Tobaccos Solani - 660: Silver Flake

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3046)	2013-10-18		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

They claim there are no additives or flavors but I disagree; there is a sweet topping to this blend. It's light, but it's there, though it is not a distraction. Some say there's a whiskey topping, and I really can't argue that point, though whiskey isn't what I taste. I think it has to do with how the red Virginia is processed. The tangy sweet dark fruit, slightly floral and bready, wood and earth of the red and brown Virginias are the stars, but it's rounded out with a light nutty, woody, earthy, floral, herbal, Kentucky spice, and slightly tangy and tart citrus notes and grass from the yellow Virginia which is a minor component. It's easy to break apart and stuff or cube-cut as you please. The strength and taste levels are medium. The nic-hit is a couple of steps past the mild threshold. It burns a little slow with a cool, clean, smooth, deeply rich, consistent flavor from start to finish. Won't bite or get harsh. Has no dull moments. Leaves just a little moisture in the bowl. Requires some relights. The after taste and room notes pleasantly linger a mite. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

67 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2007-02-09		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

This one is indeed similar to Orlik's Dark Strong Kentucky. The Virginia leaf in this blend though, seems to provide some sweetness that is not found in DSK.

The Solani Silver flakes are somewhat broken and colorful. The moisture content is perfect and the burn is a tad spicy and very cool. You will be hard pressed to get this one to bite.

The best part about this blend to me is the fact that it has strength and a mild sweetness that my palate craves. I smoked my 100 gram tin in a month's time and ordered more. Since this blend arrives in a non-vacuum sealed tin, I will properly age it by placing small portions in several different ball type canning jars, being sure to keep them in a cool, dry and dark place. That should produce a nice mellowing of the leaf that I look forward to trying again in a couple of years.

60 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Eulenburg (193)	2009-03-14		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

KENTUCKY is another name for fire-cured Burley. The tobacco is hung from poles inside a barn. Slow fires of hardwood and hardwood sawdust burn on the floor of the barn until the tobacco is completely dry. If the weather is damp, this process can take up to 40 days. "Kentucky" therefore has something in common with Latakia but, whereas Latakia's smokiness is sharply pungent to the taste and smell, Kentucky's is dense and univocal, reminiscent of charcoal-filtered whisky, though not as bracing or complex as good Tennessee. I have never been a Burley lover and find Kentucky dull, though I will admit this here is high quality leaf, not so earthy as common Burley, which always tastes to me as if it had been fermented in a dusty silo. To the Kentuck has been added a toasty Red which has a much more lively wavelength. This makes the luxuriously packaged and expensive Silver Flake moderately enjoyable to me?in small amounts. Smoked in a big pipe, it might seem a bit interminable.

38 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-07-12		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Interesting tin description... says "no flavoring has been added" and also says it's flavored with whiskey. I didn't taste any.

This is one for my steady rotation. As I'm discovering more burley blends, I've found myself smoking fewer Vapers, and this one bridges that gap. The fire-cured Kentucky gives a subtle "perique-like" spiciness to this mildly sweet red virginia blend. I've smoked this in several manners - fresh out of the tin, aged about a year, slow sipping, more rigorous puffing, and in pipes of various sizes, shapes, makes and substances. This one never fails to deliver whatever I desire. If I want a slow, contemplative smoke to dissect the nuances and depth, I can do that. If I want to spice it up a little, I just puff a little more vigorously (it doesn't bite - unless you insist on it!) and the burley spice and body comes through. If I want to "set it and forget it", I can puff this wonder while working in the yard in a Lepeltier clay, cob, old beat up meerschaum and crappy briar and the flavor never fails. For those of you who want to try the more vigorous puffing trial, note that using that method does give you some harshness near the end of the bowl.

There are certain classic tobaccos everyone should try at least once... Balkan Sobranie (good luck!), Escudo, Edgeworth Slices, Hal O' The Wynd, Long Golden Flake etc, regardless of which blend style you prefer. This needs to be added to the list of "must trys". One year of age does this a lot of good, but it's great right out of the tin. I've no doubt that it will age further like the masterpiece it is. Rudiger Will is a blender to be reckoned with!

26 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2080)	2015-11-13		Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

Solani-660: Silver Flake.

The aroma from the unlit tobacco is a very sprightly and lively one. It's mainly a citrusy/lemony/Virginia aroma and really enticing.

The moisture is perfect and the flakes aren't completely formed, they've already started to crumble somewhat. This makes them easy to prepare and fill with. I only need to twist/fold/and stuff them into the pipe whereas I usually have to fully rub them out. These flakes just don't need that.

This lights brilliantly and the moment it's burning it brings me total satisfaction.

The smokes flavour has good depth to it. From the un-lit aroma I was expecting a straight forward Virginia taste but there's not just a citrusy, hay like flavour alone. The Virginia makes up a large quantity of the taste but that's not the only part. Also there is a woody and slightly nutty character from the Kentucky.

Personally, I find the Kentucky becomes a little easier to pick out the longer it's smoked. At first it's about equal to the Virginia but after some time it overtakes it somewhat.

I don't get any tongue bite from Silver Flake. No tongue bite and quite cool smoke makes for ultimate relaxation!

I would define the nicotine level as just above medium. It's not what would qualify as strong but it's still higher than medium for me.

The room note is a good one but the enjoyment is embellished further by the fact it creates very little smog in the room.

This is a blend that keeps getting better and better the more I smoke it!

Highly recommended.

Pipe Used: Peder Jeppesen IDA Freehand

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: GQ Tobaccos

23 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2015-02-26		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

I bought this tin about a year ago, sampled it a time or two and wasn't very impressed. I jarred it and set it in my cabinet where it proceeded to disappear behind dozens of others. A couple of weeks ago I rediscovered it and decided to finish it off. Hot damn! This smoked like a completely different blend. I like Bell's Three Nuns, but I have to say this has it beat hands down. These Virginias are much smoother and more forgiving. There's nothing I can do to make these even come close to biting. With Three Nuns I have to be a little more careful. They're a bit more flavorful as well. Very fruity and citrusy. Combined with the earthiness, spice and depth of the Kentucky the sum total is sublime. Although I can push this, and sometimes do, I prefer to smoke this slowly and almost mindlessly to get the best out of it. An easy 4 stars. I'd give it 5 if I could.

Medium in body and flavor. I like to rub it out fully and let it dry for a short while. Burns great.

Pipe Used: MM General, MM Country Gentleman, MM Mark Twain

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

19 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2005-09-19		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

This is a ripe red Virginia with some dark fired Kentucky. A real tobacco for Virginia lovers. The Virginia is very high grade and the Kentucky lends a unique spiciness to the blend. It is delicious! Upon lighting, the richness is apparent and continues throughout the bowl with a slight crescendo at the finish. A little ageing will improve the smoothness of the blend but it is absolutely ready now. The flavor is full and the strength is medium to strong. A very satisfying tobacco on all levels.

17 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2008-08-03		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Normally, I don't care much for Burley/Kentucky unless the blender is a genius and the leaf is of impeccable quality. Then again, I'm not normally normal.

This is outstanding tobacco, and another RL Will triumph. The Kentucky does a great job pinch hitting for Perique; lending richness, fire abatement, nuttiness and depth to the blend, but without the spicy tang and peppery notes of Perique. Not as refreshing as a good Va/Per...more of an evening smoke along with some good Kentucky Corn Squeezin's. Long Golden Flake makes a great daytime companion to this offering.

The Virginias are also top shelf and are perfect sparring partners as the smoke develops...both sharp, tangy flavors layered with rich sweetness. The finish is a bit creamy and sweet, and this is where the Kentucky truly shines with its strength and character. Yummy.

12 of those goofy tins, sealed in foodsaver bags without using the vac feature, just sealed. We'll see how that works out.

14 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DenizBeck (323)	2017-10-27		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Lovely, lovely lovely...! This is some high-class, natural and genuine tasting pipe tobacco in perfection. From opening the classy designed, neat tin it comes in (which you shouldn't use for storage, even if you haven't opened the tobacco yet, as it's NOT vacuum sealed), to the very long flake ribbons inside, over the joy of handling them, to the taste and even the aftertaste... lovely!

The tin-aroma is of ripe fruits, minor grass and some decent spice and it really is bewitching to me. Perfectly conditioned flakes are awaiting you to be fiddled with, but I prefer some short period of drying in forehand. They dry out quite quickly when laying them out, which hints there isn't much, or none chemicals added to keep the tobacco moist - which I like!

Fold&stuff, rubbing it out, forming balls...anything goes when it comes to packing a bowl, skillfully crafted flakes. Immediatly you'll get greeted by a rich, ripe fruit aroma, that has some slightly smoky and rich spice underlaying to it. You'll notice the dark fired Kentucky without any doubts, but it won't overwhelm you in its strenght - sweet spot! It also lends the taste the notes of sweet nuts, walnuts, minor earth notes and the pleasant, slight smokiness that's always present. The Virginias are responsible for the intense aroma of sweet ripe fruits and minor caramel from the sugars, as well as hints of grassiness lurking and contributing to the mild earth notes.

Virginias and dark fired Kentucky are in a Yin-Yang relation here...sweetness & spice... ripe fruits & nutty tartness... refreshing, citrusy grass & smoky piquancy...

It burns flawless and cool. Consistent aroma, that even intensifies a tad throughout the bowl and makes you crave for more...more of this heavenly weed, that connects the flesh with the spirit(s). This deserves to be puffed while devoting your attention to it... and it'll reward you with most refined, very natural flavours.

I had this on my Wishlist for way too many moons... don't hestiate.. just grab it... you won't regret it! This will appeal and enchant both, the Virginia lovers, who like some spice to their blends, as well as the Burley/Kentucky fanatic, that is looking for some All-Day suitable, mellow, yet full-bodied blend.... Duh! What am I saying...I'm most certain this will be for most pipe smokers out there, who like some natural and rich tobacco..this is just a good, no excellent...no...divine tobacco blend!!

Just as with the Solani Aged Burley the statement "no added flavourings" is a straight up lie: https://service.bmel.de/tabakerzeugnisse/index2.php?detail_id=104720&site_key=153&stichw_suche=solani&zeilenzahl_zaehler=14

Pipe Used: Clays, Cobs, Briars

12 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Knightsmoker (218)	2014-10-06		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

There seems to be some debate about this being straight tobacco or if there is a topping. The home page of Kohlhase & Kopp actually categorizes it as an English blend a rare category for a blend without Lat. and indicates that there is no added topping. I would side with the blender here. No topping. What I get is sweet red VA's and red VA always has a toasted grain like sweetness when blended with bright VA's to me that sweetness moves toward a fruit like sweet taste. Granted it is still a mild sweetness but it is very present throughout the bowl. It really reminds me of the cattle barn (a clean one mind you). The sweet smell of hay and straw mingling together with the cattle. The KY is smokey, earthy and a little spicy. I also get some tea like notes here and there that may be either the bright VA's or the KY or the combination of them working in harmony. I have smoked 2 tins of this now. One new and this one, which was jarred for 19 months, with no noticeable change in the blend, which I think is a good thing. It should take a very long to reach its peak. I have one more tin jarred which will be opened much later. I plan on buying several tins in the near future to cellar. A wonderful blend!

Update 9/25/20 Opened a jar dating from March 12, 2013 so this is a little more than 7 years on it. The red VA's have sweetened and gotten deeper with the dark fruity notes. At this point it is moving toward a candy like sweetness that is set off by the KY and its spicy notes. The sweet and spicy notes play off each other quite well. The other elements noted above are still there but the brights have moved just a little further into the background. I still find notes of citrus and grass but not as crisp as they once were. Other elements noted above seem to be at about the same level. Everything about this blend is running in harmony and it is absolutely beautiful at 7 years.

Age When Smoked: 19 months

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stan (179)	2005-08-02		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Hi Ho Silver Flake...!!!

Sheer magnificance. Genius. Bravo. Yet so simple.

The flakes are long but partially broken or will break up some in removal from the foil packaging in the tin.

Very natural, pure scent in the tin. Dark and brown looking.

Fairly dry to the touch and in the bowl, but easily manipulated (folded, torn, etc.). No Pandora's box here.

Tobacco flakes consists of reds and some bright virginia leaves and dark fired Kentucky. Looks and tastes more like a brown flake - fullish.

A wonderful straight tobacco taste, earthy, cool, with dark undertones (probably the slight "spicy" effect from the Kentucky). So phantasmagoric, words fail me. No sweetness added (and certainly no whiskey or flavors even sensed). This is straight, no nonsense tobacco. For the artic explorers in us all. Full at times, yes, and even on the strong side for some, but not near overwhelming IMO or over the top. I would say reserved in its body and strength but certainly not overdone. Smooth. Even cigar like (but no cigar leaf here). "Touching on the outer rings of richness." A master's touch, as they say, for sure. Not just a nectar of the gods, but it summons the gods as you puff.

Not as full as G&H's robust Brown Flake; maybe as full or slightly more full than Germain's Brown Flake version. Close to Nut Brown Flake, that some call the "King of all Tobacco." This is fuller and less sweet than Solani's Long Golden Flake, which has more bright leaf and some Tennessee white burley instead of the dark Kentucky burley in Silver Flake. But never bitter.

