Former Private Flake

A highly anticipated Christmas gift from my room mate, this tin of tobacco was a good gift for me. It came highly recommended by our local tobacconist; for smoker who wants a full flavor smoke, but also wants mild strength. I'm also not the best with flake tobacco, as I tend to prepare and pack them terribly. However, I did okay with this one. The tin note was very familiar, and much to my surprise, a friend of mine across the room got a whiff when I cracked the seal, and told me precisely what it smelled like before I could figure it out for myself: Fig Newton cookies (or biscuits for all of you British Blokes). Now, Fig Newtons are delicious on their own, but I've never smoked one, so at this point in the game I was a little worried. As I analyzed the scent a bit further, it was clear that Hans Nielson (Best pipe maker alive, produces pipes under the brand Former) likes his Virginia flakes. This blend certainly smells woodsy, nutty, fruity...so many things going on all at once. I lit it up and it tasted very good. It has a prominent nutty flavor and a slight fig-like taste as well. It's how I imagined Virginia flakes to taste when they're not loaded with ameliorates. I like it okay, but it takes some getting used to. The closest thing I can equate it to is Peterson's Sherlock Holmes. Mild, pleasant, cool smoking, but full enough to get a good taste. Perhaps I'll do to Former's Private Flake what I did with the Sherlock the next time I smoke it: Drink a good bourbon or dark rum with it. I've found that flavorful dark liquors such as whiskeys and rums bring out the full rich flavors in Virginia blends. All in all, I'd say it's a solid choice. It tastes pretty damn good. Oh, and for all you Aromatic puffers out there who are trying to like English blends but don't like the Latakia? Try this. I'ts a far cry away from the wet smoking, flavor-loaded Aromatic tobaccos that tend to smell better than they taste, and it certainly doesn't kick your tongue where it counts with overpowering Spice Tobaccos. Very good transition blend. Don't worry, it doesn't bite or pack the punch of Latakia, so if you want a gentle, natural, English blend, you will most certainly not be disappointed with Former's Private Flake. Sounds like Mr. Nielson knows what the hell he's doing when it comes to pipes.

I recently obtained a small sample of this blend straight from the tin. The tin aroma is intriguing with a strong Virginia aroma plus a casing that is not that noticeable. This is a light colored blend. There are light ribbons and flakes with a bit of a somewhat darker but still light ribbon components. This looks like a blend that is really going to bite. As soon as the flame hit, I immediately became aware of a strong aromatic that was not that noticeable in the pouch. The taste was familiar. I have to rely on a 30 year old memory for it has been that long since I smoked a blend with this flavor. The taste is somewhere between Erinmore Flake and Mixture 79, or even a combination of both. The description reads "The casing conists of several extracts like fig-tree-fruit,tamarind, nut, truffle, apple syrup finally rounded with Irish Top-flavour". Add to that description a hint of Irish Spring soap. Whereas Erinmore and #79 leave unpleasant memories, Private Label is a little more subdued. I don't mind this as much. And, there is bite, but a little less than I expected. It burns clean and dry to a darkish gray ash. I would not mind smoking this on rare occasion, but it would not be a regular for me. I would only smoke this in a Meerschaum. The aromatic will flavor a briar, and be very hard to remove. I can possible recommend this to those that do not find Erinmore overbearing. If the thought of Erinmore Flake heads you for the exits, pass on this.