Being a Virginia Flake lover, I've been looking for a good inexpensive bulk Virginia flake to add to my cellar and stubbled across this tobacco. And since there are so few reviews or info on this relatively new offering I thought I'd drop in my two cents...
The flake is about twice as long as your standard tinned flake with the width and thickness being about the same as Mac Baren VA Flake. Made by Mac Baren in Denmark, the manufacturer says it is 100% Virginia tobacco from the USA, Africa, and Brazil. The tin aroma is different from other VA flakes I've smoked and it's clear that there is some sort of light topping that I would describe as crisp and bright.
I cut a flake in half and rubbed it out slightly, then packed it into a MM cob that has had nothing but VA's smoked in it. The moisture content right out of the box is perfectly smokable so it should be very approachable for any level of experience. My smoking ritual involves one charring light and then I was off to the races.
Some have commented that the flavor of this Virginia is "young" and I would agree with this assesment. However, it's not so young that it is unenjoyable. It was very bright, and citrusy with a typical Virginia sweetness; not a dark carmel or molasses, but a light honey or pear. Like all VA's, smoke this one slow and enjoy it. I did push it a bit and got just a little tongue bite, but not nearly to the degree as I have with some other Mac Baren tobaccos I've experienced.
It burned flawlessly and I didn't have any trouble keeping it lit almost to the bottom of the bowl.
Conclusion-
I think we have a winner. This one is perfect for the Virginia lover who wants a very good inexpensive flake to have on hand. I like it at least as well as I like PS's LNF or LBF. I am betting that this one will age amazingly as well. I'm hoping it will darken up the flavors a bit and round out the sweetness a little bit. If you're a VA lover, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot.
The flake is about twice as long as your standard tinned flake with the width and thickness being about the same as Mac Baren VA Flake. Made by Mac Baren in Denmark, the manufacturer says it is 100% Virginia tobacco from the USA, Africa, and Brazil. The tin aroma is different from other VA flakes I've smoked and it's clear that there is some sort of light topping that I would describe as crisp and bright.
I cut a flake in half and rubbed it out slightly, then packed it into a MM cob that has had nothing but VA's smoked in it. The moisture content right out of the box is perfectly smokable so it should be very approachable for any level of experience. My smoking ritual involves one charring light and then I was off to the races.
Some have commented that the flavor of this Virginia is "young" and I would agree with this assesment. However, it's not so young that it is unenjoyable. It was very bright, and citrusy with a typical Virginia sweetness; not a dark carmel or molasses, but a light honey or pear. Like all VA's, smoke this one slow and enjoy it. I did push it a bit and got just a little tongue bite, but not nearly to the degree as I have with some other Mac Baren tobaccos I've experienced.
It burned flawlessly and I didn't have any trouble keeping it lit almost to the bottom of the bowl.
Conclusion-
I think we have a winner. This one is perfect for the Virginia lover who wants a very good inexpensive flake to have on hand. I like it at least as well as I like PS's LNF or LBF. I am betting that this one will age amazingly as well. I'm hoping it will darken up the flavors a bit and round out the sweetness a little bit. If you're a VA lover, you owe it to yourself to give this one a shot.