This is a true dark strong Kentucky, and the best I've tried with this Kentucky leaf added. It's potent but forgiving. No bite to me but maybe some spice from the Kentucky. Smokers who don't care for burley or real straight tobaccos may not take to this, but eveyone should give it a try if you want a fullish blend on the outer ring of richness.

My mother and son say it smells delicious. Strange, as only straight natural tobaccos are involved here. What can I say?

I've nearly finished my 100 grams in two pipes -- an old Comoy and a new Jacono. Lots and lots of bowls. A real test flight, not just a drive. Took me through a hurricane wait this summer (2005). Kept me calm and at peace with myself and the world.

Highly recommended as another stroke of the R. Will genius. "Hi Ho Silver Flake and Away!"

9 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2010-04-05		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I love the tin aroma of this blend. It smells like raisins and figs. It arrives at the right moisture level and I enjoy in most in a small bowl. I find that while the strengh grows a bit, the flavor stays pretty constant without a bitter ending. As others have commented on, I have only found it in 100gm tins and it can be on the pricey side. With that said, IMHO this is a high end blend. The tin doesn't close tightly so I would suggest placing it in a jar with a tight lid if its not going to be smoked within two weeks. I am anxious to crack open a jar after a couple of years in the cellar. Highly recommended!

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2014-10-14		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

EDIT 2/13/2017

I just finished up the 100g tin that I had and I think I will leave this one at 3 stars although it is very close to making the jump. Maybe a 3.4 or so. This is just a great VaBur flake. The only thing holding this back from four stars is the fact that I still find Irish Flake, Stonehaven and Rich Dark Flake to be more to my liking.

Those blends I enjoy more are definitely topped flakes. This one may also be topped, but its flavoring is far more elusive if it is. I guess it goes without saying that, as it pertains to VaBur flakes, I like a little sweetener added.

One should not think that Silver flake is lacking in sweetness, however, It is more the raw sweetness you would expect in a VaBur. Nutty and earthy sweetness amplified by ample Virginia. When it comes to this type of smoke, my tastes tend to gravitate more to the cube cuts such as Uhles 300 and PPB, but once again, this is still a fine smoke and with a little effort that I don't want to expend, this could be easily converted into a cube cut.

Another concern with this blend is the storage. I don't know why Solani opted to use a Piano hinge tin with this. Those tins are the worst for storage. I opened my 100g tin relatively quickly, and then needed to jar it quickly, so I don't know what effect this would have on long term storage of a sealed tin, since there really isn't much seal to it. I don't think I will chance putting a lot of this in the cellar.

A B&M that is about 40 minutes from me does stock this one though, so I may pick up a tin on occasion for a treat.

ORIGINAL REVIEW 10/14/2014

This is a very tasty blend from a label that knows how to make great tobaccos. I just finished up a sample of this by giving away the last few bowls. I really did not get a chance to know it well, but am not concerned as I have a 100g tin sitting in the cellar for later.

I have no qualms giving this 3 stars based on the three or four wonderful bowls I had, but will wait until I get into that tin to further evaluate. I actually think this may get a fourth star from me later.

Just the perfect body for a relaxing smoke. Everything you would want in a VaBur flake, but not quite overtaking Irish Flake in my rotation yet.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Lingo (39)	2019-04-21		Mild	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I bumped into 660 in Madrid, in that marvellous tiny tobacconists where the piper slowly faints while browsing through the hundreds blends available..

The box caught my eye, telling me “I’m good bro”. A bit disappointed by the non-vacuum bag (there must be a reason for that, I wonder), but extremely delighted by the length and the structure of the flakes. Just marvellous.

Easy to load, the flake is quite mashed already. Wondeful smoke, creamy, earthy, still full of all virginia taste. This tobacco is a landmark for all Va/Bur (imho), because it is able to mix fired harsh dark leaves and grassy zesty leaves, creating something just spectacular.

Few or no relights, better be tasted in a large bowl for my buds, ash is wonderful and white, room is ok.

For me, this is an excellent starting point for natural va/burs.

Pipe Used: Savinelli Punto Oro

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gladi8tor96 (143)	2018-02-20		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I love the tin for this stuff. Opening it it reveals a bag full of multi-colored flakes that seem to already be breaking apart that are of the perfect moisture level. Smells of raisins, plums, a bit of earth and hints of tang and citrus. Easy to rub out or stuff directly into your pipe. Lights nicely with normal amounts of lights and remains lit if tended to with light but firm tamping. I find it burns better when lightly packed in the pipe, giving it a bit more air.

The smoke is plentiful and flavorful. This is an enjoyable smoke that reminds me of a few different VA flakes I have tried. This is one of the only smokes where there is some spice that doesn't work as a contrast to the sweetness but rather is so well mixed in and blended with the sweet VA's that it is hard to distinguish between the two. It's slightly spicy with wonderful va sweet flavors of dark fruit and citrus with hints of earth and a bit of grass. I even got hints of malt here and there. As the bowl proceeds some nut flavors appear to work well with the others. A great smoke that is enjoyable and doesn't need a lot of thought but can be intriguing enough with it's complexity.

Pipe Used: Dagner Devil's Anse, Cob, Rick Black Morta Poker

Age When Smoked: 1 Year

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Astley's - No.44 Dark Virginia Flake, Reiner - Blend 71: Long Golden Flake.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Andya27 (9)	2014-10-26		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I've been smoking this tin of Silver Flake for just under a month. When it first arrived, I found that its appearance was exactly as all the other reviews have discussed. However, I also found that right out of the tin it was very heavy on the Burley, and a bit harsh. Where were the Virginias?

Fast-forward three weeks.

Whether a palate adjusts to tobacco, or whether a tobacco can truly breathe and take on new dimensions in a mason jar - I am not sure. What I do know is that this tobacco has skyrocketed to being among my favorites. If there were a five star rating I would give it to this blend.

Where right out of the tin the leaf was heavy on the Burley and the Virginias nearly non-existent, I am now finding an amazing balance between the two. Perhaps more than any other tobacco, I enjoy bringing the exhaled smoke back towards my face so that I can smell the aroma - just a clean tobacco aroma. Tobacco as its meant to be smoked.

I find that this tobacco wants some attention: not because it needs constant relights. Rather, it deserves attention because of the subtleties and range of flavors. The tanginess of the Burleys. The sweetness of the Virginias. And where I found that this tobacco would bite right out of the tin, I am now finding it much less likely to do so.

Some have asked me if it's worth the price. For a 100g it is more expensive than some other excellent tobaccos. I would certainly say that it's well worth the price, as the quality of the leaf is among the best out there. It's just that good.

Pipe Used: Butz-Choquin bulldog Peterson Donegal Rocky MM cob

Age When Smoked: New in tin

Purchased From: Smokingpipes dot com

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	½ bowl (103)	2015-08-04		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium	Unnoticeable

Have an adequate supply of jars on hand if you purchase this for aging. Although the unsealed tin is a collectible, the cellophane wrapper inside it is worthless. You get about four 16" long tobacco flakes folded over several times.

The flavor is sweet and bread-like red Virginia with a wine-like finish. This is among the finest Virginia flakes I have had the pleasure of smoking. There are no negative issues -– except perhaps the useless packaging. The price is a little high, but then again, you get what you pay for. In this case, it is a guaranteed succession of “ah ha!” smoking experiences.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rodricus (29)	2012-07-04		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Upon opennig the large rectangular tin I found a cellophane pouch, similar to other brands. It is not a material I like, since I found very hard to keep tobacco moist. Anyway, large semi-broken flakes wellcome you, with light brown and golden tones. The aroma is lightly fragant, with promising breadish notes.

Because the unusual size of the flakes, I took more than normal time to prepare the pipe. It lit with no problem, and give an even burn.

On the taste side, this blend dissapointed me. It was spicy yet flat. Got quite a bite.

After tasting Solani´s Aged Burley Flake I was eager to taste this blend. Unfortunately it was not as good as Burley Flake, which is one my current favorites.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Xeneize (275)	2012-01-25		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Simply put, one of the best tobaccos ever made in Earth. Red and lemon Virginias interplay to provide a smooth, sweet, grassy smoke, complemented by a wisely low amount of Kentucky that, instead of getting in the way, give the blend a VaPer-like taste, without the sour touch of Perique. Splendid!

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Blackhorse (96)	2008-08-18		Medium to Strong	Very Mild	Full	Tolerable

I picked up a tin of this in '06 while visiting Peretti's on Boston Commons. All one needs to do is read the tin description to know if this is your cuppa tea. Whomever originally listed this one might have added the "Whiskey" note under the flavoring description header...but I don't think there is any. It does well in many different pipes for me...starts nicely sweet then gradually turns solid and full of tobacco goodness. The high level of goodness here is matched by the cost. A real winner in my book. Highly recommended for the idle rich and the common man with pipe money to burn.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Antonius Blok (192)	2020-08-29		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A blend of Virginia and Kentucky tasty enough to be enjoyed and smooth enough that you never get tired of smoking it every day, making it a perfect tobacco for the regular rotation. These two qualities mean that its 4oz (100 gram) tin presentation should pose no concern that one might tire of smoking it before finishing the tin. It is surprising that without being presented in a pressurized tin it maintains the perfect degree of humidity (see update). It burns very slowly and can be smoked carelessly because it doesn't hurt the mouth. I would say that I have achieved the highest records of smoke duration with this blend. A very long and rolled scale that deserves the highest note. Before finishing my first tin, I went to the tobacconist for a second. Absolutely recommended.

Update 11/08/2021: I opened another tin of this tobacco after having left it for more than a year and it was ribbon cut and somewhat dry, so I transferred it to an airtight glass jar. To have reservations, I bought a third tin from a German tobacconist and they had taken the precaution of vacuum-wrapping it with plastic. Given that it comes so well wrapped, I preferred not to open it to check the type of cut, so I wonder if the ribbon cut of the second tin was due to transport (most likely) or is it a new presentation. In any case, it has not lost an iota of its organoleptic virtues. If you want something similar but with the most accentuated flavors and added perique, I highly recommend Old Gowrie by Rattrays. Another excellent tobacco that you have to try ...

Pipe Used: Peterson Emerald smooth 999 semi curved

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	J-P (11)	2019-12-20		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

A quick edit here as I jarred few tins (tin date of Nov 2018) for 2 years. It's now March 2021.

The jar note on this when aged is more apricots and honey.

I definitely notice floral notes from the smoke this time (a slight lavender hint on the edge, reminiscent of a fine potpourri) which are very pleasant and not overpowering. This, along with a sort of milk cocoa as you near half-way point.

Very smooth and creamy smoke exudes from this rich, sweet, nutty mix, but there is a tangy edge. The increased sweetness did increase the risk of bite a touch.

A burley wood and nutmeg spice character comes forward near the halfway mark and a touch more of that 'dark fired' character is revealed.

If you smoke down to the end of your bowl it notably intensifies becoming more cigar-like (not a Cuban, something like a nice sweeter Brazilan stick). Still nice, but significantly fuller in flavour.

This is still a truly excellent and contemplative smoke, but it does seem to have intensified with age and I don't notice the citrus notes at all anymore. Definitely best smoked slow.

See my initial first impression notes below (from Dec 2019): As a first impression as I tried it for the first time last night.

The tin is large and unsealed, tobacco folded on itself in a long flake (similar to Marlin Flake). Scent impression is earthy and sweet. It looks, smells and feels like quality tobacco. Dried fruit (raisin's and prunes) are forward with a bit of nutmeg and citrus (more orange than lemon). The tobacco was perfectly dry to smoke out of the tin, I jarred it straight away.

My main flavour impression was of tangy and bittersweet orange marmalade over 'brown sugar' Virginias. But it definitely tastes like good natural tobacco with a light typically Danish casing.

I found this smoother and less prone to bite compared to some other Va tobaccos I've tried.

The nutty bitterness comes through from the Kentucky/Burley from which I get a mild peppery mouthfeel and the dry smokiness. There are hints of malted sugars and sweet chestnut as the flavour builds.

I folded and stuffed a torn-off portion in a small apple with a tapered bowl. Second bowl worked well as a cube cut. It burned very well (to a light grey ash, tipped out periodically) had to relight a few times. Slight dampness in the bottom but could have been too tight a pack.

First impressions are overwhelmingly positive.

Pipe Used: L.Viprati rusticated apple

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: SmokingPipes

Similar Blends: It reminds me of the older version of Three Nuns. Peter Heinrich's Dark Strong Flake..

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2019-04-18		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

This review was initially written in 2009 under my old handle. Back then TR's description stated that this combination of Red VA & dark fired Kentucky had a whiskey topping & also was depicted in a light green tin rather than the silver tin of latter times. This tobacco comes in a good quality, folded, plastic bag that shouldn't allow the flavor or moisture to bleed through & is contained within a hinged top, non-vacuum sealed tin. If you elect to purchase some & don't plan on smoking it right away, be sure and make use of a quality zip-lock or a good freezer bag right away. I triple seal mine, inside & out but obviously, a Mason jar or bail top would be the better choice.

