This is Erinmore Flake, not Erinmore Mixture. Although it is reasonable (and probably accurate) to assume the "Flake" and "Mixture" are just two versions of the same tobacco, the discerning pipe smoker will note one critical difference: the "Flake" is flaky; the "Mixture" is not. Nothing like pointing out the obvious, but the distinction is important to keep in mind when you visit your favorite tobacco shop. As far as I can tell, the two taste identical and the choice comes down to a simple matter of preferring one style over the other. For what it's worth, though, Erinmore Flake does seems to smoke a tad cooler in my opinion. Like its loose packed twin, a 50 gram tin will provide several memorable smokes and may even convert you into an aficionado as it has with me.
Trout stream tobaccos should never divert one's attention from the act of fishing to the act of smoking. They should be polite and unobtrusive. Nat Sherman No. 509 is a perfect companion for the fly fisherman because it makes its presence known in a smooth and flavorful way. Yet, it's shy and non-assertive, allowing your focus to remain on catching fish instead of puffing the pipe. Try some if you don't mind spending a little too much money for a tin of supremely excellent black cavendish.
A friend of mine recently remarked that Dunhill ought to switch the names of these two blends. He felt like Nightcap would be more appropriate for the early morning and Early Morning might be better appreciated as a nightcap. I tend to agree, but too not strongly. Early Morning is perfect for the 5:00 a.m. ride out to the stream, and Nightcap is eminently suitable for the 8:00 p.m. drive back home. Either one, however, is a fabulous English mixture fully capable of providing inordinate amounts of pleasure anytime during the 24 hours of a day. Buy both and cover your day with pure enjoyment.
John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
�copyright 2001, Perry S. Fuller
