Malawi Dark Fired Leaf: What Is It Exactly?

[mawnansmiff]

Hello tobacco experts, whilst reading up on a new found favourite blend (Gawith & Hoggarth Dark Flake Unscented) I see the composition listed as Virginia & Burley then it states Malawi Dark Fired Leaf and Indian dark air-cured leaf.
What exactly are these two specific components, are they Virginia or Burley?
Whatever they are they make for a stunning blend that is very deep flavoured in an smoky, earthy, nutty way. Rather strong but very moreish.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I am a big Virginia fan, and Dark Flake unscented is one of the big guns in my rotation. Love it, love it, love it.

I will have to say that I have an educated guess as to what they are, but I am not an expert, as is no one else on here, except maybe Greg or Russ. I just know that this is an excellent Virginia Flake, made of pure goodness. Just be careful smoking it can make your teeth very stained. My dentist shakes his finger at me when I have been smoking it regularly.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Cosmic, I was rather hoping you might chime in as I have read of your exploits in tobacco growing. Are you able to offer any pointers? I would just like to know which component is the Virginia and which the Burley and how each contribute to the overall flavour profile of DF.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I wish that I could say definitively. I just don't know. My guess is the dark fired Indian leaf is the Virginia, but I have only ever had these dark Virginias in already made blends and flakes. I have not had an opportunity to smoke them as a single leaf. And, I have not seen pictures of them in the field. You can ID Virginias from burleys by the way the leaf sits, point up or point down.

I wish that I could be of more help, but the most I can convey is an educated guess.

It is good stuff though.

 

[beastinview]

I have to agree--this was sort of what I was inquiring about in my last thread where I exposed my own ignorance, but it does seem that sort of bracing leaf is a component in many blends I've enjoyed quite a bit.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Beast, it has become quite clear to me of late that we both seem to share a liking for many blends though I do draw the line at ultra aromatics. You devour them, I loathe them. Give me a dark smoky tobacco any day.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[tinsel]

Not an expert, but ...
"Dark Fired" is neither Virginia nor Burley. It is "Dark Fired". It is it's whole own type of tobacco plant, similar to burley but not the same thing. I believe that there are 6 unique strains of "Dark Fired" here in Kentucky, each with slightly different characteristics.
My ASSUMPTION would be that "Malawi Dark Fired" would be "Dark Fired" tobacco that is grown in Malawi, as opposed to being grown in Kentucky. It's probably the same exact strains of tobacco grown in Kentucky (or very close) but they come out much different because of the differences in climate, soil conditions, and curing. Dark Fired tobaccos grown in Africa are cured with the fires of burning local hardwoods. In Ky, this would be white oak and hickory. Not sure what it would be in Africa.
If you like blends with Malawi Dark Fired, you should try some blends with Ky Dark Fired. My palette leans towards the Ky stuff, but I am admittedly biased. I can't say where every blender sources their "Dark Fired" tobacco from, but I do have it on good authority that G.L. Pease makes his blends with Dark Fired grown right here in Western Ky. And his blends sure are tasty
Fair warning, the curing process used here in Ky with Oak and Hickory might make the tobacco smell a little like barbcue in the tin. :D

 

[jitterbugdude]

Dark Fired Leaf and Indian dark air-cured

They are varieties of tobacco. Just like Burley, Flue Cured and Turkish are varieties so too are Dark Fired and Dark Air cured

 

[deathmetal]

I just know that this is an excellent Virginia Flake, made of pure goodness.

Now you have my full attention.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Tinsel, thanks for the comprehensive reply, things are much clearer now! I believe I have tried almost every dark fired leaf (be it from Kentucky, Malawi, or heaven knows where) blend that is available here in the UK and loved every one of them.
The Kendal blenders Sam Gawith and Gawith & Hoggarth seem to be the major manufacturers to utilize the African and Indian versions of this fine leaf and their products are all the better for it in my opinion.
Thanks to all for your thoughts.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[bigpond]

What exactly are these two specific components, are they Virginia or Burley?

Malawi DF and Indian air cured are both burley. I haven't a clue what is used to smoke the Malawi, but I do know it makes for a less astringent tobacco than the Oak and Hickory (thank you Tinsel). The air curing process leaves the leaf with lower sugar but higher nicotine content.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

 

[mawnansmiff]

Cosmic, there is no image showing.
"The air curing process leaves the leaf with lower sugar but higher nicotine content."
Bigpond, that goes a long way in explaining why these blends are 'dry' or not as sweet as those that exclude the leaf. Also why the blends err on the strong side.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Also why the blends err on the strong side.

Because they have a lot of nicotine in them. :wink:

Seriously, the acids from the Virginias help to get the nicotine absorbed into our systems, and they are a strain with a high nicotine content.
The image was a GIF of Clint Eastwood rolling his eyes. I have no idea what bigpond is talking about, nor where he gets his misinformation. But, if you read any description, it will say that these blends are African dark Virginias. And, when you see Dark Virginia in a field it is obvious that the leaf set is that of a Virginia. But, if memory serves he has a plethora of links... :roll:
Of course "dark Fire" is a process, like latakia, KDF, MDF, etc... Even some red Virginias are dark fired.

The only thing that I am not certain of is whether it is the Malawi or Indian that is the Virgina, or whether it is from the Dark Virginia seed stock. Since Dark VA seedstock isn't used anywhere else in the industry... and it tastes similar, this is why I am using an educated guess.

 

[beastinview]

Beast, it has become quite clear to me of late that we both seem to share a liking for many blends though I do draw the line at ultra aromatics. You devour them, I loathe them. Give me a dark smoky tobacco any day.
Regards,
Jay.

Haha, yes. I actually gravitate towards non-aromatic--my smoking is probably 90% non-aro, but I do enjoy the occasional aromatic here and there, and don't even find Lakelands offensive.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Beast, t'is a shame you're not in the UK as I have a few aros here that I almost certainly will not be smoking :?
In my eagerness to try out new blends I didn't pay enough attention to the descriptions but am much more selective now I have a better understanding of what goes into what blend.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[jitterbugdude]

Malawi DF and Indian air cured are both burley

Simply not true. Dark Fired and Dark Air cured are varieties. They are not Burley although they are very similar in appearance. Don't believe me? Check with some of the big tobacco seed suppliers such as Cross Creek Seed. They list seed for Burley AND Dark.

The air curing process leaves the leaf with lower sugar but higher nicotine content

Not true. Dark air/fire have almost no sugar content to begin with. The curing process has almost no effect on overall nicotine levels. Nicotine levels are determined by the cultivar, amount of nitrogen added to the soil, time harvested after topping and amount of irrigation.