Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake

AUGUST 2008 UPDATE: Well, after a year and a half of aging, I popped (or, more accurately, strained and pried) open my heat and paraffin-sealed jar of this blend.

Time has mellowed it, but more as a matter of degree than metamorphisis. In the jar, it still does not evoke the deep, fermented VA sweetness of, say, McC 2015, but is robustly assertive in ways that suggest tomatoes and metal (think sun-dried tomatoes and the taste of keys, or a low-voltage battery on the tongue, if that makes any sense).

I'm smoking it well rubbed-out, and am finding it a reputable and economical -- even if not superlative -- example of a VaPer flake. It shifts and develops throughout the bowl, beginning with a the sour brightness of cut grass, before settling into broader mid-tones that intermittently suggest yeast and toasty figs. The perique tickle is there throughout and -- although it has been friendly to me -- hints that modest sipping is advisable. Toward the end there are insistent murmurs of a sour mash tang, punctuated by momentary flashes of Eggo waffle left in the toaster a bit too long.

All in all, it credibly (though temporarily) fits the "non-latakia" niche in my home rotation, even if it doesn't threaten to supplant any of my beloved English and Balkan blends. As something "different" it fits the bill just fine. If you're a VaPer afficianado, you may want to buy, age, and try some for the experience, particularly given the bulk price. It has earned my respect, but not my raves. I would enjoy it more if it were sweeter. Still two stars.

ORIGINAL REVIEW: In my experience so far, this is a very temperamental tobacco, or else of uneven production quality. My first couple bowls (a sample from a friend) were fantastic: Sweet, grassy, and complex. A revelatory break from my usual rotation of English blends.

Based on that experience, I purchased my own stash, but have since not been able to wring more than a mediocre smoke out of it. Sadly it has been flat, one-dimensional, and ashy tasting during the last half of the bowl. I've jarred it up, and hope that it will blossom with several months on the shelf, into something more like the bewitching flakes I first encountered.

This was my first flake tobacco in a series of tests to arrive at my 12, that is the 12 best tobaccos in 3 categories: Burley, Virginia/English and Flake. Needless to say there are many exceptional tobaccos out there in all three of these categories. Unfortunately, this is not one of them. No, I'm not prepared to totally tank this tobacco but I found it rather bland and unremarkable. Every once in a blue moon, a fair virginia taste emerges but if there is perique here I surely could not detect it. Technique with this one is huge and it becomes very hot and bitey when puffed even a bit too fast. If you're looking for straight virginia taste (which is, on a good day, all you'll get here), I would have to recommend Old Gowrie or even MacBaren Va #1 to this. This is not a horrible tobacco mind you, just a bit bland and a bit of a disappointment. I only have four seats in my 12 for flakes and I suspect this one probably won't make the cut.

I'm slowly making my way through the couple of trial ounces I bought of this. Not that impressed. Looks nice. Rubs out well, packs easily and burns steady. Tends to be harsh without much taste. I haven't found any sweet ar tangy presense - just smoke. I think Bullseye has a slight edge over this one but not by much. I don't see buying anymore of this once it's gone.

I wasn't too hung up on this one; it was easy to keep lit, but the flavor just didn't seem to really shine in my sample. I think if I want a virginia flake, I'll stick to the McClellands or something like that. It's certainly not bad, but it did bite quite badly, and, well, I just didn't taste anything to get too excited over.

SWEET, GRASS

I cannot tell if this is cased, I thought no- I also cannot detect the perique... I did taste a nice Virginia and smoked about a pound of the stuff. It is sweet, a little grassy, and will bite the hurried. I find it similar to Orliks golden slices with greater flavor, but the grassy/hay eventually turned me off of it. (after an awfull lot of it however!!!) The Twisted Navy they offer is sweeter, smells better-

BETTER PICK: MCCLELLAND CHRISTMAS CHEER 05' OR 06

On light up, I am struck by the Perique level, a bit stronger and harsher than I expected after smoking Luxury Twist Flake. DGT calms the edges somewhat. I would characterize this as a medium-strong VA/P, as it has a bit of fire-cured character to it. Some nose ticle, minor back-of-throat edge, and lacking almost all fragrant VA characteristics. Nonethless, I would keep this around, as my to-of-the-range VA, or for times when you need a hearty smoke.

As it burns, some minor fragrant VA elements flicker in the background. As VA/P's usually get stronger as they go, I'm not expecting much more there. This burns nicely. Also, I'm noticing a bit of nicotine buzz; I'm guessing there is a decent amount here. Room note would not be especially nice to a non-smoker. No casing or sweetener detected. This is in a class, to me, with Escudo and Ashton Black Parrot.

As the smoke passes the halfway mark, the Perique begins to integrate with the rest of the blend for the first time. With this integration, the slight harshness fades into the background. The mouth aftertaste is sour/bitter. It burns very slowly.

Another one for the Danish set. The flakes are very similar in appearance to offerings by Orlick and ACPetersen, but that's where the similarities end. Tingly upon lightup, especially when blown through the nose, promising. Sadly, the flavor is MIA as are any other points of interest. Frankly, I fail to see why this warrants the attention it has received. If I am given a sample to smoke I'll do so, but I cannot see purchasing this flake at any time. Perfect for the Macbaren lover...

Honestly, I am not interested in this tobacco but for someone who likes VaPeris is good. The moisture level is not bad and the taste is harsh if you aged this tobacco you can get a better result.

This is my first navy flake or any flake for that matter I loved how I could fold it in half and just mush it in the pipe tamp it down just a bit you’re in business I do however am relating quite often so perhaps not the most ideal smoking method but convenience is the best I deathly wanna explore flakes and probably don’t have enough experience to appreciate what I have in my pipe right now