Tobaccos Peter Stokkebye - Optimum (No.31)

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3048)	2016-02-10		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

The Virginias have some earth, wood and tangy dark fruit with minor grass and tart citrus notes as the lead component. The earthy, woody burleys are a little nutty with some molasses and a hint of cocoa in a support role. The black cavendish offers some brown sugar in the background. There’s some vanilla from a topping, too. The very sweet fruit topping has a little depth, and seems to me it’s of the tropical variety, though I certainly notice the berries, raspberry being among of them. They are little more obvious than the vanilla. There’s no artificialness to the richness of the toppings. They moderately sublimate the tobaccos. The strength is a step short of the center of mild to medium, while the taste is a slot past that center. Has a mild nic-hit. It may need a minimum dry time. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with no weakening of flavor, no dull or harsh spots, and won’t bite even when pushed. Has a very consistent creamy sweet flavor from top to bottom. Leaves a little moisture in the bowl, but no goop or dottle. Requires an average number of relights. Has a very pleasant, lightly lingering after taste and room note, and is easily an all day smoke. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

18 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ruffinogold (112)	2012-08-23		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Theres one thing that bugs me about this site .. Reviewers .. lol . If you " rarely smoke Aros because they do nothing for you " .... why waste space that people will have to read through to get to a real review . Anyway , this is a good aro in the PS fashion . Like many of the cased Aros , if you like the flavor , you'll at least like the blend , given it lights and smokes well enough ... which this blend does . I have this blend jarred and smoke it now and again . The room note is very nice and the flavor , I cant quite make it out [ I rarely can unless it's labeled :) ] but it's nice . Smokes cool and the wife smokes it as well .

16 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2002-12-16		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

As I write this, I'm enjoying my first bowl of Optimum for the day. It won't be my last. Currently my favorite tobacco, I have a pound and a half of this delightful blend in my humidor.

The pouch aroma is wonderful, mouth-watering and delicious. If I had no match, I might be tempted to just dig in with a fork. Packing a bowl in my favorite bulldog, I set fire to the blend and my wife immediately exclaims, "Oooh, what is that? It smells GREAT!" And she says it every time I light a bowl! This is a real crowd pleaser.

I am unable to distinguish the exact flavor of the casing, but it is sweet and still allows the taste of the tobacco to peak through at times. My only complaint through the bowl is that it seems to require slightly more relights than usual. But this doesn't really bother me and is probably an exercise in picking nits.

I recommend this blend highly for both the beginning pipe smoker, and for those of us that have smoked a pipe more winters than we care to admit. Even the dyed-in-the-wool, English-only, conformist pipe snob would enjoy sneaking a bowl of this when no one was around. Go ahead, I won't tell!

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2016-07-01		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is a great example of what I consider a good aromatic. And depending how the topping hits you, it could easily be that four star aro for you.

The reason for my saying this is the fact that the topping hangs through the bowl from beginning to end albeit lessening in intensity as you move through the bowl. At about one third the way through, the burleys come through and combine with the topping for a great smoking experience reminding you that you are, indeed, smoking tobacco not candy. All the while this is happening, there is no goop left behind and the smoke is cool on the palate.

The topping is as stated; vanilla and fruit. I also seem to pick up some kind of liquor, but am not sure what. This one is kind of similar to CAO Moontrance to me which has bourbon added and more of a tropical fruit essence, but performs remarkably similar.

I have greatly enjoyed many of the PS aros and this is no exception, but this is a little different than the others in that it seems more like a traditional American Aromatic than a European Aro, meaning heavier in the burley, black cavnedish and topping. In any case, I really enjoyed the generous sample given me by the STG/Lane representatives at the last Chicago Show and will likely pick up some more to put into the cellar.

Pipe Used: Mostly Meerschaum

Purchased From: Sample

Similar Blends: CAO Moontrance.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2081)	2016-11-18		Mild to Medium	Strong	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Peter Stokkebye - Optimum (No.31).

When I pulled this out of my cellar this morning I thought, wrongly, Optimum was an English! Now, by no-means am I 'anti aro', but I'm not a massive fan of this.

The tobacco appears to contain a higher proportion of Black Cavendish compared to the lighter leaves. The ribbons are quite chunky in size and the moisture's good. The aroma from the pouch suggests a large inclusion of citrus.

At first, this is the way the smoke tastes: mainly sharp and citrusy. These inaugurate few puffs don't sit very well with me. But in quite a short space of time a vanilla creaminess begins; this raises it from the depths. As a bowl progresses the fruit also develops more character; what began as just astringent citrus develops into mango and passion fruit. Sadly Optimum bites my tongue and this ruins any of the enjoyment I was having from the tropical flavours. To be honest, as I'm in the minority camp on strength of flavour: strong, I get very little in the way of actual tobacco taste.

