FVF - Curious First Impressions

[Yadkin1765]

I don't really have much to say about this flake in way of a review (except two thumbs skyward), but I put forth a few notes on my experience and thoughts:

I rubbed out about half a flake and sequestered it for about a day in an empty tin to let it breath and off-gas some of its moisture, then let it air dry for around 20 minutes before packing the bowl. Was reasonably moist, but more so, I would call the leaf tender in the most natural of terms, not wet.

Took multiple relights to get the bowl really going, but once there, I don't think it would be as hard to get going again. Easy to smoke. Hard to mess up. The taste really comes through from the very first char. Sweet, strong, pure tobacco flavor. Right on the money. De-li-cious.

Now, here's my impression, an impression that I couldn't shake from the get go. This stuff has been well doused in grade A tobacco juice condensate. Not an uncommon practice once upon a time, and I've heard tell of its use in pipe blends elsewhere. That's the flavor I get, along side the VA leaf. And the feel of it's nicotine hit suggests the same.

That is all.

And now for something completely different...

 

[TheWhale13]

Tobacco juice condensate?

 

[ThermionicScott]

I'm pretty sure 1792 Flake is flavored with "smoker's breath" concentrate, so it's plausible.

 

[FHlight]

I like FVF.

 

[Worknman]

Decent flavor but smokes fairly hot at least for me.

 

[pipingfool]

One of my favorite blends when I can get it. I've got a few pounds stashed away and when it ages it takes on a great "farmhouse ale" characteristic that is slightly tart and funky.

 

[rmbittner]

This is my favorite Virginia flake. But I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about…

 

[canucklehead]

US4895175A - Method for the preparation of aromatized reconstituted tobacco - Google Patents

Aromatized reconstituted tobacco is prepared from tobacco particles by extracting the particles with water to form an extract containing between 5 and 20 g/l of sugar, fermenting the extract with a yeast of the genera kluyveromyces, saccharomyces or candida, forming sheets from the extracted...

patents.google.com

 

[jcsoldit]

There was a time when finding this blend was very difficult, I’m talking almost Stonehaven difficult. Well once I finally scored a couple tins and smoke a few bowls, I just couldn’t understand what all of the fuss was about. My problem turned out to not be the tobacco, but my preparation and cadence. So after a couple years and me learning a thing or two my experience has totally changed. I’ve learned to slow down and allow the blend to dry some before lighting up. I now often pack a pipe the night before I intend to smoke it. This may not work for everyone, but I’m now enjoying well aged tins regularly.

 

[futureman]

There was a time when finding this blend was very difficult, I’m talking almost Stonehaven difficult. Well once I finally scored a couple tins and smoke a few bowls, I just couldn’t understand what all of the fuss was about. My problem turned out to not be the tobacco, but my preparation and cadence. So after a couple years and me learning a thing or two my experience has totally changed. I’ve learned to slow down and allow the blend to dry some before lighting up. I now often pack a pipe the night before I intend to smoke it. This may not work for everyone, but I’m now enjoying well aged tins regularly.

Agree with this. For me, it's hard to get this flake dialed in. Properly prepared and smoked, it's terrific. Otherwise, it's an average smoke and not worth the trouble. I recently ordered and jarred the plug version.

 

[blackpowderpiper]

IMO, this flake has to be dried a bit and once brought to a decent moisture level, must be smoked slowly. I consider a few relights par for the course. I get a sweet herbal tea flavor from this flake that I cannot replicate elsewhere. Maybe not the most complex, but oh so tasty.

 

[vosBghos]

When it was scarce around 10 months ago or so I went ahead and dumped a bit too much money on an aged box but I must say even as a novice it was a wake-up smoke as to what a Va could be if properly produced and prepared. So when it's available from now on I'm nabbing it.

 

[musicman]

This is one of the best straight VAs out there, particularly once one figures out how to dry and smoke it.

If you get a chance try some with some age (I recommend 5-7 yrs at least). The flakes get very very dark, almost jet black, and the richness and smoothness is amplified.

I dunno about Gawith using some sort of "nicotine/tobacco juice" on this. I get a mild to medium nic hit, so for me it's not that strong. It would seem to me that if they were using cigarette nic juice it would be stronger than that.

 

[Architeuthis]

Yup. This one is a sit down smoke for me. There are other blends that I can smoke and enjoy while up and about on my feet. This is not one. As others have said, once you figure out how to prepare it and then take the time to sip on it slowly, it is top shelf stuff.

 

[gawithhoggarth]

Tobacco juice condensate?

A what?????

 

[TheWhale13]

A what?????

Is there some flavoring added to your Virginia flakes? It smells like it to me, a very nice smell

 

[krizzose]

I like it, but don’t love it. My open tin is 12 years old, and I have 3 more that are 10 y/o. I will enjoy them thoroughly, but I’m not stocking up on more now and I won’t lament it when it’s gone.