Dan Tobacco St. Bernard Flake

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.

Judging by the previous reviews, it would seem that this blend tends to be a little inconsistent. I suppose this is normal, because tobacco crops are subject to weather conditions just like grapes. Some harvests are better than others. Based on my batch purchased in 2022, I can report that this is good Va/Per, but not as great as some of Dan Tobacco's other offers like Ascanian No 2.

St. Bernard Flake has strong spicy and peppery notes that are prominent at first, then grassy Virginias reveal themselves towards the middle of the bowl. The Virginias are above average in quality. Two problems I notice are that the flake is difficult to rub out leading to frequent relights. It also feels a bit low on vitamin N compared to other Va/Pers in this category. These factors define my primary disappointment with the blend.

I am enjoying the tin while it lasts, but I don't think I'll purchase it again. However, this is still a good blend that deserves a 3/4.

An interesting VaPer. It was highly recommended to me by a fellow piper so I got a 100g bag, that’s all that’s available in my country - 100g packs.

Because of the high recommendation, my expectations were pretty high too, but first impressions for me were rather bland.

I made it through half the bowl without tasting much. Maybe it would fare better if it was dried well before the smoke. Speaking of which, this blend produces smoke rather liberally.

Maybe the spicy Louisiana Perique wasn’t strong enough, since it turned out to be quite mellow. The Virginia sweetness is not overwhelming, but it certainly is in the front of things.

Not at all strong.

Can bite of smoked carelessly.

It’s another mellow Dan blend

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

A really nice blend of Virginia and Perique, I haven't tried up to now. When its turn came and opened the tin, light aromas came out, thought this blend is not an aromatic at all.

I cut flakes in cubes, as I don't like folding and packing straight as is. I found tobacco nearly dry and I didn't let dry anymore; packed in pipe easily and got first and second flame promtly, started some puffing, to get a good taste of it. Maybe a bit strage as for its odour/taste, but gave back many aromas: figs, dried fruits, pepper, a little hay and fresh baked bread. Some of the time, I detected a strange odour and taste, that was somekind of dung left behind of sheep, strange thing, but it was'nt unpleasened at all.

Tobacco burns well up to half a bowl, pure after throwing away ash and naturally relighting, it needs several fires to go on, up to the end, that manages to burn out totally without leaving behind dottle and humidity.

The nicotine play is satisfactory the taste is full, natural aromas are beautiful. Doesn't give any bit on the tongue of smoker, though it's not that easy to make burn, for it's tendency to fade out, needing energical drows. Anyway its full taste gets somehow the problem resolved.

Its a fine Virginia tobacco, though not rich of Perique, that overwhelms in flavours, the first. Furthermore, has some difficulties to finish the bowl, as it needs various relightings, specially during the second half of the bowl.