Tobaccos Solani - 131: Red Label

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3022)	2014-04-17		Medium	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

The lighter, grassy, tart and tangy citrusy Virginias are fairly subdued by the very pleasing topping, though part way through the smoke, the tangy dark fruity, earthy, woody red Va. taste pops up once in a while. The same can be said for the nutty, earthy, woody burley, though that seems a little more noticeable the red Va. Overall, the sweet, honey and sugary cavendish is the most prominent tobacco taste I got, though it still plays second fiddle to the topping. The scotch whiskey is deeply rich, and the main reason to buy this as it greatly sublimates the tobaccos. Sweet, malty, and intoxicating, if you'll pardon the pun, it needs to be sipped and not puffed fast. The strength and taste levels are medium. The nic-hit is a step past the mild mark. Won't bite, and has no dull or harsh spots. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace for a flake with no weakening of its very consistent flavor. It may require some drying time. Leaves just a little dampness in the bowl, and requires some relights. The lingering after taste and room notes are exceptionally pleasant. Not an all day smoke.

-JimInks

19 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2002-11-16		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

The only tobacco blend flavored with scotch whiskey that I've appreciated is Peterson's Irish Whiskey. It has been the only one where the casing did not overpower the "natural" flavor of the tobaccos.

Solani has made a terrific effort here - and while it will not become a regular smoke in my rotation, it will receive attention from time to time.The leaf is supple and reeks of quality, but the flavoring does make its presence known the moment the lid is popped. You will smell a wonderful bouquet when you open the tin, and you might even be tempted to pour this blend into a shot glass rather than your pipe!

The good news for me (and great news for you aromatic fans) is that this blend is quite cool while burning, and very flavorsome too. It's just a bit over the top for my everyday consumption. Don't get me wrong, the blend does have some nice qualities. For instance, I found it makes a nice after dinner smoke. It satisfies my sweet tooth without adding any calories. Hey, I'm liking this stuff more and more already!

12 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Greekpipesmoker (201)	2017-02-01		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

The critics caught my attention so i had to try this blend!when you crack the tin you get a very pleasant flavour of whiskey and vanilla.the moisture is higher than needed let it dry out for an hour.the lighting needs a bit effort.while smoking the flavours come out with malt whiskey and sweet vanilla.the burleys give a nuttyness with a very earthy flavour wich i don't like.the virginias are drowned from the topping and the burleys.burns very cool and slow.the moisture level is ok.the room note is very pleasant.the nicotine level is ok for an all day smoke.i don't give 4 stars because though the flavours are great they are not balanced.

Age When Smoked: After dried out for 1 hour

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2076)	2015-01-09		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Solani - 131 Red Label.

This gives a strong aroma from the mix, I get whiskey but there is also an extra sweetness in there. Mine appears to include a healthy amount of each tobacco, it's an even mixture.

Once lit I wouldn't say it tastes like your usual whisky aromatic, the whisky is really faint. The main false taste is just like the sweet nougat I remember I used to eat as a kid, it tastes different to anything I have had so far! The Burley and Virginia are a little lost in the flavour, out of the tobacco tastes the only one I can identify clearly is the black Cavendish. All the way through the flavour stays the same, there's no fluctuation with either the tobacco tastes or additives. I find the nicotine mild in this one, I don't think it would be much good for a hardcore nicotine lover! I can't pick much out in the room note, all I really get is a simple tobacco one, not offensive but not special! My tongue has remained bite free all the way through, it has been a very comfortable smoke. The burn is a good with Red Label, it is a proper sit back and relax smoke!

As I said earlier, this tastes different to other blends I have smoked but DIFFERENT doesn't necessarily mean bad, hence four stars!

