Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation 1931
(3.29)
The 1931 flake is primarily U.S. burley, U.S. mature Virginias and a little bit of black cavendish. It’s an all-natural blend that offers a dry, natural smoke without additives in terms of flavoring.
Erik Peter, his father, was a larger than life person, full of energy and passion for his craft. His favorite tobacco was the navy flake, and this full-bodied smoke is a perfect example of his passion. It strikes a natural balance in the distinct characteristics of superior burleys and mature Virginias by using a small measure of black cavendish to please true flake lovers.
Details
| Brand | Erik Stokkebye |
| Blended By | Erik Stokkebye |
| Manufactured By | Mac Baren |
| Blend Type | Burley Based |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Burley, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Honey |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50g tin, 100g tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Very Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.29 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 11 - 20 of 41 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 07, 2012 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
I anxiously awaited the arrival of this new offering and chose it above the other three offered in this series as I am a flake fancier. First let's start with appearances - from the outside in. The 100gm tin is identical in construction to Mac Baren's 100gm Navy Flake, Mixture Flake, etc., minus the lid labeling. The underside sticker on label is printed in similar type to those of Mac Baren's as well. Upon opening the lid, the flakes are arranged in two neat rows and wrapped in the familiar Mac Baren gold wrapping (minus the Mac Baren embossed logo). You can see where I'm going with this. The initial tin aroma revealed a very, very slight sweetness of what I would say was honey and with deep sniffing I noticed an evanescent note of chocolate - ever so slight. I read where Eric Stokkebye says there are no additive flavoring to this flake, but to me, it does not have the smell of pure tobacco only.
The flakes were of the consistency of Mac's Navy Flake/Mixture Flake in thickness and its ease in breaking apart on folding; very unlike the rubberiness of Peterson's Irish Flake for comparison. My inaugural smoke was in a Dunhill Cumberland bent billiard. I didn't dry the flake out at all as I was anxious to smoke it right after popping the lid. It took to the match quite easily and required perhaps two or three relights throughout. As with Navy Flake I did perceive a honey/sweet taste but more so than with NF. There was no tongue bite per se. Nothing more than the occasional nip I experience with Navy or Mixture when smoked fresh. Since I find similarities to the two referenced Mac Flakes, I would have to say that strength wise, 1931 is equal to NF in terms of body, but the flavor of honey is stronger than with NF, and may be a bit too much for some. Like the other flakes, it smoked clean and dry leaving a light gray ash when all was said and done. The entire smoke was a nice mix of honey and tobacco, albeit the honey presence slightly ahead. The honey flavor seemed to be more flowery than what Mac Baren uses in their Navy Flake/Mixture Flake. 1931 seems to be more Virginia forward and Mac's NF more Burley forward. I suspect that with some time drying in the tin the rich tobacco flavors will become even more pronounced as I find with Navy and Mixture. There is enough nicotine presence to satisfy those who want that in a smoke as well.
I would be very surprised if this was NOT produced by Mac Baren since it has all of the fine smoking characteristics of many of their products. I have no problem with that as Mac is one of my favorite blending houses. However, at $4-$5 more per tin than Mac's Navy Flake and Mixture Flake, NF and MF are better bargains, and of the three I prefer NF overall. Where MF lacks in the taste department and 1931 is over the top with honey, NF seems to have the right balance. All in all, my hat is off to Eric Stokkebye and I wish him every success with his new line of tobaccos. 4 stars.
UPDATE 7-19-17: Recently purchased a tin and have found the price point to be below that of Mac Baren Navy Flake and now a better bargain for a flake with similarity to NF. Between the two, I prefer 1931.
The flakes were of the consistency of Mac's Navy Flake/Mixture Flake in thickness and its ease in breaking apart on folding; very unlike the rubberiness of Peterson's Irish Flake for comparison. My inaugural smoke was in a Dunhill Cumberland bent billiard. I didn't dry the flake out at all as I was anxious to smoke it right after popping the lid. It took to the match quite easily and required perhaps two or three relights throughout. As with Navy Flake I did perceive a honey/sweet taste but more so than with NF. There was no tongue bite per se. Nothing more than the occasional nip I experience with Navy or Mixture when smoked fresh. Since I find similarities to the two referenced Mac Flakes, I would have to say that strength wise, 1931 is equal to NF in terms of body, but the flavor of honey is stronger than with NF, and may be a bit too much for some. Like the other flakes, it smoked clean and dry leaving a light gray ash when all was said and done. The entire smoke was a nice mix of honey and tobacco, albeit the honey presence slightly ahead. The honey flavor seemed to be more flowery than what Mac Baren uses in their Navy Flake/Mixture Flake. 1931 seems to be more Virginia forward and Mac's NF more Burley forward. I suspect that with some time drying in the tin the rich tobacco flavors will become even more pronounced as I find with Navy and Mixture. There is enough nicotine presence to satisfy those who want that in a smoke as well.
