Peretti Oxford Flake

An outstanding Virginia flake offering from Peretti. Straight and smooth, excellent cut, no tricks. Oxford smokes slow and cool, all the way through to the end of the bowl. I also pack the flake, leaving a little room for a pinch or two I've rubbed to assist in lighting. Besides, the aroma of a rubbed Virginia flake is exquisite. Though Oxford could very easily be a one-match light, out of politeness to the tobacco, I used two. I was looking for a no-nonsense Virginia blend, and Peretti delivered exactly what I was searching for. Slightly peppery at the top, rich and earthy through the middle, with an implied promise of repeated pleasure at the end (as in, 'Please, smoke me some more'). Beware. Oxford almost begs to be sucked down. I had to rein myself in a couple of times in order to give this smoke its full due.

Peretti delivered promptly, the tobacco was in perfect smoking condition when it arrived, and it served as a great focal point for thought on a rainy Texas day. I also received their Royal Blend the same day. If their mastery of Virginias extends to English blends, I can't wait. Of course, they've been around for over 130 years, so I don't think I'll be disappointed.

Four stars, and an extra half for great service.

What a wonderful flake tobacco. Reminds me of McClelland Christmas Cheer. I love the fermented smell of the tobacco. Sweet clean aroma. Rub the broken flakes and let dry for about 20 minutes and loaded up my pipe. Smokes clean to the bottom. A straight forward Virginia that didn't burn the tongue. The taste was smooth and mild. If you're looking to replace Christmas Cheer this is the one.

This isn't for the smoker who enjoys sugar-and-cream in the centre of their tobacco.

Oxford Flake is a no-nonsense and old-fashioned type of smoke. By most certain accounts, a traditional English blend.

I was given about 100g as a gift and put it into a mason jar to age in my cellar. 8 months later, when I smoked some in various pipes to give it a general character rating, I was very happy to discover that it smoked wonderfully in all of the pipes I had chosen for the venture.

It smokes wonderfully in a churchwarden and the taste is only enhanced from a cool smoke. It also does well in meerschaum, corncob, and the various shapes of normal briar.

This is a good tobacco for the year-round and does best during rainy days and indoors.

4 stars from me.

As my user name states, I am a newbie to the briarhood. I am, however, no spring chicken when it comes to tobacco. I am also a New Englander, and I live close to LJ Peretti in Boston. I am lucky, and I am a proud smoker of several Peretti pipes. I am also lucky enough to have a nice portion of Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake. I bought 4 ounces year ago, shortly before everyone started complaining there was none left. I have smoked many bowls of SG's revered flake. And yeah, it's good, but what's the big deal? Right now, I am smoking some of Peretti's Oxford Flake in a Peterson System 315. It isn't the first or the only pipe bowl graced with Oxford Flake. In fact, I usually smoke Oxford Flake in one of my dedicated smaller-bowl Peretti pipes. I am ripping through my Oxford Flake. It seems it really doesn't matter what dedicated pipe I pack with Oxford Flake because it always delivers. The strength is perfect. The level of Vitamin N is conducive to relaxation. The flavor is straight tobacco without any detectable flavoring. The room note, for me, is relaxing and compliments the heating season like a warm fire. The taste is a blast of rich, and tasty, malty, espressoy and unsweetened-chocolatey goodness. Stop perseverating over a perceived lack of Virginia flake. It's out there. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I usually find straight Virginias to be rather bland, thus, if you read my other reviews you'll see that I like the extra kick of Perique. I have found Peretti's flake blends to be of such fine quality however, that I am determined to try them all.

I was not disappointed with Oxford Flake. Despite its being a straight Virginia, it is quite flavorful, smooth, with no tongue bite. It lights easier than either London Flake (still my overall favorite) or Scottish Flake, which Peretti claims is its fullest bodied flake, although I do not find it so. The flavor, or notes if you will, remain consistent throughout the bowl and burning remains even throughout as well. The room note is somewhat bland, maybe even stale, but I don't smoke a blend for its room note. Flavor is slightly sweet and clean- no after tastes. Clearly no additives in this blend. Very pleasant smoking. A good switch off from the tongue biting characteristics of Perique. Sort of cleans the palate. Very nice, straightforward yet flavorful blend.

Edit 3/10/07: I just bought another 8 oz. of Oxford Flake for a change of pace from my usual London Flake. My impressions remain as I wrote above, but I am also finding that it smokes exceptionally well in my small bowl bent apple meerscahum. I have three meerschaum pipes that I bought mainly for looks but have found that they don't bring out the flavors as do my briars. Oxford Flake seems different in this regard. This stuff is growing on me and I have changed my recommendation to "highly recommended."

This is not a tobacco for those wanting a "candy flavored" blend. I found it full of zip to start, but settling down to a smooth, slightly spicy, flavor-rich smoke. This was my first experience with a flake, but I'd recommend it to anyone wanting more than the usual cased blends without going the English blend route. It's a dry smoke, a bit hard (for me) to light, but I chalk that up to my inexperience with flakes. I smoked it in a Dunhill group 5 Dublin "Redbark," which was perfect. I can't wait to try it in a Peterson! My wife's thoughts were simple: "It's OK." High praise from her. You won't be disappointed with this one.

The greatest praise I can give this mix is that I don't prefer virginia blends and I have to rate this four stars. I prefer English/balakan/Oriental blends and switch things up from time to time with an English/Virginia. I was quite surprised to find this blend to be one of the most satisfying and tasty I have ever smoked. Maybe it is because this is Virginia FLAKE and not regular Virginia. I usually find Virginias to be one flavor and clean smoking but not very tasty, or interesting. This flake blend was actaully rather complex in taste for me while still having that "straight" tobacco taste for which Va's are reknown. Slightly sweet with a pleasant tang. A truly great blend I will smoke again. A nice surprise.