Pipe Used: Strambach Vienna Calabash

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: G.Q Tobaccos

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NJA62 (3)	2014-01-05		Medium	Strong	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

I lean towards light aromatics and selected this blend as a freebie with the purchase of a new pipe. They had an open tin as a sample, and the aroma was very strong, a combination of sweet and whiskey. Not a fan of the way whiskey smells or tastes as a liquor, and was dissapointed it was in my tobacco. I would not have purchased this because of the strong whiskey aroma. I thought it would sit, unopened, and use it to trade, but curiosity got the better of me, and glad it did because i found an excellent product. Although i can taste the whiskey, it is subtle and just flat out works in this blend. I dont smoke it every day, but i make sure i always have some on hand. I was pleasantly surprised all around ay how well it smokes, biurns, tastes and smells to others.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lazarus77 (91)	2018-01-01		Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

Very high quality smoke, perfect whiskey flavored tobacco and one of the best in aromatic line. Clean and dry smoke without tongue bite. Personally for me bit to light in nicotine and taste. Overall highly recommended for everybody at least to try it once.

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: 3 years in vacum tin

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2013-05-16		Very Mild	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

Really liked the tobaccos, milder Virginias and lighter burley. The single malt flavoring is noticeable; but it's there almost as a afterthought. Don't get me wrong, this is a aromatic type tobacco, but for me, the taste is an accompaniment. Not a major player. Although one would swear it is the point of the tobacco. I liked the way the tobaccos presented themselves while smoking. Each inhale/exhale produced flavors of hay, grass, and there it is, the tooty fruity flavor I so enjoy in Vas. So, excellent flavors, will reorder.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Hillbilly08 (38)	2015-09-25		Mild	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

This blend smelled great when fresh. With time, the aroma and the taste got even better instead of fading. The tobacco is a moist ribbon when new, and improves with a little airing. Smoking it is a pure pleasure. Although the topping is reasonably noticeable, it is pleasant and does not distract. The cavendish emerges as the main flavour with virginia and burley in the background. The flavour mix remains constant throughout the bowl. While slightly sweetish it is not cloying and displays malt-like overtones which reflect the name. It is a pleasant blend of high-quality tobacco. It is not particularly complex but is very dependable, does not bite, and will be in my regular rotation.

Pipe Used: several Stanwell briars with 9mm filter

Age When Smoked: from fresh to 6 months old

Purchased From: 4noggins

Similar Blends: 4noggins - Father Orin - but more complex (while more expensive).

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Otis56 (31)	2014-09-29		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

Yummy yummy yum. Excellent selection of tobaccos. Packs perfect, nice burn. Taste of Carmel a hint of vanilla, and scotch wiskey. What could be better? If you are going to try an aro. This should be one for sure. Peace.

Pipe Used: Peterson/ Sherlock Holmes

Age When Smoked: 2 years

Purchased From: Canadian natives

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-01-12		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

The tin aroma & is out of this world. This one should please those preferring aromatic blends. However, the room note is very subtle... not like some of the aromatic blends that leave a lingering, intriguing aromatic room note. It is fairly comfortable on the palate for an aromatic but will bite a little if puffed too hard, especially toward the end of the bowl. The palate is bathed with a little of the enticing, sweet flavoring that comes through while smoking & leaves behind a pleasant aroma. This Solani 131 blend seemed a little similar to Torben Dansk Blue Note but tin aroma has a stronger aromatic essence & left more of an aromatic aroma behind. What you smell in the tin is transferred to the palate during smoking but not much & it didn't taste all that sweet. It leaves a lingering taste that I wasn't real crazy about. I just wanted to try it out since it received some favorable reviews but I doubt I'll purchase this again.

The tin aroma is such that one might be enticed to find a spoon & dig right in. It leaves no goopy dottle in the bowl but it will leave a ghost in there for the next couple of rounds. I don't smoke many aromatics these days & this review is based only on the merits of an aromatic blend. Therefore, IMHO, Solani's 131 blend earns three stars.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Upon (15)	2014-11-05		Mild	Strong	Full	Pleasant

An old acquaintance calling my name from the shelves of the B&M. It was one of those moments when strange things and crazy actions suddenly seem perfectly normal. Traveling abroad, becoming drunk from friendship and beverages, not enough sleep, beautiful old houses, carpe diem, maybe fall in love. So you buy a tin of Solani 131, just like that. Later you sit home with - just that - a tin of frea-king Solani 131 blend of Virginia, Burley and Single Malt Scotch Whiskey thinking "Why?"

Why, this is the tobacco most of you would coin as "change of pace". That's what it is, you change the pace to the opposite direction and run! Run for your life!

