Peterson Irish Flake

Irish Flake is a scented flake in the tradition of Lakeland flakes. Upon opening the tin the first whiff reminded me of Erinmore Flake, though the scent was much less aggressive. In the pipe the most prominent note is of roses, though there are other notes as well. It is strong in nicotine.

On first light the flake produces a lovely crown. It smokes cool to the bottom of the bowl and is very well behaved. Leaves you sated.

The problem with recommending a scented flake is that reactions to particular scents are even more subjective than to tobacco tastes. I can smoke 1792 Flake with pleasure every now and then, but not Coniston Cut Plug or Bosun Cut Plug. Since Irish Flake seems to have some familial resemblance to Coniston scenting I do not think I will revisit this in any great hurry. Still, minus the scenting, the basic tobaccos are of good quality and strength, even if better options are available.

Form the very first bowl this bad boy became my favorite tobacco it was STRONG and burnt cool even when I smoked it very fast and there was no bite at all (I didn't use filter) it just works for me 10/10

First off, this blend was, wet, wet, wet, wet, weeeeet! But, nothing a through rub and dry out (15min) couldn't handle. Starting off, i didn't taste much, grassy and hay-like, reminded my of a fresh Virginia. As the bowl began to shrink and become ash, the nutty-ness conquered the back of the pallet as the grassy virginas danced on the middle. Just past the middle that fantastic smokey-ness of the Kentucky really kicked in and combined with that sweet grass and nutty, leaf litter taste to create a alchemic beauty of all that is pipe blends.

Well, this is a very interesting one, great baccy. This is a regular player in my rotation list: I smoked several tins of this stuff, from fresh ones to up to 10 years old... needless to say: the older the better! Dark pressed thin flakes, with some light topping I cannot really define: sometimes I think it's anise, sometines a hint of tonquin bean, I really struggle with it... however it's very mild and it is perceivable mainly in the tin notes. Moisture is almost perfect, needs just a few mins drying time after rubbing out the flakes. When lit it burns pretty well and cool throughout the whole smoke, needs just a few relights. Flavor wise the topping is perceivable only in the first puffs, then it fades aways and leaves the stage to a great, nutty, eartly, leathery, smoky old fashioned tobacco taste: wow! The scene is now set, the burley takes the lead with its earthy nutty notes, perfectly supported by a hint of sweetness from the VAs and some smoky / greasy notes from the Kentuky. There is a good load of vitamin N, kicking off a full N party around 1/3 of the bowl.

Given the N kick this is to me ideal as afternoon / evening smoke.

Bottom line: a full body, pure tobacco taste rewarding baccy. Highly recommended!

Another one of those topped flakes for me. I kept hearing about this blend from the folks who like Old Dark Fired and other Dark Fired blends and since I'm in the same boat I thought I'd give it a try. It is a strong blend and it does rate up there with HH Bold Kentucky.

There are about 12-14 flakes in each tin, and they are pressed very firmly. The tin note smells of slight anise, dark fired herbal spice and a touch of sweetness. They are very easy to fold and stuff, but I actually have been trying to cube cut them for the first time and I am impressed. When using fold and stuff it can be a bit tricky to light and when going that route I suggest an overnight dry time. Cube cut is much more merciful. This will burn down to a fine ash if you let it take its time. If you smoke fast this may produce more dottle.

When lit this gives ample plumes of white smoke due to the high oil content naturally in Dark Fired Kentucky. The taste is beautiful. The Dark Fired is in the lead with barbecue spice, herbs, wood and some earth. The Virginias are sweet, bready and light. They really help round out the blend. I can taste the anise every now and again on the retrohale, but it's helping things along not covering the taste of the tobacco. The room note is strong and unless your spouse or significant other doesn't mind smoke you may be consigned to the outdoors. I however think it smells lovely.

The taste is full. It coats your mouth and is complex and interesting, sweet and smooth. The strength. Lady N has bought your dream car and is taking you out on the town. This is a strong blend, your knees will feel wobbly if you're not used to the nicotine and at least a little food on the stomach is preferred. It isn't the strongest I've had, but it is up there. It burns very cool and I don't have any problem with bite. All in all this is a fantastic blend and has become a favorite. I give four stars.

