atison
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Post by atison on Apr 3, 2019 12:04:54 GMT -5
As I grow more and more attached to Davidoff Flake Medallions, I am setting out to pickup (or revisit) as many virginia and vaper flakes as I can. Focused on Orlik Golden Sliced for a week and I very much liked it, it just didn't scratch the itch the DFMs does for me.
I had an ounce or two of PS Luxury Navy Flake leftover in a ziploc at the bottom of my "bits and pieces" box. I picked this up probably 6 months ago when I first started venturing out beyond 1q as I was getting more into pipes and less into cigars. I had a few bowls back then and while I enjoyed it, I hadn't yet developed the technique and palate for vapers especially coming from predominantly a diet of 1q.
Well, I dug it out this morning and had a bowl on the way to work.
First, a slight disclaimer. The bit I had left was still in fine condition however it was loosely broken up and it seems to be a bit on the drier side to my liking. Not "fall to dust" dry by any means, but definitely doesn't hold its flake as well. I am sure this affects its performance. I prefer my flakes to have a bit of moisture (not samuel gowaith wet) to them as I get more flavor that way and don't mind if I need more relights. I plan to pick up a healthy amount of this stuff (spoiler) and will update this review once I do and have had a handful of bowls of it fresh.
Even with it on the dry side, packing was easy and uneventful despite my shaky hands (essential tremors) spreading a fair bit across my lap. Grabbed a handful of long pieces and bunched them up as if I had just done a Z bend on one flake. Then folded twice and stuffed. I took a pinch full of broken up pieces from the bag and gave a light rub in my palm then applied that to the top and gave everything a light tamp down. All in all I packed it fairly loose which I like in a flake as it gives it room to expand and burns cooler.
Charring light had it expanding and puffing out nicely and after getting that all tamped and tidied up it took a light with ease. Very little relights.
From the get go I was a fan. Right off the bat you get good clean Virginia flavors of hay, leather and slight honey sweetness. But off the bat as well is the perique in a balance of pepper and fig/raisin. The Virginia takes the front seat for the most part throughout the bowl with the perique being a background note throughout. The perique consistently straddles the fence between fig/raisin and pepper the whole way through vs the typical move more towards pepper as the bowl progresses.
For me, PS Luxury Navy Flake fits smack dab in the middle between Orlik Golden Sliced and Davdidoff FMs for me. It isn't as figgy good on the perique side as DFMs but isn't as one noted as OGS.
I am a fan and will be picking up a healthy supply of this stuff both for immediate consumption as well as tucking away for at least 6 months. The price is great on this bulk even if you smoke it fresh and I am sure the value equation gets even better when this had age on it. In addition, I will be loading up on Luxury Bulls-eye and Luxury twist as I find it hard to believe that I won't enjoy those as well.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Apr 3, 2019 12:08:39 GMT -5
Thanks, man. I have a jar of this I haven't touched in almost a year, so I'ma dig it out later. I always forget about it.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 12:23:59 GMT -5
Another excellent review, very well written. This is an excellent Flake with 4 plus years of aging.👌👍👍
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Post by insignia100 on Apr 3, 2019 12:34:33 GMT -5
That's another blend I'd like to get to cellar. JimInks' review mentioned the Virginias are a bit young, and I bet it would age nicely.
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atison
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Post by atison on Apr 3, 2019 12:51:41 GMT -5
I do think it will develop very well with aging, however, I didn't think it came across as too "young" on the Virginias (Not saying JimInks was wrong in any way as his reviews are spot on and impeccable). To me, the "young" aspect comes out as a bit of a brightness in the hay flavors. Not necessarily "harsh" but in that direction. Kind of like the way age smooths out a bourbon where a young bourbon has a bit of a "bite" to it (but not the tongue bite we know).
Orlik Golden Slices to me tasted more on the "young" side than the PS LNF while Davidoff FMs tastes like it has its drivers license and can legally drink.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Apr 3, 2019 13:01:23 GMT -5
See, now I have to buy the medallions... Sheesh.
