Sutliff Cringle Flake (2021)

Sutliff Cringle Flake 2021

The 2021 edition of Sutliff’s limited holiday release was built from tobacco that was already old when it went into the tin. Sutliff took US-grown red Virginias that had aged for more than 20 years, gave them a Cavendish treatment, and blended them with Mark Ryan’s 2003 Perique. The whole leaf was then pressed and sliced into broken flakes. Sutliff described the result as a smoke that harkens back to the “good ole days.”

The blend has no added flavoring. The Cavendish process draws out the Virginias’ natural sugars, so it smokes sweet and fruity. Reviewers describe tangy citrus and dark stone fruit with notes of bread, grass, and light spice. The Perique stays moderate. Instead of pepper, it adds raisin, fig, and dark cherry. Strength is medium, and the room note is pleasant.

This tin has been sealed since 2021, so the long-aged leaf inside has had five more years to marry. Fresh tins could open with a sharp vinegar note, which is typical of red Virginia and Perique and usually softens with time. It’s ready to smoke now and will also keep well in the cellar.