Dunhill Light Flake

I would describe this as a luxurious Virginia tobacco in appearance, aroma and taste. It comes in neat dark, pliable flakes, not as dark as Marlin Flake or Full Virginia Flake, but definitely not light brown in color. The smell in the tin has been described by non-pipe smokers as reminding them of mince meat pie. It is definitely a Christmas season aroma, and reminds me of the maraschino cherry flavoring in red and green Christmas cookies or some kind of Christmas cake or pudding. I hasten to add that no cherry or baking spices come through in the smoke. The flakes rub out beautifully; the tobacco loads easily, and lights quickly. Immediately, I get the sweetened Virginia flavor. The flavoring additive provides a unique sweetness to the Virginia. About a quarter of the way down the bowl you are aware that this tobacco packs a bit of a nicotine punch, very sneaky because I do not get that distinctive nicotine astringency on the tongue, but I am aware that the nicotine is working. This is a very smooth Virginia with absolutely no bite and possesses a subtle sweetness that is impossible to define; it is not a neutral sweetener, but it complements the Virgina rather than overpowering the smoke. This is a tobacco that deserves to be smoked in sips, plenty of Virginia flavor with interesting and varying sweet notes. It burns completely down to the dottle with a minimal amount of tending. Highly recommended as a special treat for the Virginia lover. Paddy.

Together with G.Smith & Sons Old London 100% Virginia, this is a classic. It has a wonderful woody aroma, a clean tobacco taste, and its burning rate (when smoked properly) can make it last for a long time!

This is the first flake tobacco I tried (after a number of years of smoking 965, the ocassional Balkan Sobranie,and Amphora regular)and I became instantly hooked. I still smoke Latakia based mixtures (I've recently settled down with Davidoff's Royalty), but its good to change every now and then. When in the mood for a change, Dunhill's Light Flake allows a very smooth transition from the exotic sphere of Orientals to the more temperate Virginian zone.

IMO, Light Flake is a tobacco that produces a smooth and sober taste, elegant and joyful. It can be smoked both outdoors or indoors, and in the company of civilised people it does not seem to bother non-smokers.

I believe the term "light" is used in reference to the shade or hue of the leaf, rather than to its strength. It is a medium strength tobacco of a lighter shade than, say, Astley's 44 or Marlin Flake.

Addenddum (Mrach 05): The quality of Light Flake seems to have changed a bit in recent samples. It has a more perfumed taste (to the point one might think it is a casing or topping) and the general structure of the blends seems to be made out of a lower grade leaf. I still enjoy it very much, but like many blends it is not exactly of the same quality it used to be.

I entirely enjoy every aspect of this beautifully packaged, wonderfully made, and perfectly smoked tobacco. The blend lights perfect burns perfect all the way down the bowl which I might add is perfect for breaking in new pipes. I break in all my new pipes with this and Escudo. [email protected]

Update: Outside this Thanksgiving Holiday Weekend I smoked many blends in many bowls, and the leaf that I kept so often clenched in my teeths friend the briar was Dunhill Light Flake.Because of the size of the tin it made easy traveling in the pocket of my coat and so I smoked bowl upon bowl of the stuff. Perhaps it was the snow everywhere, or the clo/uds in the sky. The taste and volume of smoke made this leaf seem perfect for the winter season.

It's not a complicated blend, it doesn't have layers of flavor. It maintains a consistancy that is a reminder of a perfectly fine winter day.

I know I already reviewed this: A very fine flake. Not for the novice. It is fairly dry right out of the tin and quite easy to crumble and pack. Somewhat difficult to light. If left fairly coarse it does burn a long time. Best in a smaller pipe. A high quality flake that is also a good value. Highly recommended.

This has long been one of my absolute favorite tobaccos and one that I never, ever go without in my stockpile of tins. There's frankly not much that can be added to the volume of reviews already here, but it is definitely an outstanding smoke, perhaps amongst the finest in Dunhill's line. Clean, smooth, mild, pure tobacco - very high quality too. This is truly what smoking is meant to be about, perfect for virtually every occassion you can dream up as well. Always a pleasant experience, everytime with one of these bowls. If you've not done yourself the service of ever picking up a tin of this, definitely do it soon. You won't regret it.

