Solani 633: Virginia Flake with Perique

A solid 2.75 from me and even if you pleaded with me, I wouldn't add .01 more. Tried both out of tin and bone dry, it's a decent entry level VaPer. However, I've found it lacking in strength & flavor, compared to its counterparts. Perfect for those who are quitting light cigarettes (speaking of "light", I'd like to take a moment and say, what were you thinking!? There's no such thing as light cigarettes. They are overly processed death sticks, I congratulate you for quitting them!).

Back to Solani 633, I've found that the fold-and-stuff method produces the best results, which surprises me considering it's a packing technique I struggle with the most, but for some unknown reasons it does wonders with this particular blend, hence my grading of this baccy. Otherwise it would be 2.20 something. Good burning qualities, very few perique here (but I assume you already predicted it from the product title "with perique". Perique is not "in", or "included". Yes, it's there but "with" Virginia. Just an escort, nothing more). Eh.. for the amount of money I paid for this blend, I expected Perique to be.. well I don't know, maybe more involved. This blend goes well with a light beer.. ok I can't lie anymore, there are sooooo many better options out there, leave this one to the cigarette smoking novice! Gimme my "without Perique" Royal Yacht and I'll live happily ever after. Oh my Queen! Why you had to die!!

Notes to add to what others have said: 1 this is finicky stuff. It will either be sublime or overly spicy and unremarkable. 2. When the stars align it is amazingly sweet and delicious 3. Will bite if care is not taken. 4. I keep chasing number 2 and rarely achieve it. 5. I get annoyed at this stuff due to number 1, but DAMN it's good when you get number 2

In its tin it has a very fruity aroma, with notes of red fruits, plum, apple... Good quality virginias and a little perique make this a fresh and very smooth va / per. In my opinion, it is in the line of light flavors with a clear prominence from Virginia, such as the one offered by blends such as Escudo or De Luxe Navy Rolls, so it is essential to smoke it very slowly so that the flavor is not lost. If you are a lover of this type of va / per, you are sure to like this one.

From what some reviewers say, this one ages very well. I would like to check it ...

This is an interesting tobacco. This is in the middle, or a bit passed the middle, of the bright-dark Virginia’s spectrum. Some of those woodsy/mature fruit notes and some earthiness. The perique (along with some slightly acidic casing, some kind apple juice according to the German Government database) become noticeable after a few minutes. I think of this tobacco as a spicier and more robust version of Orlik Golden Sliced. Not particularly high in nicotine. Burns nicely. Not a favourite of mine, but there’s absolutely nothing wrong with it. Recommended to all Virginia smokers and to Orlik GS fans. The tin art is great: a couple of monarchs (not clear if European or Indian) overseeing both some old-world ships and a group of natives of the Americas. Shame this nice picture is in many tins covered by and ugly “smoking is diabolical” sticker.

Tin aroma suggests a mild topping. I can't describe what it might be. Could be just the way the blend aroma wafts from the tin with the Perique infusion. It smoked mild & cool with an initial sweet flavor that subsided as the bowl progressed. Stays mild, smokes cool & doesn't get harsh toward the end. This is a good VA/Per blend but I found myself drawing too hard for more tobacco strength & flavor which also seemed to dissipate after about half way down & became rather bland...a little "wimpy," as it were but that's not a bad thing... many pipers would prefer that.

I prefer at least a medium to strong strength in this genre of blends & have always enjoyed smoking a good VA/Per. Solani 633 is not a bad smoke. Certainly better than many others but it did not make my top twenty due to lack of strength only but the flavor was not bad at all. Always a pleasure to try something new though, if nothing else but to make comparisons.

Tin aroma suggests a mild topping. I can't describe what it might be. Could be just the way the blend aroma wafts from the tin with the Perique infusion. It smoked mild & cool with an initial sweet flavor that subsided as the bowl progressed. Stays mild, smokes cool & doesn't get harsh toward the end. This is a good VA/Per blend but I found myself drawing too hard for more tobacco strength & flavor which also seemed to dissipate after about half way down & became rather bland...a little "wimpy," as it were but that's not a bad thing... many pipers would prefer that. I prefer at least a medium to strong strength in this genre of blends & have always enjoyed smoking a good VA/Per.

However, this was reminiscent of Reiner's Long Golden Flake, also blended by R. L. Will. I prefer Escudo over either for the same reasons.,, for greater strength and more tobacco flavor, try Escudo or maybe some Marlin Flake, Deluxe Navy Rolls, C & D Perique blends, McClellands & a few other brands that are a far better choice, IMHO, of course! Escudo was one of my firsts into a forray of VA/Per blends. I intend to always have aged Escudo & other Perique blends stashed in a section of my modest cellar.

Solani 633 is not a bad smoke in this genre. Certainly better than many others but it did not make my top twenty due to lack of strength only but the flavor was not bad at all. Always a pleasure to try something new though, if nothing else but to make comparisons. Therefore, IMHO, Solani 633 Blend merits three to three & one half stars.

I would like to start out by saying that I am an english fancier, and seldom have room in my rotation for VA or VA/Perique blends. However, I occasionally MAKE room in the rotation for this fabulous smoke. Like mentioned above, I only smoke this one in the summer months, which is the only time I ever smoke a tobacco of this variety. 633 has to be the most forgiving tobacco or this type. I find that this never bites for me, which makes it stand in a class of its own IMHO. The taste is quite sweet, with the spiciness of the perique giving it just the right amount of kick. When I'm looking for a change of pace around the summer months, I find myself reaching for this quite frequently. Highly recommended.