✔️První "studentskou" dýmku jsem koupil v roce 1970. Ve snaze ušetřit jsem si vybral malý exemplář, s výškou hlavičky 30 mm a průměrem tabákové komory 12 mm. Nemá označení výrobce, na krčku je vyraženo jen "BRUYERE GARANTIE". Přestože má briárovou hlavičku, stála pouhých 10 korun československých (Kčs). Na prasklý krček jsem dodatečně nasadil kovový prstenec a mírně si ohnul náustek. Pokuřoval jsem z ní holandský tabák Douwe Egberts 44. Tabák byl označen jako dýmkový, přestože má velmi jemný řez blízký cigaretovému „shagu“ a do malé dýmky se skvěle hodil. Dal se koupit v "Tuzexu" za 2 bony. Tuzex byly prodejny, kde se v ČSSR do roku 1989 prodávalo běžně nedostupné zboží. Platilo se tuzexovými poukázkami (bony), které šlo získat na černém trhu za cca 5 Kčs/bon.
V roce 2026 jsem si po 56 letech nacpal stejný tabák Egberts 44 do stejné dýmky a přestože ležel přes půl století vystaven na polici. Jsem pamětník - nikoli znalec, takže si troufnu jen konstatovat, že to bylo příjemné nostalgické pokouření. Náhrada za tento dýmkový tabák s "cigaretovým" řezem se hledá obtížně. Kdo chce zkusit, jak asi tabák Egbetrs 44 ze 70. let min. století chutnal, může si nacpat do malé dýmky cigaretový tabák Mac Baren Amsterdame Original. 😉
Gawith Hoggarth R&M (formerly Rum and Maple), now sold in some markets for regulatory reasons as Jamaican Flake, is among the classic flake tobaccos from English Kendal. It is based on a blend of Virginias and Burley. The flavoring mainly relies on the combination of rum and maple syrup, which is meant to enhance the natural sweetness of the tobacco, not completely cover it.
This is not some "sticky" modern aromatic. Rum and maple are noticeable, but underneath remains a distinct tobacco base: sweeter Virginia, earthier and nuttier Burley, darker fermented tones, and a slightly dessert-like character. Some smokers report hints of licorice or vanilla in this blend, but the main flavor profile remains rum and maple.
Rum Flake / Jamaican Flake is sold in flake or broken flake form. Since it tends to be a moister tobacco, it benefits from a light rubbing and a short drying time before smoking, about 15–30 minutes depending on moisture content. After proper preparation, it burns slowly and coolly.
The strength of Rum Flake is medium; it is not a strong tobacco, but compared to regular sweet aromatics, it has a more pronounced tobacco body and nicotine. Therefore, it is better suited for slower smoking, for example, after a meal, rather than as a light tobacco for all-day puffing.
The interest in R&M Flake lies not only in its flavor and quality but also in the production method. Gawith Hoggarth is one of the last traditional manufacturers in Kendal and for flake tobaccos, the production process is still based on long pressing, old manufacturing techniques, and a dense structure of the tobacco cake. This method of pressing results in slow burning, a more integrated flavor, and a denser, "old-world" character.
R&M (Rum and Maple) should therefore be perceived as a genuine Va/Bur flake with a rum and maple accent, not as a sweet aromatic bomb. It will most please a smoker who wants tobacco with a traditional body, slow burning, and a subtle sweet layer on top.
🍁 Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening: javorový aromatik s virginským základem
Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening patří k nejznámějším aromatickým směsím této americké značky. Výrobce ji staví na vlastním Red Virginia Cavendish — tedy červené Virginii zpracované cavendish metodou — a dochucuje ji jemným javorovým casingem. Nejde tedy o typický aromatik založený na těžkém černém Cavendishi, ale spíše o sladší virginský tabák s výraznou javorovou příchutí.
Řez je oficiálně uváděn jako ribbon. Vzhledově jde o hnědočervený, jemně až středně řezaný tabák, který se dobře plní a poměrně snadno zapaluje. Díky virginskému základu se v chuti kromě javoru objevují i tóny karamelu, lehké ovocnosti a místy jemné nakyslosti typické pro červené Virginie.
