I received my first ever artisan pipe in the mail - a FABULOUS Larrysson Plateaux Dublin and decided it's first smoke would be from a tin of unopened Red Flake 2008 (tinned 2012) that was generously gifted to me. I probably shouldn't have smoked such a tobacco in a brand-new bare bowl, but... I assure you, it did just fine. What a pipe.
I cracked the tin the night before to let it air out some after the 5 years it had been stewing and wow - what a scent. Signature McClelland fermentation that mellowed in to a fruity, sweet, earthy and delicious aroma. Beautiful stuff.
After cube cutting enough to fill my new pipe and allowing it to dry a bit, I lit it up with a hemp wick (my preferred method for Virginias as of late) and goodness gracious... I'm not sure what it is about Red Virginias, but I perceive them as one of the sweetest things I've ever tasted. Not artificially sweet, not syrupy sweet, but naturally sweet to the point I have to take sips of a drink after 5 minutes or so to reset my palette. The sweetness just builds on me for some reason and the flavor is something like a tangy dark plum jam, eaten by the spoonful.
I'm 99% sure I'll never acquire any Red Flake again, but I'm so thankful I did. This 50g will have to last me and I'll stretch it out! I'm quite certain it's the best Virginia I've ever smoked - it's certainly the best Red Virginia I've ever smoked.
Very disappointed it's gone forever.
I cracked the tin the night before to let it air out some after the 5 years it had been stewing and wow - what a scent. Signature McClelland fermentation that mellowed in to a fruity, sweet, earthy and delicious aroma. Beautiful stuff.
After cube cutting enough to fill my new pipe and allowing it to dry a bit, I lit it up with a hemp wick (my preferred method for Virginias as of late) and goodness gracious... I'm not sure what it is about Red Virginias, but I perceive them as one of the sweetest things I've ever tasted. Not artificially sweet, not syrupy sweet, but naturally sweet to the point I have to take sips of a drink after 5 minutes or so to reset my palette. The sweetness just builds on me for some reason and the flavor is something like a tangy dark plum jam, eaten by the spoonful.
I'm 99% sure I'll never acquire any Red Flake again, but I'm so thankful I did. This 50g will have to last me and I'll stretch it out! I'm quite certain it's the best Virginia I've ever smoked - it's certainly the best Red Virginia I've ever smoked.
Very disappointed it's gone forever.