Germain's Rich Dark Flake

[BingBong]

Well now. I had never seen this on sale in the UK and thought it long discontinued. That turns out to be untrue; not much is produced for sure, but certain people have been regularly nobbling the little that does, leaving none for anyone else.

However, the problem has been identified by at least one online retailer and an order ration of two tins per customer promulgated. For this, I am eternally grateful - because this stuff is epic.

Germain's I associate with matured and slightly understated flavours. RDF is certainly matured, but full-on in flavour. My first bowl gave the impression of a broader, richer version of their Brown Flake, the virginias are similar - I followed up with a bowl of that to compare.

Then, once the tin had been unsealed a day or two, the afterburners were on - so, so much flavour. It bears comparison with Gawith blends for intensity (and relights, not that it's at all a negative aspect). The matured virginias lead, the molasses laden burley orchestra comes in behind, the whole symphony is integrated and wow, the satisfaction dial winds up to 11.

It's a simple blend which delivers complexity in spades. It burns slow and cool leaving sweet treacle and a little pepper on the palate, wafting full hay notes on the introduction. Half a thin cut flake folded into a cube, stuffed into the limited bowl of a Peterson Prince, delivering a huge smoke for its size.

I can see why acquisition has prompted questionable tactics; this is a blend to be kept on hand at all times. The Brown Flake can suffice when desires are more modest; for the full-blown experience, only RDF will do. 5 stars.

 

[JoburgB2]

Thanks for the concise review, just enough description without going over the top. Sounds enticing, I will have to try it one of these days.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

RDF was one of my favorites for sure. Delicious, earthy, sweet, slightly creosotic flavor. However, since it has become one of those “hard to acquire” blends I’ve ceased attempting to purchase it. I’m glad you enjoyed it! ️

 

[sablebrush52]

Essentially the more interesting kissing cousin to Stonehaven, RDF was one of my favorite blends. Because it’s not distributed in the US it’s always been in the hard to get category.

Friends in the UK would send me pouches.

When I first started smoking RDF there was a touch of ale in the topping. Great stuff!

 

[Jwebb90]

While in London a few years ago, I made a trip To James J. Fox and was able to grab some there. I enjoyed every last bit of it!

 

[lukasstrifeson]

... the more interesting kissing cousin ...

What a phrase!

 

[mingc]

I've a small stash that I bought from Singapore, of all places, and just had a bowl the other day. It needs more topping for me. There's ale in it?! I've the palate of a stray dog and never tasted that!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I was fortunate enough to have had a European friend pick up several pounds of Rich Dark Flake a few years ago. Super nice blend.

 

[anotherbob]

Well now. I had never seen this on sale in the UK and thought it long discontinued. That turns out to be untrue; not much is produced for sure, but certain people have been regularly nobbling the little that does, leaving none for anyone else.

However, the problem has been identified by at least one online retailer and an order ration of two tins per customer promulgated. For this, I am eternally grateful - because this stuff is epic.

Germain's I associate with matured and slightly understated flavours. RDF is certainly matured, but full-on in flavour. My first bowl gave the impression of a broader, richer version of their Brown Flake, the virginias are similar - I followed up with a bowl of that to compare.

Then, once the tin had been unsealed a day or two, the afterburners were on - so, so much flavour. It bears comparison with Gawith blends for intensity (and relights, not that it's at all a negative aspect). The matured virginias lead, the molasses laden burley orchestra comes in behind, the whole symphony is integrated and wow, the satisfaction dial winds up to 11.

It's a simple blend which delivers complexity in spades. It burns slow and cool leaving sweet treacle and a little pepper on the palate, wafting full hay notes on the introduction. Half a thin cut flake folded into a cube, stuffed into the limited bowl of a Peterson Prince, delivering a huge smoke for its size.

I can see why acquisition has prompted questionable tactics; this is a blend to be kept on hand at all times. The Brown Flake can suffice when desires are more modest; for the full-blown experience, only RDF will do. 5 stars.

I gave a sad reaction because that's a hard one to get ahold of and it sounds like something designed for my tastes.

 

[BingBong]

I gave a sad reaction because that's a hard one to get ahold of and it sounds like something designed for my tastes.

