Orlik Tobacco Company A/S Golden Sliced (Red Tin)

This one really surprised me. I thought I would give it a go as I am a fan of Virginias and wanted to try something not from Rattray's or Sam Gawith. I wasn't expecting this.

Nice big red tin, with huge rough golden-brown flakes. You have to rip off pieces from the flake, but they stay together as a broken flake. I twist and stuff for a nice tight broken flake pack. The moisture level is just right from the tin. (You wouldn't want to open a tin and leave it a week - it would get too dry.) Tin aroma is just Virginia to me. No topping, no additives, just sweet grassy tobacco.

First light was easy. One char maybe, and you're off. Lots of volume and an immediate Virginia sweetness. Not the complexity of Rattray or SG at first, but very pleasant. Then I noticed how much I was enjoying it. Just the right (quite high) mouth strength, just the right nicotine level (I'd put it at the high end of medium) and the flavours started to get more complex. All the typical pure Virginia stuff - hay, earth, grass, etc. with a hint of pepperiness that kept it interesting. Maybe a little caramel in the flavour, but the interesting tobacco taste kept it well at bay for me. The flavours stay constant through the bowl, with just a build of strength as you progress. It burns dry to a clean white ash and, while I once or twice suspected a hint of bite, it never actually happened.

Do I like it? Oh, yes. And it is a good 12% cheaper than its rivals in the UK too. If I have a criticism, it is that the tin went too quickly.

Tin: OGS comes in gold wrapping paper sealed with an Orlik sticker. It has a soft aroma, the faintest straw scent. It is akin to a vague apricot scent or the aromatic smell of rye bread. Upon opening the tin, one is greeted by a tobacco that is reputed to be "smoked by all shrewd judges." The color is mahogany interspersed with blonde and dark browns. On the bottom of the tin says OGS it has a touch of burley. The square tin does not allow a snug reseal. The tobacco is sliced across the width, giving 2x3" pressed flakes.

Packing & Lighting: Somehow, it is disconcerting that OGS is cut the width of the tin. But it either rolls into a ball or crumbles apart with little effort. Lights with one match; a bowl lasts a long time, with one relight.

Taste & Aroma: Initially a nice, light hay aroma, with a slight cigarette aspect. The burley flavor is definitely there, dulling the VA's with more of a grip than a touch. Mid-bowl, the bowl has a mild peppery raisin scent; some have noticed a hint of a soapy effect. Something provides a floral herb scent: aniseed; with a citrus scent-bergamot has been suggested-left in the bowl. Although it may be termed softly sweet, I don't see it as nutty or caramel. OGS is absolutely biteless and clean burning.

Why was burley added to these light Virginias? Doesn't something have to have been added to give these subtle tastes and aromas? Burley is often used in blends because it readily absorbs additives, or casing juices.

Keep in mind, these are subtle nuances. As has been aptly said, "This blend is reticent to blossom." It really does require a clean bowl, with gentle and light puffing.

Nicotine: By the end of a large bowl, it progressively builds to medium. In a small bowl, mild.

Room Note: The aroma doesn't linger, meaning when you get back to the workshop, they won't wonder what you've been doing.

Overall: OGS is akin to a substance that has been filtered, all the harsh, strong qualities having been washed away, leaving a tobacco with a soft and mellow citrus-herb character, in a diluted form. 3.6 stars for being a delicate smoke.

This is a wonderful flake. It is mild, no tongue bite, and complex. Dont worry about rubbing this out, I find it smokes best just left alone. A must try.

This is the tobacco I base all others on. my only Four Star tobacco as It meets all my requirements. I tried many and always return to Golden Slices. Light, Clean, Sharp, Little bite throughout. The first light taste mainly like smoke and it has to build for a minute. The first third if concentrated on has wheat, grass, light sweetness that builds into a floral nature. 2/3 into the bowl strength has built into Honey Suckle, Light Nuttiness reminding me of the old candy 'Bit-O-Honey'. The Grass/Green note remains throughout. The last 3/3 is wheat/nut virginia flavor, rare and occasional caramel note that doesn't leave your mouth stained or jaded. This is no doubt likely the best all day VA smoke. Rushed does not work well with it, the taste is fragile. A hurried smoke makes for a 'greener' smokier,- but still a decent VA. I have noticed, and perhaps the reason for so many opinions on this- A cheap briar, or a wet one without adequate cake brings out the 'green/grass' notes and hides the others. I hate to break in a pipe on this one. If you are jaded, or smoke a lot of latakia- you will not be able to taste the fragile nature of this. If this is you, Try McClelland Christmas Cheer, Rattrays Marlin Flake, Or Hal O' The Wynd for a natural Virginia that you can still taste. If you want a cheaper option, yet similar, Peter Stokkebye's Luxury Navy Twist is a less diverse but tasty option. Dunhills Light Flake is similar in many ways with zesty nature versus honeylike, I suspect a fan of one would like the other. Remember, use a clean palate, and a good VA dedicated pipe with good cake or you are wasting your time and money.

PS: Golden Slices (Red) in Europe there is an Orlik 'White' that is aromatic. Orlik manufactures dozens of types but only some are availible in the US. Also, The can reads 'Is Harmfull To Health' for the curious....

I smoke a bowl of Golden Sliced a day. Most of the good things about the tobacco have already been said above. However, a faint burly flavor can be tasted in the very back of the palate if you exhale through the nose slowly. And I like this effect. Otherwise, this tobacco delivers a tasty, well-behaved Virginia flavor. Some sort of neutral sweeter has been added, but does not interfere with the tobacco taste. It is quality tobacco, and I agree it could easily be an all day smoke. I would classify it with Luxury Twist Flake, with less pronounced flavor in the sweetener and less bitter aftertaste, which is not a criticism of LTF. Highly recommended. Paddy.

There would be no Henry B - the pipesmoker, if there wasn't Orlik Golden Sliced. For the most part of my pipe smoking career this has been my favourite tobacco. This said, I will not repeat in entire length the qualities of this fine tobacco, that others before me have adequately mentioned, but just give a couple of hints to obtain full pleasure from it. As always, I am being very objective (not really): First, you should devote one (or more) pipe(s) to it, and though it will not interfer with other natural tobaccos, this one will not tolerate any Gawith Hoggarth or Rattray's very well. As a morning smoke, smoke it in a small bowl. It will have a refreshing effect and get you going for the day. As an afternoon smoke, have it with some coffee. I love to sit in the sun on my porch with a huge bowl of this and a steaming mug of my favourite Kenia coffee blend. As an evening smoke, do not pair this with alcoholic beverages with a strong taste. It will ruin the taste of the tobacco.

I let it dry out quite a bit; a freshly opened tin will sit on my desk for at least two days, before I fill a bowl with it. This increases the spiciness. I can understand why this is (allegedly) the most popular tobacco in Denmark. It is perfect for a windy outdoor smoke and will not let you down ever, even if it rained and you relight the bowl after a couple of hours inside. The taste is smooth with hints of honey, anise or licorice. Sometimes it reminds me of caraway ("Kuemmel"). Give it a try.