Dan Tobacco Salty Dogs
(3.49)
In long gone times, when imposing sail ships crossed the Seven Seas, English sailors were popularly called "Salty Dogs". They always took care to have a pocket sized block of sweet Virginia tobacco with them, which they would take a slice off to then rub out and smoke in their cutty pipes. In heavy weather, they would opt to just bite off a corner to enjoy as a stimulating piece of chewing tobacco.
Selected sweet Virginias with a small pinch of perique, classically enhanced with Caribbean rum, are matured over a long time in the press. The result is a dark brown, full and pleasant pipe tobacco in traditional style offering you a comfortably cool and smooth smoking experience. Unlike ordinary flakes, it was not cut into slices, but packaged as a solid piece of real plug tobacco. Enjoy it in pipes with smaller bowls. (translated from Dan Tobacco's website)
Notes: Introduced July 2014.
Dan Tobacco's Salty Dogs is, as its name implies, a classic Navy style plug: Virginias and a pinch of perique, flavored with rum and pressed tight into hard, pocket-sized blocks that would keep long, survive indelicate handling, and could be cut into slices whenever there was a moment's rest.
Details
| Brand | Dan Tobacco |
| Blended By | Dan Tobacco |
| Manufactured By | Orlik |
| Blend Type | Virginia/Perique |
| Contents | Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Rum |
| Cut | Plug |
| Packaging | 50 grams pouch |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Very Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.49 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 19, 2017 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Prouced by Orlik for Dan Tobacco, this isn't per se a Dan Tobacco blend.
Salty Dogs is a very dense plug, with pleasing dark-brown to black colours that holds only very few orangy-yellow spots, which left me wondering, how they processed the Virginias, so they have this black-ish colouring.
The plug comes in pouch and is wrapped with cellophane to maintain freshness. It's rather on the moist side and needs 20-45 minutes of drying. After 20-45 minutes drying time it lights well, but needs few relights.
When taking a sniff on the plug it only offers very mild notes of citrus, honey and a rum-like sweetness. Very inconspicuous, yet inviting smell.
The plug is predestined for making a Cube Cut out of it. I cut off medium-thick slices, and cut little cubes from it. Once cut into slices it almost crumbles into little cubes by itself. You can also rub the tobacco out or cut very thin slices so you can fold & stuff them. Handling this tobacco is a joy and part of the pleasure, if you take your time for it.
Once the Salty Dogs are sailing you get rewarded a rather mild (tastewise), yet tasty, refreshingly lively smoke that holds a gentle sweetness. Virginias offer mild citrusy, more grassy notes, as well as a tad of earth and gentle sweetness. The Perique is interlaced excellent into the flavour profile and rounds the taste with it's orangy, plumy and raisin-like tones, and spices up the blend with a decent share of peppery tanginess. The rum flavouring is intregated well into the natural tobacco taste and contributes a slightly sweetish, rum-like taste, that also has a slightly spicy tone to it as well. The flavouring is well done and married perfectly with the tobacco components. It doesn't subdue the tobacco taste, but only tweaks up the taste and gives it a bit of "that certain something". I don't perceive it as being alcohol-ish at all tho (which I like, as I don't like alcohol).
Even tho I find the flavour profile of Salty Dogs to be rather simple, with limited variety of flavours it's never boring and far from being one-dimensional. The taste is refreshing, tangy and delightful and keeps even me, as a Kentucky lover satisfyied and interested. Yet this is a rather mild (tastewise) to medium (nicotine-wise) smoke that's suitable for any time of the day!
Gains a bit of intensity (taste- and strenght-wise) in the 2nd half of the bowl!
Room note (as stated by my girl) is: "Sweetish, with a slightly alcohol-ish smell. Pretty pleasant!"
4/4 stars - lovely presentation; quality tobaccos; refined and rounded taste. A blend I wouldn't wanna miss in my tobacco-bar! Highly recommended to everyone, as this fits the bill of smokers who prefer mild smokes, as well as it's satisfying to smokers, who like a change of pace from their heavier blends.
**Update:** Down-rated to 3-stars, as I've grown to have smoked more Plugs and also some blends flavored with rum. This one is quite good, but not as good as it gets 😉
|| Personal rating: 2,5-stars (only a bowl when offered, I didn't buy this again)| Attempt of an 'obective rating' : 3-stars ||
Salty Dogs is a very dense plug, with pleasing dark-brown to black colours that holds only very few orangy-yellow spots, which left me wondering, how they processed the Virginias, so they have this black-ish colouring.