I would be very surprised if this was NOT produced by Mac Baren since it has all of the fine smoking characteristics of many of their products. I have no problem with that as Mac is one of my favorite blending houses. However, at $4-$5 more per tin than Mac's Navy Flake and Mixture Flake, NF and MF are better bargains, and of the three I prefer NF overall. Where MF lacks in the taste department and 1931 is over the top with honey, NF seems to have the right balance. All in all, my hat is off to Eric Stokkebye and I wish him every success with his new line of tobaccos. 4 stars.
UPDATE 7-19-17: Recently purchased a tin and have found the price point to be below that of Mac Baren Navy Flake and now a better bargain for a flake with similarity to NF. Between the two, I prefer 1931.
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins.com
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from tin.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 31, 2020 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
wow. who knew? just bought a couple of meerschaums and they are great smokers for all tobaccos and one after the other. no ghosting at all. soooo......this superb flake was consumed quite happily in both of them (even the carved faces of the pipes were smiling!). the honey is as good as a rum for that "navy feeling" and the cavendish is a gorgeous add-on to the virginia and burley. beautifully manufactured and presented in perfect flakes, both in moisture and size. great great smoke. not really an aromatic at all. just great tobacco that's mellowed by whatever topping there is.
Pipe Used:
meerschaums
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
tin dated 2015
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 21, 2019 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
The presentation is nice, has the Mac Baren-style gold foil paper. The sticker on the back of the tin with the tin date also makes me think Mac Baren produces this blend, rather than STG. The flakes are uniform and golden with flecks of brown. The tin note is grassy, oaty, and floral honey.
I smoked this rubbed out as well as folded and twisted. I preferred the taste of the smoke when rubbed out, but not fully, then bunched up, and stuffed into the pipe.
The smoke can sometimes starts out sharp, sour, and bitey, to some extent. You have to be careful lighting it. There are grassy notes, and some floral honey notes, which is very much like Mac Baren Navy Flake. Further down the bowl lots of wood and cocoa notes come up, and some bready sweetness makes occasional appearances. Some cereal and marshmallow-like notes come up. About halfway through the bowl, the smoke gets more dense. It becomes a little cigar-like. More cocoa and wood notes, some nutty notes. However, if this is rubbed out you may lose the sweetness towards the end of the bowl.
The flakes burn well, but can sometimes burn hot, depending on how you choose to pack the pipe. Burned to white ash. I advise just letting it go out rather than trying to keep this lit. It gets hot easily.
I did not try this in a pot shape or any pipe with a relatively wide bowl, but it worked well for me in pipes with narrow diameters and straight sides in the chamber.
The nicotine level is medium, to me. I notice it but it doesn't overwhelm. I would say the same for the taste as well.
The downside of this blend is that it can be bitey. It's just bright Virginias in the blend, so you get lots of sharp but lemon sweetness. You can reduce the acidity by letting it sit out before packing your pipe. It's not as good as Mac Baren's Navy Flake, to which it is often compared. Navy Flake, to me, is a better blend, because there are some additional notes I get. This does age well, because of the Virginia content. My first tin of this blend had over two years of age on it. It still burned warmer than I'd like, but there wasn't much sharpness and acidity to the smoke. The Virginias really calm down with age.
I do like the flavor of this blend. I would recommend this to the navy flake fan, or the Virginia Burley fan. I don't think it has a wow factor, but has comfortable flavors. It's a nice and sweet navy flake with some woody notes. For me it's an all-day smoke. Somewhat recommended, depending on whether you want to be careful, do a little work, and be patient with this blend.
I smoked this rubbed out as well as folded and twisted. I preferred the taste of the smoke when rubbed out, but not fully, then bunched up, and stuffed into the pipe.
