Drew Estate Gatsby Luxury Flake
(2.93)
Sophisticated, but what does that mean?! This smoke is pleasantly sweet and mild with just the right mix of Cavendish and Sweet Virginia Tobaccos. Ah, People will think you are some sort of afficionado that is what Sophisticated means... Topped with a rich fruit note.
Notes: Initially released under the name Gilded Age Reserve.
Details
| Brand | Drew Estate |
| Blended By | Nicholas Mellilo |
| Manufactured By | Scandinavian Tobacco Group |
| Blend Type | Virginia Based |
| Contents | Cavendish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Fruit / Citrus |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Very Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.93 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 08, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
When I heard that Drew Estate flipped the store's sign to close, I was a bit crushed since they make Grand Central, one of my absolute favorite blends. It got me wondering what other tasty treats I potentially will be missing out on, so I decided to grab a lone tin of Gatsby Luxury Flake.
I have had several flakes before, but this was the first time I've tackled one uncut mega strip wedged into a tin. It was a maddening pain to manage. You had to simply pick at the edges for little chunks to rub out. A task made more difficult while outside in the winter cold.
The shredded wheat biscuit inside smelled sweet and sort of reminded me of the briny smell of Miso soup seaweed. It was milder than other Virginia's I had smoked, with less of a "barn/hay" taste, nor did I detect any of the advertised fruit flavor.
It's funny to think the minute differences in taste between similar tobacco blends should even register with many pipe smokers, who likely have unsensitive 'smoked-out' taste buds. So, if taste is being assessed equally, the hassle to pack this stuff, made Gatsby one unluxurious flake. For my money I would stick with Escudo Navy De Luxe for that Virginia itch.
I have had several flakes before, but this was the first time I've tackled one uncut mega strip wedged into a tin. It was a maddening pain to manage. You had to simply pick at the edges for little chunks to rub out. A task made more difficult while outside in the winter cold.
The shredded wheat biscuit inside smelled sweet and sort of reminded me of the briny smell of Miso soup seaweed. It was milder than other Virginia's I had smoked, with less of a "barn/hay" taste, nor did I detect any of the advertised fruit flavor.
It's funny to think the minute differences in taste between similar tobacco blends should even register with many pipe smokers, who likely have unsensitive 'smoked-out' taste buds. So, if taste is being assessed equally, the hassle to pack this stuff, made Gatsby one unluxurious flake. For my money I would stick with Escudo Navy De Luxe for that Virginia itch.
PurchasedFrom:
pipesandcigars.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 20, 2014 | Medium | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I was fast on my first 1/3 of the bowl.. I thought it was rough and had a acid scent in the smoke.. after that it came in to its own and i really started to enjoy it, I got a touch of black tea on the taste at the end. I got two tins ill store one for a while and see how some age effects the taste in a year or so.. not a fav yet but it will do
Pipe Used:
E.A. Carey billiard
PurchasedFrom:
Pipesandcigars.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 23, 2016 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Mild to Medium | Very Strong |
Drew Estate - Gatsby Luxury Flake.
Just like Orlik Golden Sliced, the presentation is one long flake coiled up. When I take the tobacco out of the tin there's only the tiniest amount of oil/juice on the paper; the moisture's great. So, if you choose to crumble your flake (as I do), a fine consistency can be achieved easily. Getting a bowl of Gatsby ignited is simple, and it burns steadily right from word go.
I like the taste, but I find it relatively simple. I don't get much fruit/citrus; maybe a very slight citrus edge but nothing more than that. The main flavour's a quality Cavendish one: Virginia and honey. For the nicotine I'll go with the majority of reviewers: mild to medium. Although the burn's even, it's too warm, making the pipe uncomfortable to hold, and burning my tongue! The aroma from the room-note's nice, but it makes too much smoke; it's unbearable for other people. I'll finish on a positive: due to the heat, when it comes to emptying the pipe out there's only pure ash in the bowl; everything's been incinerated!
This isn't the worst blend, the taste is O.K, but on the whole it's a bit of a disappointment.
Somewhat recommended.
Just like Orlik Golden Sliced, the presentation is one long flake coiled up. When I take the tobacco out of the tin there's only the tiniest amount of oil/juice on the paper; the moisture's great. So, if you choose to crumble your flake (as I do), a fine consistency can be achieved easily. Getting a bowl of Gatsby ignited is simple, and it burns steadily right from word go.
