Solani 656: Aged Burley Flake

I'm new to pipe smoking. It's been a love affair that began only six months ago, but one of the most fulfilling variety. Perhaps it's my somewhat novice credentials that caused such a struggle with this flake but as with so much in life it's the struggles that provide the most fulfilment. The excitement I experience when two 50g tins arrived at my door was that akin to a child on Christmas Day - I couldn't wait to press that two penny piece into the tin and ignite my first bowl. As the promisingly attractive tin eased open and I pealed back the paper I caught my first intoxicating wife of fruits and sweet nuts from the richly brown, thinly cut flakes beneath. Once in my hand I was struck by how delicate and almost fragile the flake felt, a small caress of the Palm eased it apart and careful pressed her into the well of my Rattray's butcher boy (my day to day, trusty friend). That first bowl was... Well it was unlike anything I had smoked before or have since. Butterscotch and fudge, nutty and peachy, peppery and succulent... My excitement was rewarded. As the bowl burned on though the problems started to arise. She burnt too hot and keenly for a while then required frequent re lights later, after a tamp the draw closed in and I became too distracted with formalities to properly relax into the experience. By the end of the bowl I felt unsatisied... I had caught a glimpse of something unique and beautiful and felt it slip from between my fingers. Subsequent bowls proved much the same. I tried various pipes and sometimes a whole flake, sometime a half. Sometimes breaking up into strands, sometimes rough and blocky. That promise seemed always just out of reach.

A few weeks ago while travelling for work I stopped in the Peak District and wandered along the bank of one of its stunning reservoirs. Two men fly fishing nodded hello as they drifted past in their boat. The sun shone down from a clear blue sky and I found myself reaching for the Solani tin in my Barbour pocket. My Nording freehand was with me that day and it welcomed the lightly rubbed flake with open arms. It lit with ease and my soft draws and delicate tamps encouraged the burn along the way. As the minutes wafted by I began to daydream and drift into the moment. Everything relaxed. The complexly soft flavours rolled across my pallet and evolved with every slow draw. It was in this moment that I realised what I was being taught. This tobacco, as with life, requires patience and attention - to be savoured not rushed. Not a single relight and a clean burn of evolving a delight for a full hour as I walked the banks and explored my surroundings.

This is a joy of a blend. A crowning glory in Solani's crown. For moments of contemplation and relaxation. Patience is rewarded in droves.

Since that teaching I have enjoyed a fair few smokes, each one better than the last. This is my special reward for just being me. Thank you Solani

Well, let me see here... I can't quite put my finger on the absolute particulars of this Burley blend. As I write, I am partaking of I believe my 5th bowl since I purchased the tin, and am still befuddled by many of it's nuances which continue to evade my senses. Absolutely no bite, very full in flavor yet mellow in the smoke. The nicotine definitely makes itself known, but not in "kick your butt sideways" fashion. The flavor and aromas are by no means complex, yet there are subtleties that I find evocative and extremely pleasant. I detect no casing or topping in the tobacco. Just a sweet, mellow, smooth, slight chocolate, true tobacco aroma... Hard to describe really, but divine!

Having lived in tobacco country in Shelby County, Kentucky for 5 years, the aroma in this tin takes me on a stroll through the old tobacco barns and some wonderful memories. The Burley hanging from the rafters of 150 year old barns, wafting it's sweet aromas downward. Sitting below, enjoying the solitude and sensory bliss of doing absolutely nothing out in the middle of nowhere.

Those are now days past, city life is upon me again, and being a Peace Officer in a rough area oft causes me to be remiss in not revisiting these wonderful memories. Although temptation abounds to make this an every evening smoke, I will not. It is special, and I shall treat it as such. I'm going to reserve this smoke for after coming home from the really bad ones.

Highly Recommended!

Update: After letting this dry out a bit in the tin, it seemed to smoke a bit hot in the pipe even when just sipping. Still no bite, just rather hot in hand. Also, the sweetness has increased which amazes me for a pure Burley. Perhaps I will I try it in a smaller bowl pipe to see if that controls the heat a bit. The flavor of this tobacco is stellar. Amazing!

There is nothing bad I can say about this. It smokes slow and cool and the flavor is the most perfect burley flavor I could imagine. Which will likely taste like nothing to the non burley smoker, but anyone who likes burley as I do will find it exquisite. It is most definitely my favorite burley to date.

Someone used the word "sublime," and that's exactly the right word. "Other- worldly" isn't overstating it. I have a Stanwell with a narrow chamber, which I think allows the flavor to develop and nuance.

This has a character unlike anything I've ever smoked. Such a perfect but subtle balance of nut, olive and citrus olfactory sensations, without ever becoming self- aggrandizing. If this were a song it'd be Beethoven's 9th--just getting better until the final movement. If it were a university it would be Oxford. If it were a woman it would be Cleopatra. If it were a play it would be Hamlet. If it were a novel it would be Moby Dick (though Captain Ahab would have left the white whale alone and gone in search of this, if it had existed). If it were a detective it would be C. Auguste Dupin. If it were a cathedral it would be St. Paul's. If it were an epoch it would be the Greek Empire. If it were canonized it would be the book of Job.

If you're a new smoker, don't buy this--you won't get it. Wait a few years and try all the other good stuff, and then you'll appreciate this more. And don't turn this into an all-day smoke. And don't buy it unless you're willing to be mildly dissatisfied with everything else.

This handsome little flake is a real winner. This is my first foray into the house of Solani offerings. Based on the quality it wont be my last.