The nicotine's mild to medium and I'm not too fond of the room-note; it's fruity, but not my thing.

Optimum isn't the worst blend I've had, but I don't rate it with any more than two stars.

Somewhat recommended.

Pipe Used: Chacom

Age When Smoked: One month

Purchased From: 4noggins

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	guitar2mw (92)	2015-05-09		Extremely Mild	Extremely Mild	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Very Pleasant

I must admit that this review may be a little skewed. I love Stokkebye blends, but I just couldn't get into this one. Perhaps it was because it was very well aged whenever I received it. A friend of mine who runs a tobacco shop found it in the back room (he bought the place from the previous owner last year). He let me get a sample bag (about 8 oz) for helping him out. This stuff had me pretty excited because it smelled AMAZING in the bag, and it was the perfect moisture level. I packed it in a Dr. Grabow and lit it up, expecting the tobacco gods to deliver the magic of a well-aged tobacco to my palate.

That's pretty much where the excitement gave way to utter disappointment. It was a bland, tasteless smoke with a hint of sweetness. My car smelled wonderful, but I couldn't taste anything. I may pick up a fresh batch sometime to try, but for now I'll leave this one in a jar to mix with other things.

Pipe Used: Dr. Grabow

Age When Smoked: 5-8 years old

Purchased From: Gift from a friend

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Smoke_Ring (158)	2013-05-28		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

Peter Stokkebye - PS-31 Optimum

Star Rating = 2

Rating Scores - 10 is the Best and 0 is the Worst

Pouch Note = 8

Room Note = 8

Flavor = 7

Bite = 8

Burn = 8

After Taste = 7

Raw Score = 46

Rated Percentage = 77%

Comment = Smooth, Mild, has a Fruity cherry casing After Taste from Start to Finish

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	The Pipesmith (6)	2010-04-17		Very Mild	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

I think this is a fine, light aromatic, and its my favorite aromatic from the Stokkebye line. I see the aromatics get dinged a lot in the reviews which is unfortunate, and its typically the blends with latakia out the wazoo that get the highest number of reviews and high marks. My favorite tobaccos are not aromatics, but when I want one this is it. When I'm working in the yard, I can get a large pipe of this going once and then forget about it as I puts around. Its pretty mild, a bit too mild I suppose, and doesn't bite when I'm concentrating on other things. It burns with no tending or tamping. The flavorings are not so over the top that its a sticky mess to work with. It will burn down about two-thirds of the way before going out at which time it is usually best to dump the remains. And yes, it is a bit gunky at this point, but not nearly so bad as many other aromatics. Its a good crowd pleaser when I'm in the mood to mingle and actually care what other poeple think of my pipe smoke. It has gotten more compliments from strangers than any other tobacco I've ever smoked. Period.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Big Blue Jazzman (73)	2015-07-01		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

A decent offering from P.S. if you like your aromatics. Nice berry flavor goes good early in the day with a cup of joe. Burns well and stays lit. Smokes cool as long as you don't puff too hard.

Pipe Used: 1970's Meer

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: pipes &cigars

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2002-03-18		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

This bulk tobacco offers the smoker an unchallenging, yet flavorful smoke. The strength of this tobacco is very mild, yet it's flavor is straightforward with hints of sweetness throughout the entire bowl. I've been told that this blend is cased in rum and vanilla, yet if true, the casing is mild and one has to work to decipher these tastes. Overall, I enjoy this tobacco, especially during my morning commute to the office as the sweetness of the tobacco creates the perfect entre into the rest of the workday.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	jadams2x4 (1)	2020-06-04		Very Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I am an aromatic smoker through-and-through, this is currently my top favorite blend. I ordered 2oz to try and it was gone in a flash. It has a gentle flavor and wonderful room-note and smokes cool all the way to the bottom of the bowl. No bite even with hard puffing on it. Like other reviewers, I cannot place the topping/casing (I read it and think "ok") but whatever it is it doesn't dominate the flavor in any way. Hint of fruit? Sweetened, but not overwhelmingly sugary. Perfectly balanced.

As a point of reference, my other cellar staples are PS-201/BCA and Three Blind Moose.

If you are looking for strong flavors and a huge nic-hit, look elsewhere. If you are an aromatic smoker and haven't tried this, do yourself a favor. Heck, I think everyone should try this. It has found a forever home in my cellar and it just might find it's way into your rotation as well.

Pipe Used: Grand Duke, Cob

Age When Smoked: Fresh Bulk

Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pipewrench (10)	2018-04-10		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

An interesting blend.

Upon opening the sample I got a combination of a slight rum note, citrus, tropical fruit, blackberries/raspberries, and vanilla. Moisture was slightly on the damp side of being spot on.

