Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation 1931

Apparently my resistance to the latest new tobacco is non-existent so here are my thoughts on 4th Gen. 1931.

Over the years most Navy Flakes have left me disappointed but I keep trying them. Upon opening this tin you will be greeted with two stacks of light to medium colored flakes perfectly sliced.There is absolutely a clover honey aroma somewhat stronger than MacB's Navy Flake, this is not off putting as the smell is quite pleasing. Fold, stuff and twist and it takes to the match easily. The honey (or whatever it is) does not interfere with the taste and provides only a faint sweetness throughout the bowl. Unlike other Navy Flakes where I find myself puffing too hard just to get some taste, 1931 consistently provides flavor even with a gentle puff.

This tobacco has surprised me and if the entire 100grams continues to hold my attention I will cellar a few tins and probably give it another star.

This was a very good vabur. Perhaps a little light to my tastes, but still an enjoyable smoke nonetheless. I know that a lot of people compare this one to Mac Baren Navy Flake, and I can see why; they are very similar tobaccos. They are both mild vaburs that seem to be led with the Virginia leaf.

To my tastes both this and NF are kind of average smokes, but I would put this one above NF as it just seems to taste a little better to me; there is more depth of flavor in 1931. What I don't know is what is causing this. It is either a fuller, sweeter burley/Kentucky or it is a topping of some sort.

At present, the contents above list no topping, but If memory serves me right, I thought this one did have a slight topping. Perhaps it is something that is in the Cavendish, of which I assume to be processed from Virginia in a customary European way. Whatever it is, it has a nice sweetness that seems as though it would be tough to get from tobacco alone. But the sweetness is not something that I can directly identify to a popular topping. In some ways, this blend reminds me of Peterson's University Flake, but the topping in that one is far more obvious.

The bottom line is that this is a three star tobacco to my tastes as I would have no problem recommending it.

I got a 100g tin of this in a Secret Santa. My stipulation was no latakia and preferably a VaBur. I was pleasantly surprised.

Beautiful flakes that are at an excellent moisture level. Mostly golden strips with some specks of dark leaf. The smell at first kind of reminds me of a biscotti.

Easily packed, and lights just as easily. I got a lot of VA and sweet honey towards the first half of the bowl. The Burley comes through towards the latter half of the bowl and thickens up in the final stanza. It burns very evenly and with little to no bite. I could usually get no leftover dottle at the end of the bowl.

I will say that when fresh out of the tin the topping they used is in the way a bit. That biscotti flavor comes out in the smoke when fresh. Taking the tobacco out of the tin and leaving it in a jar for a week or two will help remove that flavor.

A great tobacco for smoking around others as the room note is grandpa in a tweed jacket. I like this more than MacBaren's Navy Flake as I think it's less sweet and has more of a natural tobacco flavor (after that biscotti flavor goes away) A must try for any VaBur/Burley fans.

1931’s good looking flakes are mainly Burley forward. The mature Virginia’s add some, grassy sweetness and the small amount of Cavendish is noticeable. I find it hard to believe the claim that there are no added flavors as for me, there is a sweet topping, although it adds to the sweetness without taking over. I can’t say that it tastes of honey to me, rather just lightly sweet. The Burley is nutty and it didn’t offer any bitterness. It burns cool without a bite even and when I pushed it a bit it didn’t burn hot either. 1931 has been compared to Mac Baren’s Navy Flake, but for me this offers deeper flavor and more body. I found that a light pack, comprised of smaller pieces really allowed 1931 to best show off its flavor. I put off tasting this blend for quite a while and now wonder why? I am going to add some of this to my cellar as I am sure it will age very well with the Virginia's adding additional sweetness.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.