The plug comes in pouch and is wrapped with cellophane to maintain freshness. It's rather on the moist side and needs 20-45 minutes of drying. After 20-45 minutes drying time it lights well, but needs few relights.
When taking a sniff on the plug it only offers very mild notes of citrus, honey and a rum-like sweetness. Very inconspicuous, yet inviting smell.
The plug is predestined for making a Cube Cut out of it. I cut off medium-thick slices, and cut little cubes from it. Once cut into slices it almost crumbles into little cubes by itself. You can also rub the tobacco out or cut very thin slices so you can fold & stuff them. Handling this tobacco is a joy and part of the pleasure, if you take your time for it.
Once the Salty Dogs are sailing you get rewarded a rather mild (tastewise), yet tasty, refreshingly lively smoke that holds a gentle sweetness. Virginias offer mild citrusy, more grassy notes, as well as a tad of earth and gentle sweetness. The Perique is interlaced excellent into the flavour profile and rounds the taste with it's orangy, plumy and raisin-like tones, and spices up the blend with a decent share of peppery tanginess. The rum flavouring is intregated well into the natural tobacco taste and contributes a slightly sweetish, rum-like taste, that also has a slightly spicy tone to it as well. The flavouring is well done and married perfectly with the tobacco components. It doesn't subdue the tobacco taste, but only tweaks up the taste and gives it a bit of "that certain something". I don't perceive it as being alcohol-ish at all tho (which I like, as I don't like alcohol).
Even tho I find the flavour profile of Salty Dogs to be rather simple, with limited variety of flavours it's never boring and far from being one-dimensional. The taste is refreshing, tangy and delightful and keeps even me, as a Kentucky lover satisfyied and interested. Yet this is a rather mild (tastewise) to medium (nicotine-wise) smoke that's suitable for any time of the day!
Gains a bit of intensity (taste- and strenght-wise) in the 2nd half of the bowl!
Room note (as stated by my girl) is: "Sweetish, with a slightly alcohol-ish smell. Pretty pleasant!"
4/4 stars - lovely presentation; quality tobaccos; refined and rounded taste. A blend I wouldn't wanna miss in my tobacco-bar! Highly recommended to everyone, as this fits the bill of smokers who prefer mild smokes, as well as it's satisfying to smokers, who like a change of pace from their heavier blends.
**Update:** Down-rated to 3-stars, as I've grown to have smoked more Plugs and also some blends flavored with rum. This one is quite good, but not as good as it gets 😉
|| Personal rating: 2,5-stars (only a bowl when offered, I didn't buy this again)| Attempt of an 'obective rating' : 3-stars ||
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 14, 2014 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
I heard good things about this plug and it is a good smoke.....However. ...., it seems rushed and definitely not as well made as ilsteds VA plug. This plug really needs longer in the press to marry the tobacco together and to create a proper plug, it is loose and very springy in comparison to 3p's and IOVP. I am guessing it spends a very short time under pressure and is merely quickly in and out of the press to create a plug form but not really a job well done. It also could benefit from less casing, it was sticky and wet out of the pouch and frankly unsmokable, I tried and failed. I then sliced small flakes off and waited 24 hours before they were ready to smoke. This plug starts off unremarkable but the flavour, like the nicotine, builds quickly. It has some decent Virginia in it and a small spicy note on nasal exhale could be an indicator of Perique but could be a couple of other things as well, the whole profile is interesting without being too complex but the balance isn't quite spot on. This plug is good. I'd buy it again but I can't help notice the difference in quality in not only the Virginia but also the care taken in the production in comparison to IoVP. Kohlhase und Kopp have said that IoVP won't be made anymore due to poor sales so I'm wondering how this lesser and seemingly rushed product commissioned by DTM will survive. I'd choose IoVP over salty dogs any day of the week.
As I said, a good tasty tobacco but unfortunately could be a lot better if they didn't cut corners. 82/100
As I said, a good tasty tobacco but unfortunately could be a lot better if they didn't cut corners. 82/100
Pipe Used:
Pot meer, Falcon, Design Berlin
PurchasedFrom:
Timms Hamburg.
