Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation 1957

Ce tabac trouve un équilibre très savoureux entre le gout naturel de la plante et l'arôme de la vanille. Il est, par exemple, moins fort en arôme que le Mac Baren Vanilla cream (classic loose cut) ou encore l'Alsbo Sungold. La qualité du mélange est d'une haute manufacture, comme le chacom 3. Rare pour un aromatique, les saveurs ne s'effondrent pas au troisième tiers. La vanille, légère mais tout de même présente, reste jusqu'à la fin de la pipe quasiment. La room note est, en tout état de cause, sublime. Un tabac cher à l'achat (en France) mais qui vous laissera d'excellents moments de dégustation.

Recently I reviewed some tins that lingered on my show tables for a number of years. Here is another one; Eric Stokkebye 4th Generation 1957. I had no trouble selling other 4th Generation blends like 1855, a four star Virginia, and the two Englishes, 1882 and 1966. So, let's open it and find out what is what. Nicely sealed, the tobacco inside is a narrow range of browns and golden browns and is presented as a medium ribbon cut. Although I thought it looked familiar, it was the tin aroma that made me think of Mac Baren blends. Indeed, several reviewers have compared it to Mac Baren 7 Seas Gold; a blend I have not smoked. There was something else in the tin aroma and I was initially confused as to what it was. About a half an hour of airing out proved it to be Vanilla over a pipe blend aroma. The next morning the pipe blend aroma had weakened and the Vanilla was left as the stronger aroma. The Vanilla lasted about halfway through the top third of my test smoke leaving a curiously weak VaBur behind. I never got much more in the flavor department until we crossed over into the bottom third where, finally, some pipe tobacco enjoyment was generated. This is the fingerprint of a weak blend and I agree with reviewer Emeritus Account 2016-01-28 that this blend is very light and unassertive. Using 1957 in micro blending was a neutral experience at best. Not offensive, or anything, I just found it to be a weak and thin smoke - two stars.

Heavenly tin note, good burn characteristics, barely any bite - you have to really ask for it and fabulous flavour. Still, core tobacco characteristics do come through the smoke so it's not just stuff thrown in together but carefully designed blend. This is highly recommended aromatic.

An overall pleasant blend. The blend is sweet but the vanilla is not overpowering.

The tin note is very rich and the tobacco is very moist.

It burns well, maybe a little hot, with moisture collecting in the bowl.

Upon opening the tin you are met with a treat for both your eyes and your nose. Before you is a wonderfully colourful tobacco with a heady aroma. Firstly I got the obvious scent of the added vanilla but on delving around with my nose i detected quite a lot of fruit. A scent I would best describe as apricot in nature. I can only assume this a natural smell coming from the tobacco.

For my first bowl I selected my old war horse, a small no name unfiltered briar. This turned out to be a bit of a mistake as this blend can be a tad on the warm side if your not careful. As such i will base my review on my later bowls, these i enjoyed in a chacom calabash with a stinger condenser.

I find this tobacco takes the flame rather well and does not need to be re-lit if not ignored. Firstly you are greeted with a lovely creamy vanilla and in the background I found the fruit that I mentioned earlier producing both a sweet and slightly sour combination that only added to the flavour profile. Upon reaching the half way point the added flavours give way somewhat to allow the more natural tobacco flavours to come through. To my palette these are well balanced and most enjoyable. As I approach the final embers I find only the slightest suggestion of the original flavour profile remains but this is for me a blend that can be enjoyed to the very bottom of the bowl.

I have read with interest some reviews that compare this blend to 7 seas and while I can see that it is in the same ball park this is in a very different league. 1957 I find is much more refined and has more to offer IMHO. If areo' s are your thing you really should give this one a try and if they are not your thing you may still be pleasantly surprised as the flavours are not too forced or artificial

Nice, flavorful smoke that is smooth and creamy throughout the entire bowl. I agree with Kraft1994 that there's an aftertaste that I've not experienced with other tobaccos; can't quite put my finger on just what it is. I purchased the larger tin to add to my cellar and will revisit this blend later.

I got this tobacco from a rep that comes into my shop. It comes in 100g tins, and upon opening, the vanilla notes are quite roomy. It is a little bit stringy for my taste, as well as being a touch too wet.

This tobacco burns at a fairly average temperature. Strength is average, won't leave you with a buzz but won't leave you wanting more either.

Vanilla and nuttiness are the primary flavours here. One note, you HAVE to smoke it to the very bottom of the bowl because it will leave quite a bit of moisture in your bowl if you don't.

Recommended for newer smokers and aromatic enthusiasts.

Sorry I did not mean to review this one (except a few bowl sample), but I did review the other two 4th Generation naturals. (I smoked many bowls of them.) I guess Erik should have given them names rather than numbers so they can be remembered better.

When opened my tin was already 3 years old.

Seems that the aging sublimated the casing and topping in a level that the tobacco smell(just after cracking the tin) was not strong, the moisture was not dump or even close to wet, the paper around the tobacco was colored by the time so i imagine that the experience smoking a fresh tin can be totally different. What i can say is that this tobacco is really good. Burns in a good pace, does not give tongue bite. The added flavors are faint and stays always in the background. The smoke is dense and really sweet. Really pleasant experience.

The nicotine level is not low but for me still lacking some N vitamin. I won´t consider it as a dessert aromatic despite its sweetness, it reminds some of others aro i had before, i cannot remember which was but for sure i smoked something really similar before. Maybe for this reason i won´t give it 4 stars, i don´t feel like i´m smoking something unique or splendid.

It deserves a solid 3 stars, i won´t put it at the top of my list but i can see myself buying it again in the future.
Go for it dude!