Dan Tobacco St. Bernard Flake

Dan Tobacco - St. Bernard Flake.

This was part of a trade with a friend. Claude, it's beautiful!!

Note: he's wrote the date on the tin, July 2016, so this isn't 'fresh'. The years probably have altered the flavour, maybe why it's so fruity and rich!

The flakes are dark in colour, this tin had perfect hydration upon opening. The tin-note is fruity, a little sharp also. The flakes crumble to a coarse consistency with ease; I don't bother rubbing them fully, I like them chunky.

The Virginias are very fruity, incredibly sweet, giving such an indulgent flavour. I get lots of pepper from the Perique, it has a plummy taste also, but the spice from it takes the lead. Being as the Virginias are so sweet, I think it's these, not a topping, that prevent the Perique spiciness from monopolizing the smoke. The burn is quite slow, generating a cool smoke, without any bite.

Nicotine: quite strong. Room-note: not great.

St. Bernard? Claude, wow, this is a beautiful smoke, thanks pal! Highly recommended:

Four stars.

Sample had really fresh little grassy aroma directly after opening. Presentation is awesome. Nicely cut yellowish brown flakes with hint of dark perique. Taste is rounded and very similar to Scottish Autumn Flake, tangy, citrusy after small fruit, but more full rather comparing with FVF. Perique work like real spice here - very peppery and provide strength. Moisture is accurate, do not need relights. Nicotine is a bit higher for me, but still at acceptable level.

So what attracts you to buying a tobacco that you've never tried before ? In my case I look for a flavour profile that I know works for me. A VaPer usualy floats my boat more than other genres so that's a good place to start presumably. I have been disappointed in the past however, but this time it has been the exact opposite and my expectations were not only met, but exceeded. Estervals had a bit of a mad sale on so I bought 250gms of this as a treat not knowing quite if I'd like it. I need not have worried since on opening the vacuum sealed mylar baggie, I was met by a gorgeous aroma of sweet Virginias (mainly reds) and a wonderful feast of fruity goodness from the very generous helping of Perique. Plums raisins saltanas figs and a sort of malty melange of the very best that perique has to offer. Presentation is a bunch of long flakes loosely held together in such a way that you end up with a jar of broken flake that exudes quality. After a couple of days exposure to the air it has really awoken and now smells like an alcoholic malt loaf with a sherry cask aroma added for good measure. For the review I used my usual rubbed out method and allowed half an hour drying time as is a tad moist and benefits from this. It lit without too much fuss after a couple of false lights and immediately it was obvious that the blend is on the fruity/bready end of the spectrum with a molasses and brown sugar sweetness and a hint of black pepper going on, but very subtly. The smoke lasted for over an hour with various interplays between the flavours, but largely getting sweeter and deeper with adaquate strength for those who like a fuller blend with a fair ammount of nicotine but not so as to overwhelm. It maintained its good nature to the end and with a couple of relights along the way, didn't overheat or get harsh or threaten to bite. The room note is that of a proper VaPer tobacco which I find pleasant. After taste and beard note are also good. This has all the qualities that I look for in a blend and (for me) no weak points. My usual choice of VaPer is Deluxe Navy Rolls or Solani 633, and this is as.good if not better and a mere fraction of the cost. Well done Dan Tobacco. I will make an effort to cellar this one as age will make what is a stellar smoke even more remarkable.

Dan Tobacco St. Bernard Flake - This blend starts out mild and ordinary but as the work your way down the bowl the flavors deepen and get sweeter , fruitier and creamier as you go . Some hay , grassy notes and light toasted bread . Very earthy and a little dark fruit and citrus. A little spice . Very smooth . Even a few chocolate notes . I assume a light topping as the blend is too creamy for a Vaper with a good bit of Perique . I have no idea what kind of topping it would be ? Very well done at any rate . I am getting something like Vanilla at the bottom of the bowl . Very nice blend ! 4