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

I avoided this blend for a long time because it is classed as a "VaPer" (and I do not like perique in the slightest). However, reading some further reviews I saw people comment that if there is perique in this, it's very little at most, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.

They were correct. You get a tiny, tiny bit of perique, but only on the retrohale and if you didn't realize it was in the "recipe" you might not even take note and solely attribute the bit of 'spice' to the Virginias.

Anyway, it has that sweet grassiness that you generally want out of a straight Virginia flake, so all said I would class it as a success. I would say Gawith FVF would still be my first choice, but if, like me, you've been avoiding this because of the perique, well, don't worry about it. because it really doesn't feature anymore than it does in something like SPC Plum Pudding (which technically has it as well).

World-renowned blend. Smells of fresh citrus and tastes too. Can be found easily almost everywhere in Denmark and it's the ideal EDC tobacco for your daily needs.

Simple, relatively mild, easy to smoke. Works in multiple pipes relatively well. I like it late afternoon, and it’s nice on warm days. Reviewing from the standpoint of having smoked less that 20 tobaccos, this is neither in my top 3, nor in the bottom half of my ranked list.

Presentation: The red tin with the wig wearing gentleman catches the eye for sure. "Smoked by all shrewd judges."

Cut: Comes in neat little flakes if I remember correctly, although I've had this rubbed out in a jar for about two years now. I remember it being at perfect moisture level when I bought it.

Tin note: I'm not great with smells, but I smell sweet raisins and a faint red wine smell.

Tasting notes: You will taste a sharp bright virginia taste. Grassy/hay along with a tangy, sometimes tart citrus, lemon note. I don't taste any perique. I thought this was a straight bright virginia blend ever since I bought it. Only upon seeing the blend info while posting this review did I find out this was a VaPer -- if that gives you any indication of how irrelevant the perique is in this blend.

Mechanics: This blend might bite. If it is wet, (mine was perfect) be sure to give it some dry time and don't smoke it too fast.

Extra Remarks: A solid but simple blend and great for beginners looking to try a bright virginia blend. I'd give it two stars for my preferences -- I find nothing but bright virginia kind of boring. BUT, for what this blend is, it is solid. If you like this flavor profile it will be excellent for you. 3 stars.

A standard VaPer. Super raisin-y, bready, with a hint of grass. I actually think I prefer this fresh, as the 4yo jar I have seems too mild now. Very little tongue bite if enjoyed slowly and leaves little dottle.

Reminds me of Stokkebye luxury flake, but without the depth and less unctuous. Don’t get me wrong, this is awesome, but it’s not the end-all/be-all VaPer.

I prefer the fold & stuff method with this, perhaps roughed up a little beforehand. 😉

TASTES LIKE BEANS

Beans - a 25 word essay, by No Bordh:

Beans is a word. If I talk about beans enough, there will be twenty five of them.

This blend tastes like beans.

Beans beans beans beans.

Every pipe user I know in China has tasted it. Was the best tobacco that I could buy at 7$ (because of a lot of smuggling?).

The new tin must be stored for more than 2 years to eliminate its grassy taste.

It is easy to burn, from the beginning to the end of the fragrance and sweet. The only problem is that it is not friendly to the tongue.

I plan to give 2 stars, considering the price/performance ratio, so it is 3 stars.

This is a great Virginia Flake. It's a nice, cheap smoke that tastes good. This isn't your cheap drug store tobaccos, nor is it your High End $30 tin tobaccos. It has a nice sweetness with some floral notes and wasn't found to be harsh at all. Overall, this is one of my ”Alone on an Island” tobaccos. I could honestly smoke this blend day by day.

Initially I was almost appalled with Orlik Golden Sliced. It is indeed a Bright Virginia from look to taste. But alas, at Orlik (or STG or whatever…) they had the idea to enhance the tobaccos identity as a Bright Virginia by adding …Bright Virginia aromas to it. The effect of this is that the tobacco loses its natural feel. The added aromas are some kind of citrus, probably a touch of licorice to add some dark perique-resembling notes and a slight touch of a floral perfumy scent. (This last, but in excess, I think I find in DAN tobaccos Little Wren which tastes like an eau de cologne).

After recovering from my shock, I decided to blend the tobacco at a ratio of 1/3 to 2/3 of Orientals and it did produce a very fine mixture, comparable to the one I make using Gawiths Golden Glow as the Bright Virginia Base. I then tried Golden Sliced straight again, and though it tastes a little artificial, I found it this time more to my liking, but still the added taste makes me tired of it fairly quickly.

It’s not bad, yet I prefer Golden Glow, or indeed C&D superb Opening Night, but it serves me very nicely when mixed with Orientals. Moisture was perfect, no need for drying my tin. Easy to fold or rub, although you get some residual dust and it needs some care otherwise it can be a little harsh to the tongue.