Dan Tobacco Old Ironsides

A very creamy, sweet, rich and full Latakia Flake. Burns very cool and slow. For me it is the best Latakia Blend i smoked so far. Highly Recommended for Lovers of a very full Latakia Mixture.

This is the strongest Latakia tin note I have ever experienced...MMMM alotta Latakia. The broken flakes are easy to rub out, dry and pack (do let it dry or it has a tendency to bite). Once lit the smokey Latakia hits you between the eyes, but not overbearing. Sweet and smokey. I get a chocolate like flavor, not from a topping, but the sweet Latakia with the DFK and Orientals blend into what my palate describes as chocolate. Very consistent flavor down the bowl and leaves a grey ash. I got the sense from other reviews that there is a big nic-hit with this. I did not get that at all...and I am fairly sensitive to nicotine. Great after dinner smoke.

I remember lighting up a bowl of this while driving down the interstate a few years back. Within minutes I was reeling from the punch this packed! Old Ironsides is said to have over 40% latakia and you can believe it. The latakia taste stayed in my taste buds the entire day and also lingered in the pipe for quite some time. If you really love latakia then this is for you. Smoking this at home around any living persons would not be recommended. I have used this for blending and it did compliment some weaker blends that needed more back end. It's just to much for me on it's own.

I was puzzled by the one or maybe 2 other Reviewers who mentioned Old Ironsides as a 'late night' blend. In theory, this makes sense; by the end of the day, our tastebuds have been somewhat numbed or taxed from receiving, for most of us, a broad variety of flavors, thereby it takes a little more intensity to make 'em "sing" with pleasure.

In addition, I found that when I did try Old Ironsides late at night, I was greeted each time by, yes, Old Ironsides firmly imprinted on my tongue first thing the following morning. What that eased that effect somewhat the most recent time was a good brushing on the tongue with toothbrush and paste right before bedtime, a good way to cleanse the pallet for the next morning in general (and a typical practice in India as a general means of oral hygene/breath freshening, as I understand it).

Also, my schedule doesn't seem to permit a nice full meal and then an evening of relaxation most nights. It is with no doubt in my mind that I tell you that a hearty meal in the belly is what's required for me to enjoy a blend like this! Whoa Nelly!

I am indeed a fan of Latakia. But I suppose even my fanaticism has its limits. The strongest blends that I've enjoyed in the past include Timm's London Blend 1000 and the currently available Balkan Sobranie (European pouched edition, not available in the USA). I've gotten enjoyment from those fine blends, usually in small bowled pipes with enough shank/stem length to add a bit of coolness. But Old Ironsides...*whew*...I guess this sailor is just not enough of a 'manly man' to handle this intensely smokey flake. Not sure what to do with the remainder in the tin...who knows, maybe it will grow on me? I'll Zip-Lok the tin and give it a few more tries ...

The U.S.S. Constitution (aka Old Ironsides) is the 'oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world'. The battleship has been celebrated with honours, including being the namesake of Dan Tobacco's blending inspiration (perhaps the ship's greatest achievement besides its age). Blended for C.A.O., Old Ironsides is a Latakia flake-based weed that I rather like. I have been critical of tobacco in the past for being uniform in taste. In this case, oddly, I like the fact that the flavour is basically unchanging from the beginning of the bowl to the bottom. There is a charm about its unvarying flavour. I am not a fan of flake form, but Old Ironsides would lose some of that charm if it were not a flake cut. The fact is that I noticeably like packing this flake in my larger pipes. The raw peat-like smell of the weed is welcoming but second only to the taste. In this case, it is a full and smoky experience without an abundance of nicotine. The latter, however, is just about right--enough for a kick but not too much to cause a headache. This stuff produces bellows of grey smoke and burns to a nice similarly-coloured ash. And I enjoy greatly the lingering aftertaste. What prevents Old Ironsides from getting another star (besides the War of 1812 against Great Britain--even if that was the ship and not the tobacco) is the fact that its flavour can become slightly harsh, but that harshness can be avoided. Significantly, it must be smoked gently and that is difficult to do due to the desire to enjoy abundantly and puff profusely (or at least faster than usual). That aside--and in mind--this is a satisfactory solid smoke that occasionally reminds me of a fine cigar (although I no longer smoke them). Latakia is my favourite component in tobacco, but if it is not yours than admittedly you will not like Old Ironsides. If Latakia is a requirement for your smoking pleasure, find your way to the Navy yard and cruise aboard the U.S.S. Constitution with this dreamy delight--you will certainly not be disappointed.

