Germain's Gold Leaf R/R vs Medium Flake

[BingBong]

I've had a bit of time to analyse these two blends; Gold Leaf (hereinafter GL) was something I've smoked many times, whereas Medium Flake (hereinafter MF) is of more recent acquaintance and I've gone through about 120g of that now.

My purpose is to dispel the notion, oft repeated, that these are simply the same blend in different forms. They are not. They are distinct in flavour from eachother, in a similar but lesser sense of the relationship between Germain's Brown Flake and Rich Dark Flake - the contrasts are less stark while their roots are again largely shared.

One the left, GL, on the right MF.


The GL is brights and oranges, I wouldn't say reds as they miss that tang; lightly cased with orange citrus, perhaps sweetened or the leaf is sweet - it's in no way overbearing. Very smooth for a virginia, mature, subtle. I came to it from SG English blends and it took a little time for my palate to tune into the subtle flavours and find things beside air. The MF has the same components and casing with the significant addition of darker virginias which add some sourness to the palate - the overall effect can be distinguished from first puff. I have smoked it both rubbed and unrubbed, it makes no difference. The blend descriptions on tin -

 

[BingBong]

bit of a struggle editing that, hope you get the idea - upper tin back MF, lower GL. MF is much less sweet than GL and in some ways resembles SG FVF in the breadth of its gamut.

If I were looking for a sweet virginia and had no Gold Leaf, I'd reach for Orlik Golden Sliced before Medium Flake; OGS is closer, to my palate. Not to decry MF in any way, it's simply in a different category.

Lastly, just to mention the cigarette like qualities of both, once the bottom of the bowl is reached, also very much in the room note. But, the finest virginia cigarettes you could imagine; the room note itself is moreish. Perhaps this goes some way to explaining why each release is gobbled up in minutes and the use to which some others put these blends - top quality cigs for half the cost of normal?

 

[greeneyes]

I wonder if Gold Leaf, for example, would be akin to our Esoterica Brighton or Cardiff sans the aniseed (or what have you) topping.

 

[BingBong]

I wonder if Gold Leaf, for example, would be akin to our Esoterica Brighton or Cardiff sans the aniseed (or what have you) topping.

I'd like to see descriptions of each; casings and toppings might be the only differences.

 

[greeneyes]

I'd like to see descriptions of each; casings and toppings might be the only differences.

I think @simong might know, as he enjoyed the Brighton and Cardiff blends and may have smoked the Gold Leaf.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

I was always led to believe that it was the same tobacco in different cuts. I'm not saying that's true i'm just saying that's what I was led to believe.

I only tried Gold Leaf r/r once and that was about 8 years ago. I don't remember it tasting different to the Medium Flake but i'm no expert so who knows? You could well be right, BingBong.

 

[BingBong]

I was always led to believe that it was the same tobacco in different cuts. I'm not saying that's true i'm just saying that's what I was led to believe.

I only tried Gold Leaf r/r once and that was about 8 years ago. I don't remember it tasting different to the Medium Flake but i'm no expert so pect.who knows? You could well be right, BingBong.

I've read it in numerous places, TR reviews and elsewhere. Worth revisiting Gold Leaf, it has a lofty place in my preferences for.leaf quality. Ashton's Gold Rush is in the same zone for that aspect, very fine leaf.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

Yeah, Ashton's Gold Rush looks like the sort of thing i'd enjoy. I was smoking some 5 year old Peter Heinrich's Golden Sliced earlier today and that's a great straight Virginia. Peter Heinrich's put their name to some fine tobaccos. Every one i've tried i've enjoyed.

It used to be so easy to order from them before Brexit. I haven't even bothered trying since we left the EU. I've no idea if they even deliver to the UK anymore. I knew Brexit was coming down the line so I stopped buying pipes and ordered as much Peter Heinrich's and HU as I could. I've got plenty of my favourites in the cellar and many that I haven't even tried yet. Cellaring always makes sense.

 

[Homer]

Yeah, Ashton's Gold Rush looks like the sort of thing i'd enjoy. I was smoking some 5 year old Peter Heinrich's Golden Sliced earlier today and that's a great straight Virginia. Peter Heinrich's put their name to some fine tobaccos. Every one i've tried i've enjoyed.

It used to be so easy to order from them before Brexit. I haven't even bothered trying since we left the EU. I've no idea if they even deliver to the UK anymore. I knew Brexit was coming down the line so I stopped buying pipes and ordered as much Peter Heinrich's and HU as I could. I've got plenty of my favourites in the cellar and many that I haven't even tried yet. Cellaring always makes sense.

Same here other side of canal. We can’t order Germains tobacco to EU.

 

[The_Non_Compliant_One]

Same here other side of canal. We can’t order Germains tobacco to EU.

Dont feel bad, over here across the pond, germains is one of those imaginary things only seen by those who see big foot in the dark. on moonless nights. while drunk. and not wearing their glasses.