fitzy:
Hal o' the Wynd is not quite in this category, IMO. It smokes much more like a straight Virginia; even though the manufacturer claims it contains burley and perique, I think they are almost unnoticeable in the smoke. (I do enjoy it, but to truly experience its rich sweetness, you need to smoke it VERY slowly.)
I'm only just beginning to explore this kind of flake, but one of the things that sets Stonehaven apart for me is the fact that the burley is wedded to the Virginia in such a way that it never really comes to the forefront -- and neither does the Virginia. That's why you won't get the nicotine hit -- and harshness -- that you'll find in an all-burley blend or a blend that's more burley-forward. For me, the balance is perfect. It's also worth noting that Stonehaven's flakes are extremely thin, about the thickness of four sheets of paper; all of the other flakes I've tried have been significantly thicker.
Apart from Navy Flakes, which typically include a rum component in addition to Virginia and burley, I've only tried SG's Brown Flake (which is very good, but more burley-forward) and Solani's Aged Burley Flake (which is an all-burley flake that I found a bit rough around the edges).
In another thread -- something like "Straight Virginias Get a Bad Rap" -- Cigrmaster posted this very helpful list:
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Mike, here is my list of Va and Vaper Flakes that have no bite for me. I cannot smoke much if any red Virginia's due to a body chemistry thing so all of my favorites have little or none. The TR next to the name designates ready to smoke out of the tin with no drying time. I smoke all of these on a regular basis and never have to deal with tongue bite.
Virginia Flakes:
Fribourg&Treyer Cut Virginia Plug
Fribourg and Treyer Vintage
Wessex Campaign Brigade Dark Flake
Wessex Brown Virginia Flake TR
Wessex Gold Virginia Flake TR
Wessex Gold Brick
Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake
Samuel Gawith full Virginia Flake
Hamborger Veermaster
Dunhill Flake TR
Astley’s no. 44 Dark Flake TR
Solani Silver Flake TR
John Aylesbury Luxury Flake TR
Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired
Esoterica Stonehaven
Rotary Navy Cut
Petersons Irish Flake
GL Pease Navigator
Virginia/Perique Flakes
Escudo
Solani 633 TR
Samuel Gawith St James Flake
Dunhill Deluxe Navy Rolls
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I'm using this list as my field guide for exploring this style in more depth.
Finally: I think Esoterica's blends are truly unique, even when compared with other blends from the Germain line. I don't think you'll have any success finding an exact match. But I think you'll discover a wide range of blends that you might thoroughly enjoy.
Bob