My first thought was that a pure burley flake would probably have a brawny nicotine wallop. Not so. I found this tobacco did not give me the spins at all. It pairs beautifully with a coffee and once fully rubbed out packs very easily.

The taste is one that is pretty unique. There is not much stereo typical "nutty" taste as most burleys hold. The flavor is a little hard to describe but very tasty and satisfying. The tin description mentions a sweetness, which is absolutely true, and reservedly appropriate. Not candy sweet, but mellow sweet.

The flavor this blend produces makes me believe I could smoke this as an all day blend. There are some subtleties to this leaf but that comforting baking bread feeling could be an all day smoke for me. The only problem with that is this stuff is not cheap. It is not over the top expensive, but maybe a little pricey for a go to blend. I would also be very curious to see what a couple years of age would do to this tobacco.

Overall an excellent smoke and a beautiful presentation. This tobacco will not be my last offering from Solani. Highly recommended.

No I really don't smoke burley either... This is the non burley smokers's burley and a terrific flake to boot. Me, like many pipe smokers, I am not a big fan of burley. If I'm going to smoke a flake tobacco, its going to be a Vaper. I am so glad I was open minded enough to try this flake. This had alway been a 4 star reviewed blend on this site and most of all the older posts have this rated as a 4 star blend. Could the more recent reviews reflect a change in Solani's quality? Maybe? Like all Solani flakes, this comes in neat strips. It is a bit moist, but be very careful not to over dry it. The idea of other reviews to jar this is a good one. I strongly disagree that this tastes of cigarettes, however it could be a result of over drying. I generally like tobacco dry, but this flake seems to have its best flavor when just a tad moist. Aged Burley Flake is nutty and slightly sweet. I find it smokes best for me in a smaller bowl, like a group 3. Although Solani claims no topping, I am convinced that there is a very light one that gives this flake a very distinct taste. Solani makes no reference to chocolate and I don't think that is the taste I am unable to determine. I don't find that ABF grows bitter like many other burley's. A great change of pace from my rotation of English and Vaper blends. Highly Recommended.

tin appearance: darkchocolatecolored-chunky-flakes neatly arranged on top of each other in three rows.

tobacco tin smell: smells like chocolate...wonderful. sweet chocolate.

Perfect moisture right out of the tin, into the bowl. Fold, twist and pack...that easy.

after lightning: The smoke is smooth smoother the smoothest. Very subtle sweetness, subtle nuttiness, and boy....i taste some chocolate.

Conclusion: A very elegant tobacco, honest,pure in flavor...overall dark-flavors. It's hard to describe, what do i mean with dark-flavors?!....transformed into musical terms: minor-flavors. little tart-flavour, earthy, humus-flavor. Natural...fantastic if you like this kind of blends!

give it a try.

****Update***** Another baccy, which made in on my Hall-Of-Fame-List!!! ABF is like Nate King Cole's voice: smooth & entertaining

i dont wanna miss this anymore...THANK YOU MR. SOLANI!!!

****update*** i did some research. There is a very gentle chocolate-casing. me love chocolate!!! ...just smell the tobacco...if you dont smell chocolate...i dont know, give your nose a salt-treatment 😉

***another update**** January 9th, 2010 this blend is marvelous! Thank you Mr. Ruediger!!! Enjoy this blend accompanied with a nice mellow redwine. Fits together, just like Mike Tyson and a some red boxing gloves...5 Stars.

This is the best burley flake tobacco around. It delivers a solid, rich burley flavor unadulterated by toppings like the goop which laces Lane's "Burley Light Without A Bite." It burns evenly and not too hot. It is not identical to Wessex Burley Slice, but has a deeper, fuller body. I only have two reservations about this magnificent tobacco: The room note is not as pleasant as you would expect from the taste, and it dries out quickly once the tin is opened. Remedy: Smoke more of it more often.

First, let me start by respectfully correcting one reviewer's comments below. This is NOT produced by Orlik of Denmark...this is produced by R.L. Will in Germany. Also, with 20 years of burley fanaticism under my belt, and good relationships with the importers of both the fine Wessex Burley Slices and the Aged Burley flake I can say with the utmost certainty that the two are NOT "exactly the same"

To clarify: The Solani has a greater proportion of Flue Cured which accounts for it's slightly darker color and stronger body and flavor. What does appear to be the same, however, is the method of casing which seems to be a traditional (For Burley)combination of Cocoas, Licorice and perhaps a drop of rum.

Strength: Either way, The Solani Aged Burley is certainly a great tobacco. I would call this a full strength+ blend..while certainly not as powerful as some of the Lakeland tobaccos, this flake has a potency that, combined with it's chocolaty smoothness, can sneak up on you! (Wessex, while full-ish bodied, has a slightly nuttier flavor and decidedly less kick.

Flavoring: As far as a top note, this seems to be topped only with a bit of molasses as a humectant. The aromas of cocoa and (ever so slightly) licorice seem to be leftover from the casing process (used to mellow the tobacco and remove bitterness).

Room Note: The "Old Pipe Shop" aroma from fine burley's like those made by Peretti are extant here, but somewhat overpowered by the dark fired which lend a bit more "Tang" to the aroma.

Taste: Nutty and full with a deep dark sweetness.

Those who smoke McB Navy Flake, Orlik Golden Sliced, Wessex Burley Slices, or Peterson University flake and wish to try a fuller bodied relative should smoke this wonderfully well done flake.