Dan Tobacco Old Ironsides

This is the first tobacco I smoked that sent me into a trance. I sat there speechless, sipping and grinning for several minutes after lighting this one off the first time. My friend just watched and chuckled until I could find the first words, "it's like I'm smoking a barbecue..." Very full and delicious smoky flavor. To me it tastes like you are straight up sucking hickory smoke from a low and slow brisket on the barbecue, or at least what that bbq smell would lead you to believe it would taste like. The only downside to this blend is that its so good, when I smoke it its all I smoke until I am tired of it. Also, over time I noticed that if I rubbed it out, it tasted unpleasantly bitter. Instead I like to just pull apart the flake and stuff it. I haven't tried it folded, but certainly will on my next tin, and there will be many more to come.

Old Ironsides. Tin note is the smell of black forest smoked ham. It immediately draws our attention to the tin for a closer look . The flakes seems tasty yet the the latakia seems almost small in ratio. But all of this is only part of the strategy ... It can be a little difficult to ignite, but then immediately, without any refinement, the attack on the taste buds begins. In the first third of the bowl, my tongue and palate was practically conquered by the latakia and some black pepper flavor. Maybe there is also some gunpowder mixed into the tobacco. I realized at that moment that the appearance of the flakes was a deception. The taste is more like a forest fire than a campfire, in a good way. During the mid bowl, on the other hand, the tobacco smoothed out or might be that my senses just gave up. Turned out that it was also just a diversionary operation. While the smell of smoked ham comes up again seductively, in the background the matured Virginia starts the nicotine attack. By the end of the bowl, you are just leaning back and smoking, surrendering yourself to the experience and recognition: you have lost this fight. Presumably this tobacco got this name because you need an old comrade who drags you back to reality after you’ve done with the pipe. By then, however, your nervous system will be ironed from the tobacco so much that you are ready for a war with the world. The whole armada can come! ... especially if you drink some more rum right now!

Opening the tin reminded me of Nightcap - which was the only thing I smoked in my first two years of pipe smoking - just a tad lighter. This is probably due to flakes having a smaller surface area than ribbon cut because it has quite a full taste.

The taste is initially strong Latakia, a bit soapy, smoky, backed up by the sour notes of the Orientals, no sweetness at all to be found here. The taste really stays consistent throughout the bowl, with the soapiness trailing off past the half way point, and the Latakia chasing around the Orientals for dominance. A single folded and stuffed flake burned down to white ash after a LONG and cool smoke. What impressed me is that the flavours that come through are clean and distinct. The Kentucky works well, and is heard loudly in the smoke, giving strength and body, and additional spice, with the Virginia showing up only once in a while but providing a solid background.

Overall I really enjoyed it and would even call it a flake version of Nightcap, I could easily put it up there with Nightcap as a prototypical English blend, although it is not in origin (it is German), or recipe (has Kentucky). For me this is not a Lat bomb, it is a keeper.

I loved C.A.O. American History Mixtures series, unfortunately no longer available here in Italy. My last tins are ten years old, now. Old Ironsides is a very rich, intense, meditative blend, full in Latakia (but not overwhelming), perfect for an evening smoke. Memorable! 4,5/5 in my personal rating system.

This tobacco is very heavy with latakia , (my vice) It is creamy and smooth had no bite, and very relaxing. Nicotine will body slam ya' if not use to it. It will probably age well it has some Virginia, so a few in your cellar for at least 6 mos. to year would be delightful. If you never had Latakia give it a try, if you can handle this tobacco , a whole new world awaits with my favorite leaf

Ok, here I have a fan p.o.v. I've left Erinmore Balkan Mixture, Dunhill EM & 965, and only smoking a little Squadron Leader (weekly) for this. Can't live without it, I've got to smoke Old Ironside at least once a day. Latakia set free (thank you, Kentucky!), with ghosts of english history all around. I'm addicted (I told you I'm a fan, right?)

I a word a Latakia bomb but a good one. Full bodied and never monochromatic, the other tobaccos are there in subdued notes.

Tin art is very nice and the mixture produces a huge amount of smoke that I think should be enjoyed outdoors.

The crumbling flakes are not so dark but the smell tells you of potency and that you should proceed with caution. An after meal or evening tobacco for the Latakia addict or the experienced smoker or better yet both.

Virginia lover

Reminiscent of Esoterica's Penzance but with a slightly stronger taste in the latakia department giving it strong notes of leather and campfire without being too overpowering. I thought Dan tobacco had stopped producing it, but I'm now seeing it show up again at the major online retailers. Hooray!

I'm writing this review from memory; it's been a few years since I last had any of this and I'm not sure if the blend has changed since then. As I recall, though, the other reviews are pretty much spot on. Latakia. Smoky, smoky latakia. This is a blend for the people who like to lick charcoal. Somehow it still smokes smoothly though and I'd recommend it as at least worth a try to most pipe smokers who enjoy the dark leaf. Don't try it within forty-eight hours of needing your taste buds for other things, though, as nothing short of steel wool will abate the aftertaste.