Dan Tobacco Tordenskjold Virginia Slices

This review is based on a scuffed-up tin that I found languishing in a cigar shop. Obviously has years of age on it.

Strong notes of fruit (apricot, plum) and fermentation on opening the tin. There was a funky, nasty taste which seems to come from the fermentation of the sugary casing and perique that that made it unsmokable for a couple days until it aired out and the funk dissipated. If you've dealt with this before with aged tins, you know that goodness awaits once the funk is gone, and it was.

Inside the tin, a not-exactly-neat stack of golden-brown slices and some broken flake. Not sure if it is the tobacco used or the aging, but it delivers a great spiced and sweet golden virginia flavor with none of the harsh edges, and a slightly more matured taste than your average bright virginia flake.

The casing is definitely the Danish style of flavoring, except that they actually pull it off here in my opinion -- you might say that it achieves what that style aspires to, where I have found that many in this style do not (or, at least I am not a fan of many in that style). Obviously fermentation has affected it, so maybe it melds so well because of that. However with drying time and airing, it mostly has dissipated and the natural tobacco flavor is what's left, moving it away from semi-aromatic territory.

As has been noted, the perique is not very obvious, but the smoke is definitely not straight virginia: it adds some obvious fruitiness, and if the funk on opening the tin is any indication, is a major factor in how it ferments when aging.

Potentially burns hotter and faster than the average flake due to the high sugar content, but remains smooth and bite-free even when pushed a little. Will have to try it fresh soon, but as is, it occupies a place on my short list for VA and VA/per flakes.

This has made my regular rotation. That should say something about it already. Brownish, goldenish flake nicely stacked in uniformity. None of them where broken. But they did require some getting apart. The flakes were a little moiste, but just a little. Not moiste enough to require drying time. Both tins were the same upon me opening them. Smell of virginia with maybe a slight (and I mean very, very slight) casing. Possibly none at all. I was actually sniffing the tin for a good 2 minutes trying to see if I could definitely detect something. The other reviews here say yes. To me, barely, if anything at all. Virginia is what I smell with this one. More specifically, fermented virginia!

Now, I used two methods of packing, fold and stuff, and rubbed it out. It really didn't make a difference which method I used. Both ended up burning the same and tasting the same. As well as smoking duration.

Upon lighting the aroma of the virginia takes dominance. There is perique here but it is extremely minimal in this blend. And if you are wondering if the casing or topping is coming out the answer is yes. It comes out in the char light. So, after the first few lighting puffs I could no longer taste it throughout the entirety of the pipe. That didn't let me down one bit. The rest of the bowl is pure enjoyment! Very consistent taste and burn qualities! And personally I like this blend in a big briar bowl of sorts. Still burns and tastes great in a cob and meer but I like it best in briar. And I must add I also like it being sipped slowly and snorked slowly. This is when I could taste citrus notes. I tried heavy plumes of smoke but could not get the citrus notes. Only when sipping could I really find/taste the intricate flavors (citrus, slight vanilla hints, various nuts, dry grass) hidden within this phenomenal blend.

The finish, as mentioned above, was consistent with the rest of the burn and taste. Burned down to a grey white ash. No dottle in any type of pipe used.

Concluding, this blend is one I am choising to put in my regular rotation. I enjoy it that much. But it is also one I choose to enjoy while doing nothing. If I am driving, I will not smoke this. It's too complex. Tordenskjold needs to be smoked and sipped slowly to truely appreciate the fine detailed tastes within it.

Not bad! I like the look of the tin more than I actually liked the tobacco. But it is a nice Virginia Flake with a pleasantly sweet top note. Not one I'd stock up on, but I will definitely finish the tin I have and enjoy doing so. One of the mildest Virginias I've ever smoked.

I agree with 2ley: "The strength was mild. I think smoking this all day would not be unfeasible. But it would be uninteresting."

I received a free ounce from my local tobacconist's bulk supply when I purchased a pipe.

I am a passionate Virginia/VaPer pipe smoker. This tobacco was a disappointment.

I think this tobacco is different from the one reviewed by Pipestud, NEWMAN, and Eulenburg back in 2002.

