Wessex Gold Question

[odobenus]

Hey friends. I've discovered that I'm a serious fan of Wessex Gold Brick, though not a serious fan of prepping the plug. Too lazy, and I like to dry everything all at once.

Could you all please enlighten me: Does either 'Wessex Gold Virginia Flake' or 'Wessex Gold Slice' represent a similar, flake version of the Brick blend? From the description, it sounds like the Gold Slice is a whole different animal, as it's 'lightly stoved.' I know there are some Gold VA Flake fans here. Any wisdom appreciated. Thanks.

 

[cigrmaster]

I am also lazy so I smoke more Gold Flake than any of the others. They are all worthy of place in my cellar. The Gold Slice and the Gold Brick need a lot of age. The Virginia Gold Flake is much more approachable and much better flavors when fresh than the other two.

 

[odobenus]

I am also lazy so I smoke more Gold Flake than any of the others. They are all worthy of place in my cellar. The Gold Slice and the Gold Brick need a lot of age. The Virginia Gold Flake is much more approachable and much better flavors when fresh than the other two.

Excellent -- I'll try them both. Thanks!

 

[Ahi Ka]

I am also lazy so I smoke more Gold Flake than any of the others. They are all worthy of place in my cellar. The Gold Slice and the Gold Brick need a lot of age. The Virginia Gold Flake is much more approachable and much better flavors when fresh than the other two.

I know everyone has different preferences, with some preferring the brick fresh. Just curious as to what age you find optimal for the gold brick?

 

[odobenus]

I know everyone has different preferences, with some preferring the brick fresh. Just curious as to what age you find optimal for the gold brick?

I've barely aged the brick at all--my first--and am finding it delicious.

 

[odobenus]

So I went and bought a tin of Gold Slice and a tin of Gold VA flake, that I might compare them to the Gold Brick.
The interesting thing (to me) is that the tin of Gold VA Flake says it's a Kohlhase & Kopp production, as I thought, while the Gold Slice says "Manufactured by Mac Baren USA" in Richmond, VA! Tobacco Reviews says that Gold Slice is made by Sutliff (which I didn't realize was owned by Mac Baren).
Interesting. I didn't know Wessex came from multiple sources--I wonder why. Figured the brand was owned by K&K. Clearly I was wrong.
This would lead me to speculate that the beloved Brick, another K&K jam, is much closer in composition to the VA Flake than the Slice.
We'll let the palate have its say.

 

[B.Fee]

I am also lazy so I smoke more Gold Flake than any of the others. They are all worthy of place in my cellar. The Gold Slice and the Gold Brick need a lot of age. The Virginia Gold Flake is much more approachable and much better flavors when fresh than the other two.

I agree with cigrmaster, my gold brick 2014 is far superior to the fresh brick." Not that the fresh is bad" And I'm anticipating better things in the coming years.?

 

[SBC]

I've tried neither the flake nor the slice, but I do have several of the bricks. It's been quite awhile since I smoked it, so I don't remember what I think of the taste, but do you know what I do remember clearly? That it was the most difficult plug to slice that I've ever taken a knife to (which may explain why it's been so long since I tried it...).

 

[cosmicfolklore]

All plugs are a freakin' pain in the ass. ALL! Well, maybe not the ones that just crumble apart when you rake your fingers across them.
But, this one is one of my favorite tasting tobaccos. I don't have much in the way of a suggestion to make it easier to cut except to keep your knife sharp, and wipe off the tobacco goo between slices.

 

[odobenus]

All plugs are a freakin' pain in the ass. ALL! Well, maybe not the ones that just crumble apart when you rake your fingers across them.
But, this one is one of my favorite tasting tobaccos. I don't have much in the way of a suggestion to make it easier to cut except to keep your knife sharp, and wipe off the tobacco goo between slices.

100% agree with you about the taste, Cosmic, and the pain in the ass.

 

[BROBS]

So I went and bought a tin of Gold Slice and a tin of Gold VA flake, that I might compare them to the Gold Brick.
The interesting thing (to me) is that the tin of Gold VA Flake says it's a Kohlhase & Kopp production, as I thought, while the Gold Slice says "Manufactured by Mac Baren USA" in Richmond, VA! Tobacco Reviews says that Gold Slice is made by Sutliff (which I didn't realize was owned by Mac Baren).
Interesting. I didn't know Wessex came from multiple sources--I wonder why. Figured the brand was owned by K&K. Clearly I was wrong.
This would lead me to speculate that the beloved Brick, another K&K jam, is much closer in composition to the VA Flake than the Slice.
We'll let the palate have its say.

You can’t convince me that the gold slice isn’t 507C

 

[BROBS]

I've tried neither the flake nor the slice, but I do have several of the bricks. It's been quite awhile since I smoked it, so I don't remember what I think of the taste, but do you know what I do remember clearly? That it was the most difficult plug to slice that I've ever taken a knife to (which may explain why it's been so long since I tried it...).

Take off little pieces from the end with a sharp knife like wood chips.

 

[B.Fee]

I love plugs and the time spent preparing them. Wessex Gold Brick is a favorite. The key is definitely a sharp knife, preferably thin blade. My dedicated plug knife is my carbon Opinel that I keep razor sharp. And as @cosmicfolklore said keep blade clean. ?

 

[futureman]

You can’t convince me that the gold slice isn’t 507C

Interesting. ?

 

[B.Fee]

You can’t convince me that the gold slice isn’t 507C

Dam it.... now I have to buy a 5 lbs. Box of 507C, ??

 

[BROBS]

I love plugs and the time spent preparing them. Wessex Gold Brick is a favorite. The key is definitely a sharp knife, preferably thin blade. My dedicated plug knife is my carbon Opinel that I keep razor sharp. And as @cosmicfolklore said keep blade clean. ?View attachment 121268

See I don’t even like plugs cut this way. I prefer shavings from the end rubbed into a shag.

 

[B.Fee]

See I don’t even like plugs cut this way. I prefer shavings from the end rubbed into a shag.

That is one reason why I love plugs, flake, cube cut. Rubbed. Shag, ❤?

 

[cigrmaster]

I know everyone has different preferences, with some preferring the brick fresh. Just curious as to what age you find optimal for the gold brick?

I honestly couldn't tell you. Most of mine is 10 years old and I am going to see how it is doing. When I try it I will report back if I can remember.

 

[cigrmaster]

I really need to spend big bucks on a cleaver. I bought one for only 50 bucks and it works great for cutting lamb chops but not great slicing flakes off a plug.