Solani 656: Aged Burley Flake
(3.41)
Notes: Blender R.L. Will developed a unique toasting process to enhance the natural sweetness of this blend. No sugar has been added.
As of 2022, licorice is the main flavoring "with a hint of chocolate", as per the label. The burleys on the tin are now listed as white burley only.
Details
| Brand | Solani |
| Blended By | R.L. Will |
| Manufactured By | Kohlhase & Kopp |
| Blend Type | Burley Based |
| Contents | Burley |
| Flavoring | Cocoa / Chocolate, Licorice |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.41 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 163 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 19, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
Blender R.L. Will has achieved a minor masterpiece in this truly elegant blend of burleys. This is the first (and thus far only) pipe tobacco that was so wonderfully rich, restrained and well balanced in its dark grandeur that it prompted me to pinch a small strip into a tiny plug, and pop it between my cheek and gums, just to slowly savor the flavor from a different angle. More on that later**.
The flakes here are a moist and lovely chocolate brown (the Kentucky dark), with some highlights of lighter brown (the Brazilian light) and beige (the Malawi white). The tin note has a restrained nutty aroma with hints of ground coffee, and only a modest hint of dark sweet malt. Some drying time is a must here, but your patience is richly rewarded.
There’s so much going on here that I’ll skip ahead to mid bowl, by which time the flavors have fully settled and come into focus. Now, most of us pipers are familiar to some degree with the gentle nuttiness that a good burley brings to the table, but the triple dose of perfectly matched top quality burleys here takes things to a WHOLE new level. Here, a rich complex nuttiness takes center stage ... picture a large mortar holding a palmful of freshly roasted brazil nuts and filberts (with shells & bitters intact), add some toasted carob pods, roast chicory and cocoa nibs, some medium roast coffee beans, some dark malt extract, a small curl of Saigon Cassia, and perhaps a chip of black licorice candy, then crush it all up with a lightly charred wooden pestle straight from the fireplace. Try to picture the combined aroma, and that’s as close as I can get you.
In addition to all that, there’s an equally wonderful lack of major flaws or balance issues. The sweetness is restrained - neither dominant, nor submissive. The Kentucky dark also brings a subtle nuance of smoke. The natural alkalinity of the burleys is present but not onerous, and the gentle bite actually compliments the slightly tannic and peppery finish. It’s a very impressive multi-layered balancing act that somehow all works, despite (apparently) a complete lack of added flavors, sweeteners or aromatics. Color me impressed. The only minor crime here is that this brand currently only comes in tiny 50 gram tins (nothing larger) that are not vintage dated, nor fully airtight once opened (tip: repackage in glass, if you plan to consume slowly).
This is a rare find, and highly recommended, both for straight up smoking, and for blending some tasty complexity into lesser fare. A perfect four stars from me.
---------- ** Taste: Smoking definitely brings out more of the complexity than mere saliva, but for the record, a tiny pinch exudes some of the same notes of coffee beans, carob and chicory I mentioned earlier, along with a pleasing astringency.
The flakes here are a moist and lovely chocolate brown (the Kentucky dark), with some highlights of lighter brown (the Brazilian light) and beige (the Malawi white). The tin note has a restrained nutty aroma with hints of ground coffee, and only a modest hint of dark sweet malt. Some drying time is a must here, but your patience is richly rewarded.
There’s so much going on here that I’ll skip ahead to mid bowl, by which time the flavors have fully settled and come into focus. Now, most of us pipers are familiar to some degree with the gentle nuttiness that a good burley brings to the table, but the triple dose of perfectly matched top quality burleys here takes things to a WHOLE new level. Here, a rich complex nuttiness takes center stage ... picture a large mortar holding a palmful of freshly roasted brazil nuts and filberts (with shells & bitters intact), add some toasted carob pods, roast chicory and cocoa nibs, some medium roast coffee beans, some dark malt extract, a small curl of Saigon Cassia, and perhaps a chip of black licorice candy, then crush it all up with a lightly charred wooden pestle straight from the fireplace. Try to picture the combined aroma, and that’s as close as I can get you.
In addition to all that, there’s an equally wonderful lack of major flaws or balance issues. The sweetness is restrained - neither dominant, nor submissive. The Kentucky dark also brings a subtle nuance of smoke. The natural alkalinity of the burleys is present but not onerous, and the gentle bite actually compliments the slightly tannic and peppery finish. It’s a very impressive multi-layered balancing act that somehow all works, despite (apparently) a complete lack of added flavors, sweeteners or aromatics. Color me impressed. The only minor crime here is that this brand currently only comes in tiny 50 gram tins (nothing larger) that are not vintage dated, nor fully airtight once opened (tip: repackage in glass, if you plan to consume slowly).