Actually I'm quite curious to find out exactly which Single Malt Whiskey reeks cooking fudge at home, so I would know to strictly avoid the label. The tobacco tastes like the combination of decaying flesh and toffee, quite an achievement as such. Also it produces an ocean of gurgle when smoked. If smoked, I mean.

Pipe Used: next briar

Age When Smoked: fresh

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2013-10-10		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

131 tin description reads very promisingly. When I opened the tin I Thought oh no not another sweet cased tobacco. Upon lighting I was immediately impressed with the tobacco but still dismayed at the casing. However 5 min into the bowl I got the taste and mouth feel of a fine Singke malt. The casing lingered until half wssy through the bowl. But it lessens and makes way for fine tobacco taste. This blend is nice and wont burn hot, but clean and cool.

Recommend

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2012-12-19		Mild to Medium	Strong	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

I expected to find candy in the tin the smell was so sweet. Smoked very well but the flavour is far from subtle.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-12-28		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Tolerable

Way too sweet for me, as well the tinnote as the taste while smoking.

Luckily one of my pipesmoking friends loves this tobacoo, so he may finish the tin for me. I'll stick to Peterson's IW in this bracket...

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-07-25		Mild	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

Red Label is a lot better than Green. As Green, the tin aroma is fantastic but the casing in Red is not overwhelming.

A bit too mild for me, it is still very enjoyable.

Worth a try for the fans of cased tobaccos.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Planet Scott (66)	2010-06-09		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

A mild, yet nice smoke. Not too sweet. The tin states Virgina, Burley and single malt scotch whiskey. I can sort of detect the whiskey. To me, it levels the sweetness and adds to the room note which is somewhat peppery. I really like this one. Tongue bite is not an issue here.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-09-28		Medium	Strong	Extra Full	Very Pleasant

Tin aroma...sweet smelling with a strong casing that will make you salivate. Absolutely one of the sweetest and most tasteful blends, ever. I feel it should rank high among other top quality, flavored aromatics icluding Blue Note! I love this stuff! Marvelous taste & aroma...leaves the room smelling like an oven baking delicious desserts. Lovers of flavored aromatics who enjoy a mild, sweet taste should try this blend. Burns OK with hardly any tongue/palate discomfort & nicotine content is satisfactory. Being a lover of quality aromatic blends, I will definately be keeping some on hand for regular rotation. Sample some for yourself. I strongly feel you won't be dissapointed. Therefore, IMHO, Solani's 131 Red Label merits four **s!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-05-31		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Another successful blend from Solani boasting the usual high quality tobacco in the tin (in this instance) rounded off by Single Malt Whiskey. After trying out Solani's X-Sweet Mystery and the Green Label 127 which are excellent aromatics, I wondered if they could get it right a third time. They certainly did! A lovely whiff wafts out of the tin and immediately brings a smile to ones face. Slightly moist out of the tin, one is well advised to (like with most aromatics) to pace this one. Lights and smokes easily and adequately substantiates a change of pace. The essence seems to be be on burleys rather than virginas augmented with cavendish. Personally, I would have liked the virginas to come through - but thats a personal preference. Well deserved three stars from my side.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-07-11		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

This is definitely my favorite among all the aromatic blends that I've tried over the last years, and my favorite among Solani's aromatic blends.

Primarily, I enjoy VA/PER, Oriental/English blends for the most part, with a high preference for the Flake/broken flake types. I also try an aromatic every once in a while, but only keep one in my regular rotation: Erinmore Flake. But I am seriously considering adding Solani Red Label... which is a high quality aromatic, and I suspect because of the outstanding work of Mr Will.

What really convinced me to try it was the tin aroma: a sweet, enjoyable, highly intoxicating incredible smell. After I opened it and got the first hint of aroma, I just sat down, smelled it over a long period and totally freaked out on that robust sweet aroma. Then, I looked at the leaf content: not as much Bright VA as in Green Label and X Sweet Mystery - which is good-, brown, red and black leaves for the rest, in equal proportion.

This tobacco is medium /long cut and packs very well. lighting is fairly easy, it smokes well and dry for an aromatic, and becomes a little stronger as I work my way down. The thing is, the taste of the casing never leaves, it remains constant all along and never turns sour or hot or goopy like most fairly cased aromatics. It smoked dry until the end.