Initially it tasted like sweet black licorice. Then came the berry flavors, citreous fruit, and a very slight vanilla in that order. The berry flavor was by far the main taste with a slight sweetness. Not much tobacco flavor. Burned hot, on the faster side of moderate, and was warm on the tongue without being harsh. Room note was light. Flavor remained to the end. Slight dampness left in the bowl.

I could smoke this blend everyday, but not all day long as it got to be a bit much after awhile. Only going to be able to go 2.5 stars (C+) due to the burn characteristics.

An interesting blend.

Pipe Used: Willard & E.A. Carey briars

Age When Smoked: Fresh - 1 week

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Past Master (20)	2018-03-17		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

In general, I'm not a fan of aromatics, and I don't normally buy them. But, this is from Peter Stokkebye, a brand that I trust, so I thought I'd give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. It is surprisingly sweet, but not too sweet. It does have a fruity flavor with a mild hint of citrus. I have smoked several bowls of it and find that it has no tongue bite. It will remain in my top drawer as something I return to regularly, when I'm in the mood for it. I recommend that you give it a try.

Pipe Used: Petersons

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Legionnaire (26)	2017-11-25		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Went into Just For Him looking for a rum flavored blend and they handed me this. It’s a pretty sad excuse for a rum blend (which it isn’t) and I certainly wouldn’t buy it again. Overall, it’s just another substandard aromatic for the newbie masses. No thanks, I’ll pass.

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: N/A

Purchased From: www.justforhim.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	BROBS (67)	2017-06-27		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

Regardless of what I do with this one it causes me bite. Maybe it's my smoking style but I just can't like it. It leaves a chemical type wet taste to the smoke and the pipe, I can't put my finger on it but I believe it must be the cavendish that is used. I wanted to like this one but I ended up giving the rest of the jar I had away to a friend. Room note is fine, just not very pleasurable to smoke for me.

Pipe Used: Vauens

Age When Smoked: 2 months to 1 year

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Longstreet (6)	2015-07-07		Very Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This is my go to blend right now since Edwards tobacco is currently not available. I have smoked this off and on for several years and find that it is a very good, light sweet tobacco. It burns well and smokes dry which is good for me, as I tend to be a wet smoker sometimes. The flavor is consistent through out the bowl. It is light enough with a good but not intense flavor to be a good blend for a new or occasional smoker.

Pipe Used: Edward's Algerian briar

Age When Smoked: Fresh and aged as well

Purchased From: Various online retailers and shops

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Arkie (129)	2013-04-10		Very Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

This mixture tastes a bit like Sillems Black Label. The Zimbabwe leaf gives it a slightly exotic taste and the trace of vanilla sweetens it slightly. I'm undecided if I will put it into my regular rotation but I sure don't regret buying the pouch of it.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DavidP (25)	2012-11-18		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

An inexpensive blend that tastes very similar to 1-Q with pleasant vanilla and caramel flavor. Needs additional drying as my dottle is very damp. Also the last third of the pipe loses its flavor and takes on a dull ashy taste.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2012-10-15		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Not really sure what to think of this blend. The aroma and taste was good and it burns very dry for an aromatic which is great. The problem I have with it is my tongue is not happy. I cant quite make out if it is spicy or a bite. Leaning more towards spicy which doesnt belong in an aromatic because I have yet to be bitten by a stokkebye blend. I recommend B&B instead.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2011-03-02		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

If you are looking for an aromatic that is full of fruit and vanilla flavor, look no further. The sweetness only becomes more pronounced the further down the bowl you smoke it. It smokes cool, won't bite your tongue, and leaves no scraps at the bottom of a bowl, just a nice gray ash. It has a delicious aroma and I've never once had any non-smoker make a negative comment about the smell. Quite the contrary! The smell of this pipe tobacco reminds me of the smell of this small tobacco shop I used to pass by as a child. It was as if honeysuckle and some berries from elfland had been tossed into a fire and the aromas were wafting through the air. The pleasure that smell gave to my senses is one of the main reasons I am a pipe smoker. And you cannot beat the price! Thank you, Stokkebyes!!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Peppino (74)	2010-08-07		Very Mild	Very Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Optimum, is what it is. No pretense just a nice lite aromatic tobacco that won't get you kicked out of the house. As well as give your palate a chance to cleanse itself while an ODA stuffed with stashed 965 is laying in waiting! Peter was a great guy and made some great tobacco's,and was one of the nicest men in the industry. We all need a break sometimes and this fits the bill! Happy puffing!!!!!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2009-11-19		Very Mild	Medium	Very Mild	Pleasant

Average, cheap American aromatic type tobacco. Bought it out of curiosity and although I do not usually like aromatics due to tongue bite, this tobacco did not bite. I will not be buying this again but, it is not terrible.