This is a rare find, and highly recommended, both for straight up smoking, and for blending some tasty complexity into lesser fare. A perfect four stars from me.
---------- ** Taste: Smoking definitely brings out more of the complexity than mere saliva, but for the record, a tiny pinch exudes some of the same notes of coffee beans, carob and chicory I mentioned earlier, along with a pleasing astringency.
Pipe Used:
Grabow Royalton
PurchasedFrom:
PipesandCigars.com
Age When Smoked:
Unknown
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 25, 2009 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I'm not a big burley fan but this is a great tobacco. I've been enjoying this blend for quite a while, but had not had any in a few months. I found the open tin in my stash and it's totally dried out, and I mean crispy. Loaded it in a little Herter's Angler's pipe, which holds just enough for about a 20 minute smoke. Obviously there was no problem lighting it.
People talk about "nutty" flavors, and I agree, but to me it's the earthy kind of nuts like brazil nuts and a hint of filberts. The first half of the bowl was pure earth, like fresh garden dirt. It warmed up to a combination of nuttiness and earthiness and was just plain good all the way down. To be honest I've forgotten what it tastes like fresh, but I can vouch that it's good even when crispy dry.
I have more tins, and hopefully I'll be trying some soon that's fresher. Regardless, this is a really good, tasty blend. For me it's meant for sipping. It is not overly complex, but it has enough variation and nuance to keep it interesting to the bottom if you slow down and enjoy it. Easily a four star burley.
People talk about "nutty" flavors, and I agree, but to me it's the earthy kind of nuts like brazil nuts and a hint of filberts. The first half of the bowl was pure earth, like fresh garden dirt. It warmed up to a combination of nuttiness and earthiness and was just plain good all the way down. To be honest I've forgotten what it tastes like fresh, but I can vouch that it's good even when crispy dry.
I have more tins, and hopefully I'll be trying some soon that's fresher. Regardless, this is a really good, tasty blend. For me it's meant for sipping. It is not overly complex, but it has enough variation and nuance to keep it interesting to the bottom if you slow down and enjoy it. Easily a four star burley.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 11, 2014 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Very Pleasant |
Until this tobacco I would have considered myself a Virginia and Latakia enthusiast. The Burleys that I had smoked previously had mostly been dark fired Kentuckys, and I find these tobaccos a bit too spicy for my palate. The one Burley exception - Semois (which I guess you could say really isn't a Burley but another plant altogether) is one of my favorites. So I wanted to try a Burley that wouldn't irritate my mouth. I enjoy stronger taste tobaccos, but not a tobacco that is spicy. And so my experiences with Burleys had been not as good as my experiences with Virginias. However, I have been enjoying Solani Silver Flake - even though it contains dark fired Kentucky - and is just a bit rough on my mouth. It's a tobacco that I can recognize as top notch, even if a bit spicy for every day smoking for me. So I decided to look for another Solani that I could try.
I read many of the reviews of ABF. It sounded like it was worth a go. And I'm glad I did. In comparison with all the other Burleys that bite or burn my mouth, ABF smokes very smooth. Plenty of flavor, and I must say that I find the room note to be very pleasant - just a warm, rich tobacco aroma.
This is a tobacco that comes ready to light right out of the tin. The flakes themselves are are wonderful to look at, hold, and smell - thick enough to hold together but not too thick - wonderful ranges of colors. Not overly moist. Superb tin note. On first opening the tin I was amazed that Burley could smell this nice. And the first smoke didn't disappoint either.
I cannot compare this with any other Burley, as I'm not a Burley guy. But I am a Solani ABF guy. I just purchased a second tin, and I'm going to lay in a fairly large stock to age for a year or two - not that it really needs it.
And so for the Virginia smoker who hasn't had much joy with Burleys - this is a great way to find out if you can possibly like Burley - or at least Solani's take on Burley. Yes, it's a bit more expensive than other tobaccos, but I have found both this and Silver Flake worth any premium that I pay. Just top tier tobacco.
