Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation 1855
(3.03)
1855 is a ready-rubbed blend of exceptional golden, mature Virginia tobaccos that demonstrates the natural sweet Virginia taste and its pleasant aroma.
Notes: Erik Stokkebye's great-grandfather Erik Peter founded the family's tobacco business in Denmark. Erik Peter was known for his deep passion for natural tobacco flavors, so Erik selected the 1855 blend in his honor.
Details
| Brand | Erik Stokkebye |
| Blended By | Erik Stokkebye |
| Manufactured By | Scandinavian Tobacco Group |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ready Rubbed |
| Packaging | 100 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.03 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 13 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 06, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Unnoticeable |
Gents, and Ladies if you're out there,
This is my first tobacco review anywhere, ever.
First a bit of history:
I am a relatively new smoker. I began to smoke only in 2013, at the age of 62. I took to it, now work in a pipe shop and own about 15 pipes, which is a lot for a guy who doesn't collect pipes.
When I began smoking I thought I was smoking mostly Latakia blends sold in bulk by my local tobacconist. What I was actually doing, I think, was trying to learn how to keep the pipe lit without getting it too hot.
After a year or so I met a guy name Tom who seemed to know a lot about tinned tobaccos. So I thought I'd give them a try. By this time I had read some of the reviews on this website and was, very simply, amazed at the perception of the reviewers and the complexity of the flavors that they could detect and comment on. I decided to start with Virginias, exclusively for a year or so, because believed that I needed to learn the basics first and Virginia Tobacco seems about as basic as you're going to get it the world of tobacco.
I have been smoking Pure Virginias, VaP blends and Virginia Burley Blends for about four months now. I continue to avoid Aromatic Blends, although I do like to sit in a room where someone else is smoking one of them.
My Review:
Upon opening the generously sized tin the scent is that of a clean barn with a lot of hay in it. You can smell the whole barn: the hay, the wood of which the barn is made and maybe your little sister eating an orange in the tack room. (I live in California where barns are almost always made of Redwood, which has a distinctive scent.)
Texture, Appearance and Burn: The tobacco is ready rubbed and has a pleasing rustic look that is in keeping with the above mentioned scents the colors, an array of golds and browns, that are literally beautiful. It is packed into a rather firm cake, perhaps to ensure a decent life once the lid is cracked or to make sure that you get plenty or tobacco for your money. In either case, the tobacco separates readily under the hand and packs perfectly every time. I have found that I can pack it quite tightly yet still enjoy an easy draw through the whole pipe. It burns uniformly to the bottom of the bowl leaving a dry white ash throughout with no dottle, by which I mean smoked tobacco goo.
Flavor: Quite sweet. the flavor is consistent throughout the bowl. Predominantly Hay, Lighter on the Citrus than some other straight Virginias, a quality which I find pleasing - ("If I wanted a lemon I'd eat a D---ed lemon." 😉 There is also a quality that suggests to me some aging of at least some of the constituent tobaccos, a fulness of body not always present in a straight Virginia. This accentuates the complexity of this flavorful blend of Virginias. While not overpowering in any sense of the word, 1855 is no lightweight and will reward and, in my own case, educate the attentive smoker.
Conclusion: This is my favorite tobacco. I always keep a tin in my house or on my person. I love opening the tin, smelling it, packing it, lighting it and smoking it. In fact, writing this review has made me hungry for some and I am going to go smoke a bowl right now.
Best regards my friends.
This is my first tobacco review anywhere, ever.
First a bit of history:
I am a relatively new smoker. I began to smoke only in 2013, at the age of 62. I took to it, now work in a pipe shop and own about 15 pipes, which is a lot for a guy who doesn't collect pipes.
When I began smoking I thought I was smoking mostly Latakia blends sold in bulk by my local tobacconist. What I was actually doing, I think, was trying to learn how to keep the pipe lit without getting it too hot.