Packs and lights well, smokes easily and not as hot as expected.

Taste is almost all flavoring. Typical, generally sweet taste. Gets a bit acrid the further down the bowl you get.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2009-10-03		Extremely Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

I purchased an ounce or two of this from the tobacconist after getting a whiff of the rum and/or vanilla others here have noted. Stokkebye's English Luxury is a standard for me, and I ventured to this light aromatic to keep up patronage.

Smoking with Johann, a cigar smoker who had recently picked up the pipe, I quickly realized the odor of the casing did not translate to taste. As mild an English as Luxury is, its taste is quite a bit more substantial, and, it being my daily, I was not prepared to step down in intensity of flavor.

Comparing Burley to Burley, were one to soak Prince Albert in his can with rum, afterward letting it dry, I can imagine it approximating Optimum. As much as I dislike the former, I think I would choose that route before again attempting Optimum. One might imagine Jonathan's response, he accustomed to the cigar; to him, it was like smoking nothing. We offered it to his girlfriend for potpourri, but, I hear, she discarded it.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2009-09-28		Mild	Medium	Mild	Pleasant

Like everyone said, it can burn a little too hot. So watch out for that. I must disagree about the taste though. The first 1/2 of the bowl is good and sweet. The last half is very ashy and not doesn't have much taste. Its a decent aromatic, but only smoke half a bowl.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2007-03-28		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

This is a great experience as long as you are not the one smoking it. Great in the jar and in the air. But in the mouth its a little overwhelming. I think it actually gives me a headache.

A milder version of this would do well if they cut the flavoring by 2/3rds or something. Something closer to Virginia Q. Bad part is I really wanted and tried to like this stuff but I don't think my tongue would survive. Yeeeooowww!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2006-08-26		Very Mild	Strong	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

Whoa, a blend of many synthetic flavors that smells great. It taste like marshmellows and I actually felt a little ill- like when you eat too many oreo cookies..... good for young novice.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	huffnpuff (53)	2005-12-17		Very Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I bought an ounce of this blend and it smelled nice. The taste is there if you smoke more of it, but I dont want a hot smoke. Though I did get a wet smoke. The room aroma is nice and my wife liked the smell.I got no tongue bite and it lit well, but it lacks the flavor I look for. I probably wont buy this one again.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2005-12-06		Very Mild	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

I thought I might be in the mood for an aromatic - not a mood that strikes very often. Optimum smelled OK in the jar, but I wish I had stopped right there.

A typical bulk aromatic, it was over-cased and no matter how much I tried, it smoked wet. I really wanted to like it, as I would love to have something to smoke in less-than-smoker-friendly environments.

If you can get past the flat Black Cavendish flavor and the topping, you will have something that won't run innocent bystanders off.

Keep a very good supply of pipe cleaners on hand.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Darth 69 (117)	2005-07-21		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable

I was in the mood to like this but not to be. when I first heared about this blend it was supposed to be flavored with rum and vanilla. But when I checked the website it now says fruit and vanilla. That may be my problem. I noticed blends that have noted to be flavored with a similiar scheme don't appeal to me. The taste is odd and a little sickningly confectionary. Mostly a black cave base that tastes flat with a smidgen of lighter tobaccos.It may also be the vanilla flavoring which I don't like, perhaps a vanilla extract or vanillian that tastes a little unpleasantly "synthetic." Some real vanilla flavorings don't have such a character and in combo with that flat and lifeless black cav. tastes like a marshmellow, blahhhhhh.

Not recommended

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2005-06-25		Very Mild	Very Mild	Very Mild	Pleasant

As others describe, unlit, it does smell promising, but alas, a promise it does not keep. Very mild, decent for beginners. Nothing more can be said about this tobacco that has not been already mentioned. I am nearing the end of my bowl now, and once my 2 ounces if spent, it will unlikely be another purchase of mine.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2004-10-23		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Upon opening the bag, one can immediately smell the Jamaican rum casing. It's a mildly sweet,smooth and flavorful smoke but has the ability to bite if smoked too fast.

As with most cased blends, you may do well to smoke it in a Sav with a balsa filter.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2003-06-15		Very Mild	Extremely Mild	Very Mild	Very Pleasant

This is a medium to loose coarse cut tobacco, IMO this way to mild for my tastes. The bottom line as person who loves an aromatic tobacco this one just does not make the grade with me. I found it to be very mild almost to the point of being flat.

