Help With Navy And Other Spirit Infused Blends

[Milleniumsmoker]

Hi Everyone,
Was looking for some guidance regarding navy blends and other blends flavoured with rum or brandy. I’ve never really smoked these as I’ve veered more toward English blends, but I’m looking to branch out a bit into the Vaper/English aromatic arena.

My main concern though is getting a sense of exactly how strong or weak the blend is in terms of taste. I’ve read reviews for blends that sound awesome, only to be underwhelmed when it comes time to actually smoking and enjoying.

Are blends like GL Pease’s Windjammer, Sextant, and Navigator strong in the flavor department? I’m thinking specifically in terms of the sweetness left by the rum and other casings/toppings. Similar blends I’m looking at are Mac Baren Plumcake and Navy Flake, but I’ve heard Sam Gawaith Navy Flake is stronger than Mac Baren in terms of sweetness from the rum.

Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Just looking to avoid anything that is too goopy or chemically. Nicotine strength is a side note here but I usually prefer at least a medium nic hit. Thank you!

 

[BingBong]

SG Navy Flake is powerful with more than a pinch of Latakia. The only issue is getting it lit; once it's fired, it's amazing.

Oh, shout out for C&D Blockade Runner, tasty.

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

SG Navy Flake is powerful with more than a pinch of Latakia. The only issue is getting it lit; once it's fired, it's amazing.

Oh, shout out for C&D Blockade Runner, tasty.

I see, great! I was on the fence but I will get the SG. As far as C&D, I’ve only ever tried their briar fox, which I didn’t like bc something in it made my throat tight. I may try the blockade though. Thanks!

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

I’ve heard these blends can ghost a pipe though, so maybe I ought to dedicate a pipe or two to these types of blends? Or no? I always do a warm water rinse after.

I see, great! I was on the fence but I will get the SG. As far as C&D, I’ve only ever tried their briar fox, which I didn’t like bc something in it made my throat tight. I may try the blockade though. Than

 

[BingBong]

I’ve heard these blends can ghost a pipe though, so maybe I ought to dedicate a pipe or two to these types of blends? Or no? I always do a warm water rinse after.

I've never bothered particularly, although I've now paired a Savinelli to the SG, but that's more to do with smoking qualities than ghosting. I really only worry about ghosting with Lakeland blends proper, as in GH.

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

Thanks!

I've never bothered particularly, although I've now paired a Savinelli to the SG, but that's more to do with smoking qualities than ghosting. I really only worry about ghosting with Lakeland blends proper, as in GH.

 

[krizzose]

Windjammer has plenty of oomph from the Perique and C&D burley. The rum is a condiment only and does not dominate the flavor.

Mac Baren Navy Flake is medium in strength, but IMO the honey/maple/whatever the hell it is flavor is a notch stronger than the rum in Windjammer. That being said, it’s nowhere near an aromatic.

 

[minerLuke]

I have a fair amount of SG Navy Flake and I wouldn't describe it as very 'Rummy' or particularly sweet, for me it's a bit Latakia forward but a well balanced and overall excellent blend.

Mac Baren Navy Flake I don't find very Rummy either. Plumcake a little more so. I don't think really any of the Virginia Navy flakes that I've tried have been anything like a dedicated rum aromatic, much closer to a regular VA flake but with a hint of extra sweetness from the Rum that floats in and out. Ghosting is definitely not any issue. I have a couple of pipes that are solely dedicated to smoking Virginia flake and I have no problem smoking any Navy flakes in them and I often do.

 

[OzPiper]

I love rum (to drink)
I have only had one rum-topped tobacco - Sutcliff Barbados Plantation.
Couldn’t finish the bowl

Best to keep the rum for drinking while you smoke a bowl or two.

 

[anotherbob]

I’ve heard these blends can ghost a pipe though, so maybe I ought to dedicate a pipe or two to these types of blends? Or no? I always do a warm water rinse after.

any thing can ghost a pipe. How seriously is the question. I think you'd need a lot to notice it frankly.

 

[craiginthecorn]

The term Navy Flake is more about the preparation than the ingredients. It may or may not include rum. It's definition has evolved, however.

As for spirits ghosting a pipe, in my experience, it shouldn't be a concern.

 

[jttnk]

How about Black Frigate, rum style navy blend with Latakia.i love it, great smoke. Sextant is great stuff. Love MacBaren Navy Flake with a little age and pack it, dry overnight. Don’t worry about ghosting with these types of navy blends. As you mentioned above Blockade Runner, I believe it’s the same as Black Frigate minus the Latakia. I bet it’s good too.

 

[K.E. Powell]

It is difficult to answer this question with precision because what may seem like an overly heavy top-note of rum or brandy to one man may seem subdued to another.

I'm quite partial to VaPers with boozy toppings, and Windjammer is a favorite of mine. To me, both in terms of flavor and nicotine it is a notch or two above medium. Not a light blend by any means, but not overwhelming.

As for ghosting, that, too, depends on personal preference, but I find most blends of the kind you are referring to only ghost minimally, especially if you clean your pipe afterwards. The Gawaith blends are the exception for me, as they are heavily topped, but even then, it is a ghost easily exorcised.

Finally, as others have mentioned, "navy" style tobaccos usually refer to a style of burley tobacco blends that are cut and prepared in a certain fashion; they do not necessarily have to be topped with rum or brandy. But many are. If you're looking for something that is easy to smoke and not too cloying with the booze, GLP's Barbary Coast is worth trying. The brandy topping is lightly applied.

 

[Chasing Embers]

No idea.

 

[Strange Quark]

Mac Baren Navy Flake doesn't have rum in it. Navy tobacco/flake/blend like cavendish can have broad meanings. The premium rum blends from C&D and Gawith are more natural and the enhancement is subtle to next to nothing. They will not ghost the pipe. Mac Baren uses sweeter casing in addition to the rum in Plumcake but it's nothing that will seriously ghost a pipe.

Side Note: I suspect MB may not have been using rum in Plumcake since the pandemic. It disappeared from the product description. I've seen ingredient listings for Mac Baren blends in the German market and they tend to use ethyl alcohol in many blends including Navy Flake. This was from a consumer affairs product site which I can't find anymore.

 

[Sigmund]

Salty Dogs plug has rum. Its not overpowering and its a real desert of a blend. Most the time I use it for a condiment in vapers rather than straight. Its very tasty stuff. A bit expensive outside the EU.

 

[VDL_Piper]

Black Frigate is soooooo good, love the stuff and have 8oz tins a plenty in the cellar

 

[pappymac]

any thing can ghost a pipe. How seriously is the question. I think you'd need a lot to notice it frankly.

+1
It doesn't have to be an aromatic to ghost a pipe. A strong latakia blend will also ghost a pipe and take a deep cleaning to extinguish it.

 

[Pipke]

I'm enjoying some GLP Navigator right now. It's definitely not goopey. The rum topping is definitely there in the tin note and smoke, but it compliments the tobacco and doesn't overwhelm it.

My suggestion to you is to buy 2-3 tins of the GLP blends you mentioned in your original post and start with that. All the blends mentioned in this thread are good.

 

[Oddball]

I think the Captain would smoke SG Navy Blend. The Latakia reminds him of his first voyages to distant lands and the VA is fitting of his station. He has the patience and experience required to extract all the flavors from this blend.

Navigator and Windjammer Are for the officers, High quality but young and refined.

Blockade Runner and Mac Baren Navy are for the sailors. Blockade Runner for the old hands, nice and strong. MB Navy for the new cadets.

Black Frigate is for the Pirates.

Sea Dog is for Pirates that are headed for the gallows.