Dan Tobacco Old Ironsides

As a Latakia Lover, I just had to smoke this one, and smoke it I did. Upon opening I was pleased by the look of the dark flakes and by the big, leathery smell. Packing and lighting aren't a simple task, and neither leave the flakes on the air nor rub them out won't make that much easier. When you'll have finally managed to light your pipe, Old Ironsides becomes an easy-going tobacco, it burns extremely cool and stays lit without the least problem, making it a perfect outdoor tobacco. It can be smoked with great satisfaction especially during summer for its almost incredible refreshing qualities, leaving your mouth with a slight peppermint aftertaste. A must-have for all latakia heads. The only complaint is that it's really too light in body.

The appearance and taste bring one thing to mind: a latakia cupcake. Ironsides is death by latakia. It is to pipe tobacco as flourless chocolate cake is to dessert and kobe steak is to beef. They are rich, overwhelming, almost over the top, but ohhhhhhhh, how sweet it is! This is the kind of blend you reach for when nothing else will do. An excellent scotch accompaniment, but probably more fitting for after dinner, as the flavor will make your tastebuds go on furlough for awhile. I first compared this one to Penzance turned up several notches, with favor on the side of Penzance. I now find that both of them have their own magnificence, and they both deserve a place in any discriminating smoker's latakia repertory. It's an expensive luxury, and the flakes are packed in huge circular chunks, which means you'll go through this stuff pretty quickly. Ironsides, Penzance and Sasieni form a mighty triumverate of the very best latakia & spicy oriental blends out there that leave the smoker yearning for more.

Four and a half of five stars

one word of caution here; if you do not like strong latakia blends, don't even consider this one! a notch below pirate kake, this tobacco still hits you right between the eyes, from the time you touch a match to it. personally, i like latakias, so i get along very well with it. it seems to be a little harder to keep lit than it's milder cousin, patriot flake. this is not the one to bring in the house if your spouse has an aversion to the smell of non-aromatic tobaccos or good cigars. the flavor stays consistent from lighting to the bottom of the bowl. i think this is a tobacco that would be good for a cigar conniseur who has decided to try out the delights of bowl and pouch, who would also not be too put off by the premium price. this is not an everyday smoke for me, but i did enjoy it. 3 stars.

I?ve been opening up some aged tins for the first time and trying them whereas I am used to smoking only newly opened tins. At only 4 years, aging has served this blend very well.

Tin Opening-Musty, Leathery. English ? Latakia definitely present but not as overwhelming as with a new tin.

Packing-I needed to cut it up to pack it well.

Lighting-Required two primer lights and a final light.

First Impression-I remembered when I first tried Old Ironsides; it was like a Latakia punch in the face but this is more subdued and mellowed. The Latakia is present but the aging has merged the other tobaccos bringing them more to the front.

Mid Bowl-By mid bowl, this has settle into a wonderful full smoke that is smooth without being heavy. The Latakia is dancing in the background but Virginias and Orientals make themselves more known. It's more complex than I remember but still smokes with the same coolness and without a hint of tongue bite or wetness.

Finish-Stronger, richer and even more flavorful at the finish, this is a delightful smoke.

Over all-I was surprised at how much time as changed this blend. It has certainly mellowed over time and the tobaccos have married well into a more refined version of the newly tinned version.

Recommendation Buy it and stash it!

I love this blend, although I must admit that there are alot of other latakia blends that I prefer to smoke over this beauty. Fortunately, when I got into pipe smoking, I was exposed first to Dunhill's 965 and shortly there after became a huge fan of latakia. Old Ironsides will quench the latakia craving in any smokers heart who has an appreciation for the greatest "black" commodity to come from the middle east since oil. At the opening of the tin you'll get a blast of deep, rich, earthiness that will give you visions of smoked beef and fertile soil. The cake is sliced and is easily rubbed out into a fine composition that appears to be annointed with dark cocoa powder. Don't let this description be misunderstood though, there's nothing sweet and chocolatey about this blend. Old Ironsides burns really clean and cool. I like to puff aggressively, and I haven't been bitten yet. As others have stated, this blend is best appreciated outdoors or in the company of other pipe smoking bretheren. All said, if you love latakia Old Ironsides will sail you away on the seas of extacy.

Menacing. Dark. Foreboding. The Dick Cheney of the tobacco world. Empty stomach? Fugeddaboudit. Standing up? I don't think so.

Old Ironsides is a much more manageable flake than Penzance (a natural comparison), and is loaded with more latakia than that already heavy blend. It burns very slowly (thankfully) and is quite cool. It compares well with Nightcap and Red Raparree, but if you think it's just too overbearing, I won't disagree. Still, it may just fit the bill for a late night treat for lovers of powerful, heady smokes.

I'm mainly these days a Burley fancier. But I still enjoy the smokey Latakia from time to time, and this my friend is LATAKIA!!! The tobacco is pressed in to cakes and cut into flakes,and looks like Tar Baby.(anyone remeber that?) It breakes up easy, but takes a few lights to get it going. Once lit you get some very delightful creamy smokey lucious tastes. My wife says "it smells better than a lot of those camel poop tobaccos you smoke".It does taste good,and is very relaxing. It's definetly not for land lubbers, and those who haven't been with a pipe long. Smokey and salty, like a good Islay Scotch.

One of the monster Latakia blends. This is one of the best , seemingly having a touch more virginia than Penzance making for a slightly different experience, but overall latakia rules O.K. which is fine with me. I would guess latakia is getting on for 66% or more. I like to smoke these blends in a big pipe, weekend size. Not an all day smoke but great when the mood dictates. The only rub is its only available in tins which makes regular consumtion questionable as Penzance is virtually the same, but half the price in bulk form.

Like the other reviewers I found Old Ironsides to be a rather strong Latakia crumble cake. It is similar to Penzance or C&D's Black Frigate in form and taste, but somewhat stronger in the latakia department. Of the three, Old Ironsides also has the smokiest latakia. I personally love all three of them. Old Ironsides crumbles out nicely, packs well and burns very evenly. While it is certainly dominated by the latakia, I found that the bottom third of the bowl definitely yielded some change of flavor into other ranges.

One problem with Old Ironsides is that the aroma really tends to linger in the room, developing a musty, sour smell the next morning. Not a tobacco to please the wife.

Overall I found this to be a great blend. If you want something similar, but with less strength of latakia, try Penzance.