I have tried this early in the morning, late in the evening, after dinner, in a Savinelli Estella, a Sasieni 5 Dot, a Nording Quail. The outcome was the same, the fulfillmennt was never there.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2003-01-25		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

This was an impulse buy for me. I rarely smoke aromatics not so much out of snobbishness as opposed to the fact that even when I started, they rarely do anything for me. The tin it?s packaged in was a bonus, modeled to look like a tea tin. As with most aromatics I have smoked, it smells great once you break open the tin. What is different is that although VERY mild, it does taste like it smells when smoking. Relatively clean burning, it is not harsh, and overall not bad. I really cannot give a more fair review other than that, as these types of tobaccos are generally not my things. If you are a fan of aromatics, I suspect you would find this a decent blend, but certainly nothing to rock your world.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gae (46)	2003-01-22		Mild	Very Mild	Very Mild	Very Pleasant

I found no "BUZZ" with this in anyway. Very little taste & not much else either.Infact I found it to be "Very Bland". Maybe if you have very sensitive taste buds & hate any tobacco with some strength,you might love this! Would be good for the newcomer to pipe smoking.It doe's smoke clean. In it's class-I'll give it 2 Out of 4 Star's.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2002-03-21		Extremely Mild	Mild	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Pleasant

A good tobacco needs a good taste. Having stated that fairly obvious fact, let me move on and say that Optimum is almost totally without taste of any kind. In fact one is tempted to suppose that the manufacturer has left the tobacco out altogether and substituted some subtle cellulose material masquerading as tobacco. No taste, no nicotine, a little sweet flavouring and absolutely no satisfaction whatsoever. This just about sums this tobacco up.The health authorities would love this one, as it's just about the equivalent of sucking fresh air through your pipe. YEUK!!!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	MRBROWNNOSE (18)	2020-12-31		Mild	Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Man I really like this Peter Stokebeye Optimum blend! First of all this is not your typical goopy aromatic, it comes in bulk and is dry enough for a immediate bowl. Color is black with some golden strands. It has a Berry flavor with perhaps some Vanilla but mostly Fruit forward. This is what most people wish for all aromatics, not a goopy mess, burns well and with no Tounge bite. Can leave a bit of moisture in bowl or start to sizzle towards the bottom but no problems there. Very happy with the 1oz I picked up and would like to stock up a few more Oz at least while it's still available.

Happy piping everyone! :)

Pipe Used: Many different ones

Age When Smoked: New, 6 months

Purchased From: P&c

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	canvas (337)	2020-02-28		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I've been searching my Aromatic tendencies, and discovered a new leaning towards fruit based ones; especially those coupled with something sweet (ie. Vanilla). Who knows, maybe this similar weed an compare to the great Drew Estate Grand Central (favorite in this category).

The bag aroma was a tad off putting with a mild fruit rot smell (oranges left in the sun), glossing over the sweeter topping and some natural Virginia hay. Had a slight chemical not. The cut felt great; slight moisture, meaty bits, pleasant mix of colors. Packed, lit, and stayed lit well. The lit product wasn't terribly fruity or overly candy/Vanilla, yet had a pleasant, easy, flavorful smoke with enough interest to satisfy to bowls end (attributed to the "other" flavoring perhaps).

This dialed back fruit product could be smoked all day, and was just different enough to warrant a future rebuy, but there are others in this field doing it better.

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	2piper (14)	2019-05-19		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I picked up an ounce of PS Optimum for a nice change of pace mixture and I must say that it is an enjoyable cornucopia of fruity goodness.

Nice and tangy with just the right amount of sweetness. A veritable fruit cocktail in tobacco form. Even the Mrs. will celebrate this one!

Perfectly enjoyable on the veranda after Sunday brunch at the club. Or, even while sipping your coffee as you take Fido out for his morning constitutional.

Recommended.

Age When Smoked: B&M fresh.....

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	FlatCapMatt (59)	2019-01-06		Mild	Mild	Mild	Tolerable

I got a sampler of this the other day, and so far have tried 2 bowls. My tobacco came pretty moist, and took a couple of lights to get going. I'd say it is just a pretty stock standard aromatic. I didn't find anything really special about it for good or bad. I won't have any trouble finishing my sampler of it though.

Average.

Pipe Used: Corncob

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: tobaccoblends.com.au

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	mel64us (46)	2018-12-08		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

UPDATE: 02102019 I received 2 ounces of this yesterday in an order. This is what Optimum is supposed to be. Fruity, mild. It does need some drying time, but the taste is what I remember. I think someone in my local B&M put the wrong blend in the Optimum jar. Ordering this from P&C insured the right stuff got sent. The fruity flavor and room note come through, but the tobacco flavors come through, also. All in all, this would be an excellent beginner blend or a good blend for the aromatic lover.

