I Have A Navy Flake Question?

[jewman22]

Please help educate me on Navy Flakes.
I have noticed on many a website that Navy Flakes are classified as Virginia blends.
I guess my question is, Are they not Aromatics? Aren't they soaked in Rum?
Either way they want to classify them, they are still delicious.

 

[ofafeather]

Here’s a recent thread that may be helpful. Best Navy Flakes? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/best-navy-flakes.84988/

 

[Chasing Embers]

Aren't they soaked in Rum?

No, Navy Flakes are the cut description not the contents. Some have rum, few do.

Navy cut tobacco - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[jewman22]

Here’s a recent thread that may be helpful. Best Navy Flakes? :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/best-navy-flakes.84988/

Good read, thanks. But seems to add to my confusion surrounding the use of the term. It just seems it to be a method of pressing and preserving rather than an actual blend type.

 

[jewman22]

No, Navy Flakes are the cut description not the contents. Some have rum, few do.

Navy cut tobacco - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

Ah, so why are the ones containing Rum not classified differently? I notice on SP that most all NF are listed as virginias.

 

[ofafeather]

Good read, thanks. But seems to add to my confusion surrounding the use of the term. It just seems it to be a method of pressing and preserving rather than an actual blend type.

Exactly. As with lots of other labels, they are debated to the moon and back without being defined. Most Navy blends are pressed, many have rum, some perique, occasionally Latakia, etc. The origin may be related to the cavendish process - not the sweetened black cavendish as a base in many aromatics - but storing tobacco pressed in barrels for transport, among other possible derivations.

 

[warren]

Various governments, thank goodness, haven't felt the need to step in and regulate terms except when ruling what's banned, taxed, exempt and such. So, blenders are pretty much free to interpret their blends and what they are called.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I notice on SP that most all NF are listed as virginias.

Their family classification has more to do with the blend's dominant components.