However, my tins usually don't last long enough to worry about that anyway & this stuff is so good right out of the tin, I don't consider aging although I'm sure that would be a plus. The tin aroma to me is of tobacco only. Imagine that! I dried it to proper smoking moisture and rubbed it out to an almost shag-like consistency. It's crumbly & easily rubbed out, contains no trash & requires little drying time.

I stoked it into a GBD, Virgin Apple... lit up and immediately recognized the DF KY & the sweet taste of Virginia tobacco, which, BTW was named after the state which was named after & in honor of the "Virgin" Queen, Elizabeth I... a quick lesson in 16th century tobacco history, for all loyal subjects of interest in the "leaf," as it were. I'm unable to distinguish positively which tobacco is up front. My impression is slightly more VA than KY & the flavor remains consistent with maybe a little more sweetness at the halfway point. Some might say it's "cigarettish" but due to the flavor of the quality leaf, expertise in the preparation & blending, it's so much more than that.

OK! Moving on! Puffed a few times & let it sit a few minutes... I always use this DGT method on VA blends. Didn't take long to get a nicotine jolt. It is very mild tasting & doesn't bite but has a relatively strong nicotine content. I recently started inhaling one single puff after acquiring a good burn rate to judge the Vitamin N content. I contend SF Number 660 to be of exceptional quality. This is a very smooth, VA/Kentucky blend & I'm quite sure it no longer contains a "whiskey" topping... at least it no longer contains a sticky residue on the fingertips while rubbing it out & is unnoticeable in handling or smoking. However, this mixture back in the "old days" most likely had the whiskey topping because I remember it feeling a little sticky while rubbing it out & seemed to have a little more bite to it. I don't get that today & I'm smoking some right now... ten years later & I like it better now than I did back then.

If your preference is for a very good VA/Kentucky blend, well, here you go. Although relatively more expensive than similar blends, you'll find it's well worth the difference in price. It doesn't get any better than this and will be a mainstay in my rotation.

Pipe Used: GDB, Cavicchi Dublin, D. S. Huber Dublin

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin

Purchased From: P & C, Smoking Pipes

Similar Blends: Maybe a little akin to the re-release of Three Nuns, HH Old Dark Fired, Hal O The Wynd &/or other quality VA/Burs...

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrT999 (318)	2018-10-28		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I get mostly the lighter and sweeter VAs, some Red, and just hints of the Kentucky. Unlike some, I did not find any real topping, attributing the possible taste to the hints of Red VA. Overall, a nice but not overly complex or interesting flake, the kind to try if you're looking to find that pleasant multiple-pipe a day blend.

Pipe Used: briars, cobs, and meers

Age When Smoked: 1 month after purchase

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipesolitude (23)	2018-06-18		Medium	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

I am still learning what Kentucky tastes like, and this flake is a good teacher. I don't think Kentucky is a favorit of mine. But having said that, there is no arguing that SF is a top quality tobacco. Perhaps a bit tangy at first but developing into more sweet notes; taste is a little nutty, vinegar and hint of dark chocklad. And the smoke, wow... thick, velvety and enticing smoke that will not get hot and bite. I find myself shifting between taking big mouthfulls and just sipping gently. It burns perfectly, with no additional relights. It works very well in a filter pipe. This is not my first choice of tobacco type, but there is truly a magic quality to this flake. If I was a Kentucky lover I would probably search no more - this would seem like the perfect tobacco.

Even if it is a nice and mellow smoke, the Kentucky has a robust vibe. I can imagine this choice of tobacco on a rainy day. Perhaps outdoors in a raincoat seeking shelter under a tree during early autumn here in Sweden. It feels like the type of tobacco that would turn such an occasion into an enjoyable moment, with enough vigour to captivate your mind into a contemplative mode.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gaius Baltar (25)	2017-08-22		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

The flakes are a dark brown color and crumble easily. The humidity is ideal for smoking in comfort. The mixture is very natural and of great quality, from the first moment the kentucky is present giving an intense spicy touch without covering the virginia that contributes a slight sweet nuances. It burns easily, providing a smooth smoke, and the taste lasts until the end without any appreciable variation. It is a very dry blend that fills a lot. Normally I do not like the burley but in this case the thing is different, it is good and tasty. It is highly recommended and would surprise the little burley lovers. To smoke with confidence, appreciating the quality of the components.

Pipe Used: Missouri Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Duaso tobacco shop from Barcelona

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	steppx (186)	2017-04-11		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

For me this is a ten star blend. (I rate Tudor House by McClelland, and Navy Cavendish by the same, and FVF by sam gawith , and Pease's triple play...and maybe Butera's Golden Cake....as ten star blends...you get the idea).....and this joins that group. Solani simply has the best burley out there. C&D is good, but solani's burley is special. I dont know what it is. But their aged burley flake is a classic. This should be too, and in some circles it is. The burley is what i taste most. Nutty with edges of brown sugar and bread dough and molasses. Not sweet really, but almost. There is really almost no smokiness in the kentucky here. Ist more molasses bittersweet. And the Virginia is nice middle strength stoved (not heavily stoved) flake and together it makes a deceptively deep and sort of complex smoke. Nothing one dimensional about this at all. No flavoring....although as jimmlinks said...there might be the slightest light casing in there...but boy its very very very slight. Burns slow and needs very few relights. Its a near perfect tobacco to my mind. Nic hit is medium. Its a bit like Macbaren's HH Old Dark Fired, and orliks dark strong kentucky. Similar goals to all three blends. The ODF is heaviest and smokiest. The orliks sweetest. This is the most balanced and tastiest to my mind. But it is also not quite like those blends. And Im conflicted even comparing this to them. This is a complex Vabur, without perique....and thas rather rare. And...and...that Solani burley. The solani burley flake is a must have for serious pipesters. Buy some silver flake and buy some aged burley flake. You wont be disappointed.

Purchased From: 4noggins

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sasquatch (90)	2015-10-23		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I can only give this 3 stars because... well, I just didn't enjoy it that much. Quality is super high, and if stronger, less sweet va/pers are your thing, you might like it a bunch.

Same flake style as Reiner Long Golden - huge floppy strips, lovely quality. In the pipe, a little spice and a good backbone from the kentucky, and a smooth red virginia. I'd like a little more sweetness in the blend, I find this a little austere. I think a more "serious" smoker would enjoy this a lot.

Pipe Used: Castello

Age When Smoked: new

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	moniker (220)	2014-09-20		Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Incredibly, as others before me have observed, this expensive tobacco is offered for sale in an unsealed plastic bag, inside an unsealed tin. None the less, it appears that the tobacco remains moist enough and fairly supple. My most recent sample is formed into one l-o-n-g, mottled, dark brown “flake” that is rolled up and folded like a soft, wide leather belt without a buckle. The tin note is subtle yet arresting, smelling mostly like what it is: well-aged, stoved and hot-pressed, fermented versions of premium iterations of deep VA and KY tobaccos, also like well-tended, older, handmade leather shoes, along with soft-yet-exotic Oriental spices. I happen to be quite taken with SF’s rather unusual tin note. I always jar SF immediately, whether to smoke it or to age it, because the idea that it’s “exposed” in an unsealed tin makes me nuts. The pressed tobacco “flake” yields and breaks up readily when it’s handled. At first it was easy to gather and load small-ish or large-ish pieces of the “flake”, but over time it has broken down from picking to become something like a rough shag. Regardless, SF is easy to load, and it’s easy enough to light, as well. Once lit, and tamped with relaxed regularity, it smokes straight down to a very few cinders. There is ample smoke that seems to thicken as the smoke progresses. There is a light topping that supplies the first, fairly delicate scents from the smoke, and I am just guessing that it includes vanilla, almond, orange, and honey, among other additives. Soon enough, however, the constituent tobaccos take over, and the smells and tastes ramp up gracefully but forcefully to a “full” version of the tobaccos featured in the tin note. The tastes and the scents, and the smooth, dry smoke somehow remind me of certain premium Tampa cigars from my youth (a long time ago…), for whatever that’s worth. Though somewhat “blunt”, and consistent end to end, the tastes are subtly varied, if not myriad, and they are well aligned with the scents. The VAs are mostly deep and earthy, also slightly pungent, and their sweetness is balanced and occasionally overshadowed by the bitter tannins from the KY. This KY is also rather spicy, and somewhat “smoky”, again, like the Blue Ribbon KY once commonly used in premium Tampa cigars. To my tastes, the constituent tobaccos are well met, even exemplary for this. Meanwhile, the steadily increasing “force” of the smoke probably makes this a blend best suited for “experienced”, slow pipe smokers. Strength is medium, and tastes are (eventually) full. Although I like the strong room note, and I get no complaints from the cigar crowd, I’ve never tried it on my loved ones. I really enjoy the aftertaste, which is a sweeter, trailing-off version of the best of the smoke.

If one wants a rich, deep, “easy” smoke, and one is OK with the constituent tobaccos, then, IMO, Silver Flake is worth its price. In this respect, SF fills its niche perfectly. I find it relaxing, but only if I have the time and the inclination to really relax. Otherwise, I can see how it might seem overwhelming or even monotonous to someone unused to this sort of tobacco. I recommend it first to “serious” VA/Bur lovers, then to VA/Bur/Per lovers, also to veteran Burly lovers. Despite the obvious differences, SF rather reminds me of MacBaren’s Old Dark Fired Flake, and GLP’s JackKnife Plug and Key Largo, all of which are among my favorite pipe tobaccos. 4 Stars from me, because IMO SF is among the best of its ilk.

Update: A year and a half in a Mason jar and this blend has become downright elegant, with no loss of intensity. In this regard SF reminds me of Savinelli's Doblone d'Oro. Very nice, indeed

Pipe Used: various briars

Age When Smoked: fresh to 3 years, from jars

Purchased From: 4 Noggins

Similar Blends: Compare/contrast to MacBaren's Old Dark Fired Flake, and GLP's JackKnife Plug and Key Largo; also Savinelli's Doblone d'Oro.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Joeray (61)	2014-07-19		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This is a real tobacco taste, sweet, grassy, woodsy, smokey follows with a nice floral taste at my palate. I'm not a fans of burley or Kentucky if smoke it straight without mixed with other tobaccos. Had some experiences when I smoke straight aged burley and I don't like it. It doesn't please me up and just a dull taste for me, but this blend is quite good and nice. Of course this blend has a good tin notes and sight. The tin note is smells so good, a mature virginia follows with baked bread scent. Easy to pack and light, found no difficult to keep the light. The smokes is quite great, not hard to draw, not too much moist and I'm enjoying a cool and dry smoking time, and the dominant taste are smokey baked bread, floral sweetness, follows with grassy sweet virginia and it far different with others burleys, I don't found earthy taste that I usually found from burleys. I think this blend use a lot kentucky burley so it almost dominant the taste so I don't really like it to be my favorite, but for those whose really love Burleys, I will recommend this blend.

Pipe Used: Comoy Tradition 36

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Indonesian Local Tobacconist

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wellpipe (66)	2012-07-21		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

I could only get this in the 100g size. The tin presentation of this blend surprised me a bit: a largish, attractive rectangular tin that is not airtight, with the tobacco itself neatly arranged in a cellophane wrapper (also not airtight) with a foil seal on it. It was nicely done and made me think of an expensive confection. I saved the tin for other uses but moved the tobacco to sealed glass immediately.

The flakes are long (8 inches unfolded), uniform thickness, and slightly loose. I thought they were on the dry side but turned out to be just the right moisture level to smoke now. The long strands that gently rub from these flakes are ideal for an inverted pack into a large bowl.

At match this blend reminds me a lot of Esoterica Stonehaven - the flakes are not pressed quite as hard as Stonehaven and as a result require less preparation and light more easily - but the smoke is sweet with a graham-cracker / slightly vanilla-like flavor, only a bit spicier than Stonehaven. It will not knock your socks off with its power but is well-mannered and very refined. Although not an aromatic, the room note of this blend is sweet and pleasant. The flavor and even burn are consistent throughout the bowl.

This is a refined medium-strength flake that I will definitely keep on hand. If I were stranded on a deserted island with no other blend I would be happy with this for a long time.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PeterD (91)	2006-03-12		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

First, I believe this to be a flake tobacco that is one of the better flakes available today. Not that it is reminisiant of any of the early (1940-60)flakes, which unfortunately are no longer manufactured, but a flake within its own realm... perhaps even in its own way, adding to the definition of modern day flake cut tobaccos. Who knows at this point.

I liked this even before lighting it... the tin aroma reminded me of a Straight Virginia plug I use to smoke back in 1962 from Imperial Tobacco. If Silver Flake was in Plug form...well, it would almost be "heaven" again.

As previous reviewers have already stated, this tobacco burns well, has appropriate moisture content, and is a very satisfying smoke. I tested this at various times throughout the day and I liked it anytime I tried it. For the most part I enjoyed it in a Castello sea rock (Pipes & Tobaccos Pipe of the Year) straight stem, saddle bit, but also in a 1998 dunhill group 5 amber root straight billiard. Both these pipes I tend to reserve for my Virginia Plugs so I know there was some mingling of taste from previous smokes.

I did not detect any "whisky" flavoring at all...so, I don't know where that is coming from.

This has a great natural tobacco taste and aroma. Definitly worth a good try. An excellent all-day smoke!

