ERINMORE FLAKE

[SpeedyPete]

I've smoked this tobacco 30 years ago whenever I wanted a special treat. Must have emptied 100e of tins.

When I tried it again some 4 years ago, I was disappointed, not the same stuff anymore. But I've ordered 4 tins again. I have a craving for it that won't go away. Hopefully the new batch will be nearer to what it used to be   

 

[Smokey-smokey]

Sorry to disappoint you, but it still isn't any closer than what it was before, take it from someone who loved the old incarnation.

The old stuff had a strong flavor and tickled my nose, it also ghosted the pipe and left it possessed with the spirit of erinmore.

Now, the flavoring is there, but very muted. The tin smell, the flavor when smoking, everything is a slightly close approximation and, while still good in its own right, it is not what it was.

I, too, noticed the big change a few years ago. I bout 3 tins a few months ago thinking exactly the same you are thinking...

This new batch is very similar to Orlik Golden Slices but with more casing.

Again, not to bash it, still good, but don't expect the old stuff and you won't be disappointed.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

Just chew on a stick of Juicy Fruit while you smoke the new mix and you'll be fine.  8) 


 :lol!: 

 

[monbla256]

Just chew on a stick of Juicy Fruit while you smoke the new mix and you'll be fine.   8) 


 :lol!: 

The one that tastes like Juicy Fruit is the "Mixture" NOT the "Flake" Has ALWAYS been that way and STILL is !! :twisted: 

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

PS Luxury Twist Flake, that's the real Juicy Fruit. Just don't forget to get your skis shined up before you smoke it.   

 

[rothnh]

As alluded to here, it's all about what *used to be*

The reality of life is that today, there are scores of wonderful pipe tobaccos that were not around 2-3 decades ago.

Yes, I was there back then.  

Now it's certainly true there were some awesome blends available back then, and we can all wax poetic about them, it's really nice to see there are blends we miss, but the availability of blends we have today that were not available to use back then makes it good to join together fora smoke.

I love Erinmore Flake and have several thins on the cellar.

I also have a couple tins or the Murray's Erinmore Flake, which is, for sure, completely unlike today's version -- Murray's is a Lakeland through and through, which, depending on your preference, can be good or bad.

 

[Rob_In_MO]

The one that tastes like Juicy Fruit is the "Mixture" NOT the "Flake" Has ALWAYS been that way and STILL is !! :twisted: 

I know, it was just a joke.  :lol: 
Man I miss the old Juicy Fruit Mixture. I still have a little from the tin that Harlock sent me (old Erinmore Mix), but it's for special occasions.

 

[michael drue]

Erinmore Flake,my all time favorite! My
First Flake I have tried.I come always back
To it! I had the chance to smoke one tin of the Murray's version.
I prefer the actual production,don't like the Lakeland taste in this.
The new batch doesn't have it,just the fruity flavors what I really like.
It burns very slow,needs drying time.
The bacci taste at best for me fully rubbed out.
And in narrow bowls.And the price is right.
If I don't dry it a bit,the added flavors will not
Be detectable during the smoke.

But this is only my experience.

So long!
Michael

 

[klause]

I used to lament the passing of a blend, and then be overly critical of its reincarnation.

3 Nuns is a case in point. I smoked it in the 80s - my absolute favourite blend. Then it became unavailable - complete devastation.

Orlik started to produce it, and I tried - still have a 5 yr old tin of it stashed away, because, I hated it.

The truth is I told myself it was nothing like the original, while the fact was I couldn't even remember what the original was like. But, I'd set my hat against it. I've since smoked some 70s tins, and they were fabulous, but I couldn't honestly say they were the same, better, worse, and aged improvement on the 80s stuff - because I just can't hang on to accurate memories and taste and flavours for that long - was damn good stuff though.

I've recently tried the MacBaren rendition. No idea if it's as good as, worse or an improvement on, the original. But I do know that it's a drop dead gorgeous smoke - and, I mean gorgeous - could be a regular again, mist certainly. Same name, different blend, but really, does it matter to me?

No! Because I cannot truly remember what the original was like. What I can do now, is just remember that I used to smoke a damn fine blend called 3 Nuns in the 80s, and be happy with knowing I smoked a classic.

To add more twists, I recently managed to acquire a 50s cutter top tin of 3 Nuns Empire blend. I expect seasoned smokers in the 80s used to look back to the 50s and lament the passing of a fine blend, but make do with the 'current pale imitation'.

And so it goes.

There is a long list of these 'glorious' baccy's now gone, or altered. I'll smoke the new versions, and judge em on their merits - I have no choice - I can't remember EXACTLY what they were like years ago. And aged tins, the holy grails, are no indicator, as they have changed with aging and no longer represent the original fresh product.

Bring on the Capstan, Erinmore Flake, 3 Nuns, and all the rest if 'em.

Erinmore Flake? Smoked it all the way from the 80s - still a damn fine smoke!

My only fear is that it ALL becomes unavailable, or too expensive. That would be a horror I do not want to face, because, I love tobacco, and smoking it in a pipe!

 

[SpeedyPete]

Well, thanks my brothers for all of your remarks! I've enjoyed reading through it once more and I have to agree with all of you.....get on with what we have NOW and try to forget about the PAST.

I've smoked 2 of the 4 tins which I've ordered. Funny thing is that at times, the original taste is there......almost! But, non the least, I enjoyed those 2 tins.

