Solani 656: Aged Burley Flake

Solani 656 is my first pipe tobacco and I love it. I quit smoking cigs and started smoking this. The taste is nice I find myself smoking more and more everyday. It doesn't bite. Takes some relights but it's good all the way through to the last bit.

edit- since trying 6 or so other tobaccos, this holds 1st place. with Peterson's Irish Flake at a close 2nd. As far as I know this is THE quintessential burley. Highly recommended.

Nothing but Burley, or so they say... Dark Kentucky is rich and tastes like toasted chestnut with a touch of molasses. The Malawi brings mild spice and a fermented quality akin to cocoa nibs. Brazil imparts sugarcane and leather to the mix. Burns clean and slow, very dense and will require relights. The nicotine strength of this blend can sneak up on you, a word of caution to the over eager. Smooth and consistent but will develop in the bowl. Will not bite your tongue. May leave a bit of moisture in the bowl. Has a unique room note.

Note: tins dated 2018 and later seem to be a much different blend, the cocoa topping is very present and identifiable when opening the tin. Tastes like more american burley is in the blend

Well....this is the gold standard for burley flakes. There is not more to say that hasnt been said. Its very flavorful -- nutty with hints of cocoa and brown sugar. A suble taste of almost creme brulee sweetness and is very creamy. Its cool and simply put; perfect. If you have not had good luck with other burley flake....give this a try.

PLZ READ IT COMPELETLY!!!Its a big lie that this blend is natural and havent any additives.its good tobacco but aromatic tobacco not natural tobacco.cocoa essence and molases added to it.another problem is that its oily tobacco and makes the pipe very dirty.if someone wants to taste a natural burley tobacco try irish flake cause its more like to burley altough mixed with virgini.I dont like agb because i like natural taste.never even try

I love Burley! This definitely delivers the goods. The tin note is of malted grains with a touch of sweetness. The flakes are easy to deal with, and the roll-and-stuff method works great. It lights easily after about 2 or 3 tries, and I like the fact that the tins stay pretty consistent as far as moisture is concerned (not too dry). It burns pretty evenly, and has a decent dose of nicotine (after all, it IS Burley). This flake is so full of flavor that it's ridiculous! It's zesty, nutty, sweet. There are hints of sweet molasses, grains, and cocoa - all of which make a damn fine Burley blend. I'll be buying more for sure. If you like Burley in any form, get a tin!

I am really impressed by this tobacco's quality. It has a caramelish sort of boiled sugar undertone which I am loving. I think this is probably the best Burley based tobacco I ever had in my life. I cannot detect any Kentucky in it and I am not quite sure I am missing it. Not that it does not contain any, but the virginia leaf is somewhat missing. Sometimes it is nice to see how some tobacco will interact with other tobaccos, but but the main player here is the burley leaf. I am finding this smoke very robust and solid and it gets better and better the more you progress with your bowl. This tobacco is gonna get a 4 solid stars.

Wanting to experience a higher quality burley after initial surveys of various tobacco types I turned to the search function here and found this to be the highest rated example. I was also intrigued by a straight burley flake, not a terribly common form of these tobaccos. I was not disappointed, however this can be a frustrating blend.

I find the packaging to be part of the fun of tinned blends, and while coming in the typical rectangular tin with a label, the antique nautical woodcut is really cool. The flakes are dark and moist, with a rich woody scent of tobacco and cocoa. The leaf is obviously of the very highest quality.

To address its assessment as frustrating, I find the physical smoking qualities to be somewhat poor as the flake is very moist and really required considerable attention. Part of this was impatience on my part as I plowed through my first tin without providing the type of climate control or preparation to achieve the proper humidity. The smoking of each bowl was the same as I would get bursts of incredible flavor that were difficult to sustain leading me to stoke the tobacco which is exactly the wrong way to treat this. This tobacco rewards slow smoking. I also find that the flavors develop much better with a tight pack, however go too far and it just won't burn well. The key is being attentive.

Despite those qualifications, the taste is inspiring. I have to take Solani at their word that no flavoring is added, but it's hard to believe because this pops with cocoa flavor and it's delicious. When crunchy dry it also produces a cinnamon note that combines with both the cocoa and burley pepper like a Mexican mole sauce. The burley roughness is there as well at times that reminds me of radishes. There are also toasted grains, the oily smoke of rich fatty nuts, and light caramelized sugars with a mild consistent sweetness that is more typical of Virginias. Unlike other burleys it doesn't get bitter or ashy. Nicotine seems pretty low for a burley.

I carefully considered the rating on this. The too moist flakes can be painful and frustrating, which could steer this to a 3. This is made more irritating because of the reward of the taste, but ultimately the taste is so outstanding that it is a solid 4. Take the time to get the moisture and preparation right and focus on your technique and it is an awesome smoke.

I bought this tin because I wanted to explore a natural, unadulterated burley tobacco. After trying several burley blends I thought I would see what burley is in the raw. I Like. I did find, however, after half the tin was smoked up, that I missed the touch of added sweetness that other blends bring. Maybe it's my Danish blood, maybe it's just my raging sweet tooth, but I need something more, just a hint of something, to make this perfect for me. This is by all means an excellent tobacco, and I recommend to every grizzled old salty dog piper. In the end I did what burley purists would call an unthinkable, unimaginable and unpardonable offense. I mixed the second half of this tin with a pouch of Captain Black Gold. It is surprising how much the ABF took over the mix being only a third part. I still get all of the Burley flavor but mellowed by the candy Cavendish seemingly perfectly. ABF also kicks up the N juice of the latter a half a dozen notches. I may have a new favorite blend.

While not being a fan of burley tobaccos, based on good reviews here, decided to give this blend a try. Rich dark scent upon opening the tin. Reminds me very much scent of dried plums and caramelized honey. Neat uniform flakes containing mostly darker tobacco leaves. The tobacco is a bit too moist to be smoked right away. After 20 minute drying time it is just perfect.

As I usually do with flake tobaccos, I used fold and stuff method. This gives me cooler and longer smoke.

After charring light I am greeted with the taste of dark chocolate and some sugar like sweetness. This doesn't change much throughout the bowl.

This blend is pretty strong in nicotine department, so it is better smoked after dinner or good meal.

Room note is not unpleasant but definitely noticeable.

After second third of the bowl buzz from nicotine increases dramatically and the nutty taste from the burleys are in the front row. Very good burley based tobacco. Would not recommend this for beginners because of nicotine level. MacBaren's Golden Blend would be more suited burley blend for beginners.