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BingCrosby (162)	2020-02-29		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Smooth unassuming elegance.. This flake, along with 633 are 2 examples of very refined and well put together virginias.. Very consistent throughout the bowl.. This blend has the medium and bright virginia character with just a hint of Kentucky to spice it up.. The Kentucky is not the smokey barbecue type at all.. just kind of a light spice and earthy body that melds right into the virginia flavor.. I have never noticed the Kentucky take over during the smoke.. it is used kind of like perique is to mildly accent and gently shift the character of the smoke but more to enhance the main show.. it is a nice mellow medium smoke with no fireworks.. but it is so well done that it makes you appreciate it and contemplate on it.. At the moment it is only an occasional smoke (oddly I always enjoy it but rarely crave it).. I would recommend it even if you dont like Kentucky.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	roadkill0000 (23)	2017-04-05		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Strong

this review is just to keep track for myself mainly, less intended as a serious in depth review. Just to keep an eye of what ive tried and what I like, with quick notes about it. alot of these notes are from memory, and I will update the review as I continue smoking them.

I tried this and I feel like ive had better virginia flakes before. i will have o research this flake more. It diddnt wow me, however it smoked pretty well, a little hot to be honest thou. It also tasted good, it was a solid smoke, but for me maybe not complex enough, just kind of a bold yet simplistic straight forward flake. I was not too often in the mood for it.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	crazy owl (74)	2015-04-12		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

full flavour of the real american virginia,easy rubbing and slow burning but...First the strange package,non vacuum sealed,in fact you can open easily the tin and see an alien celophan bag containing the tobacco,by the way perfect moist almost ready to the pipe.Second,it bites my tongue and throat like a hungry wolf.And finally is more expensive than similars.IMHO good in its class but don´t worth the money.A rarity more,once open keeps moist along the weeks. update Rarity most probable effect of propylenglycol,humentant against fungi.First aboard I hate any alien inclusion in tobacco and second this additive doesn´t let aging correctly.Why this aberrations more common than we use to believe?

Pipe Used: dunhill 4

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: local tobacconist

Similar Blends: capstan navy cut.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-08-04		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

Im just finishing my first bowl of this and it is very enjoyable. Out of the tin, it smells of un sweetened chocolate and fresh hay. This is also my first experience with a flake and was happy to see how well it packed and lit. (Used the fold and pack technique) the beginning of the smoke started like it smelled out of the tin, a bit grassy and mild. It starts to transform mid way, with a sweet, nutty, earthy taste, but far from over powering. The tobacco taste is there. Im at the end of my bowl and now get a taste of bread. I like how the smoke changes in flavor throughout. It stayed lit well and it has ABSOLUTELY no bite.. a huge plus. I would say the room note is also very nice.. definitely try it for yourself, but put it in a jar.. the tin will dry it out fast. All in all, a very enjoyable hour long smoke. there is a decent amount of nicotine, so eat something before you smoke.. i dont think its aeromatic in character at all, and leaves a bit of a cigarette smell.. i do like it, but as far as an all day smoke, not so much..

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Tomcat (221)	2021-10-03		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Unnoticeable

Solani 660 Silver Flake- The tin note is a fermented vinegary red Virginia smell and a slight beef jerky smokiness . Red Virginia forward blend that is tangy dark fruit and citrus and a little bready . Slighly grassy with some smoky , nutty floral notes in the background. No bite at all and it needed no dry time . I couldn’t detect any flavoring but it has a nice level of sweetness. Spice is very mild . Nic is mild . Don’t let the dark fired burley scare you away . This is more of a Virginia blend . Very enjoyable smoke . 4

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gamzultovah (10)	2021-07-31		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Solani 660 Silver Flake was quite the surprise to me. I have smoked my fair share VaKy blends and have always had mixed feelings on the genre (Kentucky/Burley not being my favorite).

I have to say that Rudiger L. Will Masterfully blended the Kentucky and Virginias in such a way that the attributes of each component interplays seamlessly with the next and every puff is pure joy. The Virginias bring a sweetness that is evident in every puff and the Kentucky (I imagine) leaves a wonderful soda aftertaste…brilliant! The room note is pleasant and for me, this can be an all day smoke. The nic-hit is mild, but that’s okay as this blend is hard pressed to bite; making the meditative cadence of the smoking experience very relaxing. Even if you’re not into this genre buy yourself a tin, you won’t be disappointed. 4 Stars.

Pipe Used: Dunhill Bruyere, Ed Burak Featherlight Stacked Egg

Age When Smoked: 1 Year

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	cakeanddottle (105)	2021-06-29		Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This tobacco comes very light and hay-like in color out of the tin, resembling a golden Va flake. Five years in the basement and it is very dark and resembles an English VaBur flake. Interesting.

Initially I wasn't wowed by this. Maybe it needed to rest a little, or maybe I came around. What I find here is a very natural red Va flake with Kentucky. The Kentucky does not overpower or turn this into a BBQ flake. Instead, it adds earth and backbone and does not run away with the blend.

It's sweet, but subtly so. I also find the initial, subtle sweetness develops through the bowl and to the end. Again, very impressive that the Kentucky doesn't take over and drown it out. Much lighter in flavor and less the toppings you'd get with a GH VaBur. Heartier than a standard Va flake.

I smoke a lot of Burley during the day, and this is kind of an after dinner smoke after a day of smoking Burley for me when I'm not quite in a Va mood. Or if you were a Burley man and didn't care much for Va flakes at all, this one might ring your bell. Think Capstan or OGS minus any obvious flavorings and with the roundness and backbone of a VaBur.

It's very good and it's utterly unique, that gets it four stars from me. Wish I had bought this early in my cellaring, I'd have pounds and pounds of it. As it stands, I'll always keep a tin on hand. It is a very good effort and it may be the best example of Kentucky in a blend because it's an important element and it harmonizes with the other important element. Usually Kentucky takes over or is used merely as a condiment. I could see Mac Baren making this very tobacco today for their HH series, but this is executed better than they would do it. That is my praise for this blender.

Age When Smoked: 5 years

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HabaneroHardy (401)	2021-02-24		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Unnoticeable

I was given a nice 18-inch-long flake of this from a friend of mine at the club. I tore off a couple of inches and twisted it and put it into one of my pipes I use for Virginias, a Altinay Poker Meerschaum. It was sticking up about a good half of an inch out of the bowl so I did what any good pipe smoker would do. I took some scissors and cut it off like it was grass and returned the unused portion back into its zip lock bag. The first quarter of the bowl I could detect what I thought to be the Red Virginias. Red Virginias just have a particular taste that I recognize as I have smoked some straight Red Virginias in the past. About half-way the sweetness dissipated and though okay did not taste as good as first lighting up. This puts out a lot of smoke. I have read more than one review talking about there might be a Whiskey casing or topping on this one but I really could not detect it. A good 3-star blend.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Rustedrailsmokes (293)	2020-10-28		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I bought this is 2018 at a local B&M after a recommendation by the tobacconist. I was warned about going ahead and jarring it due to the cellophane packaging. I had a few bowls then and jarred the rest of the beautiful flakes.. and promptly forgot about it.

Que October 2020 when I was going through a tote looking for something else and I found the jars of this. Man this is delicious with a couple of years on it. Dark long flakes that are easily broken up or cut to be folded and stuffed. It is easy to light and keep burning.

The taste to me has a great combination of sweetness along with the spice of the Kentucky and if I didn't know better I'd think it was a VaPer. It reminds me of ODF except that the sweetness is kicked up a notch. The strength to my taste/tolerance is a shade higher than medium. Not something I'd smoke all day.

I'll definitely be picking up more to jar-up for future smoking pleasure.

Pipe Used: The Blackjack Professor from Morgan

Age When Smoked: 2 years

Purchased From: Puff n stuff

Similar Blends: Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dezdenova (4)	2020-07-14		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I dont use to write reviews but im a pipesmoker for a long time. Weirdly silver flake taste like a VaPer. We know it contains virginia and kentuckey but you feel a VaPer almost. Its burn slowly and turn to soft ashes soon and should smoke slow and dont let lose its wetness so much. I felt earthy, salty and sweetness on my tongue and salty taste was intersting to me. I recommanded badly cause its one of the greatest mixture ive tried

Pipe Used: MM carolina gent-MM diplomat apple

Age When Smoked: New

Similar Blends: Three nuns- rattays halo the wynd.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pryhosm (248)	2020-06-14		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Strong

Solani has a wide range in a limited number of offerings. All of them are top rate, even if some are not for me. I am not the biggest fan of Burley or Dark Fired Kentucky in general but there are a few blends that showcases these leaves in a way that makes me take note. Uhle and Peretti seem to have my kind of Burley. DFK I like, among a few others, HH Vintage Syrian, Three Nuns and now Silver Flake. The leaf Solani uses is first rate. The Virginia’s area sweet and earthy at the same time. Bread, and some hay like notes are also present here and there. The DFK gives some tang, spice and richness, maybe a sour hint from time to time. I only find one problem with this blend; I don’t know where if fits in my rotation. I think I have landed on “warm weather smoke”, probably in the evening when temperature drops and after dinner, come winter I dont’ know where to put it. I purchased this several months ago and played around with it in the colder months but with the warm weather I have hit it several times, at first just so I could write down my thoughts on the blend. I do think it has a place and wish I could say it is a year round smoke but I can see this fading into the cabinet once it gets cold.

Pipe Used: Briar’s and cob’s

Similar Blends: Three Nuns.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	John_B (35)	2020-05-24		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

With such a sterling reputation, I was keen to try this blend, espescially as I have had some great Virginia Burleys recently, so have a firm view of what works for me. It comes ready to rub out and smoke, although I gave it a little time to breath, and it packs and lights flawlessly. Tin note is raisins, hay, and baked goods from the quality Virginias and it reminds me of Escudo or Navy Rolls. It has a full flavour from the start, with hay and fruit loaf but I couldn't detect the strong presence of Dark Fired as it is there on a condimental level. In fact this blend almost seems like a Va/Per. The overall balance is superb and it even has a vague tingle on the retrohale. My body chemistry doesn't tolerate Perique very well, although I like the taste, so this is pleasant way for me to experience that flavour profile without getting a sore mouth. All in all it smokes like a charm with no nasty surprises along the way, and is consumed to a fine grey ash with just a few shreds of tobacco remaining. It is a fairly stout smoke with a noticeable nicotine content and would easily satisfy a seasoned smoker, but may be a novice should approach with caution. An easy 4 stars for me and I will most surely buy more.

Pipe Used: Blakemar Briars Sir Douglas

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: GQ Tobaccos

Similar Blends: Gawith Hoggarth Brown Unscented.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JinxJar (6)	2017-10-05		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I smoke this paired with Assam or English Breakfast Tea, folded and packed lightly. It takes the match well, needing a couple relights, and burns at a typical Va/Per speed. It doesn't bite (with a beverage), and gives off a fair amount of smoke. The flavors are typical hay/wheat and a little citrus with a tiny bit of spice coming from the Kentucky. It burns clean to the bottom of the bowl. I get a little moisture about half-way through (as I do most natural tobaccos), and I think this is normally around the time I pack, purge, and relight. I would highly recommend this blend.

Pipe Used: Peterson Tara 03

Age When Smoked: 1-60 days

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Rattray - Old Gowrie (British Collection).

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dr.James (39)	2017-07-28		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Presented in long leathery flakes that exude a delicious freshly dried fig aroma. The blend of Vrirginas are supple and grassy sweet with notes of peat and a light dry citrus efervessence . The Dark fired Kentucky balances the blend with nuttiness, a mild woodsy background and date undertones, At times, I notice a spicy white pepper note from the African White Burley, quality is superb. Jar the long flakes as the tin may not maintain moisture level for long. Burns smooth and clean to a grey ash leaving very little moisture, requires few relights especially when rubbed out. Room note is pleasant. Solani’s 660 is a well enjoyed classic that ages well.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	dbl-bbl (45)	2017-02-11		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

I purchased a tin of Solani Silver Flake & Tropical Mango Flake at the same time. I didn't care much for the latter (and I'm an Aro guy) .... but boy oh boy do I like SSF! Excellent taste & aroma from this natural blend of high quality sweet & tangy Virginia Flake ... but the Dark Fired adds another dimension of depth to it. It somewhat reminds me of Rattray's HOTW (which I also enjoy) but with an added boost of earthy-woodsy flavor from the Kentucky. I'll be stocking up on more of this blend for sure.

Pipe Used: Briar Canadians, Lovats, & Stacks

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: PipesandCigars.com

Similar Blends: Rattray's Hal of the Wynd.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Greekpipesmoker (201)	2017-01-21		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Magik flake!!when you open it you get the citrus from the virginias.very easy to rub at right moisture thou it might need a few re lights.when smoking you get mostly the fruits and some spicyness from the darkfired kentucky in a really good balance.burns in balance and doesn't go hot if you go hard.it's a really unique combination with a light toping of whiskey i suppose which you dont get when you smoke it.you can start your day very pleasant and end it with this loend.defenitelly a must try!

