a Virginia/Burley mixture slightly flavored with the tobacco taste in a leading role while EM is a flavored blend, a classic aromatic mixture. In my opinion and in my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) for Erinmore Mixture my score is 7 and two stars (9 and three stars for Erinmore Flake - see review).

I haven't smoked Erinmore since college 50 years ago, so I was eager to give it another try. I think that's it's changed somewhat since then. The current version is a nice aromatic with a faint pineapple taste. It's a pleasant smoke with a fairly strong nicotine hit. I prefer more modern aromatics, such as McClelland's CORPS Vanilla Ice, which I rate as a 4. Erinmore gets a 3.

I bought a packet of this in Derry last April and found it somewhat wet to smoke. I left it in a drawer for about 3 months and gave it another go. I found it to be very tasty with no wetness. A very pleasant smoke. I don't think it deserves the bad reviews it gets here. I will definitely buy more of this blend(sadly not available in southern Ireland)

Lately, I have been smoking Erinmore Mixture in order to compare it with Erinmore Flake. First, let me say that the appearance of the Mixture differs from the Flake in several ways. The mixture is not a broken flake as some have stated. It is a classic ribbon cut, medium in length. With the exception of some black cavendish sprinkled throughout the mixture - and not overdone I might add - the tobacco is noticeably lighter in color than that of the flake. The tin aroma of the Mixture is similar to the flake, but milder overall. I also did not notice much of the incense-laden lemon scent that I experience with the flake. No licorice presence nor anisette this time, but as with the flake, it's note is hard to describe. More fruity than floral - but not fruity in the traditional sense. The state of freshness was just right for packing and lighting - actually easier and with fewer re-lights than with the flake. There was, however, a bit of gurgle that required the use of a pipe cleaner on the average of once or twice a smoke. I expect this to disappear as my tin dries out a bit. The tastes were similar. However, the flake has more depth of flavor, has that very agreeable flowery hint, and makes for a stouter smoke. Like the flake, the tin aroma translated into the smoke, but again like the flake, remained in the background. The Virginia flavor was, from what I can tell, coming from a minimally stoved (if stoved at all) Virginia. It burned slowly and I was rewarded with a cool, pleasurable, and tasty smoking experience. It was never cloying and I would not classify this as an aromatic in the American sense. It was true tobacco flavor from first puff to last, burning to a medium gray ash, and without any bitterness. It does, however, smoke hotter than the flake. Overall, I tend to prefer the flake as it is fuller in taste and stronger overall. I also love the tin and size of the flakes which make for easy carrying and loading. That said, Erinmore Mixture still deserves a solid recommended.

As a side note, my flake tins do not have any mention of Murray Sons & Co. Ltd., whereas the mixture (50gm) tins do. Both their labels say, "Made in Denmark for Peter Stokkebye Tobaksfabrik A/S." I suspect Orlik is the blender.

UPDATE 1-4-11: Tonight on my way to teach an evening class at college, I loaded up an Ascorti New Deer with EM. It was below freezing outside, but inside my car for the 20 minute drive, it was toasty warm. I had one of the best smokes ever from that pipe filled with EM. The taste and resulting "car note" were both beyond description.

I'm a fan of aromatics and I had high hopes for this tobacco. I had heard a lot about it so I decided to give it a try.

The tin aroma smells awesome. I instantly got the Virginia's in there, and that alone made me think I was in for a real treat.

Handling was easy; the moisture levels were good so it was easy to pack and light without any hassles. I loaded up my Croci and off we went.. to Hell.

This stuff, I don't know what it is, but the flavoring tastes like a mix of battery acid and some demented fruit way past it's prime. The smoke is harsh, strong, and just downright terrible. I couldn't believe it.. and I really like Erinmore Flake. I didn't think it was possible for this to be as bad as it was for me. Maybe it just didn't agree with my body chemistry.

I sipped patiently to the end of my bowl, fighting the urge to just dump it out. It's an aromatic which is not an aromatic, if that makes sense. The horrible flavor of whatever the hell they put in there should be banned from all existence.

Ugh.

The Erinmore Mixture vacuum-sealed tin is a round yellow painted traditional style with the trademark of a pineapple atop an Erinmore shield. The tin opens with an almost hermetically reassuring hiss with the resultant mellifluous aroma that barks for your attention. But like mans best friend you are not too sure what Erinmore is trying to tell you? There is an initial hint of cased cherry followed by a background of rum, was there any pineapple amongst it? This infamous pineapple! Is it only on the tin? Or is it loitering somewhere like a grey man in the crowd. That pineapple aroma is so subliminal you almost question the psychosomatic affect of the trademark on the lid. But just what does this tobacco remind you of? A distant relative to the blue collar Borkum Riff maybe? and definitely a long way from the neighborhood of Sir Dunhill and ilk. But the real journey starts on ignition.

