Peterson Flake

A valued customer shared some of this with me the other day.

I'm not a huge flake fan as a rule finding them either rather too heavy or too banale and just not worth the time spent rubbing them out. I had also heard damning criticisms of Dunhill for meddling with their blends, so I was doubious to say the least.

This tobacco proved to be a different kettle of fish. The Tin-note was of mild figgy fruit and slightly tarry, nothing new there. but it rubbed out well and made a good fill lighting reasonably easily with 3 matches.

It was a very smooth smoke burning down to a clean grey ash with no dottle worth talking of. The taste was clean, that of an excellent virginia cigarette with a chocolate note and a slight spicy aftertaste. Very,very pleasant. The room note was clean and subdued with a slighlty vinus/chocolate smell. Unlike other flakes I tried it did not burn hot and bite towards the end of the pipe and the flavour was pretty consistant throughout.

A very clean-tasting, well-balanced flake. I will certainly smoke this again if I have the chance.

This is my first flake tobacco. I've deliberately decided to begin my flake career with this sort knowing the quality and consistency of Dunhill.

On opening the tin smells fresh straw and some tutti frutti. I've loaded my pipe with two flakes using fold and twist method (hooray to YouTube) and after a number of relights got it properly. It burned right to the bottom of the pipe with ease.

It's for pure Virginia lovers, straight and simple tobacco with typical sweet aftertaste. I personally prefer more complex mixtures with higher nicotine content. If I invest a full hour in global warming, I'd like to get at least some punch. But given the high quality of this tobacco and ease of use, I give it 3 stars.

Update 05/03/2013 Now it became my favorite. 4 stars and not less.

I didn't get this blend at first. It seemed flat. After finishing a tin and buying another, it became more obvious. A good flake that doesn't require a lot of fussing to enjoy it. A fruity Va that doesn't have a ton of punch. The flakes rub out easily, and 1 flake is enough for any of my bowls! Burns nice, clean, and without bite.

one of the greats . as a returning pipe smoker after 20 yrs where do you start . i first smoked this 40 yrs ago and its as good now as it was then . a classic !

New to pipe smoking, and didnt like this leaf at first.Then I realized how to pack and smoke it. Smoke it like your making love to a woman ; SLOW take your time it wont disappoint.I found it to be on of my Favs so far next to Londen Mix.

Bought this from seemingly reputable tobacconist who hooked me up with a pound of Penzance when no one else had so much as a tin. Bought this and EMP, both of which I could smell thru the tin 🙁 So upon opening, no swoosh, tin top even loose, equating to dried out flake. Tried a bowl anyways, pathetic in every way. Going to try to get a swap for another tin, wanted to compare to Orliks other Va, Golden Sliced. This not a fair match. Hope to update with onther tin later.

Updating my review as I recd another tin for Christmas, this one properly sealed and smelling and tasting like the highest quality Vas should. I have been mixing it 2:1 with Solani Aged Burley Flake and the combo is as perfectly matched as peanut butta & chocolate. Very good stuff indeed!

I won't bother going on one of my usual rants, the quality of this speaks for itself. Classic virginia.

If you want quality and consistency - Dunhill is your guy. And the Flake doesn't disappoint. It's a pure Va mix, so the taste is pretty one-dimensional, as others have mentioned. If you like the taste of pure Va tobaccos, this one is the best you can buy.

I personally smoke a few tins of Flake come summer time, even though I am not a fan of pure VAs, but sometimes I long for something simple. If you need a bit more complexity out of your Va baccy, Dunhill Deluxe Navy Rolls or the Royal Yacht are great options, as well.

Comparing Dunhill Flake to other fine Virginias, I would say it is nearly as good, but not quite. It is up there with other quality, straight Virginias (Blackwoods Flake, FVF), but kind of like the Nebraska Cornhuskers when they were in the Big 12, they just can't whoop Texas. There are moments that will bring "much happiness", but it doesn't leave me spellbound like FVF. It is satisfying, so I smoke this when I want a Virginia and nothing better is available. It has its character and that makes it better than Opening Night, which was flat to me.