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atison
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First Name: Andy
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Post by atison on Apr 3, 2019 13:08:08 GMT -5
See, now I have to buy the medallions... Sheesh. Oh wait, no you don't.... I mean they really aren't thaaat great. You sure you don't want to go after more Escudo? I mean that stuff is da BOMB. (hangs head because I just can't lie even to preserve the availability of DFMs or the fact I haven't even had Escudo) Yes, you need to try the medallions. |
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Post by Cramptholomew on Apr 3, 2019 13:19:52 GMT -5
See, now I have to buy the medallions... Sheesh. Oh wait, no you don't.... I mean they really aren't thaaat great. You sure you don't want to go after more Escudo? I mean that stuff is da BOMB. (hangs head because I just can't lie even to preserve the availability of DFMs or the fact I haven't even had Escudo) Yes, you need to try the medallions. Escudo's good, but a little more spicy than plummy. That's why I'm interested in the DFM. |
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Post by PhantomWolf on Apr 3, 2019 13:20:46 GMT -5
Love PSLNF! You now have me looking in Davidoff's direction as well. haha
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 3, 2019 13:51:05 GMT -5
Good review. And I almost thought I could get this one. At least you've done your bit to bankrupt Cramptholomew. |
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Post by sperrytops on Apr 3, 2019 14:23:04 GMT -5
Nice review. I can tolerate Escudo, but that's about it. A lot of them go too heavy on the Perique or don't put anything in to give it some depth other than a bit of liquor sometimes. Otherwise, Navy flakes from most brands are low on my list of likes.
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Post by monbla256 on Apr 3, 2019 21:40:03 GMT -5
Another all Va flake is Wessex's Brown Virginia Flake. Another all around Va flake that rubs out or folds beautifully, and gives a nice smooth smoke that's a bit fuller than OGS and has a bit more of a hit from Lady N but not much. Some might consider it a bit moist right from the tin but I let it sit fully rubbed out for about an hour and it's all fine for me. Give it a try, it's a nice change from OGS. 
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2019 22:00:14 GMT -5
Hard to beat PSLNF just buy the bricks and jar it up the longer it sits the better it gets. Lots of folks like those coins and that's okay but they need their own pipe the subtle flavors and muted. I do not recommend a cob for flakes and medallions but that is one of my idiocentricities.
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Post by trailboss on Apr 3, 2019 22:44:40 GMT -5
Nice review...I wish I was as talented and as palateabley able to express myself. I am good at expressing palllets via tractor trailer though.  Keep an eye out for P& C's annual sale of them blends....I would encourage anyone that likes them blends to buy and cellar yearly.....to me it is the best priced premium value tobacco at a very affordable price....one of the best bangs for the buck. It would be a shame if we ever lost them blends. My favorite is Luxury Bullseye flake, but all three are excellent. |
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gav
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Post by gav on Apr 3, 2019 23:00:51 GMT -5
I like the PS luxury bullseye flake. 1.5 lb boxes are usually at discount prices.
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Chuckus
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Post by Chuckus on Apr 4, 2019 5:13:37 GMT -5
Good review,I like the Navy flake and the Bullseye ,I think that they are both great though for me the Navy is slightly more sweet and tastes of caramel more than Bullseye does.I like it more on the dry side better than fresh.I generally set out for a bit and then grind.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Apr 4, 2019 6:32:36 GMT -5
All 3 are great blends and with even a little bit of age they develop flavors nicely.
I have a couple of pounds of each and plan on buying more boxes when it goes on sale again.
Great review
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atison
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Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
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Post by atison on Apr 4, 2019 7:57:13 GMT -5
Nice review...I wish I was as talented and as palateabley able to express myself. I am good at expressing palllets via tractor trailer though. Keep an eye out for P& C's annual sale of them blends....I would encourage anyone that likes them blends to buy and cellar yearly.....to me it is the best priced premium value tobacco at a very affordable price....one of the best bangs for the buck. It would be a shame if we ever lost them blends. My favorite is Luxury Bullseye flake, but all three are excellent. Any idea what time of year P&C does their PS blend sale? Or is it just randomly they will do it? I will definitely pick up a 24oz of it when they do. |
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Post by trailboss on Apr 4, 2019 8:33:42 GMT -5
If someone has a P&C calendar maybe they can chime in. I have not gotten a calendar for the last couple of years... they pick a month for PS stuff.
