Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Skandinavik Regular

UPDATE FEB06/2009:

just another way to "play" with SR: since it's often that Burley weed having earthy and chocolatey notes, a good way to improve both (and the strength as well), is to add a couple of Toscanello cigars "Aroma Fondente" (half cigars of italian Kentucky aromatized with bitter chocolate) which I cut in discs as we do with SG's BR#4 and rub-out.

Should I regret with the TR Community for my OT ?

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PREVIOUS REVIEW FEB04/2009:

Trip to Skandinavik # 2 ...

I like sometimes to pay a visit to some OTC aromatics (and regulars, first!).

I want to cut it extremely short: I completely stick to the synthetic review of Mr. SopwithCamel. And say SR is very enjoyable when you are looking for something easy not needing particular commitment, and non offensive for non-smokers who are around you. I also agree with others that the weed quality is very much better than Amphoras.

As I have already with the new entry Arabica, I'm just "playing" with SR and found that two flakes of Irish Flake by Peterson do improve body and strength the right bit, without changing the true nature of this Danish VaB.

In any case, for what SR is itself deserves three full stars; if we compare it to higher notch stuff, two are enough.

This review is based on a new 4 1/2 oz can. I used to smoke the original blend years ago, when it was a deep brown rubbed out flake in a brown can or pouch. I always thought the original version had a nutty, sharp flavor. I am on a Burley kick as of late, and remembered the original blend with fond memories. I had planned on stocking the cellar with this, but decided to order only one can to try again before I pulled the trigger on a large order. I'm glad I did, as the new version is nothing at all like the original. The new version comes in a pale yellow can, and upon popping the lid and removing the foil seal, was shocked to see that this is now a ribbon cut, composed of light brown and yellow tobacco. There are a few pieces of rubbed out flake, but not many. The smell in the tin is mild, kind of malty, and smooth. I filled my trusty Burley pipe, and applied flame. The smoke is mild, not quite rich and creamy, but not thin or papery as some Burlies can be. The flavor is a bit malty, typical Burley, but again nothing like the original. The flavor does not really evolve throughout the smoke, remaining good I suppose, but I am so disappointed in the change from the original version that my review is bound to be tainted. This is a good enough tobacco blend, but I wish I had stocked up on the old version. It is certainly worth a try if one likes Burlies, don't let my review scare you off. Another old classic gone. Sigh......

Update 11/25/08 Okay, I am over my original disappointment. This is a good smoke, nothing like the original, but O.K. I am bumping this up to three stars, because standing on it's own merits I like it for what it is. I now smoke MacBaren's Symphony in place of the original Skandinavik, but this stuff is alright.

I believe (together with the Vanilla) this blend is the best of the Skandinavic series and one of the few worthy drugstore tobaccos out there. It has a pure tobacco/burley aroma with no casing and natural taste. I like this staff although I don't like Skandinavic blends in genera. It lacks the character of other BU/VA and it is rather mono-dimensional but it burns cool and nice..

Tastes like soy sauce, on fire, in your mouth. Not my thing, and I like the Sails and Troost and the other Danish Cavendishi. I liked the old Skandinaviks much better. The mildly aromatic blue package is (in my opinion) more like the old stuff than this.

Not my cup of tea...sorry Peter.

Update 2-13-10: So I picked up a package of this the other day at my local tobacco shop. I've been smoking through a pack of Sail Regular and Skan's Full Aroma offering (which has become a go-to wintertime smoke for me this season). I had tried and didn't like the Regular last time I tried it several years ago, but I noticed the pack and realized that I hadn't tried the Orlick version. Since the Full Aroma quality has increased (IMHO) in the past few years I decided to give it a whirl.

Yes, this is a better tobacco than it was a few years ago. As a test, a few bowls into the new pack, I loaded up a bowl from the old half pouch of the disgusting stuff and did a head to head. Yup, certainly an improvement in the "New Package". It seems that the quality of the leaf is higher and the amount of processing is lower. Mild, no bite that I could detect, a nice woodsy "tobbaco-y" scent and flavor. Similar to Sail Yellow but no anise notes, instead there's something there that reminds me of the "toased smell" that one gets from a newly-opened pack of Lucky Strike Cags (unfiltered, of course). Room note neutral to pleasant to my SO.

No soy sauce was detected.

So, I'm thrilled to have another good affordable natural type cavendish in my rotation. What a nice suprise to have a formerly mediocre tobacco redeem itself a few years later. Hats off to Orlick.

It's inexpensive too. A little more than $4 per 1 3/4 Oz when ordered through JR. Tins cheaper but for everyday smoking I prefer pouches 'cause they're handy.

Now I'll say that this is recommended, in fact, I'll wager that there'll be an order for a few five packs being sent out to JR in a few days once I finish this pack and the other one that I bought at another shop yesterday!

This coarse-cut tobac has that "Danish" (honey?) taste and aroma I can only take in small doses. Otherwise for a tobacco found in many discount venues it is quite good.

Much like its predecessor Amphora, this is no longer readily available where I live. It was an excellent choice for a plain, reliable, smoke.

The quality is worlds away better than most drug store Burleys. The price is nice too. It has a mild, nutty flavor, and doesn't turn bitter as some of the other OTC burley blends do. It never bit me.

The Full Aroma version is a competent blend: raisiny and sweet to my palate. It's a little too sweet for me, so I prefer the brown pouch to the red. Alas, I can only find either one online...

Good smoke. Have a friend that realy likes this. He gave me some of his stash. I would buy it myself.

I really like this blend when I want to smoke a plain, predominant Burley tobacco for a change of pace from aromatic blends. The open tin imparted a strong nutty, almost chocolate aroma that I found pleasing. The tobacco appears to be high quality and is made up of dark brown strands. It smoked wonderfully in my pipe and kept its nutty aroma and taste throughout. If you are looking for a no-nonsense, mostly Burley (with some mild Virginia) blend then spend the few extra bucks on this rather then buy the drug store Burley brands. This is worth it.

What can I say; I like the stuff. For a pouch tobacco it is very good grade. This tobacco should not be compared to the "drug store blends". Yes, it can be, at times, flat tasting and leave a "nutty" after taste. But one should not compare this toasted Burley blend with the good Virginias. They're totally different. I like smoking Skan Regular while working and fishing. Where alot of attention is not warranted. This might stem from my heavy cigarette consumption of years past.

Skandinavik Regular is not a candy smoke. There's no hint of vanilla, cherry or berry. Just an honest smoke; no thrills.