I read many of the reviews of ABF. It sounded like it was worth a go. And I'm glad I did. In comparison with all the other Burleys that bite or burn my mouth, ABF smokes very smooth. Plenty of flavor, and I must say that I find the room note to be very pleasant - just a warm, rich tobacco aroma.
This is a tobacco that comes ready to light right out of the tin. The flakes themselves are are wonderful to look at, hold, and smell - thick enough to hold together but not too thick - wonderful ranges of colors. Not overly moist. Superb tin note. On first opening the tin I was amazed that Burley could smell this nice. And the first smoke didn't disappoint either.
I cannot compare this with any other Burley, as I'm not a Burley guy. But I am a Solani ABF guy. I just purchased a second tin, and I'm going to lay in a fairly large stock to age for a year or two - not that it really needs it.
And so for the Virginia smoker who hasn't had much joy with Burleys - this is a great way to find out if you can possibly like Burley - or at least Solani's take on Burley. Yes, it's a bit more expensive than other tobaccos, but I have found both this and Silver Flake worth any premium that I pay. Just top tier tobacco.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Killarney. Savinelli. Butz-Choquin
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New from tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 23, 2014 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
First, the notes are interesting, no additives at all but the home page for Kohlhase & Kopp states that there is a hint of chocolate. I do think that chocolate is present. I know that good burley often has notes of cocoa in it anyway and it is present. It is smooth and creamy not sweet and when chocolate is added as a topping to straight burley it is often unnoticeable so I lean toward what the current producer says about the blend here. Now for the blend itself: First, it starts off as a Med. strength blend but the strength will build throughout that bowl until the last half will tickle the nose on the retro-hale which is one indicator that it is moving quickly toward the med. full range. At the match I get earthy flavors, dust, good rich soil, nuts, roasted grain, coffee notes too. There is a heavy alkalinity here elements of dark chocolate, and a slight floral essence picked up in the last half of the bowl primarily and only on the retro-hale that reminds me of red clover that has been cut, turned, properly dried, and ready for bailing. This is one of the best straight burley blends I have tried to date. I will always keep a couple of tins on hand.
Age When Smoked:
18 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 29, 2009 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
An absolutely elegant burley blend. Quite possibly the best this tounge has ever tasted. I have cut the flakes into 1/8 inch cubes and rubbed this one out prior to packing. Very pleasurable smoke either way. Wonderful fruit and honey essences match with nutty textures common to burley blends. No bite, cool smoke. Absolute perfection. Fruit-like textures are like that of spiced peaches and dried apricots. These fruit essences are the natural release of natural tobaccos. They are not a result of artificial toppings or additives. Beautiful. four stars all the way. I have a large peterson xl315 dedicated to it now. If you have not tried it you must.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2017 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
Aged Burley flake is simply superb. The flake feels a bit too moist out of the tin, however it burns fantastic. I have found rubbing it out and giving it a couple minutes of dry time is perfect. It burns nice and cool in the bowl, down to a fine ash. This blend presents the best of Burley based blends. With sweet flavors of carmel and coco, and molasses, along with a toasted nuttiness, earth, leather, and a a sharp pepper on the back of the palate and through the nose. There is a lot of complexity and flavor to this blend with out being overwhelmed by strength. This is a must try for fans of Burley.
Pipe Used:
MM Freehand
PurchasedFrom:
Tobaccopipes.com
Age When Smoked:
New Tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 22, 2016 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Solani 656, Aged Burley Flake is a Burley lover’s dream, thick and rich yet still soft and mellow enough to really relax with. The tin comes sealed (unlike Silver Flake), and there are two rows of nicely formed flakes inside that are wrapped in white paper, with a “tobacco leaf” seal. The flakes are mottled medium brown. Though they are moist, they smoke fine straight from the tin. I fold then roll a flake between my thumbs and fore fingers, then I stuff the loose plug that results into my pipe. It lights easily and burns down fine. Back to the tin note, it’s wonderful: deep cocoa, apricots, and buttered oatmeal over the rich, fermented Burly tobaccos, and this holds through the match and the smoke, except the apricots fade quickly, and the tannins rise slowly, sharpening the blend somewhat over the course of a bowl, but it's never bitter. There is ample tobacco taste here, for sure, top to bottom. If there is KY here, I don’t taste its typical “smoke” or spices. At the end, there are faint traces of anise. ABF produces plenty of smoke, and I love to just roll my eyes back in my head and take it easy. The strength is more strong than medium. The tastes are more medium than strong. Room note is terrific. Aftertaste is best-of-the-smoke, and it lingers.
