A couple weeks ago my middle daughter was cleaning out her brother-in-law's (known here as Crusader Pipes) old storage trailer and came across a few small zip-lock bags of tobacco samples. After supper that evening we went out to enjoy the evening air and each selected one to try. Tim thinks these have to be at least 10 years old. Being a "flakey" kind of guy I went for the one that looked like a VaPer flake, labeled Limerick. Wow, never in my brief experience have I enjoyed a smoke so much. The taste was wonderful and the room note sublime. I was thrilled when Tim gifted me the remainder of the bag. Not to mess with a good combination I used the same pipe (Mauro Armellini churchwarden) tonight when I lit up for the second go-round. No disappointment here.

A search on Tobacco Reviews revealed the content (VA's with 5% perique) and that it is still available, at least by the same name. I'm guessing that there's a good chance I'll be disappointed with a newly purchased lot but probably will give it a try on one of my future orders. One of the amazing things to me was at how effective the little baggies had been in preserving and aging the leaf. It seemed to be at a perfect moisture content, as were the others in the lot. Must be something to this aging thing.

And WHO blends "Limerick" ?

Treasures of Ireland, Limerick. Good stuff!

SmokingPipes has 16oz packages for $38. I just ordered one for the heck of it. Reviews make it sound similar to PS Luxury Navy Flake, which is one of my favorites.

Was soon as this arrives, I intend to carve off two or three ounces and stuff them into a little jar labeled "Do not smoke until 2022, under penalty of death" and hide it in the back of my closet.

I have two tins of Limerick from 1996. I think they need more age though.

Finally placed my order for a bag of Limerick. I think it was the evening when P&C had Penzance, I did find somebody that had tins but in the end decided that the bulk would be the better option and besides when I went to order this week I think the tins were all gone.

I smoked the last of my aged sample a week or 2 ago. I tried it in a different pipe this time and it seemed not to be as good as in the big churchwarden. I'm curious, Dave have you had a chance to give the fresh leaf a try?

I got my bag of Limerick this week. I opened it up last night to put it up in some jars. When I stuck my nose in the bag to partake of the tin note I was hit with the most unique sensation I've ever smelled coming from tobacco. It was at the same time off-putting and pleasant. I seem to recall some tobacco(s) being described as citrusy but I can't recall if Limerick was among them. There does seem to be some note of orange in the aroma but I can't put my finger on everything that's going on. I haven't yet put any in a bowl and put fire to it but I now have 4 large jars in my cellar and a small one for use. I was surprised at how long the flakes are, (+/- 8"?). It does seem to be a little moist for immediate use but I'm used to setting out my baccy a while before loading so I'm ready for it when the time comes.