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mpuffington
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Post by mpuffington on Apr 4, 2019 9:01:43 GMT -5
If someone has a P&C calendar maybe they can chime in. I have not gotten a calendar for the last couple of years... they pick a month for PS stuff. Just checked my calendar. June is Peter Stokkebye month. |
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atison
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Post by atison on Apr 4, 2019 9:07:28 GMT -5
If someone has a P&C calendar maybe they can chime in. I have not gotten a calendar for the last couple of years... they pick a month for PS stuff. Just checked my calendar. June is Peter Stokkebye month. Sweet. Going to pick up a couple ounces of Luxury Twist, Bullseye and Navy today at my B&M to really spend some time with each off them ahead of June and will definitely be picking up a 24oz box of one or more of them. |
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Post by McWiggins on Apr 4, 2019 9:28:50 GMT -5
The past two years in April P&C did a Bulk-a-Thon even where all bulk tobacco was 15% off. Not sure if they will this year. Then last year towards the end of June they did 20% off sitewide. In August of last year Peter Stokkebye blends were the "Monthly Deal" and were 25% off. So yeah, lets hope for another good year!  |
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atison
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Post by atison on Apr 4, 2019 12:18:49 GMT -5
Just got back from my B&M and unfortunately they only had the Navy Flake (no bulls eye or twist). I asked for 5oz and he proceeded to weight out 5.04 oz then printed the sticker. After printing the sticker he reached in the jar and grabbed a handful of flakes and added it to the bag (easily 5-6 more flakes). And their price/oz is $2.67/oz. Lucky me.
He is also going to order a couple boxes of Bulls-eye and Twist so I will be back when they do for 5oz of each of those. Hopefully the hamfisted deal is still in effect.
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Post by Legend Lover on Apr 4, 2019 15:33:02 GMT -5
Just got back from my B&M and unfortunately they only had the Navy Flake (no bulls eye or twist). I asked for 5oz and he proceeded to weight out 5.04 oz then printed the sticker. After printing the sticker he reached in the jar and grabbed a handful of flakes and added it to the bag (easily 5-6 more flakes). And their price/oz is $2.67/oz. Lucky me. He is also going to order a couple boxes of Bulls-eye and Twist so I will be back when they do for 5oz of each of those. Hopefully the hamfisted deal is still in effect. That's a great b&m you've got there! |
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atison
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Post by atison on Apr 16, 2019 7:33:16 GMT -5
Grabbed a fresh flake this morning out of the mason jar I loaded up a few weeks ago. Did the microwave thing for 10 seconds just to make sure she burned consistent (what a great smell coming out). Fold and stuff sprinkling any remnants on top and tamped it down.
My old zip lock baggie is definitely on the too dry side and maybe slightly stale as this fresh flake came out of the gate with tons of flavor and far more complex. Dried fruit, leather, slight pepper, core tobacco and baking spices. Not overly "bready" but you get some bready goodness in there too. Flavors moved more toward the leather end as I got down in the bowl which I liked very much. Vitamin N was good too. This bowl pushed this flake much closer to the Flake Medallions I love so much and with the price difference it makes a good argument to take its spot in my rotation.
Another noticeable thing over my stale/dry stash is that this one was much smoother. Retrohales were flavorful and without any harshness.
I can't wait to pack away a few jars of this for a year nap. Definitely picking up a 24oz box of this at P&C's sale.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2019 12:44:47 GMT -5
It does well with age.
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Post by joel0711 on Feb 2, 2022 20:54:21 GMT -5
Expecting an order in just any day
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Post by urbino on Feb 2, 2022 20:55:44 GMT -5
Expecting an order in just any day Stokkebye makes some good Luxury _____ Flake blends. |
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Post by darktater on Feb 2, 2022 21:01:04 GMT -5
I just picked up a goodly bit of Luxury Twist Flake from '15. It is very nice, mild but very smooth. I like the LBF, but haven't tried any with age on it. I'll be putting some up soon-ish
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Post by trailboss on Feb 2, 2022 21:02:04 GMT -5
Pipes and Cigars used to have the heavenly trio on sale every November.
The prices were phenomenal, and too good to pass up, so I loaded up yearly.
No brainer blends for cellar construction.
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