👃 Chuť a aroma
Dominantní je jednoznačně javorový profil. Ve vůni z plechovky i po zapálení (room note) připomíná javorový sirup, sladké pečivo nebo lívance. Při kouření ale nejde jen o samotnou sladkost, stále je patrná typická tabáková chuť Virginie.
Autumn Evening je spíše mírně až střední silný tabák. Nikotinově není silný, takže dobře funguje jako odpočinkový aromatik, případně jako volba pro kuřáky, kteří chtějí výraznou vůni, ale ne těžký nebo hutný kouř.
🛠️ Praktické poznámky
Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening obvykle hoří velmi dobře, i když po otevření může být trochu vlhčí. Krátké proschnutí před nacpáním dýmky tabáku většinou pomůže, chuť je vyváženější a zapalování jednodušší.
Jelikož Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening snadno "zanese" dýmku svoji chutí i pro další kouření, je ideální jej kouřit v kukuřičné dýmce. U briarové dýmky je dobré počítat s tím, že javorové aroma může v dýmce opravdu zanechat stopu, takže pro časté kouření Autumn Evening se vyplatí mít samostatnou dýmku na aromatiky.
Autumn Evening je zajímavý hlavně tím, že spojuje výrazné, líbivé aroma s kvalitnějším tabákovým základem, než bývá u běžných sladkých aromatiků zvykem. Je to tabák pro chvíle pohody, kdy chcete aby dýmka voněla po podzimu, javorovém sirupu a sladkém pečivu.
What else but silver spigots for the Kutná Hora Pipe Club Stříbrný Groš. The pipes are designed for long and short 6mm filters. They are made from Italian briar. They are beautiful 👏.
If you are interested and would like a new pipe, contact the pipe maker Petr Novák directly - Petr Novak Pipes (info@petrnovakpipes.cz).
Moreover, by purchasing a pipe from Petr Novák, you will be doing a good deed, as Petr Novák donates 200 CZK from the price of each pipe to charity - Dům sv. Anežky 🧡.
In the world of pipe tobaccos, there are blends that one smokes purely for pleasure, and then there are blends that also serve as reference points for the entire category. Curly rolls (coin cut) VA/Per (Virginia/Perique) blends belong to the latter group. Among them, Charatan Rolls strives to establish itself as a modern reinterpretation of the classic British style.
The first puff immediately reveals that Charatan Rolls does not aim to be aggressive or dominant. While Peterson (formerly Dunhill) De Luxe Navy Rolls relies on deeper fermentation, a darker character, and a more pronounced flavor contribution from Perique, Charatan Rolls feels significantly smoother. It is lighter in body, nicotine, and overall intensity. Perique does not play a leading role here. This is not a blend built on a peppery explosion or dark fruitiness. Instead, Perique acts more like a subtle spice in the background—adding depth without overpowering the Virginia. Therefore, Charatan Rolls may appeal to smokers who find classic Peterson Navy Rolls too "dense and strong" for everyday smoking.
Every coin-cut VAPer is sooner or later compared to the legendary Escudo. Escudo provides deep flavor sensations while smoking, including dark fruit, bready notes, more pronounced fermentation, and Perique that can be beautifully spicy and slightly rough. Compared to Escudo, Charatan feels more civilized and modern, making it easier to smoke.
The tobacco blend that is closest to Charatan in terms of composition and form is probably Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake. Both blends have a coin-cut form, based on a VA/Per foundation with a darker central core. However, Bullseye Flake feels more rustic, while Charatan Rolls is much smoother. Bullseye tends to be sharper, rawer, more wildly fermented, and sometimes less consistent between batches.
A different approach is represented by Davidoff Flake Medallions. Where Charatan maintains the classic VA/Per character, Davidoff leans towards elegance and comfort—offering a gentler smoke, higher creaminess, and sweetness, with minimal aggression. Davidoff Flake Medallions is almost silky in flavor. In contrast, Charatan Rolls has a more pronounced natural flavor of Virginia.
Compared to the production of Samuel Gawith or Gawith Hoggarth, Charatan feels lighter and more accessible. Gawith blends tend to be darker, heavier, wetter, earthier, and sometimes overall rawer.
Charatan Rolls is a medium-strength natural tobacco for smokers who do not seek extremes but appreciate the balance and accessibility of a tobacco that can be smoked all day while still offering quality enjoyment. The tobacco is typically sold in 50g tins or 10g "samples."