The other beauty is that, if smoked properly, it will not bite at all. But if overpuffed, it might bite. I smoked it outside in a Meerschaum when it was rather windy and my tongue reminded me for a couple hours that it was a bad idea.

This is a good Bakkie, very high quality. I will most certainly consider adding it in my regular rotation.

Highly recommended!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-09-10		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Solani 131 is a superlative blend that actually pulls off the scotch whiskey casing successfully, complementing and harmonizing with the leaf instead of burying it in syrupy sweetness.

I rarely smoke aromatics of this type, but when I do, this is the one I reach for consistently. The quality leaf and careful preparation of the product is evident in each tin and each bowl I've smoked.

The leaf can be a little wet out of the tin, so drying helps considerably. She still doesn't jump in my lap and call me "Hef" when I smoke it, but Solani 131 is one of the few blends that my wife actually likes me to smoke inside.

Also, this blend seems to be hard to locate at times, so grab a tin if you see one. Well worth a try.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-05-30		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Very akin to Peterson's Irish Whiskey, the tobacco flavor comes through, the casing is not overbearing and this burns cool enough to satisfy a sweet tooth. Overall good flavor and aroma. If whiskey aromatics appeal to you this maybe your smoke.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	renwardhoop (177)	2019-08-08		Overwhelming	Extra Strong	Overwhelming	Unnoticeable

This is nasty, very nasty.

I was met with a waft of strong alcohol as I opened the tin. I don't mind a mild whisky or rum taste in my tobacco, but this is a scotch laden blend, that really if you dislike scotch you will want to give this one a wide berth.

Fearing the worst as I scraped the underneath of the paper lid, this stuff was gooey and noxious. Like an idiot I thought this might not be as bad as the tin aroma suggested, as is the case with one or two blends, but it was worse.

Lighting this stuff I was expecting an small bonfire with all the alcohol in it. It growled at me for a minute or two then unleashed one of the vilest mouthfuls of poison imaginable. It hit the back of the throat through it's sheer strength and intensity and it felt like I'd sucked on Mustard Gas from the WW1.

I never thought I would find anything as revolting as Jirsa from Germany, but this takes first prize. It's a thick, malty and heady concoction with a medicinal taste that far surpasses Jirsagate by a country mile. Where Jirsa was dripping in bergamot giving a sharp angry taste, this brings a sour, rough malt whisky-like taste. There is no chance of finding any of the Burley, Virginias or anything in this one. This stuff would be a good substitute for surgical spirits.

I managed a few puffs and then, coughing and spluttering, pulled the whole bowlful straight out of the poor briar I had stupidly inflicted this one. I closed the tin lid (tight) and it will join the infamous Jirsa, Sunday Fantasy and Meine Mixture Rot at the back of the cupboard. Perhaps I'll come back to this tobacco in the future and it might have mellowed a little. It sure won't be soon.

Hideous, just hideous.

If anybody wants to swap this vile creation let me know in the Smokers Forum.

Pipe Used: One unfortunate briar

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Cgars

Similar Blends: Can't think of any blend as dire..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2019-03-06		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

Note: This blend was reviewed about 10 years ago when I used a different handle. I've recently rejoined TRs & this is my most recent revised review of Solani 131. I can't say for sure now but 10 years ago when I wrote this review 131 was loaded with PG and I'm sure there's more additional casing & topping than just whiskey. I suspect it's probably something like peach, apricot or mango combined with vanilla. However, this one should please those preferring heavily cased aromatic blends. The room note is very subtle considering the strong bouquet from the tin... not like some of the aromatic blends that leave a lingering, intriguing, aromatic room note.

It is fairly comfortable on the palate for an aromatic but will bite a little if puffed too hard, especially toward the end of the bowl. The palate is bathed with a little of the flavoring that comes through while smoking & leaves behind a fairly pleasing aroma. This Solani 131 aroma is similar to Peterson Founder's Choice but the Pete is so much better in flavor, palate comfort, room note & smokes even better from the halfway point toward the end. What you smell in 131 is transferred to the palate during smoking but not much & it didn't taste all that sweet.

