Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake

[wolflarsen]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I appreciate the advice. It's been a while but if my memory serves I believe I cube cut FVF and then dried it for about an hour last time I smoked it. I'll try to dry it more next time and be hopeful that it will help.
I've been smoking a pipe for a few years but certainly don't claim to be anything even remotely close to an expert with a mature palate. I'll keep FVF around and give it a shot every now and then incase something changes but will really be surprised if I ever find it to live up to the hype. I've been disappointed by a few of these fanboy blends so I just wanted to throw my experience with FVF out there to help some of those that haven't tried it to manage their expectations and perhaps realize that it's not for everybody despite it's glowing reviews.

 

[irishearl]

I'm one of those "mature" palate guys-well, old palate. Been smoking for 40+ years. Of the straight Virginia blends, did like FVF the best but that isn't saying much. Virginia-only blends don't do much for me flavor-wise, but then I'm a guy that likes hot sauces on most of my food.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"...but then I'm a guy that likes hot sauces on most of my food."
Me too, you could start a whole new trend in boutique tobaccos Irishearl.
Tabasco flavoured FVF anyone?
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mothernaturewilleatusallforbreakfast]

Tabasco flavoured FVF anyone?

McClellands come back. Vinegary reds with a dash of hot sauce sounds great. Why, come back, please??? I wish McClellands would come back and join forces with Samuel Gawith to create a super blend. McClellands reds with Gawith browns, a dash of Tabasco, and a pinch of Louisiana perique. Throw in a bit of C&D burleys in for good measure. Eureka!

 

[bent1]

A friend showed me a trick to quick drying FVF. Lay a couple strips on a papertowel, microwave for 10 seconds, let cool for a minute or two. Pull flakes apart & rub out. I use a tobacco grinder. Quick & works well.

 

[admiral]

We call it the Cosmic method

 

[unadoptedlamp]

Bent- Experimenting with loading a flake intact and getting it to burn well is absolutely worth the effort. Perhaps FVF is on the more tricky end of the spectrum for this, but flakes were generally designed (flavour, burn qualities) to be smoked intact. They just taste different when smoked as a flake.
Of course, there is no absolute right way! It's just that as soon as you rub out a flake, you drastically change the way it will smoke -and taste. Some people prefer those tastes and qualities. Maybe you are one of them.
People here flirt with many different ways to prepare flakes. Cube cutting it is a decent transition step to a full flake, I think. The flakes stay sort of like the original design, yet seem to have more forgiving burn qualities. Perhaps more chances for oxygen to get in there between all the cubes?
But, eventually, with practice, you can begin stuffing full flakes in your pipe and get a perfect result. I've tried FVF rubbed out, but in my opinion, compared to smoking it in full flake form, the taste and coolness of the smoke is very different to my senses.
It just takes a fair bit of practice to get the right size flake for the pipe so that you don't completely bung it up and end up with a steamy mess of a plug that won't burn or taste good.

 

[crashthegrey]

Lay a couple strips on a papertowel, microwave for 10 seconds

There is a video about this, but it takes a little longer to get to the point than your poignant explanation. FVF is far from my favorite Virginia, but it is a solid, all day, no nonsense Virginia Flake. I am glad that I was able to buy a bit of already aged FVF recently, as it is a very reliable tobacco.

 

[instymp]

Why is everyone out of FVF?

 

[npod]

Why is everyone out of FVF?

Because I stole it all from Harris and Peck in the middle of the night.
Joking aside, it will be back in stock soon. I got lucky in the past and was able to cellar deeply before the online dealers started to really limit the quantity available for purchase. Buy the 250gr boxes when you see them.

 

[weedsnager]

The 250 gr boxes has longer flakes than the tins correct? What size mason jars are you guys storing the longer cut flakes, or are you cutting them to the tin size before cellaring ?

 

[glassjapan]

^^^^^

I take about 2oz worth of bulk flakes and fold them in half and put them in half pint jars. Has worked well for years. I started out with larger jars, but learned it's better for me to have smaller amounts open at a time.

 

[perdurabo]

Bulk has to be aged, best in a cob! IMHO

 

[instymp]

Thanks Neal.