Age When Smoked: ?fter 1 week

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	J.R. Patton (106)	2016-05-26		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I agree wholeheartedly with GentlemanZombie -- age truly does 660 justice. As with HOTW, I was thoroughly unimpressed straight out of the tin...seemed mediocre at best. After only 6 months in jars this has transformed into a totally different animal! So, as with HOTW, I'm glad I postponed this review for this blend to come of age a little.

I'm not certain what the proportions are here, but I'm leaning towards nearly 50/50 VA and Kentucky. Whatever it is, it works...works very, very well. That dark earl grey tea note that I love so much about Kentucky is right up front, letting you know its more than just a condiment along for the ride. Fantastic matured VAs are there, equally present with hints of sweetness and citrus. I love that the sweetness never becomes more than a whisper, clearly indicative that no topping is used. I also really dig the pleasant, mild nasal pinch from that DFK. No tongue bite whatsoever. Burns cleanly and evenly to fine powdered grey ash. Muy delicioso.

This is my first foray into Solani. As impressive as 660 is, I believe further experimentation will be necessary into their other offerings. Sublimely well done, and at a fair price point to boot. Just do it a favor...give it some age before you make up your mind. You won't be disappointed.

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Peterson Irish Flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Big Train (118)	2015-12-30		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Tolerable

I am sure glad to see that at least one tobacco finally got dark fried Kentucky right . #660 seems to me to have hit upon the exact right amount to blend into good Virginia . Upon opening the tin I was impressed with the visual , long strips of a dark flake with the right moisture level . The tin note was so unique it made me want to smoke it at once . Easy to light , the 660 gave off flavor right from the start and all the way down too . If you want to age the 660 , however , I think you will need to transfer it to a ball jar or the like because the tin does not seem to be vacuum . Although nothing with deep fried could be my all day , go to , smoke the #660 is just a great choice when something a little different is called for .

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	WillBrown (137)	2015-05-22		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Here we have another good German produced flake. To my palate it was slightly sweet and spicy. Very good. The flake came in a long folded strip in a plastic pouch (in a tin). It lit well, and offered a long, relatively cool smoke. I liked this flake a lot, and will be smoking it throughout the summer.

It reminded me a little bit of Reiner LGF (in both taste, and presentation). Those who enjoy a more natural style of tobacco in flake form will like this one (BTW it also went very well with an Atwater Brewery Vanilla Java Porter).

I'll give it a strong three stars (3.75—I always round down).

Recommended.

Keep on Piping!

Pipe Used: My trusty Nording freehand

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Uban (60)	2014-11-20		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Just finished my 100 g tin after 4 or 5 months. I have to agree with JimInks in that I find it to be cased & far too sweet to my taste. I hate to be odd man out, 'cause I really like the 633, but only 2 stars here.

Pipe Used: Meer, cob, clay

Age When Smoked: 2 years

Purchased From: show

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2014-04-03		Strong	None Detected	Full	Strong

Kohlhase und Kopp makes high quality tobacco pipe, I knew that already.

Upon opening the tin and seeing the huge, long, wide flakes, I was impressed with the sight of the dark colours and the very natural, pure smell of unadulterated Virginia and Kentucky tobaccos.

The smell is a mixture of wheat fields (so earthy) and the mélange of different Virginias gives it a note of hay, citrus and sweet quince jam.

The humidity level is ideal for rubbing, filling and smoking without waiting and drying (SG should take note).

The tobacco lights like a charm (never had to relight), and I am caressed by the aromas of this magnificent pure American tobacco. Very cool smoke with a respectable N hit. The room note however is less than pleasant to the people around me.

I find this tobacco better than SG 1792 flake from every single aspect. Kudos to K&K for this magnificent blend.

Pipe Used: Straight Bulldog by Piazzolla

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: Pipe-Shop.net

Similar Blends: Samuel Gawith - 1792 Flake.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	doc'spipe (242)	2012-10-17		Mild	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

Finally ordered some Silver Flake for a new Stanwell Vario billiard. Beautiful presentation in the cellophane bag (wrapped that in a zip lock for storage in its tin). Very little by the way of tin aroma, just a mild smelling tobacco. Nice, pliable leaf that loaded and lit very readily. I notice a slight spiciness to the tongue but no true bite. It smoked very cool and was overall mild for an offering that has Kentucky Burley. It reminded me the most of MacBaren's Stocton, but with way less sweetness or "Kentucky kick," with Virginia taste being more like Wessex's Gold Brick. The spiciness of the Kentucky leaf became more apparent toward mid bowl but was never over the top. Can't say this will ever become my one of my favorites as a solo entity since it is way too mild and with very little taste, but I like the way the end result of the blending takes away that Virginia grassiness that I am not a big fan of. I like to mix it with Aged Burley Flake for a fuller smoke. All in all, if you like milder Virginias with subtleness and no bite I can recommend this without reservation.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ROTHNH (11)	2012-10-13		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

On a whim the other day I picked a tin of this out of the cellar. My tin of Silver Flake hadn't been in there that long really and I almost picked something else. I remember adding it to a tobacco order because I'm into Virginia blends, a friend raved about it and the reviewers loved it.

First of all, the tin is gorgeous. Inside, log gold and brown flakes in a cellophane folded bag with a gold metallic tape seal. Pretty. I was surprised that there's zero vacuum seal, which worried me for a moment, thinking I should have smoked it sooner. But yay! ... perfect moisture. The scent is of somewhat sweet, natural tobacco. The flakes separate into strands easily and that's how I packed the ol' Ashton billiard -- vertical strands in the bowl.

The char went well; the tobacco fluffed up some, but the tamp and light were easy with the burn as good as it gets from first puff to the dry white ash at the end.

The high quality Kentucky in this blend is evident, which is fine by me as it rounds out the red and yellow virginias while adding a fullness and a hint of spice the qualities of which I found unusual for a virginia blend. Full flavors, certainly not mild, but I can't label this as anywhere near strong, either. Quite smooth. Never bitter. Not sweet as in honey sweet, but subtly sweet (from the superb aged virginias I presume). Ah, I'm really appreciating the art of a master blender with this one. Certainly not light on nicotine but just enough. The room note is as good as it gets for a virginia blend, IMO.

If you try it, due to the classy but not very well sealed packaging, I'd recommend you jar it upon receipt. For virginia lovers (but probably not those sensative to red virginias), this is a must try. OK, it's not cheap, but worth every penny.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr. Big (321)	2011-07-17		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

A high quality Virginia with a touch of Burley, way in the background. The Kentucky only provides some base, complexity and probably is the reason this doesn't bite ( although it has some spice). The smoke starts out sweet with a "Danish Virginia" taste (honey/hay) and develops into what I call an "English Virginia" , a sweet & sour taste, very nice. I always like to compare the Virginia / Burley blends to Orliks Golden Flake Red, in this case the Virginia is out front, it is stronger and sweeter than "Red" and not as "Green". The cut is very easy to use, 4 inch long ready rubbed flakes. Just pull a few out, fold and stuff, easy to light, easy to keep lit with a few tamps. This smoke is never bitter. I would buy more if I could hit the lotto, expensive. One complaint, the tin is not air tight and of an odd bulky shape. This could be an all day smoke if you're into Virginias.,

Pipe Used: cob

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dubinthedam (133)	2010-12-24		Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

Simply one of the very best burley va flakes on the market today. A must try blend.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	flaminbill' (57)	2010-01-24		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Burley is not my first choice, or even my second, for pipe tobacco. But this is an exception.

It seems like the larger the bowl size, the more it shines. I have a huge Don Carlos Montana that I smoke on Sundays while watching my beloved Pittsburgh Steelers or, at this point in the season, whomever I am forced to watch.This combination of pipe and Silver Flake is awesome. I also have an old Digby that works well.

I don't mind the fact that Silver Flake is pricey, but the packaging is poor. The pack inside the attractive tin, or rather would be attractive if the label was on straight,is vacuum sealed; however, I have never been able to get these pouches open without the foil pack tearing. Since I can only find 100 gr. tins, the tobacco needs transferred or enclosed in a zip-loc bag because the tin itself does not close tightly.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	dk-piper (25)	2010-01-16		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Tolerable

What a wonderful Virginia-Kentucky-blend! Smooth as silk and gentle on my palate. Tastes very natural. Natural Sweetness, Natural Nuttiness/Tastiness. It seems like the Solani blends are beginning to grow on me. First Aged Burley Flake and now Silver Flake. Mr. Will is a "madman"

=update 20/11/2010=

After one year of cellaring i couldnt wait any longer. Popped the sealed can. The tobacco feels soft as silk. Gently rub it out, and fill the best pipe i have. WOW...this tobacco tastes like pure butter. FANTASTIC!!!!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	kg0mz (54)	2009-09-12		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

I don't taste the whisky in this blend that others do. I don't smell whisky in the tin, and I don't find mention of whisky on the tin or on any other online sites. The official description says no flavoring added. Anacol!

In the bag it looks like a VA flake. In the pipe, initially, it tastes like a straight VA flake, but the Kentucky quickly springs forward and becomes pretty darn spicy from mid-bowl on, but the VA sweetness persists. Sweet and powerful, one of my favorite combinations.

SF and Aged Burley Flake certainly share quality as a characteristic, but there are differences. The VAs in SF are mature, sweet and tasty, and the Kentucky is spicy. I love ABF and smoke it often. Both are cool and slow burning blends of mature tobaccos. ABF is all burley, and it doesn't have the VA depth and sweetness.

I think I could smoke SF all day without bite or throat irritation. Worth the money? To me, yes. I think it is all natural, but I could be wrong.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-05-21		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have only one complaint about this finely crafted tobacco blend, and that involves its packaging. For some reason, this is the only Solani tobacco that is only available in the United States in 100g tins that are not air-tight. Even Solani 633, which also comes in this type of 100g tin, is additionally available in 50g tins that can be easily cellared. I hope that Solani will remedy this discrepancy soon, as this is one of my very favorite tobaccos and I would like to cellar a great deal of it.

That issue aside, it would be difficult for me to praise Silver Flake more highly. R. L. Will has concocted a red-VA based blend with singular appeal. His combination of red Virginias and earthy dark-fired Kentucky is inspired. It's effect upon the palate is surprising and staggering. Perhaps it is the sweetness from the whiskey that marries these elements so harmoniously, but one way or another, this tobacco is undeniably delicious. Most puffs are dominated by the richness of the red VAs combined with the sweetness of whiskey, but the clincher is how the dark-fired burleys waft in with strong wisps of dank soil. Those who like red VAs would do themselves a disservice by not trying Silver Flake. Also, those who are fond of how orientals can add spice and complexity to a blend of rich Virginias may find that with Silver Flake, R. L. Will has achieved something quite similar, but in a very different way. Silver Flake has the depth and spice of a good VA/oriental mixture, but it also adds very earthy notes to that equation. Furthermore, those who have never tried dark-fired burley may find this a good place to start. Many other blends featuring this delectable ingredient may be too strong for the uninitiated.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	haredawg (47)	2009-01-17		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

In a blind taste test I?m not sure I could tell you the difference between Silver Flake and Aged Burley flake. With eyes open, the silver flake comes in a 100 gram tin, the tobacco wrapped in foil as the tin isn?t tight. It?s a dark shaggy cut, as opposed to the neat organized light and dark flecked even flakes in the 50 gram aged burly. The tin aroma is the same, sweet and rich, and though silver flake is a Virginia and Burley mix, it tastes very much like aged burly flake, perhaps a little tangier from the Virginians, but it?s subtle, the melding of the two coming out in favor of the burley. It also burns as slow and cool as the aged burley flakes. I was all sorts of impressed by the aged burley flakes and am almost the exact same impressed by the Silver flake, though the packaging is not as, well, sophisticated. It?s a better value, by a buck or two, to get the Silver Flake, and if you?re a stalwart and stoic Virginian smoker looking for a change of pace, Silver Flake is probably less of shock, an easier transition, at least psychologically. I?m giving it four stars because it?s a great tobacco, but I?m a little disappointed that it?s not a completely different great tobacco from Aged Burly flake. Maybe I received a tin that was mix heavier on the burly side, I don?t know. I am close to duct taping the tin though; it?s hinged and not tight at all. Silver flake is pretty moist and probably won?t last around here long enough to dry out, but one shouldn?t depend on the tin to keep it moist.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2007-09-25		Strong	Medium	Full	Strong

This one is fun! I originally bought this because I like 633 and I've been smoking a lot of Blackpoint lately and I thought... well - just maybe...???? ...and you know what? I was right! This is great stuff - no Perique (whine!) but the air-cured Kentucky leaf is plenty strong enough to make up for it - and then some! I can load up a huge bowl of this (like J.M.Boswell- size'o-your-fist-Dublin kinda huge!) and work up a real good sweat just getting an ember going in the bowl (I tamp that thing with a carriage bolt!) and then just kick up and pooof away with it like some kinda freakin' beach bonfire. I really love this stuff at the end of a long day with a good, hearty ale. It's strong, yeah, but still sweet from the Virginias, and smoooooooth like you wouldn't believe - but still a mite tingly on the nose like a good Perique might be ('cept it don't last all that long). I believe this has the same topping on the Virginias that the 633 has - not objectionable, but definitely noticeable and still kinda waaaay too European-sweet smelling in the bag when you first open it up - which is weird because I think 633 smells just about heavenly in the bag - but the Kentucky leaf kinda makes it too much of a good thing, I guess. It gets three stars for being such an almost perfect smoke WITHOUT having any Perique.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2006-01-25		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant

Rudiger Will is a master blender, of that I'm sure. The introduction of Silver Flake is one of the best new tobaccos of 2005.

