Solani 660: Silver Flake

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.

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.

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.

Solani 660 Silver Flake is a delicately seductive, delightfully sweet but not cloying, delectably flavourful, Virginia to the fore blend. For a slowpoke sipper like me it’s hard to get a pipe tobacco to bite – but with Silver Flake I guess you could if you tried. I find it medium in both vitamin N and strength, gaining both extra charm and strength as the bowl progresses. Relights well.

This is really choice tobacco that will benefit from cellaring, but for me that’s next to impossible. I smoke moist and it comes moist. I decant into a clean, airtight glass jar with a little dark rum to prevent drying.

Very highly recommended: especially in a tall, slim-chamber pipe allowing the flavours to develop. An undemanding, not too heavy, not too light and just kind of right blend – so do yourself a favour.

- I love Virginia and i love Kentucky but after lighting up pipe i don't feel and do not detect any of those components and i feel only ash-like scent - Tin note if fantastic and it is kind of hay like and a bit earthy and slight scent of kentucky but that's a big pity that all these scents disappear while you are smoking it

-I have tried 2017 produced and also 2023 produced ones and both were almost the same

- You have to be aware that it is packed in a non sealed plastic pack which is worse than pouch and it gets dried if you do not smoke it in one month after purchase

-There is a possibility that if you jar it and let it to go through aging the aroma will developed and it will get better but i am completely disappointed from solani which produces fantastic tobaccos

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!

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.

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.

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