Wrapped in the obligatory white paper lining the moist light brown tobacco blend tends to pack well. It lights easily with a slow burn that tops the bowl with a grey/white ash. When lit, it lets you know there is flavor here and lots of it and yes it is sweet, very full bodied and appears immediately. It is strong and leaves a taste in your mouth that will linger like a good port. This distinctive real flavour will permeate through the bowl and will remind you for a long while after that ?Erinmore woz ere?. This is a real tobacco taste with incredible staying power that sets in for the long haul right through to the dottle. The aromatic quality was appealing to the room with a reassuring nostalgic response from non-pipe smokers. This is a tobacco flavour that you will not forget and here maybe lies the secret of its success.

This is THE tobacco to elicit a response from modern pipe smokers from all corners of the globe. Derided as an unsophisticated old-fashioned blend that should be archived into tobacco history, and yet it remains one of the most popular brands on the market today with a history reaching back through the generations. Now ask yourself why? It is an old stalwart that can be found anywhere on this globe from Johannesburg to Bangkok. A proof of Erinmore?s loyal following is that it can thumb its nose at modern market forces and soldier on amongst the teeming jungle of modern boutique ?café latte? and obsequious ?International blends? A dependable tobacco that sits smugly whilst younger ?higher order? pedigree brands fade into extinction only to have their remaining fossil shells exhibited, museum like, on e-bay. When placed up against some flaccid present day blends Erinmore mixture, when smoked, will whisper to you ?Oh yeah! Well let me tell you something sonny! I was being smoked in Bagdad when you were in?????

Recommended, a real tobacco with a real taste.

This is the second tin that I smoke, the first one was opened as soon as I received it (still in 2020).

The first tin I didn't think was something remarcable, a blend of virginias without much expression, I don't remember having identified the burley and the black cavendish was very shy. If I had only bought one tin I'd probably not buy this tobacco anymore.

However, the second can (time the of registration of this review)… What a delicious tobacco! These two years of aging left the tobacco much tastier, the burley is more present in the pipe but it is mellow, it does not dominate the rest of the flavors. The black cavendish sweetens the smoking very well and the presence of the bright virginias produces a very good pleasure throughout the smoking session.

In the opened tin aroma the pineapple is very perceptible, very reminiscent of citrus fruits and citrus candies. In the smoke I notice notes of red fruits, prunes, raspberry, dry acid fruits, it has a very present sweetness.

Very light burn, a slow burn that burns cold, without gurgling whatsoever.

EDIT: a few days later the marvelous aroma vanished off, and now it's just a plain smoke, the pinapple is subtle. Nice smoke, but not a great one.

I bought this tin and stated smoking it in August of 2014. From reading reviews, I knew it didn't fit the mold of typical aromatic flavors like vanilla, cherry or whiskey etc... I guessed it was an old school aro like Samuel Gawaith Gousemoor or Perretti Nbo-Name, both of which reeked like old lady perfume but became actually quite pleasurable after smoking. The blend was sour with tongue bite from the start. Rarely do I find a blend un-smokable but this was it. I tried airing out some tobacco to make the casings less concentrated but it was still unpleasant. The blend had a sour taste I couldn't put my finger on. In October 2014, I put the tin in a jar in my cellar and ...forgot about it. Now, SIX YEARS LATER, during the Covid crisis, I rediscovered the half tin and I still don't like it though it is more smoke-able. Time has lessened the pungency of the casing. Aromatics are famous for not changing, or getting better with age and this is one of them. The intervening years have at least lessened the casing and tongue bite but there is still a little sting. The flavor is that of burnt Cavendish and a dull, sour flavor. Not that great. Strange stuff. I have one unopened tin that will stay that way! Lastly, I don't give one star because I think that is too subjective.

I much prefer this over the flake. This is topped with a heavy apricot, not pineapple. All natural at that I am told. This is a bite free, fruity, satisfying light aromatic (but not light on apricot flavor!) that anyone can enjoy. It actually had tobacco flavor also, which is perfectly complimented, not covered, by the topping. Virginia and cavendish in perfect harmony. If you like tobacco which is augumented by the casing, not covered by it, with a good room note, some nicotine, and a good flavor, this is one to try.