Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Troost Slices

I received a sample of 6 flakes or so from a friend. I found it a mild and undistinguished somewhat generic VaBur with more burley than Virginia in the flavor profile. It was a pleasant smoke with a subtle slightly sweet topping I could not identify. I rubbed mine out and it had good burn qualities. It is a good smoke but not especially exciting.

I received this tin in a box pass a while back I believe. Never got around to smoking it, as I figured it would be similar to Special Cavendish which I found quite boring. I opened the tin which was now a few years old, and was quite taken aback at how much different the tin aroma was compared to Special Cavendish. A sweet smelling hay-like VaBur. Reminded me of the smell of sweet fern in the Northern Michigan grouse woods. This blend has a bit of strength, compared to other flakes of the same nature. Rubbed out easy. I basically folded the flakes in three, gave them a few rubs between my fingers, and loaded the pipe. I smoked this in several, but it seemed to shine in short, wide billiards. Burned quite well after a bit of drying on the tobacco mat.

Burns to a clean white ash, and doesn't bite, even with my sensitive tongue. Whatever flavoring is on here, its minute, but reminds me slightly of PS Twist Flake. Room notes of cinnamon, toasted barley and almonds. Sad to see I'm down to my last bowl!

This review is for the original Troost slices made in the U.K. before Orlik took over production. The tobacco is from the 90's. It's basically a typical Danish style Flake. There's a very light topping of what I can only assume is honey or something close to it. It's not cloying in any way. The Virginia in this blend seems to make itself well known. While there is the ever so slightest hint of Lakeland. It's tasty enough and if it were still available in the U.S. I'd buy it. I can't speak for the current production as I've never tried it. It reminds me a great deal of the Lane Golden Cavendish Slices, which are no longer available. The two are strikingly similar.

A straightforward tobacco, the wide flakes are easy to split and fold and light fiarly easily. While the tin note is slightly berry-like, the smoke tasted to me of burley 'nuttiness' with hints from the VA. This does tend to bite at the least bit of a heavy draw, but otherwise is a nice if undistinguished smoke. Since I know there are many tobaccos out there I would rate a 4, the question arises would I rebuy this particular tobacco, assuming my tastes don't change much more. In this case, the answer is no.

This Review is on a tin bought in the Netherlands.

Room note is fruity, berry-like, slightly nutty and virginia hay-like sweetness with an alcoholic wine-like note. There's also some plums there and chocolate if you're looking for it.

The flakes are stacked in two rows atop each other and about as wide as, say, Orlik golden sliced, only that they're single flakes and not one giant flake as OGS is (at least here in Europe...) They're dark brown with few light strands and birdseyes and look very delicious.

Not too moist out of the tin, some drying (about an hour) doesn't hurt nonetheless.

The flakes seem perfect for fold and stuff - that's how I smoke them - and one flake will fill my GBD prince perfectly.

Upon lighting, you get berry-like fruity flavors at first that don't taste chemical at all and not overly sweet either. It's a flavor that could actually come from the tobacco itself if I didn't know better. That quickly switches to a darker, nut-like flavor with virginia sweetness and a smoky, rich, earthy flavor underneath that seem to intermingle and interchange with every puff. Also, there's warm toast and a cinnamon-like note, spicy, warm flavors.

Delicious and there's tons of flavors to be had with this.

Adding to that, this goes very well with Lapsang Souchang Tea or strong black coffee. I suppose that, if it goes so well with Lapsang, it should also taste great with a nice peaty Islay Malt.

Troost Slices is a wonderful all-day tobacco that satisfies the smoker and will not draw unfriendly attention from non-smoking bystanders. The flavoring is applied with a light hand and does not overpower the tobacco taste, but rather compliments it nicely. Unfortunately, Troost Slices is only available in the Netherlands. Every time I go there for a vacation coast I make sure to stock up my supplies.Or I tell my friends and colleagues who go there to buy some for me.

Dear All, I just add my two cents, my review being based on a 100gr tin coming from Amsterdam. Troost Slices are basical a good baccy, produced by Orlik/Scandinavian , and belonging to the not-so-large family of the European Regulars, I mean VaB blends with mild flavouring. The one including Amphora Brown, just to name the probably widely known. I consider them closely related to the Golden Sliced and the Park Lane #7, placing it right in the middle of those, being the first more Virginia oriented, the latter more on the Burley side. Flavour is mildly honey on bread, and strength mild-to-medium. Just like every VaB flake they need a bit of attention to keep the smoke cool and avoid bite, and let the mild aromas developing nicely. Burns absolutely dry. A small proportion of Toscano cigar crushed and mixed with a rubbed flake produce an exhilarating smoke, the nice sweet aroma of the Slices being consistently enhanced, and some “meat” is added. Merry Christmas to All the TR Community !

As I live in the Netherlands I can buy this stuff on every street corner. It's cheap, available, nice to smoke...and still I don't buy it often. Troost seems to have it's own character and flavour, which I find refreshing. A lot of the aromatics seems to taste alike but this is different.

If you're new to flakes, this might well be the best start because it's the easiest burning flake I have tried. It's easy to light and a smooth smoke, not to high on nicotine either.

It's just too "normal" over here and I tend to go for the more exclusive brands, just because trying new tobaccos is half the fun!

An interesting and flavorful tobacco, Troost Slices is almost like a richer version of Dunhill Light Flake. A little sweet for my tastes, but thoroughly enjoyable in its creamy smoothness. For me, it's not worth the fuss of getting it sent from Europe but if you are a VA flake fan who can easily obtain it, I recommend it as a change of pace from the brisker English style flakes.