Although I have only purchased this in a pouch entitled "Dunhill Flake" I assume this is the same stuff as being reviewed here. I bought this after reading the lauding on here and is quite a change from Erinmore Flake! Upon opening the pouch one is not hit with aroma but it is much more subtle and smells more 'tobaccoey' than other more aromatic blends (if that makes any sense). I was in love from my first bowlful! From the beginning it smokes cool and sweet, although I cannot describe accurately what it tastes like, I would attempt to do so by saying that it seems to be a tobacco relatively unadulterated from added sweetners etc. I think it is a hearty, dependable tobacco which one could imagine being smoked by sailors (don't ask me why). I only have to relight about once, maybe twice and have never got tongue bite from this stuff which has a nice fine, white ash finish. I just smoked some this morning in the sun outside and was in a happy mood for the rest of the day. A constant delicious taste while smoked with no bitter/sour aftertaste, the flavour remains relatively the same throughout rather than becoming too tart near the end like some other blends. I thoroughly recommend Dunhill's light flake and can imagine it being a staple for many pipe smokers everywhere. There is no escaping the fact that this has a lot of nicotine in it, but then again man's best female friend is lady nicotine:) Thanks for your helpful reviews guys as I love this tobacco and will undoubtedly continue to do so in the future.

Dunhill Light Flake is a nice example of a very well done straight Virginia.

On opening the tin, I was greeted with a nice sweet grassy scent ? that freshly mown field aroma I love about Virginias. The coloring could possibly be why they called it light. Not that it is all that light, but maybe they did this to separate it from a stoved Virginia.

I prefer to rub out my flakes, and DLF rubbed out into a (mostly) narrow ribbon. The darker pieces were the exception. As I was rubbing it out I could smell the sweetness with just a hint of underlying spice.

DLF stays lit very easily, to the point that a couple of times the charring light took me all the way to the bottom of the bowl. It has to be smoked slowly? very slowly. But that?s fine, because it tastes best that way anyway! Of all the pipes I smoked it in, the narrow bowls proved to be the best.

The flavor is very honest Virginia from start to finish. There isn?t really any complexity to jump out at you, but if you pay very careful attention you will note the changes between the Lemon and Bronze leaf. It?s very subtle, but it?s there. The taste is sweet with a hint of spice wandering in and out, but always subtle.

Again, smoke slowly for maximum effect ? and to keep from frying your tongue. Virginias aren?t known for being forgiving. Treat it right, and it will be a treat. If you take your time and watch your technique, you will not be bitten. This is DEFINITELY NOT one for beginners. FWIW, I never detected the soap that others did.

Dunhill has maintained their reputation for top-shelf quality with Light Flake. Just don?t let the name fool ya!

Beside having a heavily flavored aromatic blend (Mac Baren Original Choice) in my take out pouch, I decided to switch to this for social gatherings. The aromatic is great for the person sitting next to you but I guess I wanted somehting that can be excellent for me as well. I usually rubbed half a tin's worth and pack it into my pouch. I found that after 2 days away from the tin, the tobacco even taste better.The flavor is so light and smooth and sweet, a perfect virginia it is. But don't let this fool you. It is still very high in terms of nic/tar content and if you are not carefull with it, you can have a bad bit. The most enjoyable part of this flake is the mid/end bowl puffed in a super slow manner. The flavor does not come jumping out from behind scarying you off the chair kind of satisfaction, but rather a gentle voice from the back of your thoughts saying 'everything is going to be alright' kind of feel. Oh and that creamy flavor of the smoke, it is produce by the tobacco itself. One might even be so bold to say that this was the reason why manufacture put casing on thier blends to mimic or enhance this effect 'un-natually'. This, I think, represents the elemental of smoking tobacco.

November-2003.Light Flake. A very pleasant light to medium smoke that provide's plenty of taste in a very pleasant not to suttle way.Anyone who want's to get away from cased aromatic's & try a very nice Virginia couldn't possibly go wrong with this one.Beginner's,take your time & don't puff fast!Though it has never bitten me,I don't wan't a newbie to be put off by puffing rapidly & getting a scorched tongue.Light's & behave's extremely well,burn's very cleanly all the way through leaving a nice clean looking ash.Can be smoked as an all day smoke very easily. I love Dunhill's M/M 965,Night Cap & Aperitif also,but as some of us know they are much stronger.But this is still a very excellent quality tobacco provided once again by Dunhill.