UPDATE: 01062019 Has Peter Stokkebye changed the blend? I purchased 2 ounces of this yesterday. I loaded and lit a bowl just now and it seems different in room note and flavor. It seems like cinnamon has been added with a heavy hand. It's not bad but it is different. A little tongue tingle, a different flavor. If this is what Optimum is going to be, I won't be buying any more.

Peter Stokkebye Optimum was a surprise. I purchased 2 oz. from. Tobacco shop that specializes in cigarettes and the clerk on duty didn't smoke. I thought I was getting an English blend. That being said, I am glad I bought this because I like aromatics. Optimum is definitely a quality aromatic blend. The moisture level was good, so I loaded a bowl and set it ablaze. My daughter was sitting next to me and hollered, " someone is smoking fruit salad." She said it smelled very nice. Four other people in the house liked the room note as well. The flavor was a mixture of vanilla and several mild fruits. Even with the flavor of fruits and vanilla, the tobaccos were not hidden. Everything in this blend melded well with the other components. A char, tamp, and a light were all that was needed. I tend to smoke slowly and just need3ed an occasional tamp to keep it burning all the way to the finish. Near the last quarter of the bowl, the fruit and vanilla diminished, but the tobacco really shined through. I would recommend this as a beginner blend, an all day smoke, and even a good break from English and Va/Per blends to those who enjoy an occasional aromatic.

04202019- UPDATE- purchased more from local B&M. It turns out that someone put the wrong blend in the jar at the B&M last purchase. This new batch is Optimum as it should be. Mild, fruity, slow burning. I smoke more English type blends now, but this is my go to blend when I want something sweeter.

Pipe Used: Peterson, Butz-Choquin, Jirsa, GBD

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Tobacco store

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	arpie55 (77)	2018-03-09		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

1st impressions, one bowl. This is a better than average aromatic. I like the tobacco used and the casing is light but present and good... the flavor went well with iced tea (unsweetened). Overall it reminds me a lot of Larsen's Signature Blend except that it had less tongue bite. Will give updates

Update- I have found this very good as an early morning smoke with coffee. It is overall a very good mixed company smoke and one of the few aromatics I return to with anticipation of what new flavor I might detect.

Pipe Used: Savinelli Bing's Favorite

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

Similar Blends: Larsen's Signature Blend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bbrown626 (150)	2017-08-12		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I am not sure why so many reviewers dislike this tobacco. Although it is not one of my favorites, it is a pretty good smoke. Fruit flavor takes the front seat in this blend with a slight vanilla note. Tobacco quality is good. Very pleasant room note and good aftertaste. I admit the first time I smoked it, it didn't impress me as much, perhaps because the taste was unexpected. The more I smoke it the more I like it.

Pipe Used: MM Diplomat

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: pipes and cigars

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	LannarkGent (145)	2016-12-18		Mild	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

I received tly pulled out a 2 year old jar of this to smoke. The toppings were delight and did not taste syrupy. The tobaccos seemed to have enough complexity to make the smoke enjoyable.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Theosprey247 (73)	2016-03-13		Extremely Mild	Medium	Medium	Tolerable

On opening the bag (sold in bulk) your nose is hit with the sweet scent of tropical fruit. Although vanilla and citrus are also included as a topping I couldn't detect them. Lights easily and burns well. Doesn't leave behind the goop common among lower end aros. Makes a good change of pace smoke.

Pipe Used: No name billiard

Age When Smoked: Fresh less than 1 week

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	slashes (16)	2013-01-02		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

Very nice aromatic to smoke when you want something light, has a light nutty taste with vanilla. Burns cool and doesnt bite.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jaysown (7)	2011-05-24		Mild	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

This one is a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I know I shouldn't like it, but on the right occasion it's a real joy.

It's a mild aromatic blend, cased with just the right amount of vanilla. The vanilla doesn't overpower the tobacco but adds a bit of sweetness and depth. Overall, the taste is very light and smooth and I find it goes perfectly with a cup of good coffee in the afternoon.

It's certainly not a tobacco I could smoke all the time because it's just too sweet but once in a while it's very enjoyable. I'd only recommend it as an occasional smoke, and the room note is one of the most pleasant I know of so perhaps a good after dinner pipe when in company.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2003-09-26		Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Pleasant

"One of our most successfull blends". Huh? I guess that must be the same people that buy Corona beer and wash it down with Glenfiddich. (Present company excluded, of course). Optimum is "tobacco lite", designed for people that want to have something good-smelling in their pipe without having the tobacco experience.

Optimum was recommended to me by a local tobacconist who said it was half-way between his sticky home-blend black vanilla cavendish and McBaren Vanilla Cream. Now, I am not a real fan of vanilla aromatics (or ice cream) but I do like McB's VC. And the home-blend black vanilla cav. I can appreciate on its own merits as an intense, if all too gooey and hard-to-keep-lit, experience. But his recommendation was like saying that "3" comes between "a" and "d". Whatever little flavor Optimum has, "it sure don't seem like vaniller to me".