I like the taste, but I find it relatively simple. I don't get much fruit/citrus; maybe a very slight citrus edge but nothing more than that. The main flavour's a quality Cavendish one: Virginia and honey. For the nicotine I'll go with the majority of reviewers: mild to medium. Although the burn's even, it's too warm, making the pipe uncomfortable to hold, and burning my tongue! The aroma from the room-note's nice, but it makes too much smoke; it's unbearable for other people. I'll finish on a positive: due to the heat, when it comes to emptying the pipe out there's only pure ash in the bowl; everything's been incinerated!
This isn't the worst blend, the taste is O.K, but on the whole it's a bit of a disappointment.
Somewhat recommended.
Pipe Used:
Stanwell Pipe Of Year 2016
PurchasedFrom:
Smokingpipes'com
Age When Smoked:
Three months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 26, 2015 | Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
Drew estates can always be counted on to give a daily smoke tobacco. This upon opening held a very light smell. Rolling into a pipe was easy. First light came rather slow and sputtered to death. Took three matches to light. Tamp down and smoked. Again it produced a very light smoke with bland taste. Nothing jumps out here at all. Reminded me of eating apple. A lot of work but not much flavor. Became slightly sweeter half way down but quickly died a death of 1000 knives. I will jar the tin but it was a bust for flavor or enjoyment. Just bland tobacco.
Pipe Used:
Comoy
PurchasedFrom:
JR'S Cigar Outlet
Age When Smoked:
fresh tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 11, 2014 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I would call this "just okay", nothing exceptional by any stretch. It is a very light colored "bright" virginia with just traces of dark ( the cavendish? ). It also starts better than it finishes, my bowls are usually interrupted requiring Relights which brought out an ashieness for a couple of puffs. Will likely finish the tin but not buy again.
Pipe Used:
Savinelli, Peterson, Ascorti
PurchasedFrom:
Edwards Lakeland Fl
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 26, 2017 | Mild | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Bland. Nice to look at. Needs age. Putting this one away for awhile. I will return to give this a fair and thorough review. Check back, Cheers!
Pipe Used:
Cob and a medium briar Billiard
PurchasedFrom:
Cigars international
Age When Smoked:
New to 6 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 13, 2017 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I was recently gifted a tin by my local tobacconist. After smoking my first pipe-full, I felt compelled to read reviews for this blend, as I picked up a distinct and foul note in the aroma. While burning, the smoke directly from the bowl had a very pronounced ammonia-like smell that burns my nasal passage not unlike a good dose of horseradish. It quickly dissipates when mixed with the air though and the overall room note is enjoyable enough. Somewhere between late autumn and vanilla sugar cookies. I was just so curious about this ammonia smell though. Is this a common occurrence? It is for sure the first time I have experienced this and though I am relatively new to pipe smoking (coming up on a year) I have smoked my way through a considerable variety whilst searching for my favourite blends. This particular Virginia may not make said list for me, but I will certainly smoke this tin and consider getting another to see how it is with age. This tobacco is bright and mildly sweet to me and overall, I'd recommend it to fans of similar blends. It burned slow and even, leaving a nice white ash and only the smallest hint of moisture. I only had to re-light my bowl once. Sweet and light, I believe this certainly qualifies as an 'all-day smoke'
Pipe Used:
Bjarne Viking Skagen, Virgin Acorn-Bent
PurchasedFrom:
Allegheny Smokeworks Pittsburgh, PA
Age When Smoked:
Previously opened tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 02, 2014 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Long, folded flakes ~ to Reiner's GF in appearance with mostly yellow and some darker brown sections. Even though the tin was vacuum sealed when received, the tobacco was much drier than my preference. Smoked cool and without bite or condensation. I found the taste relatively flat but that may be due to the absence of any Perique. A typical Cavendish taste that I won't try again.
Pipe Used:
jobey; comoy
PurchasedFrom:
pipesand cigars.com
Age When Smoked:
1 year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 07, 2018 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I received a jar of GLF along with a bunch of other tobaccos that I hadn't tried in a recent bulk purchase.
No date on the jar but I knew it was out of production.
The appearance is similar to Capstan or Orlik Golden Slice but I found that it doesn't seem to have the same burn characteristics or taste. Maybe it was the fruit topping or the cavendish.
lit easily with no relights required. Had to go slow to keep it from steaming my tongue.
There are enough better similar flakes out there, that I won't be sorry this one is off the market.
No date on the jar but I knew it was out of production.
The appearance is similar to Capstan or Orlik Golden Slice but I found that it doesn't seem to have the same burn characteristics or taste. Maybe it was the fruit topping or the cavendish.
lit easily with no relights required. Had to go slow to keep it from steaming my tongue.
There are enough better similar flakes out there, that I won't be sorry this one is off the market.
Pipe Used:
Morgan Blackjack Poker
Age When Smoked:
unknown
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