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The organizers of this year's World Championship in Slow Smoking, held in the Italian spa town of Abano Terme, have prepared a humorous invitation and reminder for the event. Detailed information can be found in this article https://www.pipeclub.eu/novinky/560-pipe-world-cup-italy-2026-mistrovstvi-sveta-v-pomalem-koureni-dymky-v-italii.
Although Peterson is a traditional Irish brand associated with Dublin, current Peterson pipe tobaccos are produced by Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) in Denmark. Even before the brand was acquired in 2018, STG was responsible for the production of most Peterson tobaccos in Denmark.
Peterson is an Irish brand with a long history, but the current tobaccos are made in Denmark. The Irish origin primarily refers to the brand's history and identity. It is important to distinguish between Peterson tobaccos and Peterson pipes, the production of which is still directly linked to Ireland.
Among the strongest current Petersons are primarily Irish Flake and Nightcap. Irish Flake gains its fullness mainly from a combination of Virginia, Burley, and Dark Fired Kentucky. Nightcap is a strong English mixture with Virginia, Latakia, oriental tobaccos, and Perique. Royal Yacht also has a more pronounced nicotine strength.
Latakia is primarily found in traditional English mixtures. These include Peterson Old Dublin, Early Morning Pipe, My Mixture 965, Nightcap, Standard Mixture, and Balkan Mixture. The individual blends vary significantly in the amount of Latakia and overall intensity. For a first introduction to Latakia, Early Morning Pipe or Old Dublin is more suitable, while Nightcap represents a much fuller and more pronounced smoke.
It mainly depends on what type of tobacco the beginner pipe smoker wants to try. From aromatic blends, one can start with De Luxe Mixture or Connoisseur's Choice. For a first experience with Latakia, Early Morning Pipe is interesting, while Peterson Flake can present the natural taste of Virginia. On the other hand, Irish Flake or Nightcap are more suitable for more experienced smokers due to their strength.
Among the well-known aromatic Petersons are De Luxe Mixture, Connoisseur's Choice, Killarney, Luxury Blend, Yellow Mixture, Special Cut, and Connemara Black. Their aromas range from vanilla, honey, and nuts to caramel and amaretto, as well as cherries, rum, or tropical fruits.
All three blends were originally popularized by the Dunhill brand and are now sold under the Peterson brand. Early Morning Pipe is the mildest of the trio, and Latakia is not dominant in it. My Mixture 965 offers a fuller, rounded flavor with Latakia, oriental tobaccos, and Cavendish. Nightcap is the strongest and most pronounced – besides Latakia, it also contains Perique, which adds spicy and peppery notes.
Perique is an important component of several Peterson blends. It is prominently featured in Elizabethan Mixture, De Luxe Navy Rolls, and Nightcap, and is also found in Balkan Mixture. In Virginia/Perique blends, Elizabethan Mixture and De Luxe Navy Rolls have Perique as one of the main flavor components.
VaPer is an abbreviation for Virginia + Perique. Virginia typically brings natural sweetness, notes of hay, citrus, bread, or fruit, while fermented Perique adds peppery spiciness, spices, and notes of dark or dried fruit. Typical Peterson VaPer blends include Elizabethan Mixture and De Luxe Navy Rolls.
Scandinavian Tobacco Group began re-selling a range of historical blends under the Peterson brand that were previously known as Dunhill. Therefore, today we find names like Early Morning Pipe, Nightcap, My Mixture 965, Elizabethan Mixture, Royal Yacht, or De Luxe Navy Rolls on Peterson tins. This is a continuation of the famous historical blends under the Peterson brand.
For some blends, names referring to flavor or aroma were changed due to European regulations on tobacco product labeling. Therefore, for example, Irish Whiskey is sold as Irish Mixture, Sweet Killarney as Killarney, Nutty Cut as Special Cut, and Sunset Breeze can be found as Yellow Mixture. Under different names, you may encounter the same or corresponding blend.
For sweeter aromatic smoking, you might try De Luxe Mixture or Connoisseur's Choice. Lovers of natural Virginias may prefer Peterson Flake, while fans of Virginia/Perique blends might enjoy Elizabethan Mixture or De Luxe Navy Rolls. For smoking blends with Latakia, Old Dublin, Early Morning Pipe, My Mixture 965, or Nightcap are intended. Those looking for a strong, dark, and distinctly tobacco Peterson should consider Irish Flake.