I only regret that it took me so long to try Peterson Irish Flake. What a wonderful burley-based blend. For my palate, this tobacco results in the least tongue bite of any blend I have smoked thus far....which is to say, practically none whatsoever, regardless of smoking cadence. As most blends cause me at least a minor level of tongue irritation, this is a wonderful find. The smoking mechanics I found to be good to above average for a flake tobacco in terms of staying lit, volume of smoke, temperature etc. Now to the flavor - I get a wonderful mix of earthy, nuttiness from the burley, sweet bbq smokiness from the dark Kentucky, and tangy bread/hay notes from the Virginias. There is a topping/casing added that adds some sweetness/fruitiness to the blend, but not overpowering in any sense. The key here, IMO, is the perfect balance between the components as no one component seems to dominate the flavor profile. The nicotine content is fairly high on this one, thus I'd recommend new smokers or those with low tolerance approach this one with caution. It literally sings paired with coffee, assuming you can tolerate the N-hit in the morning. I find it a wonderful way to start the day. Highly recommended and will always be in my rotation.

Honestly, I was afraid of trying Irish Flake. I'd heard so much about its strength that I shied away from buying a tin for such a long time. Last month, however, I finally received a sample - two small nice-smelling flakes - and I was determined to give Irish Flake a try. I'm not going lie, this stuff is strong. It doesn't smell good to non-smokers, and it doesn't even smell good to (cigarette) smokers either. I like the musty and nutty smell this blend gives off, though. You'll know that you're smoking something since it's pretty full-bodied. It didn't bite me and it didn't burn too hot on me, fortunately. It tastes rather sweet in the beginning due to the flue-cured VAs present. Towards half of the bowl nicotine kicks in and the burley and Kentucky make themselves known and push the sweetness into the background. I'm a nicotine lightweight which had me worried initially, but the hit wasn't as strong as I was expecting. Sure, I was dizzy and my heart rate was slightly higher than normal but it's not that bad. All in all, I would definitely tend to smoke Irish Flake after a good dinner. I'll be buying a tin sometime soon.

After reading so many helpfull reviews i decided to purchase a tin of this tobacco.when you open the tin you get aromas from burleys and kentucky mostly wich include nuts ,sourness and some dark fruits perhaps from the virginias.also i detected a descreet topping of anise.rubs easy and needs some drying time.packs and lights ok and needs several relights.while smoking the flavours are really strong combing nuts,woods,dark fruits in a sharp taste.i also detected some cigar notes occasionally.the nicotine level is very high.first time i felt the nicotine in my esophagus.no chance of biting.burns medium to hot and leaves some moisture at the end of the bowl.the room note is unpleasant.i wanted to like this blend but i didn't.

IrIsh Flake used to be a favourite of mine, but the crap I bought today is not Irish Flake. I cannot remember a time I forked out hard earned cash for such a disappointment. If I could, I would have given this a zero, but I can't, so one it must be.

Gone is the "... full bodied blend made of equal proportions air-cured, flue cured, and dark fired." Replaced with "A dark brown Virginia flake." I never knew Virginia could be so insipid. I would rather smoke old socks.

I once tried washing tobacco to get rid of a somewhat heavy casing. Suffice it to say that it did not work and the tobacco ended up tasting like absolutely nothing. I wonder if Peterson tried to do the same. If they did, they washed it even longer than I did.

I think they thought that if they abruptly discontinued Irish Flake, they would lose customers, full knowing that, if they kept on selling it under the old name, they would still lose customers, but, keeping the old name they could, for a while at least, continue to ride on the good reviews this tobacco has received and, furthermore, manage to sell at least one last tin. Well, they succeeded. They managed to sell me one last tin.

I do not think anybody at Peterson is ever going to read this review and that is a pity, but still. I have to ask the question; is it worth ruining your reputation for pittance? Coca-Cola had the decency to go back to the original recipe. Will you do the same?

P.S. Tobaccoreviews.com, please change the "Blend Type" and "Contents" headings in your description, because they are misleading.