Help identify this mystery VA flake (McClelland?)

[Butter Side Down]

So I was going through some stuff in the cellar and came across this VA flake pictured below.

Pretty sure I got it in trade for something or as part of a box pass. The label on the jar (not in my handwriting) says FVF 2012 but this is in no way similar to Full Virginia Flake. Except the Virginia part.

Flakes are quite dark in color. Darker than they appear in the picture. They're a pretty uniform 6" long by 1" wide. Thickness is pretty uniform as well (another way it is unlike FVF), and are on the thin side, say maybe 1/32".

Reason I put McClelland in the title is there is a fairly subtle though not overpowering amount of their trademark vinegar/ketchup aroma.

 

[Butter Side Down]

More about the tin aroma... I'm not great with poetic descriptions, but I can say that aside from the mild BBQ aroma, it smells sweet and a little spicy. Not a bit of hay or grass at all. Much closer in smell to something like OGS or Reiner long gold flake than FVF. So if I had to guess, I'd say whatever this is, it's likely primarily red VA, probably stoved, maybe a slight bit of perique but not much.

More on the color... It's definitely not as dark and oily as Dark Star. Definitely darker than FVF. It's almost exactly the same color and striation as University Flake (though thinner, longer, and smells vastly different).

Sadly, I've got too much going on this evening to load up a bowl and smoke it so I have no idea how it tastes yet. Sure smells like it's going to be good though.

 

[jpberg]

Too long for McC.

 

[hawky454]

Exactly, it’s too long, I’d believe that’s FVF before I believed it to be a McClelland flake. FVF can get quite dark with age, that being 11 years old and the label would have me believe that it is indeed FVF. A lot of aged VA’s can get that vinegar fermented aroma.

 

[AJL67]

Well to say it doesn’t look like SG FVF, on the left is that tobacco from 2008 and on the right from 2018.

 

[Butter Side Down]

Exactly, it’s too long, I’d believe that’s FVF before I believed it to be a McClelland flake. FVF can get quite dark with age, that being 11 years old and the label would have me believe that it is indeed FVF. A lot of aged VA’s can get that vinegar fermented scent.

Fair point. And dang. I was hoping that would help narrow the search. Now it's a wide open field again. Unless there's someone else who uses vinegar.

Still unidentified then.

Even if it's not McClelland, the fact remains, it's too long, too narrow and too uniform in thickness for FVF. Plus the smell is totally different.

If there's anyone here with a super-taster palate and a vast knowledge of arcane VAs, let me know. Maybe I can mail them a flake or two.

 

[Butter Side Down]

Well to say it doesn’t look like SG FVF, on the left is that tobacco from 2008 and on the right from 2018.



View attachment 225966

Huh. Well that's interesting for sure.

Is that sample from your stash?

 

[kcghost]

Are you hoping someone can tell what that flake is or are we just supposed to guess what it is??

 

[B.Fee]

If it won't stay Lit it's FVF

 

[hawky454]

Well to say it doesn’t look like SG FVF, on the left is that tobacco from 2008 and on the right from 2018.



View attachment 225966

When it gets real dark like that is when it’s really delish. This picture is making me drool. I think the earliest FVF I have is 2012, it may be time to start looking through thee olde cellar.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Looks like FVF to me.

 

[coming to_falling too]

I don't think going by the thickness is a good way to identify any flake made by Gawith. They are so un-uniform in that, I've had flakes that were so thin they rubbed out into a shag, and I've also had flakes that were so thick it was a chore to rub out to a smokable consistency.

I think it's a good chance that what you have is in fact FVF. Looks like it'll be a great smoke, too. Enjoy.

 

[AJL67]

When it gets real dark like that is when it’s really delish. This picture is making me drool. I think the earliest FVF I have is 2012, it may be time to start looking through thee olde cellar.

It is the most tasty dark plum / fruit smell out of any my tobaccos, sometimes i just open the jar for a big whiff.

 

[AJL67]

Huh. Well that's interesting for sure.

Is that sample from your stash?

I have several random years of FVF.

 

[Butter Side Down]

Well, I tore off a bit this morning and rubbed it out. A little dry but not too dry. A little oily, but not too oily. Packed it up in one of my best VA flake pipes, a cute little nose warmer dublin made by David Huber.

Charring light: flavors a little too vague to really say much at this point. Settled down and relit it. Proceeded to try to identify it. Getting more flavor now, but still kind of elusive. If youda told me it wasn't FVF, I'd have believed it. If youda told me it was FVF, I'd have believed that too. Whatever it was, it was pretty nice. My mind started to pleasantly wander as I smoked the first half of the bowl. Then right around the mid point, oh, yeah, this is some good leaf. And I finally started to get something that was *real* familiar. Took me a while to nail down what it was. But I finally got it. It tasted exactly, and I mean exactly like the Virginias used in Kendall Cream Flake. I had to start laughing. Because I'm an idiot. And then the second half of the bowl removed all doubt. Yup. What we have here people... Is Full Virginia Flake.

I have to admit, I've always thought it was pretty good, but it never really moved me to write an ode on its virtues. Now I feel like I finally understand what all the fuss is about.

So, long story short, I should have just believed what it said on the label.

Thanks to everyone who did their best to help me remove my head from my butt and managed to only politely suggest that's where I'd put it.

I can admit it. You were right, I was wrong.

Nothing to see here. Move along.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Were it McClelland, you'd know it. The one thing I've seen in the consistency of SG FVF flakes is, they're totally inconsistent.

 

[bent1]

This is FVF, 2008 vintage, at rest for 15 yrs.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

The first time I smoked Best Brown at 15 years I knew.