After a year or so I met a guy name Tom who seemed to know a lot about tinned tobaccos. So I thought I'd give them a try. By this time I had read some of the reviews on this website and was, very simply, amazed at the perception of the reviewers and the complexity of the flavors that they could detect and comment on. I decided to start with Virginias, exclusively for a year or so, because believed that I needed to learn the basics first and Virginia Tobacco seems about as basic as you're going to get it the world of tobacco.
I have been smoking Pure Virginias, VaP blends and Virginia Burley Blends for about four months now. I continue to avoid Aromatic Blends, although I do like to sit in a room where someone else is smoking one of them.
My Review:
Upon opening the generously sized tin the scent is that of a clean barn with a lot of hay in it. You can smell the whole barn: the hay, the wood of which the barn is made and maybe your little sister eating an orange in the tack room. (I live in California where barns are almost always made of Redwood, which has a distinctive scent.)
Texture, Appearance and Burn: The tobacco is ready rubbed and has a pleasing rustic look that is in keeping with the above mentioned scents the colors, an array of golds and browns, that are literally beautiful. It is packed into a rather firm cake, perhaps to ensure a decent life once the lid is cracked or to make sure that you get plenty or tobacco for your money. In either case, the tobacco separates readily under the hand and packs perfectly every time. I have found that I can pack it quite tightly yet still enjoy an easy draw through the whole pipe. It burns uniformly to the bottom of the bowl leaving a dry white ash throughout with no dottle, by which I mean smoked tobacco goo.
Flavor: Quite sweet. the flavor is consistent throughout the bowl. Predominantly Hay, Lighter on the Citrus than some other straight Virginias, a quality which I find pleasing - ("If I wanted a lemon I'd eat a D---ed lemon." 😉 There is also a quality that suggests to me some aging of at least some of the constituent tobaccos, a fulness of body not always present in a straight Virginia. This accentuates the complexity of this flavorful blend of Virginias. While not overpowering in any sense of the word, 1855 is no lightweight and will reward and, in my own case, educate the attentive smoker.
Conclusion: This is my favorite tobacco. I always keep a tin in my house or on my person. I love opening the tin, smelling it, packing it, lighting it and smoking it. In fact, writing this review has made me hungry for some and I am going to go smoke a bowl right now.
Best regards my friends.
Pipe Used:
Dunhill Bent Bulldog; Stanwell Bulldogs, & more.
PurchasedFrom:
E. Crosby, Tobacconist
Age When Smoked:
Always smoked within a month of purchase.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 08, 2014 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The man who gave this a 1 star review is a paradox. He raves about Mac Baren's VA no.1 and claims that this blend is almost identical, then gives it 1 star. Yes, it is nearly identical to VA no. 1, but it is NOT the same blend. To me, this 1855 is like a higher grade version of VA#1. It's not as prone to biting your tongue (though all VA's should be sipped slowly). It is slightly creamier, yet has that same delicious hay-like honeyed sweetness. I LOVE THIS STUFF. If I had to pick one tobacco to smoke the rest of my life, this just might be it- right up there with Dunhill Flake and Orlik. Highly recommended for patient experienced VA smokers. Some complain about the price, but keep in mind these tins are double the size of your standard tin. Buy some!
Pipe Used:
Peterson Meerschaum, MM Cob, Aldo Velani Milano
PurchasedFrom:
Beehive Cigars, Salt Lake City, UT
Age When Smoked:
1.5 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 01, 2015 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Very Pleasant |
This one confuses the heck out of me. It's advertised as pure matured VAs with no flavoring. But there's a huge, fruity aroma when you pop the tin, and the room note is like an aro. P&C is convinced it has some kind of topping as well and said the factory classifies it as an aro. So, I emailed 4th Generation to ask, and none other than Erik Stokkebye himself emailed me back and said it's just matured VAs with no topping. Totally confused.
