Peter Stokkebye Dark Fired (No. 314)

Mahogany colored thin ribbons with a bag aroma of spicy mustiness. I picked up some of this to use in some blending experiments but smoked 5 bowls straight as well. While doing so, I had to remind myself that this is primarily for blending. It had a nice spicy flavor, but it was on the thin side. Comparisons to Old Dark Fired or Cumberland are pretty unfair, so I tried to be objective. As a straight smoke, I could see this working for someone that wanted the bold flavor of dark fired Kentucky but wanted to tone down the richness and nicotine. This would work that way, for sure.

As a blender, this one showed more strengths. Mixed with various Virginias, perique and orientals, the weaknesses of it as a straight smoke were minimized and the spice that it lends maximized the potential of anything I blended ( not that I'm really much good as a blender). As noted, a little goes a long way and it will easily overcome less flavorful components if not mixed conservatively. It may not be the most inspired dark fired blend out there, but it doesn't embarrass itself. A nice addition to a blending table.

The ribbons are a dark brown and narrow.. The pouch note was slightly smokey. The tobacco was delivered on the dry end of smokable, and I smoked it without rehydration. You get a lot of tobacco for the buck when you are not paying for water.

This was a pleasant smoke. It is a little spicy and barely earthy. It is not so strong or peppery as I expected. It was a pleasant smoke, and the flavors were consistent. The strength and taste picked up as I smoked a bowl.It is reminiscent of ODF but #314 is thinner and more monochromatic in taste. It lacks richness or complexity, but it is intended as a blending tobacco, so those faults are easy to forgive.

I found this to be a good smoke, and I will experiment with using it to beef up some mild blends. If you like DFK, this is easy to recommend. Don't expect it to be something it is not.

Edit 5/2/18: I have hydrated this, and a little more moisture gives it more flavor. I find that mixed 50/50 with Winchester makes a very nice smoke. It brings out a slight tart from the Winchester, and the level of spice is good for me in a "all-day" sort of smoke.

I decided to try PS Dark Fired after smoking MM Country Gentleman and liked the flavor it added to the blend. I wasn't surprised to see that 2oz was almost the same size as 4 oz of another tobacco thanks to Houndtooth's review.

I like to smoke this by itself, but like DK I bought it for blending. I have just started to delve into Kentucky tobaccos, trying Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky as well. It's smokiness is what drew me to it, I wanted to blend it with a Va/Per to make something similar to MM's CG. It's fairly dry out of the bag & the smoky aroma reminds me of burning leaves, but the taste is just filled with smoky tobacco flavor. It is pretty one dimensional, but it's simplicity works for me. It can be a little harsh unless you take it slow & too big of a bowl can be a bit much to handle for some.

I like it on it's own & it's great as a mixer, but what others have said is true, it must be used sparingly as it will overpower lighter flavors. It works well as a condiment in a couple blends I've tried so far. You can add some nice smoky flavor & a bit more nicotine to lighter blends. It tends to bring out the flavors of other tobaccos it's mixed with by just adding a small amount.

Jar note of smoky and sharp sour fermented vegetation. Tobacco is a ribbon cut of brown and dark brown. Moisture content is great. Burns moderately with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mid to medium. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and very consistent, with notes of mild tangy-barbeque smoke, herbal spices, very woody, dry rich dirt, slight spicy, sour, zesty, musty fermented vegetation, burnt toast, mildly savory, a semi-sweet, slightly bitter nuttiness background note, and a mildly peppery, almost smooth retro. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

I purchased a few oz of this to experiment with, along with my primary order of 6 or so other blends. Who would've thought, that this would be my favorite! I absolutely love this tobacco. It has a wonderful smokeyness, without being harsh and bitey. That shocked me since it was delivered dry as a scare crows eyelashes. It's damn near perfect. A surprise hit. Imagine standing next to your favorite uncle, whos wearing Drakkar, at an October bbq where they're using a mixture of old hickory and pecan, sipping a highball of whiskey, listening to stories of the old days,.... Blendability? Naturally, but I'm getting more for straight use. The only blend I have tried so far, is mixed with S.V bourbon, with a pinch of black Cav thrown in at something like 25% D.Fired/60% Bourb/15% bk.cav. Really nice blend. Room note smoked alone was "plain smoke" per boss, with a nose wrinkle and shrug, so this is a user pleaser.