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 05, 2021 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Unnoticeable |
Dan tobacco Salty Dogs - Dark fruit is what I get the most of .A little citrus , hay and bread . It has a malty molasses fruity sweetness. The spices build up going down the bowl as does the nicotine . About a medium nic hit . It has a good dose of Perique, any more and it would be too much for me .The rum is very light and adds to the fruity spicy flavor. The Vaper lovers should enjoy this . 3 1/2
Age When Smoked:
6 months in jar
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 05, 2015 | Medium to Strong | Medium | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I found that it was rather 'wet' but this is something ive found common with plugs. After half an hour dry time I found this still slightly steamy, but this is my only negative. A strong, sweet start from the bowl.The steamed and pressed virginas marry perfectly with the perique with its spice evident straight away, especially when snorking. As the bowl progressed, the immediate sweetness subdues and its power becomes known. Recommended for fans of dark,steamed virginas. Unlike other dark plugs, the salty dog doesn't get bitter or too intense the further we smoke, something to do with the rum topping and perique. Lots of flavour, much nicotine. Full on without being intense. I found it similar to Revor without its diesel soaked blackberry flavours. Well recommended for Va/Per fans or plug enthusiasts.
Pipe Used:
Blakemar lovat 9mm filter
PurchasedFrom:
Gifted.
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 01, 2021 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
One of the advantages of a dense and compact plug tobacco is you get a wonderfully slow burning smoke with a consistent flavor from top to bottom.. Salty dogs much like 3ps is one of the few available on the market that accomplishes this.. the virginia and perique are so well melded together with the added sweetness from the rum that it is just one flavor.. you can enjoy all of its aspects particularly through the retrohale.. not a lot of perique but the pressing seems to really bring it out.. as with 3ps, the added flavoring, in this case rum, is so well integrated that it doesn't stand out at all.. in tobaccos like windjammer the rum is much easier to identify because it truly comes across as a top note.. in Salty dogs it is certainly there but virtually indistinguishable from the other flavors.. the virginia, likewise is deep and fruity.. but one flavor.. A really seemless blend.. I think if you like smooth flavor with a little boldness you will rate this very highly.. personally I do like it quite a bit.. but not one I will enjoy regularly for a number of reasons.. mostly because you have to be in the mood for this type of flavor.. furthermore the price and preparation will kind of make it more of a special occasion deal.. for half the price peterson makes an equally nice product in my opinion.. I use a small pipe for it.. not really for the strength (it is very medium) but it burns so slowly that a big bowl would last hours.. I also dry it for about an hour.. while some would argue you get more flavor from moist tobacco I think you lose just as much from the steam it produces even from a slow cadence.. I generally don't even need to relight this after an hour dry time.. it smokes perfectly.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 18, 2024 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I am a sucker for plugs, so when I saw this plug includes Perique I had to buy it. Salty Dogs stays true to its theme of a maritime smoke. It's quite strong, and would be ideal for a sailor taking a quick break with his cutty pipe. The packaging is delightful, any disappointment with the fact that this comes in a pouch is immediately assuaged because the plug is wrapped in cellophane, a very pleasant surprise. The flavour of the smoke is very fruity — stewed fruit, plums, and figs. The spiciness from the Perique is not immediately present unless you retrohale. That is my biggest gripe with this blend. The rum isn't obvious in the smoke, and I suspect the addition of rum may have dulled the spiciness of the Perique. Despite that being said, this is a very enjoyable smoke. It's sweet but not too sweet, the flavours of the Virginias still shine through the fruitiness. I simply wish this had more spice. Salty Dogs seems to be the best option for a Va/Per plug (not a VaPerKy) that's readily available on the market, so I will grant this a 3.5/4 rounded down to a 3.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 09, 2020 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I don't know if I like the history behind this blend or the blend itself more. This plug has a high learning curve, definitely not ready right out of the packaging, but that's kind of the point. You really could fit this in your pocket and forget about it for a long while before this fully dried out. In fact I bought this over a year ago and its still pretty moist. Moving forward, this is a tame VaPer, not too spicy or aggressive. Plenty of flavor and strength though with the rum not being too overpowering. Left a tad bit too much moisture in the bowl and needed quite a few relights but it's still a great blend I would recommend trying at least once.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 16, 2018 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Again, this pouch I received as a gift from a dear friend. It slept in my cabined for one year, more or less.
As a matter of fact I substantially subscribe Stefanos’ review (and not necessarily because we share the same name and first letter of the family name, ahahahahah…) The cube form in the cellophane wrapper allows very good aging. Slicing was a bit of a trouble, but that depends on the wrong knife I get. Whichever the cut results, this burns very nice. Never prone to burn hot nor biting. None. The nic hit is a shade above medium, the body is absolutely satisfying. The rest Stefanos has already told very properly. Including the rum flavour which I find in traces, or actually missing. And, regarding the prices (EUR. 9.50 per 50 grams): that would be a real bargain in Italy, and I would buy it on regular basis, better if it comes in ready rubbed form…
This combination of VaPer is the one I feel perfect as an all day smoke. Absolutely recommended.