The smoke can sometimes starts out sharp, sour, and bitey, to some extent. You have to be careful lighting it. There are grassy notes, and some floral honey notes, which is very much like Mac Baren Navy Flake. Further down the bowl lots of wood and cocoa notes come up, and some bready sweetness makes occasional appearances. Some cereal and marshmallow-like notes come up. About halfway through the bowl, the smoke gets more dense. It becomes a little cigar-like. More cocoa and wood notes, some nutty notes. However, if this is rubbed out you may lose the sweetness towards the end of the bowl.
The flakes burn well, but can sometimes burn hot, depending on how you choose to pack the pipe. Burned to white ash. I advise just letting it go out rather than trying to keep this lit. It gets hot easily.
I did not try this in a pot shape or any pipe with a relatively wide bowl, but it worked well for me in pipes with narrow diameters and straight sides in the chamber.
The nicotine level is medium, to me. I notice it but it doesn't overwhelm. I would say the same for the taste as well.
The downside of this blend is that it can be bitey. It's just bright Virginias in the blend, so you get lots of sharp but lemon sweetness. You can reduce the acidity by letting it sit out before packing your pipe. It's not as good as Mac Baren's Navy Flake, to which it is often compared. Navy Flake, to me, is a better blend, because there are some additional notes I get. This does age well, because of the Virginia content. My first tin of this blend had over two years of age on it. It still burned warmer than I'd like, but there wasn't much sharpness and acidity to the smoke. The Virginias really calm down with age.
I do like the flavor of this blend. I would recommend this to the navy flake fan, or the Virginia Burley fan. I don't think it has a wow factor, but has comfortable flavors. It's a nice and sweet navy flake with some woody notes. For me it's an all-day smoke. Somewhat recommended, depending on whether you want to be careful, do a little work, and be patient with this blend.
Pipe Used:
Bent apple,Canadian,billiard,bent egg
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
3 years, 7 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2016 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Erik Stokkebye - 4th Generation 1931.
One of the best things about this blend is it seems to have been tailor made so that one flake fills my Davorin Denovic to perfection! Joking aside though there are many good things regarding #1931.
The tin contains only two rows of fairly wide flakes that are medium brown with a few light and dark specks over them. The moisture's good and the flakes are very easily crumbled. The main aroma from the tin is a citrus one: it smells almost as if it has a casing to it.
1931 is simple to ignite and gives a good burn. One of the few negatives with it is it can give a bit of a nip to my tongue if I'm not careful, other than that it's a good smoke though. Like the tins aroma it appears to contain some form of topping. It has just the same lemon quality, only more of an added sweetness rather than citrus alone; I'm guessing that the Black Cavendish would be responsible for the sweet touch. The Burley forms a large part of the taste, but it doesn't seem to be a particularly special kind of Burley flavour; not great, not bad, but quite steadfast and usual.
The nicotine's about medium to strong, and the room-note's enjoyable.
I like 4th Generation 1931 but I don't love it. I have no quibble with the fact it's a very good blend but it falls a little short of 4 stars for me. I'll stick with just a recommendation.
One of the best things about this blend is it seems to have been tailor made so that one flake fills my Davorin Denovic to perfection! Joking aside though there are many good things regarding #1931.
The tin contains only two rows of fairly wide flakes that are medium brown with a few light and dark specks over them. The moisture's good and the flakes are very easily crumbled. The main aroma from the tin is a citrus one: it smells almost as if it has a casing to it.
1931 is simple to ignite and gives a good burn. One of the few negatives with it is it can give a bit of a nip to my tongue if I'm not careful, other than that it's a good smoke though. Like the tins aroma it appears to contain some form of topping. It has just the same lemon quality, only more of an added sweetness rather than citrus alone; I'm guessing that the Black Cavendish would be responsible for the sweet touch. The Burley forms a large part of the taste, but it doesn't seem to be a particularly special kind of Burley flavour; not great, not bad, but quite steadfast and usual.
The nicotine's about medium to strong, and the room-note's enjoyable.
I like 4th Generation 1931 but I don't love it. I have no quibble with the fact it's a very good blend but it falls a little short of 4 stars for me. I'll stick with just a recommendation.