It leaves a lingering taste that I wasn't real crazy about. I just wanted to try it out since it received some favorable reviews but didn't like it well enough to barely get started. A couple of bowls was enough for me. Not that I didn't like it all that much, I just liked so many others much better. Actually I still have the nearly full tin stashed in my cellar & it's still moist with humectant. It left a goopy ghost in my bowl & I don't really care for aromatics containing humectants. Maybe two & one half stars.

Pipe Used: Peterson 317

Age When Smoked: 1 & 10 years later.

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: Sweet Killarney.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2018-12-20		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Note: This blend was reviewed about 10 years ago when I used a different handle. I've recently rejoined TRs & this is my most recent revised review of Solani 131. I can't say for sure now but 10 years ago when I wrote this review 131 was loaded with PG and I'm sure there's more additional casing & topping than just whiskey. I suspect it's probably something like peach, apricot or mango combined with vanilla. However, this one should please those preferring heavily cased aromatic blends. The room note is very subtle considering the strong bouquet from the tin... not like some of the aromatic blends that leave a lingering, intriguing, aromatic room note.

It is fairly comfortable on the palate for an aromatic but will bite a little if puffed too hard, especially toward the end of the bowl. The palate is bathed with a little of the flavoring that comes through while smoking & leaves behind a fairly pleasing aroma. This Solani 131 aroma is similar to Peterson Founder's Choice but the Pete is so much better in flavor, palate comfort, room note & smokes even better from the halfway point toward the end. What you smell in 131 is transferred to the palate during smoking but not much & it didn't taste all that sweet.

It leaves a lingering taste that I wasn't real crazy about. I just wanted to try it out since it received some favorable reviews but didn't like it well enough to barely get started. A couple of bowls was enough for me. Not that I didn't like it all that much, I just liked so many others much better. Actually I still have the nearly full tin stashed in my cellar & it's still moist with humectant. It left a goopy ghost in my bowl & I don't really care for aromatics containing humectants. Maybe two & one half stars.

Pipe Used: Peterson System 317

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin & one 10 year

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gordon Tavistock (23)	2018-10-25		Mild	Medium	Mild	Pleasant

A good aromatic blend. I am not a fan personally, but that is because I am not generally a fan of traditional aromatic blends. This particular iteration is not the problem for me. Read my mere two stars with that in mind.

This is a classic aromatic in the Danish style rather than a dripping American style. No sticky mess – feels like any other slightly-on-the-moist-side tobacco in the tin. Anyone who say they don't like aromatics should try something like this and reconsider if they have only ever tried American style aromatics before (and btw, that includes American style aromatics produced in Europe, like several of the cherry, whisky and nougat horrors coming out of for instance Gawith Hoggarth & Co.).

To me, Red Label seems quite similar to Caledonian Melange No. 10 (which I have not reviewed so favourably) in terms of what it tries to be. Solani has more successfully achieved a good result, as Red Labes has a more enjoyable (and noticeable!) taste of natural burley melding with the flavouring.

Pipe Used: Savinelli 104

Similar Blends: A & C Petersen - Caledonian Melange No.10 Highland Cream.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (632)	2018-09-05		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Tolerable

This is a very nice aromatic if you enjoy the topping. I really did not enjoy the topping, or at least how it tasted in anything other than a cob. This is just one of those type of aros. Cobs allow just enough of the flavor to get lost to make this one more palatable. Usually Meerschaum does the same, but I did not like it as much in a meer and found it horrible in briar.

The base of burley and Virginia in this one is barely perceptible under the topping, which is billed as a high end single malt Scotch whiskey. I don't really like single malt scotch as I am more of a Bourbon drinker, but I have learned long ago what I like to eat or drink does not equal what I like to smoke. In this case I don't like to drink it or smoke it. I do think there is more to this one, however, than single malt, as I do pick up some fruitiness as well.

I was set to give this one a two star rating until I had it out of a cob and it just really sang. As this is almost a four star out of a cob, I am splitting the difference at three stars. Solani seldom disappoints.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sinister Topiary (84)	2010-03-10		Very Mild	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

I had never really given this blend a second look, but when the reviewers below said this was a whisky topped blend that got it right, I had an urge to give it a try when I saw this at my B&M tobacconist recently.

