Peterson Irish Flake

Wow, this is the real deal. As soon as you open the tin this one makes a bold statement. There?s nothing fancy here just straight up pure tobacco. It rubs out easily, burns cool and dry providing a full flavored smoke with plenty enough nicotine. If you puff to fast it won?t bite but it will slap you silly.

When Murray's in Belfast closed their doors, we all shed tears for the demise of the Irish tradition of tobacco production. The tobacco blends that were created in Belfast included Erinmore Flake, Peterson's tobacco products, and many Dunhill blends. I really miss those old blends, though I still have plenty of the Belfast made Erinmore Flake in my cellar, and I'm finishing up the last of a tin of Murray produced University Flake.

And so, once Murray's was closed, Peterson had to find another blender for their tobaccos. I do not know where they are made now, but they certainly are not of the quality they once were. So when Peterson introduced this new flake a couple years ago, I was a bit surprised. To call something "Irish Flake" when it wasn't even ever at any time made in Ireland takes some gumption. But, at least people wouldn't be comparing it to the old stuff, since there was no "old stuff" to compare it with.

Apparently, Irish Flake has become legendary in its own time. I have heard tell that it's strength is remarkable. People have positively swooned over it, and their claims to its powerful nicotine levels finally swayed me to try it. Irish Flake, you have been weighed and found wanting. When measured against the true Irish flakes, Erinmore and the old University, this tobacco is truly lacking in strength and character. When compared to such heavyweights as Gawith & Hogarth's Dark Flake or Consiston Plug, it may as well be corn flakes.

In the tin, the stuff looks like you'd expect. Dark brown in color, narrow stirps. Tin aroma slightly smokey, traces of va. sweetness and dark fired tobacco spiciness. I have a fairly acute sense of smell, and I still had to get down within about two inches of the open tin to pick up the aromas. So it's fairly weak in aroma strength. Tobacco was perfect moisture for smoking, and so immediate loading into a Peterson 05 was called for. First light was a little difficult to get it going.

Once I got the tobacco going good, the flavors began to peek through. I think I can see where people believe that this is strong stuff, because it has a definite cigar-like quality to it. It was mildly sweet, with the merest hint of spice. The smokey dark fired leaf was ever present, but it was weak. I really expected to be bowled over by this stuff. But, I've gotten a better nicotine buzz from University Flake (the Murray). And this stuff comes nowhere near the strength of the old Erinmore Flake. I kept waiting for the nicotine fairies, but they never came to visit.

From the beginning, the tobacco flavors were a little strange, just a bit 'off'. It actually seemed to me like this stuff is cased with a tobacco flavoring to help boost the otherwise wimpy character. I know that doesn't make sense to do, but I swear that this stuff tastes like it's artificially enhanced with some kind of tobacco flavored stuff. Midway through the bowl, the tobacco began to just taste kind of skunky and wet. I just don't get it. I suppose if someone were coming from heavily cased cavendish aromatics, they might find this a strong tobacco. But, as for tobacco flavor, I've gotten more out of MacBaren's Stockton.

Everybody out there who is smoking this stuff had convinced themselves that it's a potent smoke. Well, whatever makes them happy. But, if you really are interested in smoking something that will ring your bell, this ain't it. Despite its name, this is most definitely not an Irish flake. "Recommended for the experienced pipe smoker." Maybe I'm just not experienced enough to for the nicotine to have its effect.

Well let me start by saying that I chose this as my first review, because love it, or hate it Irish Flake is memorable.

As a former user of Copenhagen, I do not normally worry about tobacco considered high in nicotine. I should have respected this one, as my first bowl (on an empty stomach) threw me for a loop. I decided to roll two flakes into my Erikson bulldog and puff away as I normally woul on one of my English blends. Not my brightest Idea! After half the bowl I had to cry UNCLE! That is not something I am used to doing.