As a matter of fact I substantially subscribe Stefanos’ review (and not necessarily because we share the same name and first letter of the family name, ahahahahah…) The cube form in the cellophane wrapper allows very good aging. Slicing was a bit of a trouble, but that depends on the wrong knife I get. Whichever the cut results, this burns very nice. Never prone to burn hot nor biting. None. The nic hit is a shade above medium, the body is absolutely satisfying. The rest Stefanos has already told very properly. Including the rum flavour which I find in traces, or actually missing. And, regarding the prices (EUR. 9.50 per 50 grams): that would be a real bargain in Italy, and I would buy it on regular basis, better if it comes in ready rubbed form…
This combination of VaPer is the one I feel perfect as an all day smoke. Absolutely recommended.
Pipe Used:
Castello's
PurchasedFrom:
received as a gift
Age When Smoked:
one year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 13, 2016 | Strong | Very Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Beautiful, very compact plug in the pouch. It's quite dark and smells of figs, hay, earth, and a bit of fruity liquor.
Sliced, and rubbed out, easily enough. Gravity packed into the bowl. Lights easily with a charring light and a follow-up. Stays lit well if you tamp it firmly after 2nd light.
Produces lots of dry flavorful smoke and lasts a long time. It reminds of most VaPers I have had but a bit stronger. I catch hints of what I would say is a familiar taste of burley, but can't quite put my finger on that. Tastes of rich tobacco, with hints of hay, and fruit. There is a savory flavor almost like truffles. The perique is quite strong but nicely balanced with a slightly sweet virginia flavor. This stuff can pack a punch and is just a delightful smoke. Again, this is one of those blends that can be enjoyed without too much contemplation...just load a bowl and go!
Ordered some to add to my cellar and rotation.
Sliced, and rubbed out, easily enough. Gravity packed into the bowl. Lights easily with a charring light and a follow-up. Stays lit well if you tamp it firmly after 2nd light.
Produces lots of dry flavorful smoke and lasts a long time. It reminds of most VaPers I have had but a bit stronger. I catch hints of what I would say is a familiar taste of burley, but can't quite put my finger on that. Tastes of rich tobacco, with hints of hay, and fruit. There is a savory flavor almost like truffles. The perique is quite strong but nicely balanced with a slightly sweet virginia flavor. This stuff can pack a punch and is just a delightful smoke. Again, this is one of those blends that can be enjoyed without too much contemplation...just load a bowl and go!
Ordered some to add to my cellar and rotation.
Pipe Used:
Billard, Corn-Cob
PurchasedFrom:
Gifted
Age When Smoked:
Unknown
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 06, 2023 | Medium | Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
As stated in previous posts, the tobacco is a small pocket-sized brick of dark brown, moist tobacco that looks like a brownie. My little daughter says it looks like a bar of chocolate.
Pouch smell is wonderful.. smells like cacao, dark fruit, and raisins. Makes me want to stick it in my mouth and eat it.
I took thin slices and rubbed it with my hands. Packing is easy.
On the light I don’t appreciate the rum topping. It tastes strongly grassy and hay-like as a good Va does. The figgy perique comes out by mid-bowl, especially on retro-hale; and the last third of the bowl is sweet.
It smokes cool and won’t bite.
Since I tend to smoke Latakia and burley blends, I find the flavors “mild” in comparison. But not to say this is a “weak” blend. It is rich in a Virginia sense.
Recommended.
Pouch smell is wonderful.. smells like cacao, dark fruit, and raisins. Makes me want to stick it in my mouth and eat it.
I took thin slices and rubbed it with my hands. Packing is easy.
On the light I don’t appreciate the rum topping. It tastes strongly grassy and hay-like as a good Va does. The figgy perique comes out by mid-bowl, especially on retro-hale; and the last third of the bowl is sweet.
It smokes cool and won’t bite.
Since I tend to smoke Latakia and burley blends, I find the flavors “mild” in comparison. But not to say this is a “weak” blend. It is rich in a Virginia sense.
Recommended.
PurchasedFrom:
Smoking pipes.com
Age When Smoked:
Right out of the box.
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