This is my first whisky aro. I've been afraid to try any others because the reviews for them are generally not so favorable, seeming to range from abysmal to mediocre at best. But I like whisky, and if a blender got it right, then I think it's worth a try.

Unlike the other reviewers here, I don't really taste the whisky as such. Or, to put it more precisely, I suppose I can convince myself that what I'm tasting is somewhat whisky-ish, but it could be a case of perception following suggestion instead of what's really there. Maybe the casing is more like a whisky liqueur, since the vaguely whisky-ish flavor I'm getting is delicately sweet with hints of honey.

Whatever it is, it's pleasant. This is a quality leaf with a slightly sweet, smooth, vaguely whisky-liqueur casing that's applied with a firm but sure hand. So many of the virginia based aros I've tried are way too high key for me, and burn hot. Not this one -- 131 burns cool, has a nice balance, good range, and accessible complexity. This is a quality aro that can be appreciated by non-aro smokers willing to venture into new waters. Plus it has received more comments from total strangers about its delicious room note than any other blend I've tried, so it's definitely a hit in public, which is good PR for our defamed hobby and so nothing to sneer at.

This is my second Solani blend, and they've both been successful, quality blends. They're doing something right, so I will be trying more of their blends in the future.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-03-09		Mild	Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

A very nice aromatic from Solani. Top quality leaf, a combination of broad cut loose bright VA with red partially rubbed VA, black Cavendish and some burley that remains overall discreet.

The tin aroma is splendid and appealing. It looks like a topping rather than a casing, which is good, as where the green label is a casing more than a topping. Moisture content is excellent and the pipe is easy to fill and light. The scotch whiskey is detectable in the taste as well as pure tobacco. This mixture smokes very well and never bites.

For those new among us and requesting a top quality aromatic that will spare their pipes or tongues, or for the established aromatic lovers, Solani red label is the way to go.

Recommended.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	thesmoggypipester (75)	2022-04-17		Medium to Strong	Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

One of the better cavendish concoctions but not without its faults.

Solabni red label smells in the tin what it promises to be, virginia, burley, black cavendish with a good dash of scotch in the mix, and while it delivers this in the aroma and the smoke, it is not your typical american style where you can light it with thermite and go at it like a pair of bellows and it will barely heat up the pipe. No, this needs a calm careful measured cadence otherwise it will burn and heat up like a summer heatwave in Hades. Once it gets to that point there is no return the flavour is ruined and it will be downhill from there. However once lit and smoked gently and sipped like a glass of whiskey it will reward with a nice flavoursome smoke, tobacco flavours are very muted due to the casing but whether that is a negative to you is your decision. I dont mind smoking it and it is an occasional treat, however i woldnt queue in the rain for it and if it dissapeared from the UK market (like so many blends are these days) i wouldnt exactly be like a weeping widow.

Strength is a step past medium, its an aromatic where you feel like you have smoked, room note wont make you the enemy and it is quite pleasant.

All in all a decent enough smoke that does what it says on the tin but it doesnt set my world on fire.

id say 3 stars but with the caveat emptor of dont take it for granted and show it some respect. Oh and it will ghost a pipe from the first bowlful so do bare that in mind also.

Pipe Used: Falcon

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: The Black Swan Shoppe.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Nuvoleazzurre (36)	2021-11-21		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Oggi vado di Solani Red Label. Devo dire che questo è davvero buono, non adoro gli aromatizzati eppure...

Dicono aromatizzato whisky eppure...

Aperta la latta si è pervarsi e inebriati dal Viginia e dallo stesso dolce del whisky, il taglio è un ordinato e perfetto ribbon.

Caricata la pipa percepisco subito il Virginia erboso, agrumato e dall'inconfondibile sentore di frutta secca che va a braccetto con un Burley davvero superiore, di forza non esagerata, legnoso e terroso eppure...

Ecco quando meno te lo aspetti il whisky, dall'inconfondibile aroma anzi sapore maltato che rende ancora più rotonda e morbida la miscela. Fumato in una pipa come questa (reverse cabalash) il fumo è fresco e le varietà di aromi sono esaltate. Una miscela di tabacchi da sorseggiare, non fumare.

Unica nota il tabacco appena aperto è umido, meglio lasciarlo asciugare un poco.

