Solani 656: Aged Burley Flake

I'm happy I was finally able to try this after falling in love with the HH Burley Flake by Mac Baren (Disclaimer: I am a long-time Virginia flake guy; burleys early on, but then off, and I'm only trying the more "serious" burley flakes again recently.)

CONTROVERSIAL OPINION TIME: I like HH Burley Flake better than this! : 0

This is very high quality tobacco, and very well balanced - cereal, cocoa, molasses, etc. (Count Chocula??) - but the flavor spectrum is not as full as the Mac Baren flake, which also has high and bright floral notes at the same vintage. HH Burley is the technicolor version, this is more black and white.

Mind you, I do enjoy a good Bergman or Fellini, but I think the general scarcity of this blend pushes in Mac Baren's favor. Their Virginias are more present too, which is a plus in my book, and it does not strike me as topped, which I suspect this is.

Just to be clear, this is an excellent blend, worth the four stars, but if you want a high end burley flake that is more playful AND readily available, Per Jensen's version of this is where it's at.

when you open tin you can see nice shaped flakes with three colors inside. Typical nuttiness is main smell combined with a bit of coffee and smokey hint. Preparation of tobacco is easy with accurate moisture. Nuttiness and full aroma during smoking rounded with sweetness leave you with nice bitter after taste. Some of the leaves are earthy with hint of hey. Very enjoyable and relaxing smoke. Not all day smoke

For VA lover good choice as burley based tobacco for rotation.

Comparing with other burlies stuff, most probably four star stuff. But for me personally, there is too much nicotine hit.

I love all things Burley. In fact, other than Virginias, they are the tobaccos I smoke the most of. Wessex Burley Slice is one of my favorites and it keeps me happy a lot of the time. Sir Walter Raleigh is also a great tobacco, though it has received some bad press in the past. Solani ABF just does not "ring the bell" for me like these others do.

Don't think I don't like ABF, as that would be inaccurate. This blend has some fantastic leaf and is timeless in its appeal. I just prefer other Burleys to it. SWR, though it is a VA/Bur, is much more enjoyable. Wessex Burley Slice has the treacly goodness that is surpasses by no other. ABF, though others extol its virtues, is not the great straight Burley for my tastes.

ABF is a fine blend. Much to its credit, ABF commands a great following and is a superb tobacco. I just prefer many others to it. Is it even necessary to age Burley? I don't know.

Nice dark flakes with specks of lighter tans. Nice jar note. I usually pack with the fold method in a larger bowl, but also good more rubbed out in a smaller bowl depending on how much time I have to enjoy. After jarring for 6 months, it seems to be at about the perfect moisture level for me without additional drying.

Takes a couple of tries to really get burning. Great of slow sipping with an evening cup of coffee, or really good with a Guinness. Flavor to me was consistent nutty and hints of chocolate. Not sure if that is the tobacco or a flavoring, but if a flavoring it is subtle enough not for me to consider it an aromatic.

slowly sipped it burns cool. strong to me in the nicotine, so I enjoy on a full stomach. Really enjoyable and I'm going to make a place for it in my extended rotation.

A true Burley blend, indeed. The flakes are quite dark, and the tin aroma is very natural. The flavor is very nice, however on the subtle side.

I got my best results by fully rubbing out the flakes, but I also enjoyed it dried to a crisp and broken into small bits. Both ways, I found it easy to light and keep smoldering.

I didn't experience much flavor development as the bowls progressed. This, combined with a strong nicotine charge, makes me recommend the use of small pipes for this one.

All in all, not too shabby of a blend of different burleys from around the globe as the tin states. Fairly monochromatic in taste, but it does get the job done in room note and tin note. The flakes come in a nice uniform condition and, for me, ready to light up right out of the tin. The moisture level is good for me, YMMV of course. The nicotine level is just right for me and this one lights and stays lit with little effort. Overall a recommended blend.

This is a high utility tobacco. My favorite bowl of the tin I just finished was driving over Ute Pass in my home state of with my beagle in the passenger seat. This tobacco is perfect for driving or doing chores. It burns cool with very little smoke. You don't "smoke" this tobacco, that is to say, you don't puff away. It sits in the bowl and slow-cooks like a Sunday roast. If you want a special occasion tobacco, this is not it. But if you are looking for a way to take your mind of a certain errand or just to put around in the yard, this is a great hour long companion.

I was quite surprised on how this looked in the tin. It look like a very aged Virginia flake. I think I like it better than most VA flakes because the burley provides more taste and more strength in my opinion. It just seemed to be missing something, I just can't put my finger on it. All in all, and excellent smoke.

From now on, when it comes to burley's, I must begin by comparing any new blend against the two burley blends that have, quite frankly, blown me away—those being Patton's Storm Front and 4Noggins Bald Headed Teacher. Aged Burley Flake's good, but it is not as good as either of them. I like Aged Burley Flake, but the blend didn't measure up to my favorites, especially in regards to taste. On the other hand, neither of my favorite burleys are flakes, and I love flakes! It's good to have a burley in flake form. A good blend, just not my favorite blend.