Italy boasts a long tradition of pipe making, with Italian pipe makers benefiting from the quality briar that grows in the Mediterranean.
Among the most famous Italian pipe makers are Savinelli, Castello, Brebbia, Ardor, Caminetto, Radice, Ascorti, Mastro de Paja, Ser Jacopo, Il Ceppo, Don Carlos, Rinaldo, L'Anatra, and Claudio Cavicchi.
It depends on whether we count the establishment of the brand, the shop, or the actual manufactory. The history of Savinelli begins with the opening of the Milan shop in 1876, while the Rovera family connects the production of Ardor pipes with the year 1911. Modern manufactories like Castello, Brebbia, and Savinelli significantly developed after World War II.
The Pesaro School or Scuola di Pesaro refers to a group of pipe makers and pipe workshops that emerged from the early 1970s in Pesaro and its surroundings. A key figure was Giancarlo Guidi, and among the most famous brands of this tradition are Mastro de Paja, Ser Jacopo, Il Ceppo, Don Carlos, Rinaldo, and L'Anatra.
Italian pipes often combine classic European shapes with more pronounced proportions, respect for the grain of the briar, and creative finishes. Rustic finishes, sandblasting, silver rings, horn, or exotic woods are common among artisanal brands.
Luigi Radice and Giuseppe "Peppino" Ascorti worked in the workshop of Castello by Carlo Scotti. In 1968, they jointly founded the brand Caminetto. After its dissolution in the late 1970s, the independent brands Radice and Ascorti emerged.
In addition to the quality of briar and craftsmanship, the individual style of each manufacturer plays a significant role. For brands like Castello, Radice, Ser Jacopo, or independent pipe makers, each piece can be a considerable original and at the same time part of a well-documented pipe-making tradition.
Although the name of the tobacco Peterson De Luxe Mixture may evoke the idea of a strongly flavored, sweet aromatic, in reality, it is a mild and pleasant blend where honey, vanilla, and walnut complement the taste of the tobacco.
The base of Peterson De Luxe Mixture consists of matured Virginias from Brazil and Africa, complemented by mild Black Cavendish. The blend is cut in a classic ribbon cut and is currently produced for the Peterson brand by Scandinavian Tobacco Group in Denmark.
The tobacco composition is as follows:
- Virginia – brings natural sweetness, slightly grassy and occasionally citrus notes
- Black Cavendish – softens the blend, rounds it out, and creates a creamier character
- honey – the main sweet line
- vanilla – more of a subtle accompaniment than a dominant vanilla aroma
- walnut – gives the blend its relatively unusual nutty character
It is the walnut that distinguishes De Luxe Mixture from the flood of vanilla, rum, and fruity aromatics. When smoked slowly, the individual flavors beautifully blend with the tobacco base, creating a creamy, almost dessert-like flavor profile.
Upon opening, we find a mixture of light, brown, and almost black strips (black cavendish) of tobacco. The aroma is usually more pronounced than the actual taste when smoking.
In addition to the expected vanilla, honey, and nuts, some smokers also find notes of chocolate, almonds, caramel, or a light citrus hint. These are, of course, subjective perceptions, not additional flavors declared by Peterson.
Interestingly, the aroma from the tin can create the impression of a much sweeter tobacco than De Luxe Mixture actually is when smoked.
After lighting, the sweeter Black Cavendish usually comes forward first along with the honey aroma. Neither the honey nor the walnuts act as standalone flavors; rather, they create a slightly roasted and sometimes buttery undertone. The vanilla surprisingly remains in the background.
During smoking, the flavoring usually recedes a bit, allowing the tobacco itself to take more space. Virginia adds a light natural sweetness and grassier notes, while Cavendish keeps the smoke soft and rounded.
This is one of the advantages of De Luxe Mixture; the flavor is not the same from lighting to the end. The flavoring is not excessive, and the sweetness does not overpower the taste of Virginia and Cavendish.
Ribbon cut fills the pipe very easily. If the tobacco is too moist after opening or condenses more during smoking, it benefits from approximately 10–15 minutes of drying. It is not good to pack it too tightly; a loosely packed pipe is better.
As with most aromatics with Cavendish, it is advisable to smoke more slowly and cooler. Aggressive puffing can make the smoke hot, and a more sensitive smoker may experience tongue bite. Conversely, at a calm pace, the honey-nut character holds quite well, and the blend burns down to a clean ash.
