Peter Stokkebye Optimum (No.31)

This bulk tobacco offers the smoker an unchallenging, yet flavorful smoke. The strength of this tobacco is very mild, yet it's flavor is straightforward with hints of sweetness throughout the entire bowl. I've been told that this blend is cased in rum and vanilla, yet if true, the casing is mild and one has to work to decipher these tastes. Overall, I enjoy this tobacco, especially during my morning commute to the office as the sweetness of the tobacco creates the perfect entre into the rest of the workday.

I am an aromatic smoker through-and-through, this is currently my top favorite blend. I ordered 2oz to try and it was gone in a flash. It has a gentle flavor and wonderful room-note and smokes cool all the way to the bottom of the bowl. No bite even with hard puffing on it. Like other reviewers, I cannot place the topping/casing (I read it and think "ok") but whatever it is it doesn't dominate the flavor in any way. Hint of fruit? Sweetened, but not overwhelmingly sugary. Perfectly balanced.

As a point of reference, my other cellar staples are PS-201/BCA and Three Blind Moose.

If you are looking for strong flavors and a huge nic-hit, look elsewhere. If you are an aromatic smoker and haven't tried this, do yourself a favor. Heck, I think everyone should try this. It has found a forever home in my cellar and it just might find it's way into your rotation as well.

Man I really like this Peter Stokebeye Optimum blend! First of all this is not your typical goopy aromatic, it comes in bulk and is dry enough for a immediate bowl. Color is black with some golden strands. It has a Berry flavor with perhaps some Vanilla but mostly Fruit forward. This is what most people wish for all aromatics, not a goopy mess, burns well and with no Tounge bite. Can leave a bit of moisture in bowl or start to sizzle towards the bottom but no problems there. Very happy with the 1oz I picked up and would like to stock up a few more Oz at least while it's still available.

Happy piping everyone! 🙂

UPDATE: 02102019 I received 2 ounces of this yesterday in an order. This is what Optimum is supposed to be. Fruity, mild. It does need some drying time, but the taste is what I remember. I think someone in my local B&M put the wrong blend in the Optimum jar. Ordering this from P&C insured the right stuff got sent. The fruity flavor and room note come through, but the tobacco flavors come through, also. All in all, this would be an excellent beginner blend or a good blend for the aromatic lover.

UPDATE: 01062019 Has Peter Stokkebye changed the blend? I purchased 2 ounces of this yesterday. I loaded and lit a bowl just now and it seems different in room note and flavor. It seems like cinnamon has been added with a heavy hand. It's not bad but it is different. A little tongue tingle, a different flavor. If this is what Optimum is going to be, I won't be buying any more.

Peter Stokkebye Optimum was a surprise. I purchased 2 oz. from. Tobacco shop that specializes in cigarettes and the clerk on duty didn't smoke. I thought I was getting an English blend. That being said, I am glad I bought this because I like aromatics. Optimum is definitely a quality aromatic blend. The moisture level was good, so I loaded a bowl and set it ablaze. My daughter was sitting next to me and hollered, " someone is smoking fruit salad." She said it smelled very nice. Four other people in the house liked the room note as well. The flavor was a mixture of vanilla and several mild fruits. Even with the flavor of fruits and vanilla, the tobaccos were not hidden. Everything in this blend melded well with the other components. A char, tamp, and a light were all that was needed. I tend to smoke slowly and just need3ed an occasional tamp to keep it burning all the way to the finish. Near the last quarter of the bowl, the fruit and vanilla diminished, but the tobacco really shined through. I would recommend this as a beginner blend, an all day smoke, and even a good break from English and Va/Per blends to those who enjoy an occasional aromatic.

04202019- UPDATE- purchased more from local B&M. It turns out that someone put the wrong blend in the jar at the B&M last purchase. This new batch is Optimum as it should be. Mild, fruity, slow burning. I smoke more English type blends now, but this is my go to blend when I want something sweeter.

A great, mellow aromatic and a wonderful people pleaser. Even as somebody who doesn’t care for most aromatics, I can say that this one is really good.

Opening the jar, the smell of the berry from the topping and the cocoa from the burleys and cavendish are the most noticeable. I can’t smell any virginias in the jar.

Getting this stuff lit is kinda tricky. I don’t think it’s from the moisture though. Unlike a lot of aromatics, this one isn’t super sticky or gloopy. It’s actually pretty dry. Once it gets lit though, it stays lit. The first thing you taste is brown sugar from the cavendish and a nutty, woody note from the burleys. Underneath that is some cocoa, probably from the burleys again, and the berry & vanilla topping. The berry & vanilla topping mixes very well with the other flavors in the blend, leading to a very creamy, smooth smoke. On the finish, you can taste the virginias. It has a nice dark fruit taste to it that again is complimented by the topping, as well as a brighter, grassier note. While I never got tongue bite from this, it will heat up the bowl quite a bit if you puff too fast.

I was pleasantly surprised when I first tried this. Unlike most aromatics, it doesn’t taste like hot air. The tobacco flavor isn’t hidden. You’ll taste everything the cavendish, burleys, and virginias have to offer along with a topping that never gets strange tasting. This has become my go-to aromatic due to the presence of the natural flavors. I actually prefer this over many of the more popular aros like Autumn Evening which I find starts tasting like hot air after a bit. Also, get ready for compliments when smoking this. It leaves a really nice smelling room note. For my personal taste, I’ll give it three stars, but among aros, this is a four star blend in my opinion.

FUN TIP: If you wanna add some more depth, strength, and natural flavor to this, mix 50% Peter Stokkebye Optimum and 50% C&D Haunted Bookshop together for a great light aromatic that contains a ton of natural burley and virginia flavors with a good amount of sweetness, some spice, and a bit of berry topping. I’m calling it Optimum Bookshop.

UPDATE: Upping to 4 stars, as this has become my go-to aromatic along with The Country Squire’s Old Toby.

A very pleasant, mild aromatic with a dreamy room note. First recommended to me when I started the hobby over 20 years ago by a tobacconist at the Pipe Den at the Harrisburg East Mall (both places long since gone).

I get from Optimum sweet, creamy, nutty, vanilla, dark cherry/fruit, black licorice spice and liquor. Remarkably, all of this is accomplished without the blend being too heavy handed with candy-like syrup casing. You can still make out the tobacco taste as the flavors work with the tobacco.

I also really like the ribbon cut which makes for easy loading and burning.

While not a nicotine knockout, it also has some as compared to others blends prepared in the same way.

In my opinion, Optimum is the best bulk aromatic on the market today.