Watch City Cigar Flake #558
(3.70)
558 is a decadent "Crumble Flake" of three different Virginias and perique. A rich matured Virginia, a deep, dark stoved Virginia and the highest grade of bright Virginia is used as a backdrop for a heavy dose of perique. Rich and satisfying with a subtle natural sweetness.
Notes: Blender's note- Some well meaning fellow edited the original description of this blend to say it contains Kentucky fire cured. This blend absolutely does NOT contain even a trace of Kentucky or fire cured of any form. This is a blend of Virginias and perique only.
Details
| Brand | Watch City Cigar |
| Blended By | Ernie Q. |
| Manufactured By | Sutliff Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Perique |
| Contents | Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Krumble Kake |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.70 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 11, 2017 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
This is another great blend by Watch City. I purchased a couple of ounces of this about 6 months ago in a mega order I placed. I did not order the Flake 556, but was fortunate enough to have a friend send me some while I was smoking through the 2 ounces of 558. I actually preferred 556 to the 558, but I really liked them both.
The tin notes of both blends were very similar in that it had a smell of tangy fruit; sort of like the way cranberry juice smells. It reminded me a little of the smell of C & D Exhausted Rooster; another blend I really enjoy.
In appearance, the flakes are more like thin cakes, or thick flakes that rub out effortlessly. They are pretty much what you are accustomed to seeing if you like Seattle Pipe Club's Mississippi River. Both are produced by Sutliff and both are great. They crumble out extremely easily and are actually kind of fun to deal with.
It isn't until you light 556 and 558 that you notice any real difference and that is when it is obvious that one has burley added in. The DFK in 558 is noted as lightly added, but I found it to be a big component of that blend. It was pretty nutty/earthy, particularly when contrasted against the uber sweetness contained in 556.
As I said, I do enjoy both and I think both are wonderful representative blends in the VaPer and VaBurPer Genres. Both are probably deserving of four stars, but with 558, I have had too many VBP blends that I actually prefer to this one, so my subjective rating is three stars. If I were to go objective on this, I would give it four stars.
The tin notes of both blends were very similar in that it had a smell of tangy fruit; sort of like the way cranberry juice smells. It reminded me a little of the smell of C & D Exhausted Rooster; another blend I really enjoy.
In appearance, the flakes are more like thin cakes, or thick flakes that rub out effortlessly. They are pretty much what you are accustomed to seeing if you like Seattle Pipe Club's Mississippi River. Both are produced by Sutliff and both are great. They crumble out extremely easily and are actually kind of fun to deal with.
It isn't until you light 556 and 558 that you notice any real difference and that is when it is obvious that one has burley added in. The DFK in 558 is noted as lightly added, but I found it to be a big component of that blend. It was pretty nutty/earthy, particularly when contrasted against the uber sweetness contained in 556.
As I said, I do enjoy both and I think both are wonderful representative blends in the VaPer and VaBurPer Genres. Both are probably deserving of four stars, but with 558, I have had too many VBP blends that I actually prefer to this one, so my subjective rating is three stars. If I were to go objective on this, I would give it four stars.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Deluxe System 2s
PurchasedFrom:
Watch City Cigar
Age When Smoked:
6 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 06, 2017 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
Long, thick black flakes that are more krumble kake than flake. Imagine a VaPer with all sweet and no spice, and add a little Kentucky for a smoky, savory counterpoint. This is really like no VaPer I ever smoked, and it's extra delicious.
What to say? I love VaPers and this one is way, way above average. I don't understand how a small tobacconist in Massachusetts is coming up with bespoke blends that are this good. This and their Slices are absolute must try tobaccos.
What to say? I love VaPers and this one is way, way above average. I don't understand how a small tobacconist in Massachusetts is coming up with bespoke blends that are this good. This and their Slices are absolute must try tobaccos.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 06, 2021 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Unnoticeable |
I have been smoking this on and off for the past few weeks, one of a trio that I bought along with Old Dominion and The Churchwarden. The “flake” which I have to concur with several other reviewers is really a crumble cake sliced into about ¼ inch blanks is an excellent smoke, somewhat on the semi-sweet, slightly sour side of the spectrum, if that makes any sense, and guessing the Kentucky and perique shows itself toward the end of the bowl. Probably best to crumble this up and let it dry some as I had a tough time keeping this one light but consider it operator error. Nice middle of the road kind of smoke. I would like to see how this ages.
Update 082521: This evening I was smoking this and read "Blender's note- Some well meaning fellow edited the original description of this blend to say it contains Kentucky fire cured. This blend absolutely does NOT contain even a trace of Kentucky or fire cured of any form. This is a blend of Virginias and perique only." Glad to see Ernie Q. set em straight.
Update 082521: This evening I was smoking this and read "Blender's note- Some well meaning fellow edited the original description of this blend to say it contains Kentucky fire cured. This blend absolutely does NOT contain even a trace of Kentucky or fire cured of any form. This is a blend of Virginias and perique only." Glad to see Ernie Q. set em straight.
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 24, 2016 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Unnoticeable |
Well, after reading all the glowing reviews of this tobacco, I ordered 8 oz. of it. I like and smoke mostly Virginia, Vaper and some Burley blends. First off, this blend is very mellow, no sharp notes, no bite, and alas, very little nicotine to me anyway. Construction wise, I would not really call this a traditional flake. I understand Watch City makes their own blends and "flakes". Now, traditionally a "flake" tobacco is made up of a blend of whole tobacco leaves placed in a press and pressed together to form a very dense plug, which is then sliced into flakes. The pressing allows the tobaccos to marry and often intensifies the flavor. I do not believe this is made from whole-leaf tobaccos, rather I think it is made from pre-cut tobaccos so in effect this is a crumble cake that happens to be sliced. Very thick slides that fall apart when handled. They fall apart into parts that are not unlike the cut of tobaccos like Granger or Prince Albert, not ribbons, which one would expect from traditional flake tobaccos made from whole leaf. If you are OK with this really being a crumble-cake that can't be exactly treated like a traditional flake, then this may be for you. The flavor is nice, no really high notes, like I said, mellow.
Pipe Used:
Various cobs, Peterson system pipes
PurchasedFrom:
Watch City Cigar
Age When Smoked:
Fresh from the mailbox
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 24, 2023 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable to Strong |
When I opened the bag, I smelled a pair of stinky socks that could stand up. The wide, tidy appearance gave me the courage to crumble them into my terracotta bowl (a must for tobaccos testing). The flavor was rich, sweet, spicy, salty, but with all due respect, my lady went into action after the tobacco was lit, patrolling the neighborhood garbage bags and dog kennels. I know some people love blue cheese, but I don't, and thankfully I only have a 2-ounce sample and won't be buying any more.
Pipe Used:
Clay
Age When Smoked:
new
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