Appearance: A beautiful flake presentation of mixed hues of tans and brown.

Tin aroma: An amazing and complex aroma of rich hay, stewed fruits and spice. A lovely forest rich smell.

This flake arrives nearly perfect in every detail, moisture content is exactly right. As with most flakes I simply fold several flakes up and insert them directly into the chamber unmolested. This assures me a long lasting even burning smoke. For this review, I've chosen an Armellini Freehand which is quite faithful in presenting complex Virginia tobacco mixtures. I've pre-smoked several bowls over the course of a week of Silver Flake in this pipe in preparation for this review.

A one match light is brings billows of rich gray smoke, followed with a brief visit of the tamper. The deep red VA is immediately there and while a bit tangy at first becomes a nice compliment to the fine quality leaf underneath. Flavors of Red Virginia are dominant throughout, Burley chimes in with rich nut like and cigarish notes.

Mid Bowl: Approaching mid-bowl, the fullness tends to building layer upon layer of complexity. The tones of forest deepen steadily as this mixture gains strength. Rich caramel tones are evident with a slowly building rich cigar like quality and I find myself relaxing ever more deeply into my stuffed chair, smiles widening across my face. I continue to marvel each time at how rich and full flavored this blend becomes. A huge benefit from such a seemingly simple mixture.

Home Stretch: As end of the bowl approaches, the palate is very complex, very rich, and satisfying. The tangy duet of Red VA's, and Burley with cigar like notes seem to keep expanding until suddenly tamping and repeated application of flame no longer yield any more. I am consistently surprised to find that I'm done! Well behaved and cool burning throughout, this blend is a definite all day smoking candidate. With Silver Flake, #633 and a good Balkan blend, I could retire to a desert island without regrets. This mixture provides near complete combustion every time, yielding perfectly dry white ash.

Supplemental Notes: This is a regular part of my rotation as something reached for when a Virginia and Burley mixture is craved. Absolutely a perfect smoke for anytime of the day. ** 4 full stars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (557)	2023-02-18		Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Tin note of pungent, vinegary and stewed sour fruit. Tobacco is a Flake of marbled reddish brown and dark brown. Moisture content is great, rubs out with a little effort. Burns slow with few relights. The strength is medium and nic is medium. No flavoring listed, but there is a sweet alcohol flavor more prominent in the first 1/4 that slowly dissipates to nothing within the first 1/2. Taste is medium to full and mostly consistent, with notes of toasted bread, wood, sweet alcohol, spice, leather, spicy, floral, earth, nutty, peaty vegetation/hay, dry, mildly acidic, tangy zesty, orange peel/bitters, mildly savory, a stewed rich dark fruit background note, and a peppery retro. Virginia is leading with Kentucky supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

Pipe Used: 1992 Ashton Sovereign XX Billard

Age When Smoked: 4 years

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Greybeard (66)	2021-09-15		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Got a sample of Silver Flake from a friend with enough for two pipes. I normally wouldn't review until I've had 4 pipes of a blend, but going ahead here since I found this to be enjoyable smoke, and one I'm going to consider for future purchases.

It's Virginia forward and has a silky sweet, grassy, and occasionally citrus flavor. The Kentucky is in the background and gives the blend a bit more strength, but doesn't overpower either.

A good blend that probably any piper should try.

Pipe Used: MM Country Gentleman

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Babalouba (2)	2020-03-07		Medium	None Detected	Full	Pleasant

Full natural taste. No aromatic addiction (even if whisky is quoted in somehow). Full day smoking, every charge has an incredible duration. Tobacco burns perfectly and no difficult is noted due to flake cut.

Pipe Used: Ascorti, Peterson, Dunhhill, Comoy's

Age When Smoked: 54

Purchased From: Motzek, Germany

Similar Blends: Motzek Kentucky Crumble, even if this last is much more whisky flavored.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	King Weed (228)	2019-09-09		Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

At our 2019 NASPC show I bought the tobacco portion of a former pipe smoker's collection. He had recently quit under duress from his physician and his wife and the bulk blends were relatively fresh. One, tightly sealed in a pint canning jar, was labled simply "Silver" and none of us understood what it was. My research shows that it is Solani 660-Silver Flake and I had never smoked it. So I did just that and this is what I found. Some reviewers compare it to Orlik Golden Sliced and I can see that; however, it is more like "Golden Sliced Light" to me. It smoked in that satisfying, but narrow, range of enjoyment one gets from most Virginia/Burley blends and had the typical brown interlaced with gold color in the Flakes. The top third of the smoke was somewhat wishy washy and required relights. In the middle third you begin to sense what this blend is trying to do and the bottom third was the best part of the bowl. Lighter than other VA/BURs I've smoked, it approaches an all day smoke level. On the other hand, I agree with some reviewers who noted a roughness on the tongue feeling which, for me, persisted down the length of the bowl. All in all, not bad and recommended at three stars.

Pipe Used: Ashton Quaint LX Canadian

Age When Smoked: unknown but not recent

Purchased From: a former pipe smoker

Similar Blends: Orlik Golden Sliced, but lighter.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2019-03-05		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

This review was initially written in 2009 under my old handle. Back then TR's description stated that this combination of Red VA & dark fired Kentucky had a whiskey topping & also was depicted in a light green tin rather than the silver tin of latter times. This tobacco comes in a good quality, folded, plastic bag that shouldn't allow the flavor or moisture to bleed through & is contained within a hinged top, non-vacuum sealed tin. If you elect to purchase some & don't plan on smoking it right away, be sure and make use of a quality zip-lock or a good freezer bag right away. I triple seal mine, inside & out but obviously, a Mason jar or bail top would be the better choice.

However, my tins usually don't last long enough to worry about that anyway & this stuff is so good right out of the tin, I don't consider aging although I'm sure that would be a plus. The tin aroma to me is of tobacco only. Imagine that! I dried it to proper smoking moisture and rubbed it out to an almost shag-like consistency. It's crumbly & easily rubbed out, contains no trash & requires little drying time.

I stoked it into a GBD, Virgin Apple... lit up and immediately recognized the DF KY & the sweet taste of Virginia tobacco, which, BTW was named after the state which was named after & in honor of the "Virgin" Queen, Elizabeth I... a quick lesson in 16th century tobacco history, for all loyal subjects of interest in the "leaf," as it were. I'm unable to distinguish positively which tobacco is up front. My impression is slightly more VA than KY & the flavor remains consistent with maybe a little more sweetness at the halfway point. Some might say it's "cigarettish" but due to the flavor of the quality leaf, expertise in the preparation & blending, it's so much more than that.

OK! Moving on! Puffed a few times & let it sit a few minutes... I always use this DGT method on VA blends. Didn't take long to get a nicotine jolt. It is very mild tasting & doesn't bite but has a relatively strong nicotine content. I recently started inhaling one single puff after acquiring a good burn rate to judge the Vitamin N content. I contend SF Number 660 to be of exceptional quality. This is a very smooth, VA/Kentucky blend & I'm quite sure it no longer contains a "whiskey" topping... at least it no longer contains a sticky residue on the fingertips while rubbing it out & is unnoticeable in handling or smoking.

However, this mixture back in the "old days" most likely had the whiskey topping because I remember it feeling a little sticky while rubbing it out & seemed to have a little more bite to it. I don't get that today & I'm smoking some right now... ten years later & I like it better now than I did back then. If your preference is for a very good VA/Kentucky blend, well, here you go. Although relatively more expensive than similar blends, you'll find it's well worth the difference in price. It doesn't get any better than this and will be a mainstay in my rotation.

Pipe Used: GDB, Cavicchi Dublin, D. S. Huber Dublin

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin

Purchased From: P & C, Smoking Pipes

Similar Blends: Maybe a little akin to the re-release of Three Nuns, HH Old Dark Fired &/or other quality VA/Burs...

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Effluvinator (60)	2018-02-22		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

I've smoked almost the entire tin and while I like the taste, as a very few reviewers noted it bites. It is rich tasting, has a nice sweetness and moderate strength but no matter how much care I exercise I get slightly scorched. It was aged 10 years in the original large tin and at good moisture level, perhaps slightly dried. Appearnce was a large clump of broken flake. I don't know if that is normal as it varies from what others describe. Overall I can't fault the tobacco. It just didn't agree with me.

Pipe Used: The Pipe, various briars, meer.

Age When Smoked: 10 years

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	William H. Hardy (95)	2017-04-30		Medium	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

This is a solid Virginia blend that hits a lot of high notes and a good deal of low. I see a lot of reviews wondering if there is a topping or not and I have to fall in with the cadre that claims that there is. It's relatively faint, but there is definitely something sweeter than just bright Virginia.

Silver flake is a good, honest, and enjoyable tobacco, but there are so many more that I enjoy more. Is it worth trying? Absolutely. With me, however, it just didn't ring any bells. The price is a bit of a turn-off for me, as well. It also has very little in the middle range, and seems to be all bright and a bit smoky. This supposedly has red Virginia as well bright, but if it does it is overpowered by the Kentucky.

There is nothing at all wrong with this tobacco and a lot that is right, but when factoring in the price, there are other blends like this that I enjoy more. I know. I sound like a miser... I'll definitely call it a solid 3 or even higher, but it won't make my top ten. I've had some very enjoyable smokes with this one, but it comes up a bit short. taste is subjective, so treat this review with a grain of salt.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bence (34)	2016-04-13		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild	Pleasant

Rich taste, but for me very simple. Solani use quality leaf, and it has really natural taste. Burley is interesting in it, because it gives bread/toast notes, but there's no deepness which incite me to buy again and again + strange packing means 4 star here.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wes70 (2)	2015-07-04		Medium	Medium to Strong	Extra Full	Pleasant

Favorite. Bold. Hayie, Spicy; complex. My bar/standard. The nice thing about a Virginia is it's full flavor... It definitely has that but the Kentucky gives it complexities and a spice that are missing in other blends. I normally don't like Burleys because I feel like they taste like cigarettes but this is asfar from that as it gets.

Pipe Used: Pierre Morel

Age When Smoked: 2 yrs old

Purchased From: Pipesandcigars.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Autumn joy (47)	2015-02-18		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Solani Silver flake... what a treat this has been to try this stuff, fresh from the can this was a heavy hitter for me. The blend is composed of red Virginias and a Kentucky blend. I enjoyed this smoke it was a nice flavorful tobacco as well as a nice nic hit. Although this blend is highly rated by most I feel a dire need to take these flakes and place them in a jar and cellar this in hopes to mellow it out. Im not saying its a bad blend by no means, but if you are going to smoke this I would advise to let the flake dry out prior to smoking this. I most likely will add to this review as I further digest through this lovely tin.

Pipe Used: Calabash

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Peter Piper (41)	2014-01-11		Mild	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

I am indebted to fellow poster Eulenburg for his notes on how dark-fired Kentucky is distinctive from "ordinary" Burley. I also find myself unusually in tune with the majority of comments and observations here.

So, keeping it brief: a lovely array of Virginia flavours present themselves to the fore; a little tang is apparent from the Kentucky. The overall experience is a balanced, easy-going and extremely pleasant smoke.

Highly recommended.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	erthbound0 (10)	2013-09-29		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

There is not much else to be said about this amazing tobacco, but there is one point I want to stress. There is ZERO tongue bite with this blend. I smoked it pretty hot and my tongue was completely cool. Rare for a full Virginia.

This is my favorite Virginia to date and possibly my favorite tobacco of all time.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	derlict311 (71)	2012-06-18		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

First impressions: I wanted to like this one more than I did. Drier than I usually smoke my Virginias but top quality, no doubt. I found it reminiscent of the so-so Dunhill Flake. There was a spice to it that DF doesn't have but its so subtle. If you've had DF then you already pretty much know Silver Flake. Very similar. I would give SF an edge on depth and nuances but DF an edge on availablity and price. I'll jar it and seem what happens in a year or two.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	WmZiggy (81)	2012-05-12		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I fired-up several bowls of this flake tobacco after aging it for a year. Wow! Very nice, sweet and mild. Long burning to grey white ash. You know you have good tobac when you don't want the smoke to end. This is a nice balance between Burley and Virginia leaf in a beautiful flake. Not over moist. Still 5 stars.

I purchased a tin of silver at Christmas time when I was in Chicago. Since then it has aged for 6 months. This is a sweet mild smoke that I enjoyed greatly. Top shelf and highly recommended.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Kokinhenik (93)	2011-10-10		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Not really a Virginia fan to date, but this is a great smoke. No bite. Loads of flavor with a nice fruity after taste on the exhale.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PatioPiper (1)	2011-08-26		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A good solid consistent blend.....What a nice smoking experience its rare that you come across tobacco like 660. Every puff is a refreshing flavor, crisp, clean VA and really nice KT spice and aroma. Take this opportunity now pickup a tin today you will not be sorry! I've been smoking this blend for over six years now and will continue to purchase tins until they disappear forever.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Merven the Great (18)	2010-11-11		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

Is there a better tobacco than this?? Please let me know! amazing taste, quality tobacco - very impressive all round.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-10-19		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Exceptional quality straight VA/Kentucky blend. Like all Solani products I've tried, this tobacco is of the highest quality. There's a very pure, slightly rough tobacco taste here. There is no casing or topping evident, nothing to dim the rough edges of the constituent ingredients.