I was shocked to be offered it - I had enquired about Gold Leaf and Medium Flake and that was all I'd expected, so to have a unicorn added to the list was astonishing. As I understand it, RDF is the virginia forward twin to the burley forward Stonehaven, much like the Squadron Leader / Skiff relationship in SG latakia/oriental terms. One day I hope you strike lucky.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I was shocked to be offered it - I had enquired about Gold Leaf and Medium Flake and that was all I'd expected, so to have a unicorn added to the list was astonishing. As I understand it, RDF is the virginia forward twin to the burley forward Stonehaven, much like the Squadron Leader / Skiff relationship in SG latakia/oriental terms. One day I hope you strike lucky.

RDF does appear from time to time. It's hard to get like Brown Flake and Medium Flake but it does turn up now and again. Like the others it normally sells out fast.

 

[anotherbob]

I was shocked to be offered it - I had enquired about Gold Leaf and Medium Flake and that was all I'd expected, so to have a unicorn added to the list was astonishing. As I understand it, RDF is the virginia forward twin to the burley forward Stonehaven, much like the Squadron Leader / Skiff relationship in SG latakia/oriental terms. One day I hope you strike lucky.

That just sounds good. Someday I will find some

 

[sablebrush52]

I've a small stash that I bought from Singapore, of all places, and just had a bowl the other day. It needs more topping for me. There's ale in it?! I've the palate of a stray dog and never tasted that!

Who knows what’s in it these days, but back in 2014, when Andy Stewart sent me some there was the unmistakable flavor of ale. I mentioned it to Andy and he tried some and said that it was a standard pub ale. He had a more specific name for it. It was the first time he’d tried RDF and it became a favorite for him.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Both of them are true fine blends for sure, although my preference goes for Stonehaven

 

[BingBong]

Who knows what’s in it these days, but back in 2014, when Andy Stewart sent me some there was the unmistakable flavor of ale. I mentioned it to Andy and he tried some and said that it was a standard pub ale. He had a more specific name for it. It was the first time he’d tried RDF and it became a favorite for him.

Yes, on reflection the aroma in the tin does have a fermented sweet tang akin to a traditional bitter ale. Merging pint and pipe, hmmm, yes.

 

[bobpnm]

Essentially the more interesting kissing cousin to Stonehaven, RDF was one of my favorite blends. Because it’s not distributed in the US it’s always been in the hard to get category.

Friends in the UK would send me pouches.

When I first started smoking RDF there was a touch of ale in the topping. Great stuff!

@sablebrush52, can you suggest something available in the USA that would be somewhat similar?

 

[sablebrush52]

@sablebrush52, can you suggest something available in the USA that would be somewhat similar?

Stonehaven is the closest blend to RDF. It’s almost impossible to get through online stores. I bought all of mine at B&Ms. If you’re a good steady customer with a B&M that carries Esoterica blends when they drop you can ask them to reserve some for you.

 

[D_C]

I’ve always wanted to try this against stonehaven. To this day I’ll never forget my first time opening my first bag of stonehaven. The smell and looking at those thin laser cut slices. To this day the smell of stonehaven just has no close comparisons for me. Similar to mcclelland FMC and their Deep Hollow. Oh what I’d do to find replacements for those two. Sure it’s a great smoke but so many other incredible friends to join that tier. Anyone who thirsts to try it, I recommend they do, but treasure so many other openly available blends (well, almost gone but still available) blends like Newminster 400, or grab some 507c before it’s gone and force age it thru a sous vide to get a understanding what aging can do to this blend. If you can’t get either, grab Twisted Lux Flake (phenomenal blend fresh!) and enjoy your pipe smoking while you hunt a bag of stonehaven.

 

[filmguerilla]

I traded some Stonehaven for some RDF because I wanted to compare them. They are quite close, but I believe I prefer Stonehaven. And I like 1792 more than both.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I used to love the stuff when I first started smoking but I went off it. I didn't hate it I just moved onto other things. I had half a jar in the back of the cupboard that has been there about 5 years so I thought i'd dig it out and finish it off. Its dried out a bit but it's now covered in a layer of crystals.