For surrounding smokers and non-smokers, De Luxe Mixture is among the very pleasant tobaccos. TobaccoReviews rates it as “Pleasant”, with several individual reviewers even rating it as “Very Pleasant”. Comparisons to baking, vanilla pastries, honey, or sweet pastries appear.
Thus, it is one of the aromatics that has a fairly good chance of passing even where the smoke from a Latakia blend would provoke an immediate request to open all windows or leave the space :-).
De Luxe Mixture is not a tobacco built on strength; it is classified as mild to medium.
The nicotine strength is rather weak, so it can serve as a relaxing tobacco for coffee, reading, or during longer sitting sessions. For an experienced smoker of strong Burley, Kentucky, or English blends, it may feel too light.
When evaluating the tobacco by experienced smokers, the issue may not be so much the quality of the tobacco but rather the expectations. Those looking for a strong and complex tobacco will likely not be thrilled. Those seeking a mild European aromatic that still allows enjoyment of the tobacco itself may be very satisfied.
De Luxe Mixture stands somewhere between a classic sweet aromatic and a tobacco for smokers who no longer want every puff to taste only of added flavor.
It is particularly interesting for lovers of Black Cavendish, mild Peterson aromatics, and sweeter tobaccos who prefer honey, vanilla, and nuts over distinctly fruity flavors.
It can also be a very pleasant entry tobacco for novice pipe smokers. Just remember that a light tobacco does not mean a tobacco that can be smoked quickly – a calm pace can bring out the best in De Luxe Mixture.
Peterson De Luxe Mixture is a pleasant, rounded, and relatively unobtrusive aromatic, whose greatest strength is its balance. Honey adds sweetness, walnut provides an interesting character, vanilla rounds everything out, and beneath the flavoring, Virginia and Black Cavendish remain distinctly recognizable.
It is not a tobacco that would impress with its strength and intensity of aroma, but it is a pleasant companion for everyday smoking. Perhaps due to that balance, it deserves the designation De Luxe.
As usual, the Smokingpipes.com team has prepared another set of wallpapers for mobile devices as well as backgrounds for your laptop or desktop. This time, the selection includes pipes from manufacturers Flávio Rodrigues Pipes, Former Pipes,G. Penzo Pipes, Peter Heding Pipes andTodd Johnson Pipes.
The wallpapers are waiting for you at this link.
🏺 I bought Dutch tobacco TROSOST SLICES as a high school graduate around 1973 for about 15 Kčs. Its production under the original Dutch brand J. & A.C. van Rossem, established in 1750 in Rotterdam, ended in 1990.
✅ A briar pipe without a manufacturer’s mark intended for the domestic market could be purchased in 1973 for about 17 Kčs (the average monthly gross salary in 1973 was 2164 Kčs).
🔥 Finding a replacement for the 53-year-old Troost Slices in 2026 proved difficult, and even AI couldn't find a suitable alternative. If I want to indulge in some retro smoking while conserving my precious supplies, I will grind the original "Troost" into my pipe from 1973 with the new Mac Baren 7 SEAS ROYAL BLEND. 😉
Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky – contrast of light Virginia and dark Kentucky
Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky is one of the pipe tobaccos that are no longer produced today, which has gained a significant reputation among flake lovers. The blend is based on a combination of selected Virginias and fire-cured Dark Fired Kentucky. The tobaccos are pressed and cut into dense slices, where the contrast of light and dark layers is clearly visible.
Despite its name, it is not an exceptionally strong or harsh Kentucky blend. The sweeter Virginia and distinct sweet treatment of the tobacco smooth out the smoky, earthy, and spicy character of Kentucky. The result is rather a sweeter Virginia/Kentucky flake with medium strength than a tobacco "nicotine bomb."
Flavor descriptions often include notes of molasses, brown sugar, licorice, dark bread, wood, and mild spices. Some smokers also mention maple sweetness, caramel... However, the exact recipe for flavoring has not been publicly disclosed by the manufacturer, so it is more appropriate to understand these characteristics as flavor impressions rather than a confirmed list of used aromatics.
🍃 Smoking and preparation of Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky
Dark Strong Kentucky was sold in the form of firmly pressed flake. The slices can be folded and placed directly into the pipe, but they generally light better after a light rubbing. The tobacco tends to be quite dense, and if it is moist after opening, a short drying period may benefit it. The exact time depends on the age and condition of the specific tin.
After proper preparation, it burns slowly and relatively cool. It benefits from a calm smoking pace, as rapid puffing may cause the sweet Virginia to lose its finer flavor and start to bite the tongue.
