Dunhill Light Flake

ZESTY TOBACCO

Another Va, It is good. It has a topping- I think, and reminds me a little of Orlik's golden slices but less cased and stronger tobacco flavors. It is 'ZESTY' a must try, and a great smoke. Smells confusing when opening tin, citrus, flowery? I cant figure it out.( A+ on presentation) a beautiful marbled sliced brick...

BETTER PICK: MCCLELLAND CHRISTMAS CHEER 05' OR 06

I would like to preface this review with a few words.

First, that this is my first review...something I have been wanting to do for some time now, having become an enthusiast after some time at my office smoking pipes with my boss. (Nothing makes for a better afternoon break.)

Its pretty easy for me to become an enthusiast...us Deadheads are good at it.

Ive been smoking for 3 months now. 1 month ago I quit smoking ciggarettes--the best thing Ive ever done for myself after 14 years of heavy smoking (Im 25 now.) The pipe and cigar hobby has kept me happy and out of jail since quitting the cigs.

First tin ever was John Aylesbury English Mixture...a bright VA mix. I seared my tounge many a time, but enjoyed it. After that, I became hooked on Latakia blends, chiefly 965 and Nightcap which a friend allowed me to sample from his bulk collection.

After spending the last couple months smoking English blends, I began to crave that bright piquiant Virginia flavor again. Living near Saint Louis, I decided to make an excursion out to Jon's Pipe Shop. I bought a new G&D Dublin to compliment my G&D bent billiard, cheap-o bent meerschaum carved sultan, and Peterson St. Pat's '00. More pipes!

I popped open the can on the way back from StL to get a whiff of the new stuff as I smoked a very nice Punch Corojo. Grassy and something sharp. Definately different from the JA English Mixture, but I expected it would be since LF is a straight VA.

I am sitting here at home with my new pipe and my little tin of Dunhill LF, which was recommended to me by the friendly tobacconist (these guys must be the happiest people in the world.)

Opened the tin again and lifted out a couple slices. This is something I have been wanting to try. Broke them up, rubbed them into a ball, which when deposited into the tin's lid was clearly ready to load. The tobacco is pleasing to the eye, and seemed to be the consistency of 'ready rubbed' varieties Ive tried from my boss's collection. The wad of tobacco looked like it wanted to jump into my new pipe instead of being properly loaded, so I stuffed it in. Men, women, childern...everyone for themselves this time.

'Perfect' moisture content out of the tin (I prefer my English bone dry, but a bit of moisture seems right for this stuff.)

Char, tamp. Hmm...still going. Puff...mmm...sweet, bright. Not too hot. Puff puff...hotter...tamp...ahh better tamped down a bit more.

1/3 through with a bit more tamping (due to my loading technique) and Ive been enjoying an even, reasonably cool, flavorful smoke for what seems like 15 minutes. Just a teeny bit less bright citrusy hints and an even-keeled pleasant 'hay' note.

Halfway down, same. Even cooler than the top of the bowl was. Very consistant smoke. No relights despite setting it down a couple times to cool off (former cig smoker.)

Now to do something else while I smoke the rest...lucky me, I have Firefox. Ack...let her go out. I need a bit of a rest anyway, a bit smoked out feeling. Id rate niccotine content at medium. Time for a bit of water...coffee would go great with this stuff though. Going to go out to the front porch and stand around feeling happy...70 degrees, partly cloudy, 2-4 mph breeze. Mmm.

Tick...tock...tick...tock...

Good finish. I still get the sooty flavor I always get toward the bottom of the pipe...I assume this is normal, but maybe Im doing something wrong. Therefore, I always toss the last 1/4...well not quite, but the last bit.

A good way to break in my new pipe. Ill be smoking this on a somewhat regular basis, as something to break up the monotony of Englishes.

Can't wait to try more flakes and 'not ready to pack' varieties.

At least Im remembering to maintain my humidor...it is full--the cigars are...aging. Yeah. Aging.

Cheers -JW Belleville, IL, US



EDIT: I tried a new packing method suggested on the McBaren website. Essentially, it involves folding the flake(s) in half 'with the grain,' folding again 'across the grain,' which loosens the slivers of tobacco on the folded end...then pushing/massaging a bit to get that 'looser' consistency, then cramming the bundle (which is the exact size of the bowl) into the pipe. The result is aa bit tricky to properly light, but after a bit of charring and gentle tamping, one has a nice, slow-burning pipe of tobacco with a bit different character than a rubbed out flake. Interesting. I have noticed a LOT of condensation forming though...apparently it is necessary to adjust the density of the 'wad' to get things sorted out. Seems like a good 'outdoors' method too...slow burn and no embers flying out of the bowl. Ahoy...Navy Flake!

A really good quality virginia flake. Excellent golden color, thick, and with perfect moisture content. A slightly sweet taste that doesn't bite, and is satisfying all day long. The price is reasonable, the flavor and burn outstanding. A solid three star tobacco.

A straight up virginia with a bit of lemon tang to it. A very nice blend with a definite nip to it that keeps you awake.

When I first smoked this, it had an almost soapy note that oddly enough, I did not mind.

After the tin had been open a while, the soapiness has gone. This flake is less sweet than the other virginias that I usually like, but I still enjoy it. It has a hay like note, and an aftertaste that reminds me of oats.

I fold up a whole flake and shove it in my pipe.

At first you think this will be bland, but if you smoke it gently and slowly there a lot of delicate flavours to bring out. I can understand some thinking this has been topped, but it really is just a good example of the inherent flavours in a VA that can be experienced when well blended. Fresh bread - yes, but also a lemon citrus. At the end of a large bowl this anything but one dimensional. Very high quality flakes with a beautiful tin aroma. There are other similar VA flakes with more tanginess, but this one deserves to be tried.

While many consider this blend to "light" for themselves, I think it is a good summertime smoke here in the desert. When the temp. hits triple digits, a Light blend is just right. three stars.

With so many reviews of this blend, I will keep my comments brief. this is another classic flake. It is light in color, but not in taste. it is actually in the medium to full range of flavor and is "classic" VA. Think "Old Gowrie", "Caledonian", "Golden Sliced", etc... It is very reasonably priced and is therefore another "old faithful" blend. You can't go wrong with this blend as long you are not expecting a "stellar" pipe smoking experience. Nevertheless, it is refined and classy as befits the "Dunhill" name. Enjoy...

A very interesting tobacco, great flavor and taste. This is one of my favorites tobaccos. If you are not carefull coul over heat your pipe!.