Silver lights easily and builds in flavor and strength as you progress through the bowl. There's a lot going on in here--it's a pleasure trying to identify the different VAs in the blend, or wondering where that peppery peck is coming from. It's so interesting, really, that you almost forget to notice the simple, pure quality of this tobacco: a bowl lasts a good 40 minutes, burns cool and evenly, even when one pays too much attention to writing online tobacco reviews and not enough to proper smoking technique.

As evidenced from the previous 4 star ratings, I think lots of people want an un-tampered with blend just like Solani Silver. I like this, but the Perique-like pepper spice of the Kentucky and (I think) red Virginias puts me off just a little. I like my rough edges a little more rounded off.

An earlier review noted the "crecendo" of the last part of the bowl. Perfectly put. After 30 minutes of delicious VA and Kentucky flavors, and more than a little spice, this turns a corner. The spice of the first 2/3 mellows out, and a rich, creamy, magnificent flavor appears. It's the same thing you get right at the end of a bowl of ABF, when the chocolate backnote fades and you're left with this exquisite, calming (lots of vit. N at the end) experience. And then, suddenly, it's over. Fine white ash. Wistful satisfaction. See you next time, Silver Flake.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pseudo Nim (129)	2010-04-19		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a nice tobacco, medium of strength with a bit of a taste to it as the red virginias come through carried on the shoulders of the burley.

Were this more easily obtainable, I would be tempted to put it in rotation. But it isn't, so a pleasant treat from time to time will have to be the limit.

If you like red virginia, with it's own natural sweetness, this is well woth a try.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	chgo.piper (37)	2009-03-21		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Not much to say. High quality kentucky with high quality red virginia playing a very flavorful role. I've smoked this after a year of age and it only gets better, but this is a great smoke fresh out of the tin as well.

12-16-2010/8:00am: Reached for my jar of silver flake this morning to have with my second cup of coffee (after about 4 months of not enjoying this beautiful smoke). Great change from my latakia blends during this time of year. Thick & rich clouds of kentucky/virginia with a slight sweetness... Heaven... Thanks again R.W. for another great blend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-01-13		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I have been away from the pipe for a while and am now just getting back into it. Why I left I don't know. Orliks Dark Strong Kentucky was my favorite and now I can't seem to find it. Thanx to some of the reviews on here I saw SilverFlake was said to be similar and my tobacconist had some so I had to try it. Very glad I did. This stuff is incredible. I think Solani is sweeter where as Orliks had a little more tobacco taste. Both great tobaccos. Smoke SilverFlake slow and its sweet, cool, and creamy.

This is a great website.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bent-1 (39)	2008-08-23		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is the best VA & Burley blend I've smoked to date. It's mostly a VA, with a nice rounding of a tasty Burley. As with most VA Flakes, dry to suit & prepare to suit (I prefer to break the flakes into thin strips). The blend is tasty as a superb VA, but has the satisfying richness from the Burley. The 100g tin, from 1st bowl to last, was a consistent smoke, no matter the pipe. Also of interest, the bowl was consistent from 1st light to the bottom, no stacking up or strong concentration. Hats off to ya Mr Will & Steve M.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2008-04-05		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

While Silver can be compared to Dark Strong Kentucky in many ways, the the flavoring agent (whiskey) enhances the natural tobacco rather than giving it an anise note.

I'm always wary when manufacturers go a bit overboard using words such as "incredible" in descriptions of their products, but in this case the adjective is warranted.

Very easy to pack, light and smoke. Worth a try!

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	bobspipe (14)	2007-02-06		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I must admit upfront that I've only smoked a few bowls of this blend and will need to give it more bowls and pipes. My initial impression, however, is that it matches much of what others have said here. What struck me most on lighting was a the stronger dark kentucky taste. Not harsh, but stronger, more pronounced, than I am used to. At mid bowl it mellowed out some and tasted smooth and the complexity came through, alternating between waves of cigarish taste and the lighter virginia. Last third it remained smooth but became darker once again.

What I liked is nice deep flavor of tabacco without the overwhelming nicotine which I seem to be sensitive to. There is a punch here (Hal O The Wynd level) but without the dizzyness I can get with Nightcap or Peterson University Flake. My SO says it smells more cigar-like, less like the lighter va that she is used to and less pleasant.

Overall, not an all day smoke for me but one to turn to when I want something richer, deeper in the evenings. A high quality blend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2006-04-07		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I am surprised that so few people have sought this quality smoke... The dark-fired, spicy Kentucky has a rich honey nut taste that provides a stage for the premium Dark Red and sweet Virginia, with light Yellow Virginia to add character and dimension. Long burning and cool, when smoked slowly, it can easily be an all day smoke for those so inclined. Do not let the sweet taste of this flake mislead you - there is a bit of a nicotine load here. I believe it is best smoked indoors so as not to miss some of the subtle nuances of the smoking experience. Easily lit and tasty for the novice while offering complexities to charm and transport the experienced piper, I recommend this fine tobac to all. Here is an example of how diverse leaves can be brought together at full force of individual tastes and complement each other without collisions in a marriage of great dimension. If you miss this one, what a shame for you.

Meerschaum Man Smoking my circa ' 82 CAO Bacchus

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	NEWMAN (305)	2006-02-27		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

R. Will continues his expert blending and this one is on par with Solani 633 and Reiner's. I'm not sure where the "whisky" flavoring indicated above came from but I didn't even taste a hint; only quality natural tobacco taste. Moisture content, packing, initial lighting, burn rate were ideal. I prefer Reiner's sweeter taste but that's just personal choice. If you prefer a fuller/richer smoke without any bitterness or bite, give this one a try.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Ingz (8)	2023-03-18		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Funnily enough this reminded me of SG Golden Glow during the first couple of puffs of the bowl. tend to believe that - it is a similar very subtle casing. Lovage? Vanilla? (I read somewhere, that SG GG would have a slight lovage casing). A little into the bowl the KY kicked in and made it an awesome experience. I love when a bowl changes throughout. Rich and flavourfull. Either way. It is the 3rd Solani blend I smoked and I have to say they are all top notch! On a daily I need C&D HBS or something comparable. But at night, slowly sipping and enjoying the last bowl of the day something more refined is appreciated. Abolutely recommended!

Pipe Used: Dunhill Gr.4

Age When Smoked: 1-2 yrs

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stah (151)	2023-02-10		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Appearance: The tin box of silver color contains 100 grams of tobacco in long strips of thin and fairly wide (about 4 cm) flake colors of stale hay with flecks of darker Kentucky light chocolate color and rare inclusions of yellow Virginia. Kentucky is about 10% of the weight. The strips are about 30 centimeters long, and folded in half to be stacked in an unsealed container. Also, the bag in which the flake lies is also not sealed, only taped. So when buying tobacco, it's worth bearing in mind that after sitting on store shelves for several months, it can dry out. In the air, tobacco dries very quickly - literally in five minutes it turns from slightly damp to slightly dried. Nevertheless, the tobacco made from very high quality source material. Flake can be broken or folded and stuffed into a pipe "envelope" - it is very soft and easy to twist into a tube when fresh.

Flavor: honeydew clover flowers, dry hay, a little salty brine in the foreground. A little later comes woody, slightly earthy, with a slight bitter-almond aroma, Kentucky notes. The manufacturer states that there is no topping or flavoring in the blend, but the overall flavor is so sweet that you can't believe it. Overall, the blend has a pleasant, albeit fairly simple flavor.

Taste: light on the palate, mature Virginia gives enough fruity sweetness, bread, and hay-grass notes in the beginning of smoking to make the blend seem like a mono-blend. But this impression is deceptive: the Kentucky with nutty-chocolate notes quickly makes the woody part of the bouquet play out more densely, at times overpowering the sweetness of the fruit. Despite the absence of perique or orientals, I clearly distinguished a slight peppery note in the flavor in the beginning of smoking (however, it quickly disappears). Gradually, the woody-nutty Kentucky note builds and the sweetness fades, which once again makes me think that part of the sweetness is a honey-based topping. By the middle of the pipe, the sweetness almost disappears. The tobacco becomes quite simple in taste, but mild, smooth and high quality. When smoking from bents the woody notes are accentuated more than when smoking from straight pipes, but the almond bitterness of Kentucky is not apparent. The tobacco does not bite, does not dry the throat, while being tolerant enough to overheat, for a blend with a high Virginia content. It burns slowly into a dark gray ash, but leaves some moisture in the pipe even when dried. The strength of the tobacco is below average, the nicotine hit is not a threat. The aftertaste is woody, not persistent.

The smoke has a woody base with a very light almond flavor, reminiscent of the smoke of very good cigarettes. It evaporates fairly quickly from the room in the presence of a draught.

What's the result? A very, very high quality blend, which, however, I would categorize as "Virginia-Kentucky". Although the amount of Kentucky in it is low, it's not really to my taste. But you have to give it credit - it's a great everyday tobacco. My only complaint is that the packaging is not airtight - the mixture should be immediately packed in glass or vacuum-sealed in an airtight bag. I suspect it ages well, but I probably won't have a chance to test it.

Pipe Used: Peterson 106, 999, x220, POTY 2010

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Online

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DavyCrockettwashere (33)	2020-02-21		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

This tobacco has a pleasant strength to it that I really enjoy. The blend is sweet and sour (red Virginia’s), with the spicy (dark fired Kentucky) adding the strength and spice. I taste absolutely no additives in this tobacco. The richness of the red Virginia may be giving the illusion of a sweet topping. This tobacco is so smooth, that while smoking this I occasionally inhale. The tobacco comes sealed in a plastic bag inside the unsealed tin. The moisture level is perfect, and the tobacco is in a slight semi- broken form of a large folded flake. Sweet, sour, spicy, smoky, perfection.

Pipe Used: Dunhill Root

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: SP

Similar Blends: This tobacco is quite similar to St. Bruno, but without the tonquin flavoring..

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2018-12-17		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

This review was initially written in 2009 under my old handle. Back then TR's description stated that this combination of Red VA & dark fired Kentucky had a whiskey topping & also was depicted in a light green tin rather than the silver tin of latter times. This tobacco comes in a good quality, folded, plastic bag that shouldn't allow the flavor or moisture to bleed through & is contained within a hinged top, non-vacuum sealed tin. If you elect to purchase some & don't plan on smoking it right away, be sure and make use of a quality zip-lock or a good freezer bag right away. I triple seal mine, inside & out but obviously, a Mason jar or bail top would be the better choice.

However, my tins usually don't last long enough to worry about that anyway & this stuff is so good right out of the tin, I don't consider aging although I'm sure that would be a plus. The tin aroma to me is of tobacco only. Imagine that! I dried it to proper smoking moisture and rubbed it out to an almost shag-like consistency. It's crumbly & easily rubbed out, contains no trash & requires little drying time. I stoked it into a GBD, Virgin Apple... lit up and immediately recognized the DF KY & the sweet taste of Virginia tobacco, which, BTW was named after the state which was named after & in honor of the "Virgin" Queen, Elizabeth I... a quick lesson in 16th century tobacco history, for all loyal subjects of interest in the "leaf," as it were. I'm unable to distinguish positively which tobacco is up front. My guess is slightly more VA than KY & the flavor remains consistent with maybe a little more sweetness at the halfway point. I had to swab the condensation once while enjoying this smoke. Some might say it's "cigarettish" but due to the flavor of the quality leaf, expertise in the preparation & blending, it's so much more than that.

OK! Moving on! Puffed a few times & let it sit a few minutes... I always use this DGT method on VA blends. Didn't take long to get a nicotine jolt. It is very mild tasting & doesn't bite but has a relatively strong nicotiana tabacum content. I recently started inhaling one single puff after acquiring a good burn rate to judge the Vitamin N content. I contend SF 660 to be of exceptional quality. This is a very smooth, VA/Kentucky blend & if it does have a whiskey topping, it is now unnoticeable in handling or smoking. However, this mixture back in the "old days" may have had a whiskey topping because I remember it feeling a little sticky while rubbing it out & seemed to have a little more bite to it. I don't get that today & I'm smoking some right now... ten years later & I like it better now than I did back then. If your preference is a very good VA/Kentucky blend, well, here you go. Although relatively more expensive than similar blends, you'll find it's well worth the difference in price. It doesn't get any better than this and will be a mainstay in my rotation.

Pipe Used: GBD Virgin Apple

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin

Purchased From: Smoking Pipes

Similar Blends: Sorry. I've been away from the pipe hobby too long to make a comparison... maybe at a later date...

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2012-04-16		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Very nice. Fold and stuff. A long flavorfull smoke. I'll been keen on trying other Solani offerings.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2012-03-29		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I was honestly expecting to find the taste on the mild side based on the tin aroma and was happy to find a bright yet slightly spicy fuller flavor from this tobacco.