After learning from my mistake I find this to be a very strong, but pleasent smoke. It is very smooth, but it sure gets the job done. Perfect companion to a good whisky before turning in for the night.

There is definately a good amount of vitamin N in this, but if you are looking for a well developed, natural tasting, full flavored smoke...this is it!

The biggest problem i have found with this, is that if i do not open my windows, my dogs get stoned and become monsters!!!

Lots of bitter wood smoke, & bread, some deep earth, floral notes, and a bit of Grass, stewed dark fruit, and tiny bit of citrus fruitiness. There is a faint tonquin/clove/anise type note I can't quite grasp. Nicotine strength is strong, but far from overwhelming. Burns well and I find little bite, although it will get bitter. Smokeable right out the tin, but I like to give it a 20 min dry time.

This is a "must try". An A-tier tobacco. Impeccably balanced and soul-rejuvenating. This might be tied with Old Dark Fired as my favorite tobacco ever, they are both good for slightly different reasons. This one being breadier, drier, and a tad stronger, white ODF having more of a sweet BBQ sauce character. Perfect morning coffee companion (is it normal to enjoy strong blends in the morning?) or post dinner nightcap. It is, in short, perfect.

Peterson - Irish Flake.

Note: this was one of my first reviews which I thought could be, and needed to be, re-posted. I only smoked this for a short while, wrote my review, and hadn't had it since. So I ordered a fresh tin to work my way through and review.

A tin contains two stacks of virtually jet black flakes. They're maybe a tad too moist, but still smokeable fresh. I usually fully rub my flakes, but Irish Flake gives a superb smoke without rubbing being a prerequisite.

Partly because I fold and stuff Irish Flake it gives an extremely cool smoke. My first bowl from this tin was fresh, un aired, and there was no problem initiating the burn. Before I talk about what I can taste, I'll vanquish the subject of what I can't: Virginia. With that topic out the way it leaves what I can taste: I get a very full smoke of quality Burley and Kentucky. Although the fired Kentucky can be tasted, it doesn't take over the flavour with bitter, astringent, smokiness; it gives a note of Kentucky, rather than a BLAST. The Burley cleans things up, by lending a nutty, rustic style of taste. I only get a delicate sweetness, a lot more of the smoke quantifies as being savoury. At no point have I had tongue bite, with this tin, further qualifying it for a full score!

The room-note's tolerable at best, but I don't care, and it has a more than healthy amount of nicotine. But, if you, like me, don't like too much N, simply don't inhale 😉

Four stars, easily:

Highly recommended.

Let me start by saying, this isn't strong enough that you should be wary of trying it. Tin aroma on this tin (aged 2 years) was very similar to Gawith's 1792 flake. Earthy, musty and a bit floral. Moist in the tin, it can take some time to rub out. I never have been a fold and stuff kind of guy.

Initial lighting went smooth. Taste is also similar to 1792, minus the tonquin. Earthy smoke, leathery and pure tobacco flavor. I detect a bit of casing here at first, but it fades mid bowl. second half of the bowl seems to develop an almost chocolate-y flavor. This tobacco stays well lit, I had next to no relights on almost every bowl I smoked. Leaves a very clean and refreshing palate, almost minty. So don't be afraid, go get you some of this!

Pairs well with coffee and rye whiskey.

Dark Flakes which did not need much drying were ready to be packed as is but I dried them for about 20 mins. Easily broken and packed

Pipe: MM Rob Roy cob

First 15 mins:

From the initial light, burley seemed to lead the blend with creamy nutty notes mingled with slight sweetness and sourness from the Virginias in conjunction with Kentucky... There is very mild presence of the cocoa topping/casing perhaps which is enough to mute the offerings from Virginias imo.

Retrohale: fuller creamy and nutty with mild sweet and spicy notes.

