Manufacturer Description:
As a smooth, aromatic, and highly enjoyable ready-rubbed flake, THE MALLARD has won countless admirers since its introduction. We have treated the base blend—composed of sweet Zambian Virginia—to a pinch of Louisiana Perique prior to pressing and maturation. As is customary for classic flakes, the slices remain intact after cutting. THE MALLARD FLAKE – PLUS PERIQUE offers a flavor profile that is a touch fuller-bodied, rich in aromas of gentle, spicy sweetness.
Characterisation:
Mallard Flake Plus Perique is packaged in a round tin. The tobacco is wrapped in a paper rosette. Excess moisture has been absorbed by the wrapper paper, causing it to appear somewhat mottled; however, this actually benefits the consistency of the tobacco. The flakes are broadly cut and marbled in shades ranging from medium to light brown. Lighter inclusions add visual variety to the blend. The aroma is tart-sweet, reminiscent of multivitamin juice—a characteristic found in several Perique-containing tobaccos. Since Mallard Flake Plus Perique is not excessively moist, the tobacco can be plugged into a pipe immediately upon opening the tin for the first time.
Plugging:
Since Mallard Flake Plus Perique is not overly dry, the flakes can be given into the pipe using the classic bend-and-fold method. However, it is also possible to rub out Mallard Flake Plus Perique to a consistency of your personal preference. The pipe chosen should not be too small, allowing the compressed tobacco some room to expand. Additionally, sprinkling a few loose crumbs on top of the bowl makes lighting easier.
Light up:
The moderate moisture content of Mallard Flake Plus Perique ensures that the flakes light easily. The first flame prepares the bowl, the tamper smooths the surface, and the second flame sets it aglow evenly.
Smoking properties:
Mallard Flake Plus Perique is spicy and smoky. However, it also exhibits a characteristic familiar from tobaccos in the "Irish aromatic" tradition: the smoke is wafted through by a hint of perfume. This may seem unusual at first, but it harmonizes well with the other—likewise unconventional—aromas, which are reminiscent of fresh bread and sawn wood. For a natural tobacco, this presents a fascinating flavor spectrum. A natural sweetness is also discernible, serving to round off the more rustic notes. Occasionally, it may be necessary to apply a flame again to ensure a more even burn; however, this does not detract from the flavor. When, at the very end, nothing remains but a fine, medium-grey ash, one realizes that cleaning up will not be much of a hassle either.
Redolency:
Since Mallard Flake Plus Perique contains this robust, spicy tobacco—and not merely in name—it will not appeal to every non-smoker. This is something to keep in mind when smoking in company.
Conclusion:
Mallard Flake Plus Perique is a flake full of surprises. Presented in its classic round tin, the light-to-medium-brown slices appear, at first glance, to be traditional Virginia-Perique flakes. Even the "multivitamin" scent is familiar to aficionados of this genre. Quickly packed and lit, Mallard Flake Plus Perique delivers the expected smoky spice, yet surprises with a hint of Irish perfume, as well as notes of fresh wood and untoasted bread. A subtle sweetness rounds off the experience most pleasantly. Thus, Mallard Flake Plus Perique is certainly no classic Virginia-Perique—but that is precisely what makes it so intriguing to the connoisseur. Sometimes, after all, one simply craves something unusual that nonetheless retains the comforting value of the familiar.
Copyright © 2024 by TECON GmbH
with friendly support of Dennis Hübel