While I enjoy a Virginia/Perique blend as much as the next person, I believe this manages to give you the same spice as a VaPer without the sour notes. I am generally not a huge fan of burly, but it works well in here.

Although it said it was a flake mine was dryer than I expected and partially falling apart when I opened it. I don't know if this was a packaging error or if this is normal. But as a departure from exceedingly moist stuff like FVF I was glad to have it in this state as it facilitated easy pipe loading and wasn't by any means too dry.

It smokes well, I had an easy time lighting it and keeping it lit. I found that it does bite if you are too vigorous with it.

So summarily, excellent flavor(sweet, bright and a little spicy) and convenient to load. If you are a fan of Virginias this is something that you shouldn't miss.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2012-01-31		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Treat this leaf with the reverence it deserves ! Bravo from vincenzo ! I envy you your first bowl.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-12-28		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I would definitely recommend this to anyone. Very pleasant, in fact my only complaint is it required relighting - a minor complaint at best. I would store it in a jar however, it will dry out if left in the tin.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-10-24		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

In very frank words: Everyone should try this blend at least once in their life time.

It is an excellent mixture and so many reviews with 4 stars (including this one) can't be all wrong.

I won't go into much detail, because I don't wish to spoil the surprise for a 1st time taster of this blend; and because I am very tired at the moment.

4 stars, all the way.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-06-27		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I am opening another tin at the moment. This is a very fine tobacco. A very friendly smoke with good taste through al the sequences and layers of a good medium sized bowl. it's not only friendly by taste, but by burn rate also. When properly packed,lighted and puffed,it won't need a relight untill almost at the end of the enjoyment 1,5 hours later. I like this smoke with a large mug of coffee, but it goes well with good Belgian beer too. The only complaint i can think of, is that this blend is so good that i smoke to much of it.

The tin looks good, but it is not very well engineered. To keep this tobacco fresh, i recommend a good sealbag,or to put the 660 on your daily smoke list.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-06-26		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

This is my favorite Virginia flake yet. The Kentucky leaf adds just the right amount of spice and complexity to a smooth, sweet, Virginia blend. It lights and smokes well offering a lot more flavor then most Virginia's I've tried which tend to be as tame as smoldering tea leaves.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-06-23		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

if there's anything out there better than this stuff, i definitely want to try it. for now, this is my daily leaf.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-04-22		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Great looking tin and presentation but like others have said the tin didn't close tight enough;the tobacco would clearly dry up if left in the original tin. Very nice flake which crumbled slightly when I switched to a better container. It smokes evenly every time. The bowl will get a little hot if I go too fast. I've ordered several other Solani selections and look forward to trying those, but I'm sure this one will be one I always come back to.

Others have mentioned the high price of 660. I've found it at just over $17.00 for a 100g tin. Most of the quality 50g tins are in the $8.00 to $10.00 range so I think the 100g tin of 660 is an acceptable price-it's worth it.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-03-10		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This was my first flake. Exactly what I hoped it would be after reading these reviews. Beautifully tinned, sophisticated, fine and unique (in my limited experience). Long burning, great in a church warden or other smallish fine pipe. Strong enough to flavor a pipe, so maybe match it to a pipe used for similar flavors/strengths of tobacco. Solani Silver Flake is to pipe tobacco what Brooklyn East India Pale Ale is to beer.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2011-02-03		Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

What can I say about Silver Flake...it is like fold'in and pack'in Jessica Alba up and smoke'in her in ur pipe FANTASTIC! Used fold/pack in a Medium/ bent Dublin Ardor, a few relights this way but once goin she smoked like a dream...but beware if u puff her too hard she will bite u, but if you sip slow she will reward u with explosive flavors....

All in all, get yourself of this wonderful blend, got to snag a few tins for cellar... Two long folded flake side-by-side in tin...but will not preserve it, transfer to mason jars

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-12-22		Strong	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I had a good write-up on this quality blend... took about an hour's time out of my life on an update & ran into a run-time error thingy again. Has happened to me on several occasions. Will not be wasting any more time writing reviews. If I could leave this site for good without a trace, I would. No more! JimInks is right about the flavoring... back in 2010 when I wrote a review, if I'm not mistaken & I have a good memory, the description stated a whiskey flavoring. Needless to say, I'm upset & will read rather than write from here on out... what a bummer. This shouldn't happen... seems really mysterious to me!

Pipe Used: Peterson 9S Deluxe, D. S. Huber Bent Dublin

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: What difference does it make? Aren't the notes enough?.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-12-01		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Starts off like a very tasty and matured virginia and progresses down the bowl to the typically spicy,nutty and rougher burley taste. Not a burley man myself, but the great first half of the bowl is enough to keep me happy. Smokers who enjoy both virginias and burleys will be delighted.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-10-17		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I just finished a deep satisfying bowl of Solani Silver Flake as the westering sun completed its course on a fine October evening. I prefer to rub the flake out before loading it into my pipe. It's the perfect smoke at the close of day. This tobacco has recently risen to the very top of my rotation. It begins cool with a flavorful, dark-fired burley taste mixed with red virginia and lasts me about forty-five blissful minutes, staying lit and cool, growing all the more satisfying as the bowl gradually diminishes. I savor every slow sip and find myself wishing the experience had lasted even longer. You must give this blend a try. The tin, once opened, will not preserve the tobacco's deserved freshness, so I transfer mine to mason jars. Highly recommended.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-05-24		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This is my first review and I am still new to pipe smoking. I have recently quit smoking cigarettes, and ventured into the pipe world to help placate the occasional outbursts of intermittent explosive disorder as a result of my recent reprieve from nicotine and an oral fixation. Be it scotch, cigars, wine, etc. I have never pretended to be a connoisseur. I don't pick up hints of this or images of that. I like what I like, and I can't always justify why. I like Silver Flake. I have smoked about a dozen or so mid to higher end blends (my dad has been gracious enough to provide many excellent samples to save me from the pitfalls of the uninitiated) and Solani Silver Flake is the one that keeps my attention the best. Silver Flake is strong enough to remind me that I pee standing up, but not too much to make the experience at all unpleasant. If you are new to pipe smoking I would strongly encourage you to get a tin of this.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-04-04		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Taste: Great! No whiskey found, just pure tobacco taste

Packaging: Only 100 gr tin available in Holland, beautifull but hopelessly impractical...

All in all I would have preferred Silver Flake to come in a Reiner Long Golden Flake tin, then it would be up there in my 'Favourites' list.

update 12-2010 I just don't come around this flake anymore since I tasted Best Brown Flake and Holker Twist so I knock off one star

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-03-11		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Silver flake is high quality tobacco im sure that...However its too spicy for me...The tin also awful, its not close !!!

Broken and some standart flake waiting for you...The moisture is perfect...I like smoke at the night, after dinner...There is no whisky taste but some fruits and pepper...Nicotine is good for me...

I like this stuff but not too much...Its not in my five...

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2010-02-20		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium	Tolerable

Solani Silver Flake; I have had four bowls of this tobacco in the past few days in a Radice TB Oiled Bark Rhodesians, Bulldog, Prince and Bjarne Straight Grain Brandy. When first opening the 100 gram tin The aroma was Red Virginia in a flake about 2" wide two stacks side by side, the flakes were rather long but easily to shred apart. I did not rub the flakes out just folded and packed in the bowls. The color is a rich brown with streaks of light golden tobaccos. The first light of the bowl was more than I first expected as the taste was a full rich Red Virginia with a spicy taste of darkened Kentucky and to my surprise this lasted throughout the bowl as it just got better towards the end of the bowl. This is not recommended on an empty stomach as it does have a full Virginia strength, I will keep this is my rotation as a great tobacco, although this is not the same as Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky it does have a taste of its own. The Silver Flake will leave you with a great satisfaction of well rounded Red Virginia

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-12-09		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Solani Silver Flake has a great true tobacco taste with a nice, subtle pure Virginia sweetness. The spicy note of the smoke is light and adds an excellent pleasure.

The colorful flakes pack and light easily. Offers a cool and long lasting smoke. The only disadvantage of the 100 gr tin is that it isn't vacuum sealed. So the aging of the this tobacco might be a problem.

Do not miss this fine blend. I will regularly keep a tin on the top shelf.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-10-19		Medium to Strong	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This tobacco comes in a folded, plastic bag inside a hinge-top, non-vacuum sealed tin. The tin is a silver color and not the green depicted. If you elect to purchase some & don't plan on smoking it right away, be sure and make use of a zip-lock bag right away. Why? I'm glad you asked. It's because the plastic bag is only folded to form the freshness seal. The tin aroma is that of tobacco only. Imagine that! I dried it to proper smoking moisture and rubbed it out to an almost shag-like consistancy. I stoked it into a Peterson #309 that I have consigned to VA blends...lit up and immediately recognized the sweet taste of Virginia tobacco...named after the state which was named in honor of the "Virgin" Queen, Elizabeth I...a quick lesson in 16th century tobacco history, for all loyal subjects of interest to the "leaf," as it were.

OK, moving on! Puffed a few times & let it sit a few minutes...I always use this DGT method on VA blends. Didn't take long to get a nicotine jolt. It is very mild but a tad harsh and has a tendency to bite a little. I wouldn't want to smoke this consistently because I like variety and a change of pace. I judge SF to be of good quality but not exceptional. SF is a very smooth, VA/Kentucky blend which I believe may have a very slight whiskey topping that is almost unnoticeable. The reason I say this is because it feels a wee bit sticky when rubbing out and the smoke DOES NOT emit a VA/Kentucky, cigarette like odor, but rather, smells a little sweet. If your preference is a very good VA/Kentucky blend, well, here you go. Therefore, IMHO, Solani's Silver Flake merits three *s!

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-03-26		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

I really really wanted to like this one, and I did...sort of. Nice medium strength, some licorice-y notes, some citrus, very little grass. Even when straight out of the tin, it was pretty good. Maybe it was best that way. Easy to rub out, burned nice and even. And that tin is cool, aesthetically speaking.

But: I always noticed some unpleasant edge to this one, sharp and bitey, no matter how wet or dry it was, or how long I let it mellow in the tin (up to 6 weeks or so). That really kind of ruined the experience for me. Understanding that this is an anomaly, particular perhaps to me, and given its obvious good qualities, I'll still give it 3 stars.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2009-02-16		Medium	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I smoked it straight after Golden Sliced Orlik Tobacco and I will probably be unjust to it.

It contains pure RED Virginia and Kentucky. The Virginia in this blend provides a natural sweetness and honestly a nice and discreet scent in the room. This scent is due to the whiskey which unnoticeably perfumes this smoke. The broken flakes are vividly colored.

The humidity content is perfect. To feel any tongue biting you will have to smoke very nervously. The mix comes in a non-vacuum packaging.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2008-06-11		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This is my first sampleing from Solani. I don't know if they have a better offering. Odd sized, hinged, tin with a gold foil bag of delious tobacco inside. The moisture content of the somewhat broken flakes inside come ready to smoke. I have smoked them as is, and fully rubbed out. Both are easy to load, light, and ENJOY. Full natural flavor, slightly sweet, and no bight will be had from this well balanced blend. Can be an "all day" smoke. It will be in my rotation for now, and I have to get more tins for the cellar. RATE

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2007-05-11		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I want to thank this wonderful website and it's participants for recommending this blend to me. I've been a 633 fan for quite some time now and believe it or not I've never tried any of the other Solani tins! So I was ordering 4 100's of 633 from SmokingPipes.com and needed a tad more to get me over the $75 free shipping minimum and thought, why not?

All I can say, only partway through this wonderful tin of triumph, is THANKS !!!

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2007-04-20		Medium	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

It's Dunhill LF without the lemon tang...yum!

Smallish Aldo Valani bent billiard.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2007-03-13		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This is one of the few blends available here in China. I initially balked at its 200 Yuan, or $24.00 US price. I'm glad I trusted Mr Will's skills.

This is to pipe tobacco as Maker's Mark is to bourbon. A small batch, lovingly crafted, superb blend.

Be advised it has a nicotine kick.

And the best part is, the other half can tolerate the room note.

If I could give it 5 stars I would

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2006-08-26		Medium	None Detected	Medium	Tolerable

Solani Silver Flake is a great blend with two major flaws.

First the good: I really love the flavor and body. The dark-fired burley gives the sweet Virginias some depth and body. I also love the burley's contribution to the overall flavor. I like it first thing in the morning and also for the last smoke of the day; I can't say that about too many blends. I would love to be able to age this and sample it in two or three years.

However, this blend is just too expensive compared to other blends of its genre (e.g. Dark Strong Kentucky). Moreover, the packaging is second-rate. If you trust that gold foil pouch for long-term aging, I've got a bridge to sell you.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30167)	2006-04-28		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I've been sampling some very good Virginias lately (Rattrays and McClelland) but Silver Flake is in a class all by itself. The offerings from Rattrays are excellent but nothing I've had so far comes close to Silver Flake. This is an outstanding tobacco and I will be putting this in my regular rotation. If you haven't tried Silver Flake yet, you owe it to yourself to give this one a go. You won't be dissagpointed.

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