Peterson Flake

Peterson flake - the description is right on. A medium strength and body Virginia that does indeed burn relatively cool for being a Virginia. Lemon Virginia zing, and a nice sweetness. There is a stewed fruit note. The zing and lemon Virginia almost creates a menthol like effect if you choose to retrohale and concentrate on it enough. I don’t like menthol, but this sensation is a little different but it is really good.

It stands out to me and I would consider this my favorite Virginia blend. The nic hit is mild but noticeable after a sizable bowl. This can be enjoyed in any size pipe, however to really get the widest ranges of all the players I recommend a large bowl with a good cake in it.

A sweet fruity straight virginia with a unique flavor profile. It is cased/topped with various sugars, PG and unknown flavoring as per the German BMEL website: https://service.bmel.de/tabakerzeugnisse/index2.php?detail_id=100567&site_key=153&stichw_suche=dunhill&zeilenzahl_zaehler=47

From the tin note I suspect the unknown flavoring added is the same plum juice they use on Deluxe Navy Rolls (see BMEL website) and maybe something else. Very strong plummy/figgy smell, but fades with age. The flavor is unique and wonderful and I can only imagine that is due to the topping. The virignias are very good and probably brights and reds so you get the typical flavors from both. It's smooth, mildy sweet, and mild nicotine.

Dunhill Flake: A medium strength Virginia flake with a hint of citrus and spice

This was one of the best Virginia flakes on the market. The tobacco is a mixture of brown and lighter Virginias. The smoke has a nice medium body to it and is dominated by the citrusy side of Virginia leafs with some grassy and a hidden spice note. There is a slight citrus casing that plays well with the lighter leaf, but it does not dominate the smoke as with an American aromatic. A solid four stars.

Just a great virginia Dunhill tobacco. It will be hard for me to find any straight virginia as good as this one. Good for evening smoke.

Honey! This stuff smells like honey, and for me that’s a good thing. I grabbed a tin of this along with a tin of Balkan Sobranie on a recent trip to Ashville NC and man am I glad I decided against two tins of BS...hahaha what an apt abbreviation for that stuff...Dunhill Flake is absolutely delicious and should be hoarded jealously by anyone who is lucky enough to find it now.

Yeah, honey. Honey with maybe a little orange rind, that deep rich smell that only a fine pressed VA can deliver. Other reviewers have stated that the packaging on this stuff was sub-par, but I found it to be just fine...I had a nice bed of flakes with two or three placed on top, none were broken, no stray shreds about. Just beautiful, soft flakes.

I found the moisture to be right where I like it for a VA flake and so my first smoke was rubbed out and the entire pile packed into my most trusted of trusty Savinellis. First puffs were a little light flavor wise, but as the heat of the ember began to work a little magic the flavor became fuller, not ever reaching a mark I would call “Full,” but enough body to allow me to pick out some subtle flavors while enjoying the steady band of citrusy, honey goodness. There are also some deeper caramel notes, and here and there almost a clove or nutmeg touch, something my mind calls “Christmas Spices.” Think sweet spices, like that tea blend, but very subtle and a great counterpoint to the citrus and honey

Someone else said that this blend has an orange note, and I agree. I’ve tasted lemon, grass, hay, caramel and all the other standard VA flavors, but never orange until I tried Dunhill Flake. What a treat.

I suspect that this stuff is cased with honey, and probably orange blossom honey at that.

I’m going to sell my kidney and sink the proceeds into stocking more of this stuff. Whatever the costs, this one deserves close to top spot in my VA rotation. Only FVF scratches the straight VA itch a little better, but not by much. I can’t wait to see what this tastes like with some age on it, if it even lasts that long.

Strongly recommended.

I am a huge VA flake fan, and as far as I'm concerned, McClelland (RIP) was the king of the VA flake. I have enjoyed many others, but none have matched the sweet, deep woodsy flavors and consistency of any of the offerings from the king.

Enter Dunhill Flake. Out of the tin, the thin flakes resemble the run of the mill, grassy VAs and VaPers that characterize so many of the average and unremarkable choices (think Stokebye's luxury flake), but the moistness of of the Dunhill supports a rich aroma that promises something more.

I live in a dry climate, and I tend to appreciate the moisture in flakes. I never dry them before smoking, and I rarely rub them out. The denser the flake, the better (a little nursing is often required, but the flavors are deeper and the bowl lasts forever).

The Dunhill Flake has not disappointed. I pack my bowl by folding a few of the thin flakes and stuffing them firmly in the bottom. Rubbing out a small amount for the rest of the bowl fills in some gaps, and some fine remnants placed loosely in the top allows for a easier light.

While not as sweet or rich as the McClelland, the flake is more woodsy and less grassy than most, making it a welcome staple in my rotation (at least until it too is no longer available).

Not a bad straight Va flake, just not my favorite. Compared to Opening Night or SG Full Va Flake, the Dunhill is a little lacking. I tried it fresh, then tried it a year or so later and still, it does not impress me. It's not horrible, it just lacks some fullness I get from other blends.

3.3 stars

UPDATE 12/20: Have you ever gone back to a blend that you haven't smoked for awhile and then wonder how you could have ignored for so long? It is like running into an old best friend. I don't think I have smoked this in the last 12 months and man am I wondering why (probably because I was worried about running out before it was revived under the Peterson name). This really is my number 1 VA Flake, and that is a bold statement as there are some really strong contenders in this field. Baked bread with a thin coat of honey that deepens as you smoke down the bowl. One other comment, this tobacco takes on different character in different pipes. While there may be some nuances from briar to briar and cob to cob, what I mean is between distinct pipe types. I have found this to be superior in a meerschaum; great in a cob, clay or briar but this really sings in my meers.

ORIGINAL: This is my favorite VA Flake tobacco that is not in the "reserve" category. This beats our Orlik and the Gawith's to me hands down (and I really like them too). Tin not is sweet Virginia: Grassy/Hay like with citrus hints and a bready quality. The smoke is fantastic from first light to last puff. I prefer to rub out my flakes and the Dunhill line are the only ones that require no dry time. The flavor is not complex but it is quite enjoyable. It has a sweet bready like quality, toasty. I would say if you could smoke wheat toast with honey on it while mowing your lawn that is what this tastes like. It is a rich flavorful smoke and one that I would like to last forever. I get a slightly different profile in Cobs, sweeter and even more monochromatic, but still very satisfying. For a VA it is light on the vitamin N (good in my book). If you ever are feeling adventurous take an unopen tin and throw it in the oven at the lowest setting for 4 hours with the door cracked a smidge. This creates an even smoother breadier smoke. Absolutely fantastic.

Dunhill flake is a nice change of pace, straight forward and refined. The dark Virginias bring dry fruit and sweet hay while the bright Virginias add grassy and citrus notes. The subtle lemon topping reminds me of Dunhill Early Morning and brightens up the blend bringing the flavors together resulting in a smooth medium body smoke that is satisfying and won’t bite. Wether folded or rubbed out, a few relights may be necessary. Burns at a medium pace to a white ash and leaves little moisture in the bowl. Almost medium in strength and can be an all day smoke. Pleasant room note and aftertaste. Great right out of the tin but is best decanted in a jar for a few months. Stock up while you can!