Topping or not, this stuff is fabulous. It's got a ton of golden VA sweetness in every puff, medium body and a gorgeous room note that even my wife can appreciate. It is a bit wet from the tin, but with some drying, it is one heck of a smoke. It's definitely worth trying, and should age very, very well with that high sugar content. Try it!
Topping or not, this stuff is fabulous. It's got a ton of golden VA sweetness in every puff, medium body and a gorgeous room note that even my wife can appreciate. It is a bit wet from the tin, but with some drying, it is one heck of a smoke. It's definitely worth trying, and should age very, very well with that high sugar content. Try it!
Pipe Used:
Savinelli 1988, Brigham Volcano
PurchasedFrom:
P&C
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 14, 2017 | Extremely Mild | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
My first foray in the the ES tobaccos.
Tin note is ridiculously sweet, like, jelly beans, grape Kool-aid. But there are lots of neat subtle hints of something darker in there too. Straight virginia? They say the same of Mellow Mallard (Dan) and it offers some similar fruity notes.
Big lumps of golden flake and rubbed flake. A bit sticky. In the pipe it takes fire just fine and stayed lit for me right to the bottom, I was able to relight a few times but basically the pipe was smoked out.
Very sweet virginia, really pleasant. No nicotine at all, which suits me. Not sharp or zesty, you could smoke this with a ferocious pace and not get tongue bite. Very friendly tobacco, probably a good intro to virginias for those looking for a gateway Va! Looking forward to the rest of this tobacco series.
Tin note is ridiculously sweet, like, jelly beans, grape Kool-aid. But there are lots of neat subtle hints of something darker in there too. Straight virginia? They say the same of Mellow Mallard (Dan) and it offers some similar fruity notes.
Big lumps of golden flake and rubbed flake. A bit sticky. In the pipe it takes fire just fine and stayed lit for me right to the bottom, I was able to relight a few times but basically the pipe was smoked out.
Very sweet virginia, really pleasant. No nicotine at all, which suits me. Not sharp or zesty, you could smoke this with a ferocious pace and not get tongue bite. Very friendly tobacco, probably a good intro to virginias for those looking for a gateway Va! Looking forward to the rest of this tobacco series.
Pipe Used:
Castello big n small
Age When Smoked:
1 yr
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2015 | Mild | None Detected | Full | Pleasant |
I was surprised by this bend. For price compared to other things that were available where I bought this, 1855 is a damned good bargain.
The tin note is of stewed tomatoes and sweet/sour citrus. Similar to a 'McClelland ketchup' and fresh Dunhill Flake if they were combined.
Flavor is pretty much the same as tin note, the only difference being more unified than in the tin. Sweet lemongrass with a little savory and tartness.
This blend will likely find a permanent home in my cellar! I can only imagine how well this would age.
The tin note is of stewed tomatoes and sweet/sour citrus. Similar to a 'McClelland ketchup' and fresh Dunhill Flake if they were combined.
Flavor is pretty much the same as tin note, the only difference being more unified than in the tin. Sweet lemongrass with a little savory and tartness.
This blend will likely find a permanent home in my cellar! I can only imagine how well this would age.
Pipe Used:
Missouri Meerschaum Legend
Age When Smoked:
fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 07, 2012 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is the straight bright Virginia in Erik's new line. It appears as a fully rubbed out flake. Many thick ribbons. Smells haylike in the tin.
Easy to pack and keep lit. No bite to me (if you control the cadence). Nice amount of flavor for a straight Virginia. However, I did not find it strong as suggested, either in taste or in nicotine.
It has a natural, refined sweetness to it. Not honey. Again to me it smells and tastes of natural tobacco. Aged sure. I could be fooled but if it had much in the way of additives it would be sensed more I believe.
I remember tasting something similar from I believe Sobranie House some 40 years ago. It was called Virginia something, and it was a finer cut. It was a duller taste but nice. This one is a bit richer, even if not enhanced by condiments.