Optimum seems to be composed mainly of black cavendish, which probably explains the lack of tobacco taste. This stuff just tastes flat, like the jar had been sitting open for several years. Peter Stokkebye, the crafter of many fine aromatics, really fell short here.

My wife does not even like the way it smells. What is the point? Life is to short for PS Optimum.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30194)	2003-07-16		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

I'll steal from the above.

Relatively clean burning, it is not harsh, and overall not bad. I am unable to distinguish the exact flavor of the casing, but it is sweet and still allows the taste of the tobacco to peak through at times. The strength of this tobacco is very mild, yet it's flavor is straightforward with hints of sweetness throughout the entire bowl. Good beginner smoke. I did not find it bland or flat for an aromatic.

I had no buzz.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimPM (155)	2023-01-20		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

Ideally maintaining the True North of an open mind, when presented with a tobacco blend labeled as optimal, my learned pragmatism automatically takes over filtering my reaction. Coming home to roost is a working recognition that, largely, blend ratings can be highly subjective. So, with best intentions I strive to promote unobstructed impartiality and factual accounting as the sited target. And with that goal in mind, we see entering for consideration a customary Danish styled aromatic tobacco, Optimum No. 31, from one of the piping world’s most prolific blenders the influential Peter Stokkebye.

Optimum No. 31 renders a standardly sweet and mild admixture of substantial Black Cavendish, modestly tempered Burley, and a tactful gathering of choice African Virginian strains. Generously dressed in a combination of fruit-based coatings, refined vanilla, and a few other unchristened seasonings, this Stokkebye product ministers a softly cultured flavor and a polished texture that is creamy smooth. Regaled in appearance, the mixture comes as a well-prepared combination of an ennobled dark base of deepened brown/black morsels coarsely cut, lightly disturbed by a scattering of gold-tan fine shaggy stringers.

Individualizing the pouched nose, Optimum carries a quiet and delicately polished air. Mainly, a sweet mixed fragrance of sugared berry and enriched vanilla gracefully embellish the prime introductory facing. Sheltered passively below this forward aroma, the dimmed confluence of a peaceful soured nuttiness, a bundling of cultured tart grass and some well-seasoned native wood fill the bottom layer of standard essence. Supremely dry in composure, the mixture lends itself to an easeful exercise in packing, thus offering the advantage of smoking immediacy. As a light-bodied blending, Optimum exemplifies the fine traditions of European style aromatics, posing a casual topping-prevalent depiction that leads the smoker onto a pleasantly tasteful course of eased mellowing sweetness. In fact, if I were to estimate I could presumably state that the gentled flavorings seem to occupy about 70% of the taste sphere.

On that attribute, at first lighting, a pleasing duo of a rich French vanilla note and sugary berry come to center without delay as the featured headline. Namely the vanilla endows a milky, custard-like influence as the tart sweet prominence of mixed fruit, blackberry and perhaps elderberry, sort their way forward forming an appealing ground of contrasted sugariness. Pleasing accents in the form of basic mulling spices such as reduced cinnamon, clove, and trace hints of sweetened lemon garnish the rendering. Furthermore, existing with a trailing highlight is an interesting blood orange tea nuance perhaps a combination of an additional citrus flavoring and a stronger native attribute occurring from the Virginia.

The native tobacco streams themselves are not that succinctly independent, but rather roll and tumble fused in an expressly joined fashion. Nonetheless, waves of distinguishable indigenous flavors do randomly crescendo for proper individual registration. With Optimum, the resident Cavendish endows a supporting wealth of smokey, spiced earthiness. The succeeding evidence of the Virginian is a bit wider of girth, projecting some Red fermented herb-wood, a base citrusy tang, decorated by dark tarty fruited undertones. For the Burley, it tends to encounter as a brown sugared candied nuttiness, occupied with just a hair of controlled sourness. Overall, the combined savor is charming by all objective measures.

As one would anticipate, the elegant brilliance of the lighter resultant room aroma is markedly polite in demeanor. The sum effect of the thickened gray cloudy smoke generated by the tobacco’s expending, is a plush sweet airy fragrance of buttercream fruity effervescence. This reserved essence is tailored with a slighted natural low fringe of darker zest, paled grass, and earthen wooded tart. Exceptionally docile, Optimum scent charts a tolerant impression on the accommodating scale of orderliness and magnitude.

Given consistently solid mechanical properties, the only demerit worth mentioning is that the tobacco tends to deposit a considerable lot of displeasing gungy dottle at the end of the bowl. And as indicated, the quality of smoke is unquestionably smooth, tendering no experiential palate bite with the up taking. Additionally, this mixture ignites easily, burning with an obliging coolness and moderate relaxed tempo.