During my visit to Decathlon, I came across a nice case for pipes, of course sold under a "camouflage" description, claiming it's a case for hunting or for fishermen, but a pipe smoker will get it 😎
Peterson of Dublin Connoisseur’s Choice is among the traditional aromatic blends of British or European style, offering a balance between aromatic topping and tobacco base. It is not a typical "heavy aromatic" of American style, but a more moderate aromatic tobacco where the flavoring complements rather than overwhelms the tobacco experience. It is sometimes referred to as "Caribbean tobacco." Peterson Connoisseur’s Choice is less sweet and "syrupy" than, for example, Mac Baren Vanilla Cream.
The tobacco base of Peterson Connoisseur’s Choice consists of: light and red Virginias (flue-cured), Black Cavendish, and a smaller proportion of coarser cut (broken flake / coarse cut). The aromatic profile is built on a rum topping accompanied by notes of dried fruit (apricot, peach) and a gentle vanilla sweetness. The "tropical" character is more of an interpretation than a literal description – coconut or distinctly exotic components are neither dominant nor typical. The result is a sweeter but not sticky profile, a creamy line of Cavendish, and a light rum accent at the beginning.
Cut, moisture, and handling of the tobacco
The blend combines ribbon cut with coarser fragments (broken flake), which means that burning is not as even as with pure ribbon, larger pieces slow down combustion, while finer ones tend to burn faster. Upon opening, we may be surprised by the higher moisture of the tobacco, so it is recommended to let it dry for about 10–20 minutes before packing the pipe; larger pieces should be gently rubbed, but not crushed. With too strong a draw and fast smoking, the tobacco can bite and gurgle (produce excess moisture in the pipe). The nicotine strength of the tobacco is rather low to medium, making it an overall lighter tobacco.
Smoking experience of Peterson Connoisseur’s Choice
One of the most interesting features of Peterson Connoisseur’s Choice is the development of flavor during smoking, which distinguishes this tobacco blend from cheaper tobaccos that remain flavor-flat throughout the smoking experience. In the flavor of Connoisseur’s Choice, the taste of the aromatics (rum, sweet fruit) initially prevails, offering a soft, creamy onset and a very pleasant room note for those nearby. As smoking progresses, Cavendish adds body, the aromatics stabilize, and Virginia flavors (slightly grassy/malty notes) begin to emerge. In the end, the aromatic flavor recedes, and the profile becomes drier and less sweet.
Summary
Connoisseur’s Choice is not a blend that will impress with intensity or complex flavor in the sense of natural tobaccos. However, it brings balance and refinement, overall being an aromatic tobacco that will not bore even experienced pipe smokers.
🛡️ Scottish heritage and contemporary German blending mastery
Rattray's Stirling Flake is a renowned non-aromatic blend produced under the banner of the traditional Scottish tobacco manufacturer founded in Perth by Charles Rattray in 1903. Although the Rattray's brand has a rich history, the production of this tobacco is currently handled by Kohlhase, Kopp und Co. KG in Germany. For pipe enthusiasts, Stirling Flake has its charm, as it is widely regarded as a continuation of the recipe previously used for the legendary Peterson's Irish Flake, preserving the original blending line under the new name Rattray's.
Composition and preparation of Stirling Flake
It is a robust blend of Virginia and Burley, utilizing equal amounts of air-cured, hot air-cured (Virginia), and strong dark-fired Kentucky tobacco leaves. This combination delivers a full flavor and high nicotine content. Stirling Flake is pressed into a thick flake, offering various packing options – the tobacco can be completely crumbled for easier burning or used with the "fold and stuff" method, which typically ensures a cooler and slower smoke.
Flavor profile of Rattray's Stirling Flake
Stirling Flake is intended for experienced smokers, offering a flavor ranging from medium to full and strength often described as robust or "heavyweight." The flavor profile is complex, characterized by a blend of nutty, earthy, and leather tones, primarily delivered by the Burley and Kentucky components, complemented by a mild sweetness and bitterness of dark fruit from Virginia. Although it is non-aromatic, the blend may contain a very mild natural topping, sometimes described as a hint of anise, which softens the strong tobacco flavors without masking them. When packed correctly, it provides a satisfyingly slow and cool smoke throughout the burning process.
