Best VaPer Flake?

[kwilliams40]

Please list some of your favorite VaPer flake tobaccos, and why they are so good? So far I've tried PS Luxury Bullseye Flake...which has some Cavendish. What's the "holy grail" of VaPer flakes? Do you prefer to rub them out or fold and stuff? Thanks.

 

[tarheel1]

I like to fold and stuff. Thus far Escudo is my favorite, but I have a lot more to try.

 

[Perique]

Holy Grail? I would say Escudo fits the bill - though, like Bullseye Flake, it's a coin/medallion rather than a true flake. I have yet to find a VaPer that can compete with Escudo.
As for VaPer flakes, it's tough to beat Stokkebye's Luxury Navy Flake. This blend is great fresh, and improves dramatically with a little age. If I had to choose only one, it would probably be this one. I could smoke it every day and miss nothing else.
Another VaPer flake I love is Marlin Flake. Very different than Escudo in that it's the plummy rather than spicy side of Perique. It also contains some Cavendish, which may not meet your definition of a true VaPer flake. But delicious nonetheless.
While a broken flake rather than a true flake, you'll find GL Pease's Fillmore an outstanding, stout blend. Another broken flake you may enjoy if you really like Perique is McClelland's Beacon Extra. It's a blast...
(Oh, and to answer your last question, I lightly rub out my flakes. So kind of a hybrid of rubbing out and fold-n-stuff.)

 

[cobguy]

McClelland's St. James Woods is a broken flake and is in my top 10 tobaccos.
Their bulk #2015 is also quite good, especially with some age.

 

[escioe]

Cobguy said:

Their bulk #2015 is also quite good, especially with some age.

I'm smoking through a 1990ish tin of Drucquer's XX Press, which I suspect is re-labelled 2015. It's amazing. One of the best smokes I've had. The perique is pretty subdued after 25 years, but it's still got a little bit of nose tickle.

 

[papipeguy]

Impossible to find but I'd vote for Butera's Kingfisher.

 

[melvinsunsmokedcastello]

Escudo..not a flake..but a "round flake"

 

[mrenglish]

St. James Flake from Sam Gawith. None better, imo. There is a good amount of Perique in addition to the quality VA's. Ages well and is just blended perfectly.

 

[jah76]

Since your not above smoking "pure" VaPers....
Tudor Castle by McCelland and Butra's Blended Flake are my top two. They both contain a bit of cedar/herb-like Oriental in them, but they are fantastic.
PS LNF and Marlin Flake as mentioned about are also excellent.
Edit: I actually prefer rubbing them out a bit, heavier fuller bits on the bottom and middle, and lighter thinner bits on top.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Orlik Golden Flakes, I'm really surprised no one has mentioned this one. The perique is very, very small portioned, but it is usually heard bantered about as a favorite. I like it, cheap, great flavor, but no way in the same category as Escudo.
+1 on the Saint James Flake.

 

[pruss]

As others have said, I really enjoy Tudor Castle and Escudo.
If you're willing to stretch beyond a straigh VaPer I'd highly recommend two tasty tobaccos:

- HU Tobacco's Director's Cut - http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/4548/hu-tobacco-directors-cut

- GLP's Haddo's Delight - http://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/1424/g-l-pease-haddos-delight
-- Pat

 

[freakiefrog]

Saloni 633 is a "Flake" that is out of this world. I'm also a big Orlik Golden sliced fan.

 

[leacha]

After a few weeks of smoking Burley blends I pulled out my jar of McCllelands Beacon and lit a bowl. Damn! It was some of the finest tobacco I have ever smoked. A few days later I pulled out my jar of H&Hs Louisiana Red. Again some of the finest baccy I've had. I think if you like a few certain styles of baccy and switch between 'em, all will be good.
Now, IMHO McClellands Bulk 2015 is the tops for me. I never seem to tire of it. Second would have to be McClellands Beacon Extra, because sometimes you want more Perique. But to be honest I have not had a bad VaPer.

 

[hiplainsdrifter]

St. James Flake from Sam Gawith. None better, imo.

I agree.

 

[pipefish]

Dunhill Deluxe Navy Rolls. Which is just like Escudo…..only better.

 

[mso489]

+1 PS Luxury Navy Flake. There are so many good ones, it's difficult to find a loser. I'm aging

some Elizabethan that I've heard is very good too.

 

[riffraff]

I'm aging some Elizabethan that I've heard is very good too.

I too have a tin of that aging in my cellar. It only has about a year on it though. It is tempting to crack it. But in a day or two I will forget it is there.

 

[delro]

Orlik Golden Sliced- Nice, sweet mild all day type of smoke- Burns extremely well. Escudo is a coin cut and is excellent. Also my newest addition was Peter Heinrich's Dark Strong Flake - much stronger than the last 2 mentioned. It has a buttery toffee like taste. Nice broken flake. Happy Hunting

 

[escioe]

No perique in Orlick Golden Sliced. Just VAs and a tick of burley. Go read the reviews. No one thought it had perique until Orlick said they made a typo. Then, and only then, did anyone suspect perique in it.

 

[bluesmk]

C&D Bayou Morning Flake. :P

Dan

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