Peter Stokkebye Optimum (No.31)

Theres one thing that bugs me about this site .. Reviewers .. lol . If you " rarely smoke Aros because they do nothing for you " .... why waste space that people will have to read through to get to a real review . Anyway , this is a good aro in the PS fashion . Like many of the cased Aros , if you like the flavor , you'll at least like the blend , given it lights and smokes well enough ... which this blend does . I have this blend jarred and smoke it now and again . The room note is very nice and the flavor , I cant quite make it out [ I rarely can unless it's labeled 🙂 ] but it's nice . Smokes cool and the wife smokes it as well .

This is a great example of what I consider a good aromatic. And depending how the topping hits you, it could easily be that four star aro for you.

The reason for my saying this is the fact that the topping hangs through the bowl from beginning to end albeit lessening in intensity as you move through the bowl. At about one third the way through, the burleys come through and combine with the topping for a great smoking experience reminding you that you are, indeed, smoking tobacco not candy. All the while this is happening, there is no goop left behind and the smoke is cool on the palate.

The topping is as stated; vanilla and fruit. I also seem to pick up some kind of liquor, but am not sure what. This one is kind of similar to CAO Moontrance to me which has bourbon added and more of a tropical fruit essence, but performs remarkably similar.

I have greatly enjoyed many of the PS aros and this is no exception, but this is a little different than the others in that it seems more like a traditional American Aromatic than a European Aro, meaning heavier in the burley, black cavnedish and topping. In any case, I really enjoyed the generous sample given me by the STG/Lane representatives at the last Chicago Show and will likely pick up some more to put into the cellar.

I think this is a fine, light aromatic, and its my favorite aromatic from the Stokkebye line. I see the aromatics get dinged a lot in the reviews which is unfortunate, and its typically the blends with latakia out the wazoo that get the highest number of reviews and high marks. My favorite tobaccos are not aromatics, but when I want one this is it. When I'm working in the yard, I can get a large pipe of this going once and then forget about it as I puts around. Its pretty mild, a bit too mild I suppose, and doesn't bite when I'm concentrating on other things. It burns with no tending or tamping. The flavorings are not so over the top that its a sticky mess to work with. It will burn down about two-thirds of the way before going out at which time it is usually best to dump the remains. And yes, it is a bit gunky at this point, but not nearly so bad as many other aromatics. Its a good crowd pleaser when I'm in the mood to mingle and actually care what other poeple think of my pipe smoke. It has gotten more compliments from strangers than any other tobacco I've ever smoked. Period.

In general, I'm not a fan of aromatics, and I don't normally buy them. But, this is from Peter Stokkebye, a brand that I trust, so I thought I'd give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. It is surprisingly sweet, but not too sweet. It does have a fruity flavor with a mild hint of citrus. I have smoked several bowls of it and find that it has no tongue bite. It will remain in my top drawer as something I return to regularly, when I'm in the mood for it. I recommend that you give it a try.

This is my go to blend right now since Edwards tobacco is currently not available. I have smoked this off and on for several years and find that it is a very good, light sweet tobacco. It burns well and smokes dry which is good for me, as I tend to be a wet smoker sometimes. The flavor is consistent through out the bowl. It is light enough with a good but not intense flavor to be a good blend for a new or occasional smoker.

This mixture tastes a bit like Sillems Black Label. The Zimbabwe leaf gives it a slightly exotic taste and the trace of vanilla sweetens it slightly. I'm undecided if I will put it into my regular rotation but I sure don't regret buying the pouch of it.

If you are looking for an aromatic that is full of fruit and vanilla flavor, look no further. The sweetness only becomes more pronounced the further down the bowl you smoke it. It smokes cool, won't bite your tongue, and leaves no scraps at the bottom of a bowl, just a nice gray ash. It has a delicious aroma and I've never once had any non-smoker make a negative comment about the smell. Quite the contrary! The smell of this pipe tobacco reminds me of the smell of this small tobacco shop I used to pass by as a child. It was as if honeysuckle and some berries from elfland had been tossed into a fire and the aromas were wafting through the air. The pleasure that smell gave to my senses is one of the main reasons I am a pipe smoker. And you cannot beat the price! Thank you, Stokkebyes!!

Optimum, is what it is. No pretense just a nice lite aromatic tobacco that won't get you kicked out of the house. As well as give your palate a chance to cleanse itself while an ODA stuffed with stashed 965 is laying in waiting! Peter was a great guy and made some great tobacco's,and was one of the nicest men in the industry. We all need a break sometimes and this fits the bill! Happy puffing!!!!!

I picked up an ounce of PS Optimum for a nice change of pace mixture and I must say that it is an enjoyable cornucopia of fruity goodness.

Nice and tangy with just the right amount of sweetness. A veritable fruit cocktail in tobacco form. Even the Mrs. will celebrate this one!

Perfectly enjoyable on the veranda after Sunday brunch at the club. Or, even while sipping your coffee as you take Fido out for his morning constitutional.

Recommended.