Dan Tobacco Old Ironsides

Smooth the Latakia and Kentucky create a kind of salty sweetness when mixed with the oriental and Virginia, which adds a bit of vegetal notes and woody spice. Tastes like a Balkan blend, well balanced and easy to smoke fast doesn't get too hot, and does not cause any Dottle.. the broken flake in my tin was pretty much ready to go with no drying time needed and rubs apart easily. You've gotta enjoy Latakia / Kentucky to enjoy this blend.. it's not one I reach for all the time, but has its place in my cellar.

Not a Penzance clone. Excellent burn qualities, as it smokes cool and dry with a brilliant white ash. My reason for withholding the fourth star is the quality of the non-oriental component. I am not able to say whether it is the virginia or the kentucky that gives Old Ironsides a sharpish edge which diminishes the overall experience. Nonetheless, a very pleasant smoke.

The best Balkan flake in my experience has been Abu Riha, a flake made in England for G de Graaff and Sons of the Hague. In the mid-nineties I was able to obtain a couple of dozen tins but subsequent efforts to locate some have not been successful.

I normally don't smoke Latakia but this was in a nicely prepared, moist flake form that I prefer. Mostly black in color, the tin aroma = high test latakia. The taste and room aroma are similar. I made the error of trying a bowl before dinner and still had the tobacco taste with my desert. However, after dinner, this cool, creamy and rich smoke is really enjoyed. I can't judge the influence of the other tobaccos in this blend due to the latakia dominance but the end result is good. You should probably dedicate a pipe or two just for this blend since the intense flavor impacts the bowl and effects other tobaccos even after several complete cleanings. The room aroma is not accepted by my family members and I therefore smoke this blend only outdoors. Even this can be a problem. On a recent trip to Vegas, I was puffing while walking between casinos and received many stares and several negative comments from others. Naturally, none were pipe smokers. In fact, I was surprised that over the week that I spent there, I only saw one fellow puffer. With this in mind but considering your own needs, if you enjoy Latakia, this one is a must try.

I enjoyed my time with this one. This blend is right up my alley. It has all the flavors and complexity of a balkan, but a substantial amount of body thanks to the kentucky used in the blend. It made smoking this one a joy to me.

The Kentucky does not overpower this blend in taste or nicotine as it is prone to do with many blends in which it is used. In fact, I could not necessarily distinguish it on its own; whereas, the latakia and oriental presence was out front all the way in varying shades. the flavor shifts in this one against a very smooth and somewhat creamy background.

The flakes were not necessarily presented well, like most flakes in a round tin, but they were easy to work with and were at the perfect moisture level upon opening. The tin I had was 10 yrs aged and the latakia still tasted as fresh cyprian latakia should to my tastes. If I was still buying tobacco, I would buy more of this one to scratch the latakia itch.

This is one of my preferred tobaccos. If you liked HH Macbaren Latakia and Old Dark Fired, THIS will make you feel as the USS Constitution in the middle of the Ocean. Love it!

On the other side, after the first tin , I would add that this tobacco is not a every-day smoke for sure. I think is a special tobacco for special moments. It's very strong and can really shake you somehow.

The former incarnation of this was a true 4-star blend, but it's dead now. The current Old Ironsides, though less, is a balanced latakia, a salt and ketchupy leather creature, strong enough to please regularly.

If you like a good kick of Latakia in the mouth than this will do nicely. Oh, by the way when it comes to English blends I am a bit of a Latakia junkie. So this is right up my alley. This is not my all time favorite by any stretch but I think CAO makes great quality tobaccos and this is no exception.

My favorite English right now is Larry's blend from pipesandcigars to which I added a large dose of straight Latakia. Told ya' I am a bit of Latakia freak. I've never run into a blend that I thought had too much.

"A Latakia lover's dream." "Full and cool."

Fwiw I agree with the tin description. Upon opening the tin you will discover beautiful dark flakes with a few lighter strands contained within the flakes. The tin aroma, naturally, smells strongly of Latakia. Moisture content seems slightly high, as I prefer it that way its perfect for me.

Packing: I like to use the flake folding method with Old Ironsides and the tobacco complies well with this. A little sprinkle of fully rubbed out OI on the top helps with lighting.

Smoking: An easy charing light followed by a quick tamp/relight and I'm on my way. This one does, imo, seem 1 dimensional. Its Latakia followed by more Latakia. Mid-Bowl I taste more Latakia..and the finish is a nice smoky Latakia taste. 🙂 Burns to a fine grey ash with no wet goop. It does indeed smoke full & cool and doesn't bite at all. Quite nice overall.

Room note: I would think it unlikely that anyone other then our pipe smoking brethren would enjoy/tolerate it..don't expect the wife to be jumping with joy when you break this one out. Outside only for this pipester.

I do like this smoke when in the mood for a nice, heavier evening smoke after a hearty meal. Or pair this one up with some Jack Daniels on the rocks..

And yeah..if your not a fan of the dark leaf..skip this 3 of 4

01/14/2005: Even though I don't smoke these big-flavored blends all that often I rated it at the top anyway. The Latakia is not acrid or harsh like many tobaccos of this type. It is rich and tasty. It is too full flavored for an every day smoke. Best to save this for the last pipe of the day. If you smoke it first you won't taste anything else for a good long while!

11/27/2006 Update: Latakia overload.