I opened one of the remaining 2 tins and spiced it with granulated perique, leaving the flakes in tact. I sealed the tin by wrapping it with rubber bands and left it like that. After a month, I rubbed out the flakes and mixed up the tobacco thoroughly and back in the tin it went, sealed once more with rubber bands.

After anonther month I opened the tin and the old aroma I was looking for, came out a bit stronger (maybe it was my imagination). What I did not imagine was the very nice taste of my "new" blend! I had to let it dry out a bit but the flavour is rich and full, very satisfying. And the original Juicy Fruit taste is still there although a bit in the background.

I've now treated the last tin in the same way and.......I'm waiting for another 6 tins to do the same! If they can't make them the same anymore, we will do so ourselves  :twisted: 

 

["sam"]

I finished a tin recently and noticed a vast difference in taste depending on if I smoked it rubbed out or fold-and-stuff. For me the floral/fruity notes were much more present when the flake was fully rubbed-out...I preferred it using the fold/stuff.

 

[Jevverrett]

Not to wake a sleeping dog... I have an old tin of the flake (rectangular) I got a like three years ago I haven't opened. I had a guy who got it for me at a B&M. Anyway, this new tin (squarish) came into stock at the store and I thought it was crap. I'm not sure if the tin I have is what you all prefer. I have been sitting on the old tin for some time, and don't think it would kill me to part with it. If anybody notices this post and is interested in a trade, message me. I like English mixtures/flakes these days.

P.S. -not sure if I'm allowed to do this because im new here. I don't want to make any trouble if I'm not supposed to trade or what have you in my first month.

 

[Brewdude]

I've got a sample of this around somewhere from an old trade. Think it was pretty well aged too. Don't remember being particularly impressed with it. But it always pays to revisit it as tastes change over time.


Cheers,

RR

 

[SpeedyPete]

Not to wake a sleeping dog... I have an old tin of the flake (rectangular) I got a like three years ago I haven't opened. I had a guy who got it for me at a B&M. Anyway, this new tin (squarish) came into stock  at the store and I thought it was crap. I'm not sure if the tin I have is what you all prefer. I have been sitting on the old tin for some time, and don't think it would kill me to part with it. If anybody notices this post and is interested in a trade, message me. I like English mixtures/flakes these days.

P.S. -not sure if I'm allowed to do this because im new here. I don't want to make any trouble if I'm not supposed to trade or what have you in my first month.

Those square tins are no good for aging. Get rid of it as soon as possible! Someone will pay you a lot of money for it

 

[Jevverrett]

Not to wake a sleeping dog... I have an old tin of the flake (rectangular) I got a like three years ago I haven't opened. I had a guy who got it for me at a B&M. Anyway, this new tin (squarish) came into stock  at the store and I thought it was crap. I'm not sure if the tin I have is what you all prefer. I have been sitting on the old tin for some time, and don't think it would kill me to part with it. If anybody notices this post and is interested in a trade, message me. I like English mixtures/flakes these days.

P.S. -not sure if I'm allowed to do this because im new here. I don't want to make any trouble if I'm not supposed to trade or what have you in my first month.

Those square tins are no good for aging.  Get rid of it as soon as possible!  Someone will pay you a lot of money for it

I can't trade it off here for 2 more weeks. I even got an offer on it today. The rectangular tin is worth something, being (I believe)the older blend. The square one won't keep though?

 

[fsu92john]

The square one won't keep though?

Some people find that square tins are more apt to lose their vacuum seal than the round tins with screw-on lids. I've never encountered this problem personally, but it apparently does happen.

 

[SpeedyPete]

Not to wake a sleeping dog... I have an old tin of the flake (rectangular) I got a like three years ago I haven't opened. I had a guy who got it for me at a B&M. Anyway, this new tin (squarish) came into stock  at the store and I thought it was crap. I'm not sure if the tin I have is what you all prefer. I have been sitting on the old tin for some time, and don't think it would kill me to part with it. If anybody notices this post and is interested in a trade, message me. I like English mixtures/flakes these days.

P.S. -not sure if I'm allowed to do this because im new here. I don't want to make any trouble if I'm not supposed to trade or what have you in my first month.

Those square tins are no good for aging.  Get rid of it as soon as possible!  Someone will pay you a lot of money for it

I can't trade it off here for 2 more weeks. I even got an offer on it today. The rectangular tin is worth something, being (I believe)the older blend. The square one won't keep though?

It's only the round, screw down tins which stay vacuum sealed. The rectangular tins lose there seal after only a year or so. Or rather, that's my experience with them. Maybe yours are still OK.

 

[Brewdude]

I've got a sample of this around somewhere from an old trade. Think it was pretty well aged too. Don't remember being particularly impressed with it. But it always pays to revisit it as tastes change over time.


Cheers,

RR

My mistake - I was thinking of Edgeworth Ready Rubbed, not Erinmore flake. Not had the Erinmore that I can remember.





Cheers,

RR

 

[Jevverrett]

I smoked this stuff everyday for a few years until it changed on me. The new tins tasted soapy to me, and kind of lost the fruity taste I liked

 

[Stick]

My Pa (mum's dad) was an Erinmore smoker. I doubt that it was the flake though as this would have been too fussy for him, more likely to the be the mixture that required less prep. Either way, this would probably have been one the smells of my childhood. It's a shame they've changed it as I was planning to take a trip down memory lane only this time from the other end of a briar. I'll still give it a whirl though and see what it evokes...