Pipe Used:
Davorin Denovic Morta
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
A few months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 24, 2017 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
Im not sure who makes this blend, because Ive heard Macbaren is really the producer. But in any event, it is remarkably like Macbaren's Navy Flake...and thats not a bad thing. The 1931 flake is philosophically the same as Navy Flake, a mildly cased burley based soft flake. It burns cool and if one is to compare it to Navy Flake, the Stokkebye is less sweet by quite a margin and the flavors are different. This is cookie dough and burley nuttiness, but all this is very mild so dont think you are getting a full on aromatic. Its a burley flake with slightly more nic hit than Navy Flake and less of the mouth coating that comes from smoking too much of the macbaren. Its not really a complex smoke but its not really meant to be. I like it as a tobacco to smoke when driving. It burns easy and doesnt bite at all. Its also a tad boring at a certain point. I suggest not smoking it in any magnum size bowl because it plays itself out after a while. That all said, I give it a solid three stars. Its high quality tobacco and certainly a blend I keep a supply of if possible.
PurchasedFrom:
4noggins
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2016 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
A wonderful flake with a nice tin aroma of honey and some nuttiness. I prefer to prep my flake by rolling it loosely in my hands with the grain to get long strips that I coil in the bowl loosely as I pack. I find it brings up a much richer flavor of the burleys and every now and then you get a slight peek at the cavendish sweetness. Its a nice relaxing smoke that doesn't require your constant attention at the discovery of flavors, nor does it reach out and slap you when you aren't paying attention to it. Burns quite cool and dry, and is ready for consumption right out of the tin with no need for additional drying. Give it a try, I don't think you will be disappointed. The after taste is nice coating of honey sweetness on the tongue.
Pipe Used:
Comoy's Tradition Woodstock
PurchasedFrom:
Mission Pipe, San Jose, Ca, USA. http://www.missionpipe.com
Age When Smoked:
1 yr
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2015 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
The perfectly crafted slices of this mottled brown flake, which are neatly packed into two stacks in the tin and wraped in golden foil, effuse a delicious scent reminicent of honey, nuts and freshly cut hay.
Even though the tobacco is reportedly made by Mac Baren in Denmark, it's not exactly the same blend as their famous Navy Flake, one difference being that it's markedly brighter in color.
The moisture level is just perfect, so you can easily fold and stuff the flakes into your bowl. It takes a thorough charring light, some leveling out the ashes and an equally thorough true light in order to get it going. After that it usually burns down evenly seldom requiring a relight.
The taste starts out in a mild fashion, getting much bolder in the course of the bowl. It has a dense, creamy smoke delivering notes of caramelized walnuts and a natural honeylike sweetness. Especially during the second half of the bowl, this is complemented by hints of cinamon, vanilla and prunes like spiced rum. Don't draw too eagerly on your pipe or it'll bite your tongue. In the end, this is a full-boddied, complex smoke leaving some almost white ash peppered with dark spots.
The room note is rich and sweetish.
Even though the tobacco is reportedly made by Mac Baren in Denmark, it's not exactly the same blend as their famous Navy Flake, one difference being that it's markedly brighter in color.
The moisture level is just perfect, so you can easily fold and stuff the flakes into your bowl. It takes a thorough charring light, some leveling out the ashes and an equally thorough true light in order to get it going. After that it usually burns down evenly seldom requiring a relight.
The taste starts out in a mild fashion, getting much bolder in the course of the bowl. It has a dense, creamy smoke delivering notes of caramelized walnuts and a natural honeylike sweetness. Especially during the second half of the bowl, this is complemented by hints of cinamon, vanilla and prunes like spiced rum. Don't draw too eagerly on your pipe or it'll bite your tongue. In the end, this is a full-boddied, complex smoke leaving some almost white ash peppered with dark spots.
The room note is rich and sweetish.
Pipe Used:
Poul Winsløw Bent
PurchasedFrom:
www.smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 11, 2014 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Popping the tin the smell of the VA's and honey is quite inviting. I fold mine into a large bowl and put a little loose leaf on top for lighting. A smooth and satisfying smoke that shows what a gifted tobacconist can do with really good burley and VA. This is one that I like to stop and pay attention to. No heavy topping to get in the way. I think most burley smokers would find something here to like. It could easily be an all day smoke. Mine smokes dry, without the burley bitters. I'm down to just a very few tobaccos and this makes the short list.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 17, 2014 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
EDIT EDIT EDIT!
