Full Virginia Flake Suggestions

[eazye77]

Hey Family!
What are some other full Virginia flakes I could try besides Sam Gawith's brand? I was going to order it, but it is out of stock.
Thanks!

 

[bogglor]

My two favorite flakes are Sam Gawith Best Brown flake and McClelland's Blackwoods flake. I actually like Best Brown a heck of a lot more than I like FVF simply because it smokes better when young, requires less drying time and stays lit much better, and has a more nuanced taste. It has less nicotine than FVF as well. Depending on how you feel about Vitamin N, this is either a benefit or a drawback. Nicotine really doesn't affect me in any appreciable way when it comes to pipe tobacco so I tend to judge based on other factors.
Blackwoods Flake is a tasty medium bodied smoke. The way you feel about McClelland's "McKetchup" aroma (and that's what it is -- an aroma based on how it's cured and not a topping) is going to determine your enjoyment of this blend. Personally, I love it. It's what distinguishes that company's Virginia tobaccos from the rest of the pack.
Hope this helps.

 

[crpntr1]

Good luck Eazy-E...I tried but didnt find one that satisfied my desire for SG FVF...of course I didn't try everyone available..I gave up and started grabbing SG everytime it became available
BTW P&C has it in stock, in bulk right now

 

[acme]

I know this isn't probably very polite, but the topic and its posts move me to act.

At the Las Vegas show, I found some bulk, half-pound bags of 10+year old FWF. I asked the fine gentleman, the current owner, how much he was selling it for. He looked me over, and after a little calculation and previous history, saw a poor starving artist standing in front of him, so he said "$40."
I am a starving artist, but a bargain hunter, and if the tobacco had lasted ten years, I figured it wouldn't go bad in the next couple of years. I bought both of them, and then got one more at the silent auction table.
I have smoked one bag. It looks like stuck together, bad beef jerky. A little bit of a pain to smoke, but utterly wonderful; almost like molasses.
One of my buddys at the pipe store offered to purchase one of the bags; I guess he didn't want me to strain myself carrying it around. I shared some with him, but no way did he get a bag. Friendship is a mighty find institution, but you can carry a thing too far.
Thanks to the fine gentleman,

anthony

 

[dhizzy]

Eazy, it it just a VA flake that you are after? Or a tobacco that is similar to FVF?

 

[rcstan]

Not a "full" VA flake, more of a medium bodied VA & Burley flake, but Gawith Hoggarth Best Brown #2 is a really nice baccy which I discovered not too long ago and keep a couple pounds on hand ....

 

[pitchfork]

Gawith Hoggarth Best Brown #2 is one of my favorites. I like FVF, and Best Brown Flake is nice, too, but Best Brown #2 is better (to me). It's full flavored, but also a little tangy and really soft on the palate. Plus, the flakes are really soft and rub out easily. They smoke nicely, too (1 or 2 matches is all I usually need).
If you like the darker taste of FVF, you might also like McClelland VA #22. It's not as molasses-like as FVF, but it has a richness and sweetness that is really nice. Like Best Brown #2, it's also virtually bite-free.

 

[dragonslayer]

I'm a BBF and FVF first and second. If you search you can find it. Buy what you can, it will only get better and more expensive.

 

[rmbittner]

Best Brown #2

I love this one too, but I keep wondering who came up with the name. Or is everyone else here more mature than I am?

 

[rmbittner]

I keep reposting this list from Cigrmaster, because I think it's so helpful. (Sorry if you've all seen this three times now!)
Virginia and Virginia/Burley 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

 

[gmwolford]

And "TR" means tin ready no drying needed.

 

[thesmokindragon]

+1/on cigrmaster's list/all great blends IMHO

 

[rmbittner]

And "TR" means tin ready no drying needed.

Thanks for the clarification, Greg! I'd trimmed off Cigrmaster's intro and overlooked that little detail.
Bob

 

[cortezattic]

IMHO, not enough attention is paid to SG's Medium Virginia Flake. Same complexity and body as FVF, but not strong, or as dark tasting.

 

[cigrmaster]

eazye, if you are looking for something strong and full flavored like the FVF I would recommend Petersons Irish Flake. If you want something a little lighter, SG Best Brown. Other nice ones that have some kick are Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired and Solani Silver Flake. If you can find any the Wessex Campaign Brigade Dark Flake is just a great tasting flake that has a molasses sweet thing going on.

 

[Perique]

I was lucky enough to receive a sample of FVF from a generous member. So I want to say thank you to that gentleman.

 

[mctrav]

Its in stock in 50g tin at smokingpipes

 

[rmbittner]

It is in stock. Limit three tins per customer.

 

[crpntr1]

I for one would not look for an alternative when it's in stock