The beginning of smoking is usually sweeter, with tones reminiscent of molasses, dark sugar, or licorice. As it progresses, the earthy, woody, spicy, and slightly smoky characteristics of Kentucky may become more pronounced. In the end, a drier character, a subtle citrus note, or grassier tones of Virginia may sometimes appear.
The nicotine strength is approximately in the medium range. The designation "Dark Strong" is therefore somewhat misleading – the tobacco has a fuller flavor and dense structure, but in terms of nicotine, it usually does not feel as strong as its name might suggest.
⚙️ Production and history of Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky
Dark Fired Kentucky gains its character during drying over fire. The tobacco leaves are hung in dryers, where hard wood and sawdust are allowed to smolder beneath them for several weeks. The smoke affects the color, structure, and flavor of the leaves, bringing typical earthy, woody, spicy, and slightly smoky tones.
In Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky, a more robust Kentucky tobacco is combined with sweeter Virginia. The subsequent pressing into a tobacco cake connects the individual components, and after cutting, it creates characteristic two-colored slices. The dense pressing also contributes to slower burning and a more concentrated flavor.
The blend has disappeared from the market several times in the past and subsequently reappeared. In the mid-second decade of the 21st century, it was brought back to the American market by Scandinavian Tobacco Group in fifty-gram tins. However, production was halted again, and today Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky primarily appears in private collections and auctions.
📓 Summary of characteristics of Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky
It can best be characterized as a sweet Virginia/Kentucky flake with a molasses to licorice impression, medium strength, and an unusually contrasting appearance. A smoker expecting a dry, very smoky, and nicotine-heavy Kentucky blend may be surprised. Conversely, lovers of sweeter flakes and tobaccos that straddle the line between natural and lightly flavored blends may be attracted by its balance.
The online store Pfeifen Shop Online offers an extraordinary discount on Chacom pipes in its selection - https://www.pfeifen-shop-online.de/Pfeifen/Marken/Chacom. Personally, I really like the Chacom Skipper 703 brown gold (in the photo) for 139 EUR before the discount - https://www.pfeifen-shop-online.de/Chacom-Skipper-703-braun-gold. The discount code is CHACOM10.
On the Smokingpipes server, the July set of images - wallpapers featuring pipes and from pipemakers such as Tsuge Ikebana Pipes, Peterson Mark Twain Cobble Pipe, Andrey Grigoriev Pipes, and Bill Shalosky Pipes - has been published.
You can find them in full resolutions here: https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/pipe-smoking-desktop-backgrounds-july-2026
Charles Bronson was one of those actors who didn't need long dialogues or grand gestures. His focused gaze, tight face, and a few seconds of silence were enough.
He was often seen with a pipe both in private and during breaks while filming. In his portrayal, it didn't come across as an elegant social accessory, but rather as a natural part of a man who is in no hurry and doesn't need to showcase his confidence.
Charles Bronson became famous primarily for his roles as soldiers, gunmen, police officers, hitmen, and solitary men who take justice into their own hands. He appeared in films such as The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, The Dirty Dozen, Once Upon a Time in the West, The Mechanic, and the Death Wish series. His acting career lasted nearly half a century and gradually made him one of the most prominent icons of action films from the 1960s to the 1980s.
There are claims circulating on the internet that Bronson smoked a pipe in nearly all of his films or that he exclusively used his own pipes. However, such claims usually come from smoking forums and fan pages and cannot be considered reliably substantiated.
There are, however, numerous period photographs of Bronson smoking a pipe outside of the actual film scenes. He was photographed with a pipe while resting, traveling, and during breaks between shots. Notable images include those from the late 1960s and photographs taken during the filming of the western Red Sun in Spain in 1971. Throughout his life, he smoked not only a pipe but also cigarettes. Director Walter Hill, reminiscing about the filming of Hard Times, noted that Bronson, despite his physical strength, was a smoker, which limited his endurance during long fight scenes.
Charles Bronson passed away in 2003 at the age of 81. The pipe in his mouth was not a pose. It was an extension of his characteristic silence.
🏺 I bought Dutch tobacco DOUWE EGBERTS 44 in 1970. It was labeled as pipe tobacco, although it has a very fine cut similar to cigarette tobacco. It was not too strong or flavored and was available in "Tuzex" for 2 bony. TUZEX were stores that sold commonly unavailable "Western" goods in Czechoslovakia until 1992. Payments were made with Tuzex vouchers (bony), which could be obtained on the black market for about 5 Kčs per bon.