I was gifted a new tin of this by the rep for the company. I have to say, the other tobacco I smoked must have been overly dry or something, because this stuff was fantastic. Smooth, full bodied, a faint fruitiness with a deep spice and sweetness. I'd buy this again.
I was gifted a new tin of this by the rep for the company. I have to say, the other tobacco I smoked must have been overly dry or something, because this stuff was fantastic. Smooth, full bodied, a faint fruitiness with a deep spice and sweetness. I'd buy this again.
Pipe Used:
Fe.Ro Bent Prince
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 08, 2023 | Medium to Strong | Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
TLDR; This is a delicious, burley-forward blend of quality tobacco.
The tin note is gentle and not room-filling. The fragrant notes of "honey", “nutty” and “earthy” from the burley are present and inviting. The moisture of the flakes upon opening was nearly perfect. The tobacco readily accepted flame with only a few minutes out of the tin. This blend lends itself very well to “fold-and-stuff” packing. The flakes are not very robust, and will maintain their shape only with delicate handling.
The tin I opened had just over two years of age, which proved to be enough time for the component tobaccos to adequately meld together and provide a mature, complete experience. Among the components, the burley is center-stage and fairly clean considering the addition of honey/flavoring . The US Virginias deliver a sweetness without forcing “hay” or “grassy” flavors to the forefront. The black cavendish is subtle, contributing less to the blend’s flavor, and more to the smoothness and texture of the smoke. And the casing/toppings used are well measured and never cloying.
I sometimes struggle with fold-and-stuff packing, often choosing to rub out flakes instead. But the flakes of this blend are forgiving enough that a few of the bowls I folded and packed from this tin burned to the bottom with only a single relight. It seemed that the flavor became deeper and richer as I approached the half-way point. I find with certain stronger blends my palate is fatigued by the end of the bowl, and flavors diminish. Such was not the case with this blend. I feel that this is a blend that can be smoked in back-to-back sessions and still be flavorful and enjoyable.
There is a nose tingle on retrohale; the sensation is pleasant and repeatable. I found this blend to be most flavorful when I clench the pipe while shallow breathing. Gentle but deliberate is the way to sip this tobacco, and in doing so, tongue bite is never a concern.
I enjoyed this blend in a variety of pipes, including briars, a cob and even a meer. But I kept coming back to a burley-dedicated cob and a side of coffee.
4 out of 4.
The tin note is gentle and not room-filling. The fragrant notes of "honey", “nutty” and “earthy” from the burley are present and inviting. The moisture of the flakes upon opening was nearly perfect. The tobacco readily accepted flame with only a few minutes out of the tin. This blend lends itself very well to “fold-and-stuff” packing. The flakes are not very robust, and will maintain their shape only with delicate handling.
The tin I opened had just over two years of age, which proved to be enough time for the component tobaccos to adequately meld together and provide a mature, complete experience. Among the components, the burley is center-stage and fairly clean considering the addition of honey/flavoring . The US Virginias deliver a sweetness without forcing “hay” or “grassy” flavors to the forefront. The black cavendish is subtle, contributing less to the blend’s flavor, and more to the smoothness and texture of the smoke. And the casing/toppings used are well measured and never cloying.
I sometimes struggle with fold-and-stuff packing, often choosing to rub out flakes instead. But the flakes of this blend are forgiving enough that a few of the bowls I folded and packed from this tin burned to the bottom with only a single relight. It seemed that the flavor became deeper and richer as I approached the half-way point. I find with certain stronger blends my palate is fatigued by the end of the bowl, and flavors diminish. Such was not the case with this blend. I feel that this is a blend that can be smoked in back-to-back sessions and still be flavorful and enjoyable.
There is a nose tingle on retrohale; the sensation is pleasant and repeatable. I found this blend to be most flavorful when I clench the pipe while shallow breathing. Gentle but deliberate is the way to sip this tobacco, and in doing so, tongue bite is never a concern.
I enjoyed this blend in a variety of pipes, including briars, a cob and even a meer. But I kept coming back to a burley-dedicated cob and a side of coffee.
4 out of 4.
Pipe Used:
Briars, Cobbs and a Meer
PurchasedFrom:
SmokingPipes.com
Age When Smoked:
2 years
target="_blank"
