Peter Stokkebye Irish Slices

This is very attractive tobacco right out of the pouch, thick, tight, large flakes beautifully dark with sparse light flecks. The pouch note is absolutely divine, the rich dark plummy dark berry scent of fine Virginia tobacco, blended with a mulled-wine undertone, which gives it the feel of a cold crisp morning with the sun peeking out occasionally from behind slight wispy clouds, whilst a warming beverage is consumed in the garden, whilst surrounded with cut grass as the birds tweet from nearby trees. In terms of smoking, it was difficult to smoke without reasonable rubbing out, it can be smoked stuffed & folded, but be prepared to relight a few times throughout the bowl. Either way, it delivers a bite-free cool smoking experience. The taste is brilliant Virginia tobacco, it has a hint of the pouch-note, and produces a moderate amount of fine smoke, slightly sweet, satisfying, and pleasant. The strength is in the medium range, possibly a little over medium, and is extraordinarily satisfying. The tobacco has very little to detract from it, with the possible exception that it doesn't smoke too well when folded & stuffed, and the casing could be foregone without detracting from the tobacco, added to this, rubbing it out is quite a chore - it doesn't come apart too easily & requires some work to get it down to a finely rubbed smoke. The amount of dottle I tend to get from this is moderate as well, and the ash is fairly salt & pepper, not the clear white it would be if the casing was lighter/not present. The room-note is pleasant, with the traditional Virginia smell underwritten by the casing. I will give this tobacco a 3-star rating as - although I like this - I am now reserving my 4-stars for tobaccos that really blow my socks off. This smoke doesn't change too much throughout the bowl, but is pleasant throughout. This is a very high 3-star tobacco, and if I could award half-stars, I would give it 3 & a half. I'll be getting some more in for sure. Highly recommended.