As such, I can think of no plausible reason why any standard aromatic pipe smoker or those who are looking to simply try a peaceful specimen of the subject genre would find dissatisfaction with this blend. Is it perfect and optimum? Maybe or maybe not, again that is a delicately subjective and conditional assessment 3.1 Pipes

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Peterson314 (43)	2023-01-17		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

First Take: This blend has a very pleasant, soft, pillowy, slightly fruity, tobacco-forward flavor. It reminds me of 1-Q in its flavor profile and its relative mildness. It burned a little faster than I anticipated.

Mine was bone dry. I needed to relight it a couple of times even though I constantly puffed on it. Other than that, I had no issues. I burned it hot, and it didn't bite at all. Because I burned through my bowl so quickly, I went ahead and lit a second one, and I still didn't feel any nicotine.

Pleasant and mild aftertaste. This blend is not bold and doesn't linger. I'm glad I tried it and I would definitely recommend this blend to anyone looking for something around the 1-Q target, but different. That said, I won't re-up.

2023-02-10 Update: I smoked this blend in my churchwarden, and I think that made a pretty big difference. This blend shines when it has a bit of heat, and the long stem of a churchwarden helps cool the smoke from the hot ember. I'll reinforce the 1-Q link, as I smoked 1-Q yesterday. However, this blend doesn't necessarily taste like 1-Q. It tastes like Stokkebye's answer to 1-Q, as in it fits the same niche. This blend is well-rounded, well-blended, high quality, low nicotine, lightly cased, naturally sweet, approachable for any newcomer, and interesting enough to keep a well-seasoned pipe smoker entertained.

Pipe Used: Cob, Churchwarden

Age When Smoked: New

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Bubbamorris (16)	2022-07-14		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

A great, mellow aromatic and a wonderful people pleaser. Even as somebody who doesn’t care for most aromatics, I can say that this one is really good.

Opening the jar, the smell of the berry from the topping and the cocoa from the burleys and cavendish are the most noticeable. I can’t smell any virginias in the jar.

Getting this stuff lit is kinda tricky. I don’t think it’s from the moisture though. Unlike a lot of aromatics, this one isn’t super sticky or gloopy. It’s actually pretty dry. Once it gets lit though, it stays lit. The first thing you taste is brown sugar from the cavendish and a nutty, woody note from the burleys. Underneath that is some cocoa, probably from the burleys again, and the berry & vanilla topping. The berry & vanilla topping mixes very well with the other flavors in the blend, leading to a very creamy, smooth smoke. On the finish, you can taste the virginias. It has a nice dark fruit taste to it that again is complimented by the topping, as well as a brighter, grassier note. While I never got tongue bite from this, it will heat up the bowl quite a bit if you puff too fast.

I was pleasantly surprised when I first tried this. Unlike most aromatics, it doesn’t taste like hot air. The tobacco flavor isn’t hidden. You’ll taste everything the cavendish, burleys, and virginias have to offer along with a topping that never gets strange tasting. This has become my go-to aromatic due to the presence of the natural flavors. I actually prefer this over many of the more popular aros like Autumn Evening which I find starts tasting like hot air after a bit. Also, get ready for compliments when smoking this. It leaves a really nice smelling room note. For my personal taste, I’ll give it three stars, but among aros, this is a four star blend in my opinion.

FUN TIP: If you wanna add some more depth, strength, and natural flavor to this, mix 50% Peter Stokkebye Optimum and 50% C&D Haunted Bookshop together for a great light aromatic that contains a ton of natural burley and virginia flavors with a good amount of sweetness, some spice, and a bit of berry topping. I’m calling it Optimum Bookshop.

UPDATE: Upping to 4 stars, as this has become my go-to aromatic along with The Country Squire’s Old Toby.

Pipe Used: Savinelli 802

Age When Smoked: 4 months

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PennsylvaniaPiper (20)	2021-03-14		Mild to Medium	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

A very pleasant, mild aromatic with a dreamy room note. First recommended to me when I started the hobby over 20 years ago by a tobacconist at the Pipe Den at the Harrisburg East Mall (both places long since gone).

I get from Optimum sweet, creamy, nutty, vanilla, dark cherry/fruit, black licorice spice and liquor. Remarkably, all of this is accomplished without the blend being too heavy handed with candy-like syrup casing. You can still make out the tobacco taste as the flavors work with the tobacco.

I also really like the ribbon cut which makes for easy loading and burning.

While not a nicotine knockout, it also has some as compared to others blends prepared in the same way.

In my opinion, Optimum is the best bulk aromatic on the market today.

Age When Smoked: fresh

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