15-30 mins: The virginias and burley go hand in hand. I get the nutty,  woody profile of the burleys in equal proportions to the floral,  bread, fruity sweet and mildly vinegary (and some tea as after-taste on the palate) notes from Virginias. Kentucky is in the support role and perhaps contributing to the strength and the fuller profile than the notes itself.

Retrohale: creamy and mildly spicy

30-45 mins: Virginias are in the lead now offering fruity sweetness along with bread,  hay and mild floral notes. After taste of tea I'd noticed on the palate. Light woody notes with even milder nuttiness from the burley/kentucky

Retrohale: spice is up a notch with some sweetness.

45mins+: Interestingly I get more woody,  soapy notes mixed with some floral notes.  The sweet and sour notes from Virginias are not there any more. tbh, it's made the blend less enjoyable for me.

Smokes cool and dry at a decent pace. Needs only a few relights.

Overall fuller taste with similar strength. Interesting blend but not something I would smoke daily.  3.5 star️ until I reached the 45 mins mark which kinda ruined the experience... 3star️ overall.

Hey, this has recently been added to the Peterson's tobaccos imported in Italy! but I'm smoking a tin coming from Dublin which a dear friend brought me (along with Fox' Provost)a month ago. Again I should go back to the good times of my past memories... when Condor and St. Bruno, and other masculine flakes from UK were on the shelves of our tobacconists. IF is something of that kind, and UF as well, very "old school". IF is meal for "once a day" and, when you smile at the red tin, you'd better be sure and well prepared to the hour and more of high nicotine dose you are going to get in a small bowl. No additives, no bite, no gurgle, no strange aromas, just plain tobacco. Just have it dried a bit before smoke, otherwise be prepared to several relights. A couple of personal opinions: 1) tin aroma has a bit of Samson, the RYO Dutch tobacco 2) one or two flakes are enough to give some meat to 50gmrs of all-day mild tobaccos based on Virginia & Burley. My love and deep respect to IF.

WOW. this blend changed the whole pipe smoking game for me. After smoking pipes for 10 + years and having tried Countless blends I am left scratching my head here. I put a halt on reviewing blends on here a while back, however I had to review this based on my experience of smoking Peterson Irish flake. The number one thing to note is that everyone is different and different blends can be strong to one piper and weak to another. Some blends bite one and some blends bite another. It just depends on the individuals reaction to the contents of the smoke, it's Totally subjective. That being said, let me explain. Of the 200 something blends I've smoked I always get some sort of tongue bite by the end of a pipe. Regardless of pace. Sometimes mildly, sometimes scorched, but always something. This is the very first tobacco that I can honestly say has left me with zero tongue bite/ discomfort. And by zero I mean ZERO , zilch, nada.... nothing. I am literally dumbfounded right now. The nicotine content is not too high for me. It's actually just perfect. It's what I would choose for every blend if that were possible. I went for it because of the strength and nic hit. It wasn't quite what I expected based on my research of the blend prior to buying it. But I am darn glad it is what it is and I got what I got. A beautiful smoke, perfect in flavor , non complex, with that perfect nic hit. again my tongue, after an hour + of smoking away , doesn't even know it smoked a single puff. I am satisfied to the fullest. I feel bad for putting my tongue through all the scorching of the past about now. If I new this blend agreed with me so well I may have stopped my searching for perfect pipe tobacco many years ago. It's something I'll have to look into in order to figure out why/ how this blend is so kind to me. I normally smoke heavy English and Balkan blends. Mostly oriental/Latakia/Virginia blends. This va/bur might be my new thing. As for the room note I think it's gotta be very pleasant. The wife says she doesn't really smell much in the room note but she likes it. (She's definateley smelled too much Latakia over the years as most all the blends I smoke have a strong hand of it) So here I lay shirtless on this hot summer night, smoking my third bowl since sundown , with a Candace of sip sip chug, sip sip chug. And all I can say is I'm stoked up for an early smoke in the morning to start celebrations for Independence Day. This stuff is the bees knees, the crows coo, the pots pie!!