Solani’s Aged Burley Flake is a great smoke, complex but not busy, in no way demanding. It’s an easy 4 stars. Try some if you can find it.
Solani’s Aged Burley Flake is a great smoke, complex but not busy, in no way demanding. It’s an easy 4 stars. Try some if you can find it.
Pipe Used:
various briars
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins.com
Age When Smoked:
fresh to several months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 09, 2009 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
These unbroken flakes have an aroma which evokes a lusciously tart melange of humus and root vegetables.
The initial flavor is mildly nutty and unprepossessing. The aroma is pointed, though light. There is the barest hint of toasty sweetness without any evidence of either VAs or added sugars. Aged Burley Flake exhibits no grassiness, sourness, or harshness but revels only in an ever-deepening richness. As the bowl progresses, the profile develops into a staid and austere crescendo of black walnut, leather, and coffee. The aftertaste is clean and fleeting.
A tightly focused study in richness sans nuance, Aged Burley Flake achieves a profound depth. It is a definitive icon for the serious burley aesthete.
Chamber Gauge: Narrow to Medium
The initial flavor is mildly nutty and unprepossessing. The aroma is pointed, though light. There is the barest hint of toasty sweetness without any evidence of either VAs or added sugars. Aged Burley Flake exhibits no grassiness, sourness, or harshness but revels only in an ever-deepening richness. As the bowl progresses, the profile develops into a staid and austere crescendo of black walnut, leather, and coffee. The aftertaste is clean and fleeting.
A tightly focused study in richness sans nuance, Aged Burley Flake achieves a profound depth. It is a definitive icon for the serious burley aesthete.
Chamber Gauge: Narrow to Medium
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 06, 2018 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
The first thing that took me is the sweetness on this one. This is, hands down, the sweetest non-aromatic I ever smoked. It took some getting used to: I set down with a strong, bitter coffee on a cloudy afternoon, expecting a heavy burley (Like 4th Generation 1931), and got a well-rounded, easy going Burley at first. This one came rather moist out the tin, and for some reason I didn't want to wait for it to dry a little. I folded the flake and packed my pipe It took me 3 matches to get it going, but it did, but the fact that it was moist influenced something else. As I sat there, trying to understand the blend, I got a tingling at the corners of my mouth. I shifted my attention there and realize I feel sweetness – actual sugars, at the sides of my tongue. The presence of the smoke in my mouth was incredible. Although sweet in my mouth, at the nose I could feel a bit of smoky smell, like the one you get from a very mild presence of Latakia (although this blend is exclusively Burley, or so it says). This smell goes away after the flake settled in my bowl. After 20 minutes, this blend gets heavy. I needed to go very slowly with it to not overwhelm my mouth (and I'm a slow smoker as it is). This blend won't change much down the bowl, which is nice. It remains nutty and sweet with a touch of cocoa flavor. It won't heat and will smoke very slowly. It will also require a few relights (although – I smoked it rather moist). It won't bite and will remain balanced.
This is truly a great blend and I think all pipers should try it.
This is truly a great blend and I think all pipers should try it.
Pipe Used:
Savinelli 320
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2017 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I love Burley, so I'm prejudiced, but I really enjoyed this blend. Complex notes like chocolate (but NOT chocolate flavour), floral, even incense (the best sandalwood). There are surprisingly few straight aged burleys around (this is the only one listed here); most of the burleys available locally are rather light. Leaf Only has an aged burley (which I can't review here as they are not a "blend" manufacturer) with an even more complex aroma, but this will have to do for now -- and it does, it does!
Comes as cut flake, which means you must rub it before packing your pipe. That to me is a plus: Cut or broken flake is generally stronger than other cuts, simply because it is denser, and I like the additional ceremony of rubbing.
Delicious, and particularly recommended for the experienced smoker who has grown tired of flavoured Cavendish and "English" blends with too much Latakia.
Comes as cut flake, which means you must rub it before packing your pipe. That to me is a plus: Cut or broken flake is generally stronger than other cuts, simply because it is denser, and I like the additional ceremony of rubbing.
Delicious, and particularly recommended for the experienced smoker who has grown tired of flavoured Cavendish and "English" blends with too much Latakia.
Pipe Used:
Carey System, briar churchwarden
PurchasedFrom:
Goodfellas, Victoria BC, http://www.goodfellascigarshop.com/
Age When Smoked:
Fresh in tin
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