Peter Heinrichs Golden Sliced

This, like Reiner Long Golden Flake and other German flakes of this ilk, is a visually beautiful flake. Though mostly bright virginias, there are also slightly darker brown flecks also. It looks like what it is-- a very high quality German-made flake.

It's surprisingly mild when compared to a number of similar flakes from the same tradition (that K&K, Rudiger Will, Peter Heinrichs-- generally, that northern German school that centers on K&K). It's delightfully grassy (in a good way) with occasional citrusy notes. It's a fundimental virginia flake-- not dressed up with a honey top-note or Perique or dark-fired leaf, this is as classic as a Va flake can get.

It won't supplant some of my favorites as an all the time smoke, but I'll continue to revisit it. It doesn't have quite the heft that LGF or 633 have (two of my most regular smokes), let alone the Samuel Gawith or Gawith, Hoggarth and Co flakes which I also like. I find it pleasant as a morning smoke, before my taste buds can handle a heavier blend.

A delightful straight virginia with a beautiful cut. This blend boasts bready qualities as well as sweet citrus (think toast: with orange marmalade). In the background, there is some of the classic grass/hay/oat flavors associated with bright leaf virginia, but I smoked this with over a year of age and found it to be very balanced. This is the kind of blend that can go into the background if you want it to, but there are nuances to pick out as well. Overall, this is the kind of blend I could smoke all day, every day. And, if I were in a position to do so, I likely would. 3.5 stars

Tin note of grassy and mild fruit/citrus. Tobacco is a long flake of yellowish brown and tan. Moisture content is great. No drying needed. Flakes break apart and rub out easily. Burns slow with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and very consistent, with notes of tart and tangy citrus, sweet floral grasses, spices, wood, bread, mild dry-bitter orange peel, moderately savory, slightly acidic, a earthy hay background note, and a peppery retro. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.