✅ In the same year, I also bought my first pipe. In an effort to save money, I chose a small example without a manufacturer's label, which was common at that time for pipes intended for the domestic market. Although it has a briar bowl, it only cost 10 Czechoslovak korunas (Kčs) back then. The average monthly gross salary in 1970 was 1915 Kčs. I later added a metal ring to the cracked stem and slightly bent the mouthpiece.
🔥 After 56 years, I stuffed the same tobacco into the same pipe again. I am a witness - not an expert, so I can only state that it was a pleasant nostalgic feeling. In 1998, Douwe Egberts sold its tobacco division, and finding a replacement for the specific pipe tobacco with a "cigarette" cut is difficult. Anyone who wants to get an idea of what smoking Egbetrs 44 tobacco from the 1970s was like can stuff cigarette tobacco Mac Baren AMSTERDAME ORIGINAL into a small pipe. 😉
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: Maple Aromatic with a Virginia Base
Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening is one of the most well-known aromatic blends from this American brand. The manufacturer bases it on their own Red Virginia Cavendish — that is, red Virginia processed using the cavendish method — and flavors it with a subtle maple casing. Thus, it is not a typical aromatic based on heavy black Cavendish, but rather a sweeter Virginia tobacco with a pronounced maple flavor.
The cut is officially described as ribbon. Visually, it is a brownish-red, finely to medium-cut tobacco that packs well and lights relatively easily. Thanks to the Virginia base, in addition to maple, the flavor also features notes of caramel, light fruitiness, and at times a mild tartness typical of red Virginias.
👃 Flavor and Aroma
The dominant profile is undoubtedly maple. In the aroma from the tin and after lighting (room note), it resembles maple syrup, sweet pastries, or pancakes. However, while smoking, it is not just about the sweetness; the characteristic tobacco flavor of Virginia is still noticeable.
Autumn Evening is more of a mild to medium-strength tobacco. It is not strong in nicotine, making it a good choice as a relaxing aromatic or for smokers who want a pronounced aroma without heavy or dense smoke.
🛠️ Practical Notes
Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening usually burns very well, although it may be a bit moist upon opening. A short drying period before packing the pipe with tobacco usually helps, resulting in a more balanced flavor and easier lighting.
Since Cornell & Diehl Autumn Evening can easily "clog" the pipe with its flavor for subsequent smokes, it is ideal to smoke it in a corn cob pipe. With a briar pipe, it's good to keep in mind that the maple aroma can really leave a mark in the pipe, so for frequent smoking of Autumn Evening, it pays to have a separate pipe for aromatics.
Autumn Evening is interesting mainly because it combines a pronounced, appealing aroma with a higher quality tobacco base than is typical for regular sweet aromatics. It is a tobacco for moments of relaxation when you want your pipe to smell of autumn, maple syrup, and sweet pastries.
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.
The blend The Mallard Flake Plus Perique is a non-aromatic tobacco created by Dan Tobacco (DTM), produced in Lauenburg, Germany. It is a variant of the original pure Virginia blend, built on aged Virginias sourced from Zambia. The specificity of this version lies in the addition of a precise amount of Perique tobacco. This strong tobacco additive is mixed with the Virginias before the blend is pressed and cut into flakes.
The Mallard Flake Plus Perique tobacco is sold in the form of yellow-brown flakes, which are typically slightly moist. It is usually sold in 50g tins featuring a distinctive image of a duck. Virginia leaves are the primary component, providing the tobacco with base notes of spicy citrus, grass, hay, bread, sugar, and honey. In contrast, Perique contributes mild spiciness and flavors reminiscent of pepper, plums, and figs.
The Mallard Flake blend has a mild to medium strength and flavor and typically burns well and slowly. The Mallard is a pleasant tobacco that you can comfortably smoke throughout the day.
Esoterica Penzance pipe tobacco is considered one of the best traditional English flakes on the market. It is an exclusive and hard-to-find tobacco blend of a secret recipe that contains the finest Virginia tobaccos along with selected Turkish and Oriental leaves, including Cypriot Latakia. Penzance is produced by J.F. Germain & Son, which is based in the United Kingdom.
