Recommendations for very mild Virginia flake

[andya27]

I'd like to introduce myself. I'm new (within the past couple months) to pipe smoking. I've been concentrating mostly on finding the type(s) of tobaccos I prefer rather than accumulating lots of pipes. I do have one fairly decent pipe in the Stanwell Golden Danish in my avatar.
After trying a number of different types of tobacco, I'm finding that I'm most fond of mild Virginias with subtle flavor and aroma. Though I may eventually appreciate my Dunhill English blends, I find them a bit spicy for my palette, at least for now. And straight burleys are a bit too nutty and I can't get much dimension from them yet.
My local B&M carries the Newminster line, and not much else. Newminster may not be top-end, but their offerings do cover a spectrum of tobacco styles. My favorite tobacco so far is Newminster Navy Flake - a very mild Virginia. I prefer the subtle flavors. My second favorite tobacco so far is Newminster Danish Gold, a mild Virginia-based aromatic.
So my question is this: what would be a good choice for a slightly higher end Virginia-based flake (or ribbon cut) that is very mild. Would Astley's 109 Medium Flake be a good suggestion? Or something else?
Thanks,
-Andy

 

[edgreen]

+1 on the Orlik. Tasty little sheets.

 

[phil67]

Most definitely Mac Baren Virginia No.1. Can't get any milder than that and it tastes delicious too!

 

[hawke]

Hi andya27, welcome.

 

[clarkj734]

For something mild for a newer smoker you might try
Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake

Reiner Long Golden Flake

Orlik Golden Sliced

Rattray's Old Gowrie

 

[northernneil]

Dunhill Flake is my go to, light / mild Virginia Flake. Orlik Golden Slice is another great option.

 

[mso489]

Peter Stokkeybye's Luxury Navy Flake seems lively but mild to medium strength to me.

 

[lochinvar]

Dunhill Flake, Hamborger Veermaster, Capstan Yellow would probably fit the bill, and Astley's 109 is a great tobacco. It's the very mild that throws me. I would classify the first 3 mild to very mild, I'm not sure I would say No. 109 is VERY mild, but definitely worth trying.

 

[andya27]

Thank you gents. Much appreciated Plenty of options to choose from now. I think I'll read some of the reviews and go from there.

 

[lestrout]

andy - I cellar most of the above, but if you are near Boston, try Peretti's Boston Slices. If you are near Chambersburg, Boswell's Virginia Slice is worthy. And if you are near Chicago, Iwan Ries has a great Virginia Flake. Altadis #507 Virginia Slices is similar to the above and is the Best Buy if you are bulking up.
hp

les

 

[thesmokindragon]

+1 Dunhill Flake

 

[lostandfound]

+2 on Dunhill Flake. Hell, lets go +10.
Also- Rotary Navy Cut, and Sillem's Mayor 1814 Flake.

 

[jon11]

Butera Golden Cake

 

[macabra11]

+1 to Orlik Golden Sliced

 

[andya27]

A question on the Dunhill flake - I purchased Dunhill London Mixture and 965. The London Mixture is just a bit too spicy for me, and the 965 is way too much at this early stage of getting accustomed to pipe smoking. Does the Dunhill flake have that same spiciness as the English blends I already have?
I'm certainly sold on the quality of Dunhill tobacco.
And has been mentioned - so many options to choose from. I'll probably end up going with three or ten.

 

[northernneil]

Dunhill Flake is nothing like London Mixture or 965. I would not worry if you didn't like the two, completely different animals.

 

[lestrout]

andy - the Latakia in LM and 965 may be giving you the spicyness. None of that in the Flake.
hp

les

 

[andya27]

Thanks, gents. I plan on purchasing several of the recommendations here. Certainly the Dunhill and the Orlik which have received several recommendations. Simply too many options out there.

 

[andya27]

Thanks, gents. I plan on purchasing several of the recommendations here. Certainly the Dunhill and the Orlik which have received several recommendations. Simply too many options out there.

 

[Perique]

Great recommendations so far. I'm surprised nobody suggested the new renditions of the Capstan flakes.
Several recommmended lighter VaPer flakes. So another I would recommend, along the lines of a sweeter style VaPer blend, is Rattray's Marlin Flake.