Giudizio 4,9/5

Pipe Used: Peterson

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	unsociablehobbit (6)	2021-05-30		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

it has a very delicate and soft flavor. its weird because it says they use single malt scotch and i got a bit of that when first opening the tin but since its been open the aroma has morphed into something reminiscent of dan tobaccos blue note. the aftertaste is where the scotch comes through most, tastes like i just drank some.

its like a tropical berry like flavor with a small hint of vanilla and some maltiness, its enough to keep you interested but not be overwhelming. if you like aros i can highly recommend this. the room note is bangin'.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2020-11-13		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I did not notice any whisky myself. The nicotine was fairly low. It burnt well but got a tad hot and a little bit bitter. But it was by no means a poor smoke. Quite a interesting looking mottled mix of decent leaves. Some unfold to be quite big. I won't be buying again because it wasn't my thing. But it's to be tried

Pipe Used: Nording 1995 Neumarkt special

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: My smoking shop

Similar Blends: Other solani.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	North State (72)	2020-04-10		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I smoked the "three colours" of Solani right after another and found them so similar with each other that I ended up copying pretty much the same review for them all. They are all flavoured, fruity, sweet aromatics on the mild, easy to smoke side, reminding me of Peterson's Connoisseur's Choice, but with different set of flavours and toppings. And for that very reason they don't do much to me; the tin note is exquisite, the room note enjoyable, they pack, light and burn well - the consistency of large, dry flakes varying from light yellow to black is delightful actually - but the smoking experience... While nothing wrong with it per se, leaves one with a certain feeling of artificiality, of everything not being 100% true to nature. Therefore, while an enjoyable smoke in itself, not really something I would be dying to have again anytime soon.

For me, Red falls between Blue and Green in just about everything. The burley does not come as fully as in Blue; I have trouble detecting the whiskey as is and the end result is... Something slightly woody, almost like red curry? No tongue bite to speak of if smoked calmly, but it does feel like this would quickly change if the pace is increased. While not bad as such, it's fairly indifferent and a more firm 2-star than the other two.

For my part, being "too aromatic" and a somewhat pricey brand to boot, Solanis can stay on the shop shelf in the future. I can heartily recommend them to fans of fruity aromatics though, you'll like it more probably than not.

Pipe Used: various

Age When Smoked: Fresh from tin

Purchased From: Tobacco shop in Kalmar Sweden

Similar Blends: Solani Green label, Solani Blue label, Peterson Connoisseur's choice.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2019-04-20		Mild to Medium	Strong	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Note: This blend was reviewed about 10 years ago when I used a different handle. I've recently rejoined TRs & this is my most recent revised review of Solani 131. I can't say for sure now but 10 years ago when I wrote this review 131 was loaded with PG and I'm sure there's more additional casing & topping than just Whiskey. I suspect it's probably something like peach, apricot or mango combined with vanilla. However, this one should please those preferring heavily cased aromatic blends. The room note is very subtle considering the strong bouquet from the tin... not like some of the aromatic blends that leave a lingering, intriguing, aromatic room note.

It is fairly comfortable on the palate for an aromatic but will bite like a mad dog if puffed too hard, especially toward the end of the bowl. The palate is bathed with a little of the flavoring that comes through while smoking & leaves behind a slight pleasing aroma. This Solani 131 aroma is similar to Peterson Founder's Choice but the Pete is so much better in flavor, palate comfort, room note & smokes even better from the halfway point toward the end. What you smell in 131 is transferred to the palate during smoking but not much & it didn't taste all that sweet.

It leaves a lingering taste that I wasn't real crazy about. I just wanted to try it out since it received some favorable reviews but didn't like it well enough to barely get started. A couple of bowls was enough for me. Not that I didn't like it all that much, I just liked so many others much better. Actually I still have the nearly full tin stashed in my cellar & it's still moist with humectant. It left a goopy ghost in my bowl & I don't really care for aromatics containing humectants. However, aromatic fans will probably fall in love this. Maybe two & one half stars.

Pipe Used: Peterson System 317

Age When Smoked: One to 10 Years

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: A slight similarity to Founder's Choice, Blue Note & Sweet Killarney...

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