🔪 Cut and Preparation
A key feature of Penzance is its specific cut known as "Krumble Kake" (note: the name derives from crumble cake, which is a crumbly pie); the manufacturer also refers to it as Mottled Flake. The tobacco leaves are hand-blended and tightly pressed, then cut broadly into flakes. These flakes then age for a long time, and their structure allows for easy crumbling, which facilitates packing the pipe. Smokers typically crumble the flakes completely or partially, depending on their preferred method of packing the pipe and the desired burning rate of the tobacco.
🕰️ Aging Potential and Profile
Penzance is an English-style blend suitable for long-term storage. Aging is beneficial for the tobacco as it allows the flavors and aromas of the individual components to meld. Time softens the strong, sometimes harsh character of Latakia and potentially enhances its natural sweetness. Given that the blend contains Virginia, which continuously improves over the years, and Orientals that evolve from spicy to fruity notes, Penzance tobacco typically harmonizes significantly during the first five years of aging.
Photo source: SmojingPipes.com
Peterson Old Dublin is a traditional English blend designed to provide a classic flavor profile. The blend consists of four distinct types of tobacco: Cypriot Latakia, golden Virginia, and sweet Greek Orientals, complemented by a pinch of Black Cavendish. The inclusion of specific Oriental varieties known as Basma contributes to the exotic character of the tobacco. Peterson Old Dublin adheres to the principles of classic pipe tobacco production by the Peterson brand, which has deep roots in Dublin dating back to 1865.
The cut of Old Dublin tobacco is Ribbon or Loose Cut, allowing for easy packing into pipes of various shapes and ensuring an even burn. The characteristic flavor of the tobacco is attributed to Cypriot Latakia, which provides a smoky aroma. The smokiness of Latakia is beautifully balanced by the natural sweetness of Virginia tobaccos and the subtle, earthy tones of the Orientals. A pinch of sweetened Black Cavendish adds body to the blend and ensures a deliciously smooth and balanced smoke.
Peterson Old Dublin is generally regarded as a balanced blend with medium strength, making it suitable for both experienced smokers of English blends and those who are just discovering Latakia tobaccos.
🏺 Our first attempts at smoking were made with TARAS BULBA tobacco in 1969. At that time, a package containing 50 grams of this tobacco was sold for 1.50 Kčs (the average monthly gross salary in 1969 was 1886 Kčs). The problem was that the odor of this tobacco repelled not only insects but also girls, which forced us to switch to better (and more expensive) smoking materials.
✅ We "practiced" smoking from pipes belonging to my great-grandfather, which I found in the attic. The longer pipe stems cooled the smoke better, and less pungent condensate reached the tongue. However, they were harder to transport and clean.
🔥 After 57 years, I tried Taras Bulba again out of curiosity and it didn't seem so terrible. I wondered why and found out that the tobacco for 1.50 Kčs that we smoked as students, which complied with standard 569540 valid until 1969, contained a lot of stems. The Taras Bulba that I stuffed in 2026 comes from the 70s, was produced according to industry standard 569544, cost 2.20 Kčs, and contained almost no stems. Under the name Taras Bulba, tobacco of qualitatively different standards was apparently sold over time. 😉
Star of the East Flake is a full-bodied tobacco blend produced by Cornell & Diehl (C&D), which belongs to the family of English pipe tobaccos. It is a renowned pipe tobacco that C&D transitioned from its popular loose ribbon version to a pressed form (flake). Cornell & Diehl Star of the East Flake is generally considered a medium to strong tobacco.
🌿 Key Ingredients and Form
The Star of the East Flake tobacco is characterized by a high content of Latakia, which makes up approximately 50% of the blend. The remaining components include Turkish Izmir (Oriental) and Red Virginia leaves. The Red Virginia tobacco leaves are typically subjected to a stoving process (steaming with heat), which helps deepen the flavor profile and add a balanced sweetness. The tobacco is delivered in flake form, allowing pipe enthusiasts to prepare the tobacco to their liking – for example, completely crumbling it, folding and packing it, or partially rubbing it out, which can influence the burn rate and flavor.
🔥 Flavor Profile
Star of the East Flake offers a rich, smoky experience dominated by Cypriot Latakia. The blend is non-aromatic, relying solely on the interplay between natural tobacco components. The inclusion of Oriental tobaccos brings flavors often associated with subtle floral, spicy, or balsamic notes. Star of the East Flake is sometimes compared to other well-known tobaccos with high Latakia content, such as the prized and hard-to-find Esoterica Penzance, due to its balanced combination of robust Latakia and the natural sweetness of Virginia without aromatic additives.