As a Latakia lover, I wanted to try some blend with the emphasis on this dark and fascinating tobacco, something different from my usual Dunhill London Mixture and Balkan Sobranie Original Mixture. Well, I went for advice to Mr. Bollito (a tobacconist in Turin, one of the best in Italy) and he suggested this. Well, his experience couldn't have been more valuable. Upon opening the small tin, I was rather shocked by the huge and thick black broken flakes: being used to the small cut of my other favorite latakia tobaccos, this was a surprise. The smell was very strong, very smoky and dark: like Balkan Sobranie, but stronger and deeper. I was uncertain on how to pack this stuff, but I decided to stuff the flakes in my Savinelli without crumbling them into little pieces. I just broke the hugest ones, pressed with my finger and then lit. Lighting proved itself a challenging task: this stuff doesn't want to get on fire! Not because of wetness, just because of the size of the flakes! This made me fear for the worst about relightings, but I was wrong. This tobacco is hard to light, but then if you puff regularly it never extinguishes. The large cut of the flakes is very helpful indeed in keeping the smoke very slow and cool: the pipe gets noticeably less hot than with Dunhills or Balkan Sobranie, and this is great. The smoke comes out at the perfect temperature, allowing you to taste the aroma without scorching your tongue or overwhelming you with excessively intense clouds. But what about the taste? In my opinion, it is very good. A bit monochromatic, perhaps, in comparison to the aforementioned Latakia monsters: straight, sincere, but enormously satisfying. The intense smokiness of Latakia is the dominant taste, for an in-your-face dark experience, with all the usual nuances one has to expect. Hints of licorice, of burning wood, of salt... Mmmmm, this tobacco makes my mouth water!!! It can get too salty at the bottom of the bowl, but never harsh. If only it were a bit fuller in body (maybe adding some orientals and red virginia... but then again it would be easier to smoke another blend!)... In spite of this rich taste, this tobacco doesn't seem too strong: the nicotine content is just right for me, and the overall strenght is OK, definitely lighter than London Mixture or Balkan Sobranie. For me it is a great choice when I want something less complex than my usual favorite Latakia blends, but be warned because I found that it can be very nasty and unplesant to non-smokers who should happen in your presence: they often complain that its pungent smell reminds them of burnt horse dung!!!!!! But so they say about Balkan Sobranie, which could be interpreted as a huge compliment to Old Ironsides...

2011 Update (after 6-7 years): Well, I hadn't tried this tobacco since a long time ago, so I got a new tin. Bad surprise... it has changed considerably, even from the looks of it. Much softer and larger flakes, not as dark and leathery as they used to be. And the taste disappoints too: no longer the strong Latakia blast of old, no longer as stout and licoricey. Should have stocked up the old version...

2021 Update: With the change of production from CAO to Dan, it has become a recommended blend again. Still not as dark and rubery/leathery as old times, still not as "thick", but at least once again very flavorful. Great juicy sweetness with added smokiness, like a nice barbecue sauce. Simple, but enjoyable.

Well, this is not going to be an objective review! This tobacco is the one I love. I just love this one! This is the perfect tobacco for me. Truly a friend. Everytime I lit this one I feel home. Immediately. I've been given this mana by my inner man as the archetype of my inner strength. The taste and aroma is just godly. My wife told me that if you pick the right perfume you are not able to smell it on yourself but the others are. The same goes for this tobacco for me. I can't distinguish the particular tastes here. It just work togheter to give an absolute delightful symphony. A masterpiece!

Smoke and drive: Guess what! A heaven! I can imagine smoking this one even on a bike or during lovemaking 🙂

A fairly dark semi broken flake with yellow stripes...not too moist, not too dry... just about ok to smoke out of the bag (yes I ordered 250g). Nevertheless I let it air dry for sometime before packing.

Tin note: Latakia smokiness combined with some spicy and sweet aroma.

Firstly, let me tell you that I am still finding my Latakia bearings and although this blend is Latakia heavy I was captivated.

The smoky, mildly spicy, floral Latakia is in the lead throughout the smoke but very very nicely complemented by woody, earthy and mildly nutty Kentucky. Some notes of leather are present past the 15 mins mark.

The orientals and Virginia show their presence on sipping adding the tangy, zest and fruity sweetness.

As the bowl progresses, it gets creamier without compromising the above mentioned notes and some coffee nuances.

Retrohale is fantastic throughout with notes of white pepper blended in a creamy sauce.

Note: the spice and tang will be overwhelming if one puffs or sips too hard on this blend

It makes the mouth slightly dry because of the generous amount of Latakia present in the blend but I didn't find it off-putting.

A cool, dry smoke with minimal relights and burns into fine ash. 

The strength is medium with a fuller taste and strong room notes.

Not an all day smoke for me but something to have in the rotation for sure.

4 stars.

Age: 5 months Pipe: savinelli dolmiti poker with 9mm balsa filter

If you gravitate toward English/Balkan blends, you will surely like like. Well balanced, flavorful and cool. I’d put it up against any English tobacco. Pair it with a nice bourbon and have an enjoyable evening.