It also reminds me quite a bit of N.Y. Connoisser's Cavendish, also now gone, but that one may have had a bit more Indonesian oils added.
Very nice tobacco. I had an ounce to sample from Erik a couple of months ago that I much enjoyed, and the several more bowls now from the tin are just as good if not better.
I believe this should be puffed slowly, as with any Virginia, and if you speed up it may lose flavor or become too warm. The flavors are delicate enough to lose in a storm of puffs. That's where the experience suggested comes in.
Best for straight Virginia smokers.
Easy to pack and keep lit. No bite to me (if you control the cadence). Nice amount of flavor for a straight Virginia. However, I did not find it strong as suggested, either in taste or in nicotine.
It has a natural, refined sweetness to it. Not honey. Again to me it smells and tastes of natural tobacco. Aged sure. I could be fooled but if it had much in the way of additives it would be sensed more I believe.
I remember tasting something similar from I believe Sobranie House some 40 years ago. It was called Virginia something, and it was a finer cut. It was a duller taste but nice. This one is a bit richer, even if not enhanced by condiments.
It also reminds me quite a bit of N.Y. Connoisser's Cavendish, also now gone, but that one may have had a bit more Indonesian oils added.
Very nice tobacco. I had an ounce to sample from Erik a couple of months ago that I much enjoyed, and the several more bowls now from the tin are just as good if not better.
I believe this should be puffed slowly, as with any Virginia, and if you speed up it may lose flavor or become too warm. The flavors are delicate enough to lose in a storm of puffs. That's where the experience suggested comes in.
Best for straight Virginia smokers.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 23, 2019 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Finally, the thirteenth pint canning jar of thirteen that I got in a collection I bought at our last show. I am not a devotee of straight Virginia blends and didn't know what I would get with this one. No problem, as it smoked well above my expectations. The blend looks like MacBaren Virginia #1 and Orlik Golden Sliced. However, it was like smoking both of them with the periperal harshness removed. 1855 is a mello Virginia that has a deeper bottom note than other blond Virginias I have smoked and I liked that. The other attribute that I liked was that this beautiful Virginia smoke lasted all the way down the bowl; somewhat unusual for a blond Virginia blend in my experience. As an English smoker, it is surprising to hear myself say these things about 1855 and I give it the four stars it deserves.
Pipe Used:
John Eells Squat Bulldog-2008 NASPC yearpipe
PurchasedFrom:
a former pipe smoker
Age When Smoked:
unknown but not recent
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 22, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is an amazing mixture of fine Virginia's. My first smoke of this was a 5 year aged tin from a B&M. Boy did that make me want more. It has that deep tangy, sweet, hay flavor with citrus, earth and spice. There are a lot of good Virginia's out there dont get me wrong, but this one is unpretentious, smooth and consistent. Does everything you want it to do down to a fine ash. I believe it when Erik Stokkebye says there is no topping and even if there is, all I can taste is carefully selected Virginia's. I smoke primarily Virginia's and this one is reflected well in my stocks. Not sure how you'll fair if you expect this to be a Virginia killer but smoke this blend with a little age indoors with your favorite drink. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
Note: Jim Inks is never wrong to my tastes. But remember tastes are subjective even if his notes are objective.
Note: Jim Inks is never wrong to my tastes. But remember tastes are subjective even if his notes are objective.
Pipe Used:
Dedicated Virginia Pipes
Age When Smoked:
1 to 5 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 05, 2018 | Very Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
One of the best Virginias I have ever smoked. It smells good, burns well, and there is no bite. Mild in nicotine, this tobacco is very close to natural Virginia and can be a good all day companion. Enjoy it, in particular, in the summertime.
Pipe Used:
Nording
PurchasedFrom:
tobaccopipes.com
Age When Smoked:
new out of tine
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jan 28, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Very nice and smooth tobacco. Hints of honey&vanilla but it doesn't shadow the nice grassy Virginia at all. One of my favorites. This review is based on three tins and I will buy more of it.
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