It is light in every way: color, moisture, weight, flavor, nicotine. It should be called Virginia Lite.

A relatively dry and fluffy flake, it burns fast with a tendency to burn hot. My best and largest pipe, a poker, will last 2 hours or more with a dense flake, such as those produced by McClelland or Kohlhase & Kopp. This pipe, packed full, barely made it an hour. So it might be a good choice when one has little time for a proper smoke.

There is a very light casing. Honey? And the Perique is likewise very light and difficult to taste at times. The thick smoke is relatively sweet, but I wonder if some of that is the casing. It will bite if puffed hard.

The Virginias are flat or one dimensional, monotonous really. A bland and boring smoke that might be appropriate to those who favor very light and mild smokes.

August 2010 Update: I have not tossed this out. And while I would not purchase this for myself, I would not refuse it as a gift. I have actually found a place for this Virginia Lite in my rotation. As an early morning smoke, when the palate is open to lighter flavors and one wants a light, fast smoke without a lot of effort, this fills the bill. It would probably be a good mild tobacco for first-time smokers. Virginia Lite is less filling, but maybe not so great on the taste.

I had left this tin for a year before opening, hoping that a little age would make it all the better.

I was expecting a pure rich virginia flake, I was to be dissapointed.

Had I done a blind taste test, I would have sworn this was a new McBarens offering, the "honey topping" being the giveaway.

As it was, it was not a blind taste test, but the honey note for me, was very real.

I finished the tin but I will not be buying more, if you are looking for a reasonable quality virginia with a little added sweetness, ie "honey" then this may well be for you.

Very enjoyable smoke.. Light virginia but with very nice nutty and restrained hay notes. I found this to be a smoke with not much at all to complain about. Lovers of stronger Gawith flakes might be slightly dissapointed.. I find it like a more restrained flake version of old gowrie with a tiny perique added.. I do think the perique contributes to the nutty flavor although I might be mistaken.. nice smooth smoking flake.

The first noticeable good thing about this tobacco is the format: nice little/medium flakes, very easy to rub and pack. I received a sample from a friend, so I can't say anything about the moisture level in the tin. This is definitely one of the easiest flakes I happened to smoke, it burns very even and regular, almost like a mixture. The smoke is easy as well, nothing really complex: the Virginias are so sweet and nutty that I imagine they have been "aided" a little, while the Perique is just in the right amount not to overwhelm the whole bunch. A fine tobacco, great to introduce you to the VA-PER blends in an easy way.

A bit moist when fresh from the tin. Rub the flakes out slightly, fill the pipe bowl and let it sit for at least 15 min. I also like to top off the bowl with some really well rubbed flake for easier lighting. This is what I would call a very light Virginia flake. It has a smooth taste that gets stronger and better as you progress down the bowl. This is especially tasty as the first smoke of the day. Works best for me in the smallest bowls I own. If you smoke this after smoking something strong i.e. Latakia, you will miss the whole point of Virginia flakes. Also, Virginia flakes need a dedicated pipe. No Aromatics, Latakia, or even tobacco with spirits should be allowed near your pipe reserved for V. flakes.

Notes: Another entry from the DAN tobbaco company, I tried this one in various pipes and found it best in a tall, thin briar. It seems to oddly favor a larger bowl.

Appearance: 2-inch square cut flake of moderately pressed gold, red, and dark brown tobacco, rubbing out easily into a thin ribbon. Not too moist in the tin, just right for smoking immediately.

Aroma: Hazelnuts! Malt, vanilla, honey, vinegar, sour-sweet, mildly musty, slightly smoky.

Taste: Marshmallow Jell-o Salad! Nutty, sweet, weirdly sour and musty, honey, vinegar, plums, and vanilla, darkly smoky hints.

Comparisons: Like a weird Danish-style Marlin Flake, but milder. A lot like Hamborger Veermaster, but sweeter instead of nuttier (analogous to the relationship between Marlin Flake and Hal O' The Wynd).

Bottom Line: If you enjoy Danish aromatic crossover blends, but you are looking for a Virginia flake, this one may suit you perfectly.