Dunhill Light Flake

I have a new tin of LF as well as an older tin from the later 90's. I am smoking the new tin first, and as such, my review is based on it. I may reiterate later, after consuming the older batch. Based on the current offering, LF is rather monochromatic to me. I detect a slight citrus scent, not unlike a muted version of Royal Yacht. The flavor is simple, middle-of-the-road-with-nary-a-surprise virginia and little in the way of nicotene. I find it best when lit for a few minutes, then granted a few hours rest in a pipe, whereby the presentation darkens slightly and holds my attentions to a degree. The room note is akin to a cheap cigarette. Certainly an aimiable companion, however I prefer tobacco less pedigreed and more interesting.

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.

This stuff is suspiciously fruity. I too suspect that some topping is used on the flake. I smoked this for the first time in an estate Becker that I had not smoked before and the unusual zest of this tobacco had me worried that the pipe was not properly cleaned before it came my way. By about mid bowl, however, the natural qualities of what is obviously impeccable Virginia leaf began peeking through and I realized it was simply a topping of some sort. I dected the same flavor during subsequent smokes in my other pipes as well. If Light Flake wasn't so sweet and "foofy", it would probably be one of my favorites. As it is however, I tend to smoke this on the occasions when I'm in the mood for something a bit sweeter than my Rattrays and a little less syrupy than black cavendish. One final note, Light Flake quite possibly has the best burning characteristics of any Virginia flake I've come across. It burns cool and clean all the way to the bottom with little or no relights needed. All in all, this is an incredibly well made flake, but the mischeivous topping detracts from the full potential of this tobacco.

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.

A classic British flake, refined, classy as all Dunhills, but to me this one is too light and tasteless. The flavour is good, of course, but it's little. Into the same typology I'd rather smoke Capstan, definitely more satisfying.

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!.

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.