Suggest Some Beginner Virginia Flakes

[wnghanglow]

Last week I have chances upon some luxury navy flake and am really enjoying it, I want to try some more flake Virginia's to see what I like. Preferably something that is dominantly light and something that is dominately dark reds so I can find my tastes. So far my tad looks like Mccellands 222 b black shag
Black duck
Samuel gawith full Virginia flake
Dunhill flake
Any other suggestions?

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Never heard of Black Duck, but I personally would not classify FVF as a beginner's flake. I love the stuff, but it is pretty ornery to get right. It needs to be perfectly dried and perfectly cut to get a really good smoke.
I do agree with Dunhill Flake. Would also add Orlick Golden Slice to that and Peterson's University Flake as well.

 

[kanaia]

St. James Flake

Blackwoods Flake

Solani 622 Flakea and Silver Flake

Rattray Marlin Flake

 

[wnghanglow]

Black duck is not a virgina that was just on my list because I love Latika haha sorry. I have head some Nast things about fvf but if I don't like it I plan on celaring it, I'm one of those tobacoacolyps people. Golden slice I forgot about! I'll write that one down thanks! Kanaia could you go into a bit more detail? Are those flakes? Mostly dark or bright? Any VaPers or burley in any of them? Thanks

 

[lordofthepiperings]

I'd definitely suggest Dunhill Flake.

 

[Perique]

OGS, as mentioned. Also PS Luxury Bullseye Flake.

 

[wnghanglow]

Rothnh, I never heard if a virgina with cavendish before, what's that like? I'm guessing a cooler smoke with a bit more sweetness?

 

[alancairns]

Capstan Medium Navy Cut.
Alan

 

[wnghanglow]

By anniversary flake did you mean anniversary kake?

 

[wnghanglow]

Annie kake was in the first order I ever made online. It was also my first tobacco after CBW. I gotta say it almost made me cry at the time lol of course I had no ideal what I was doing at the time, and think I might be in for a pleseant surprise. I think I have an ounce that has been aging for a year..

 

[chubbster]

I'd recommend the following, because they smoke great every time, arrive in my opinion ready to smoke and are readily available:
Orlik Gold Slices- they su it has perique, and it might but I can not tell and usually can
Reiner long golden flake- similar to OGS, but a notch better to me, and the price is not great, but its worth two at least try it
Dunhill Flake- no nonsense flake, a+
I also have smoked tins of Mcclelland, and I recommend many of their Va. Christmas Cheer is great every year, as is their bulk 5100 with or without age.
Mcranies Red ribbon and Res Flake- outstanding tobaccos, great red Va, an I probably have ten pounds of it put away between the different vintages.
Get to smoking!

 

[jbbaldwin]

Orlik Golden Sliced was my first VA flake, and I recommend it for beginners.
I agree with chubbster - Reiner's LGF is a notch better. (I'm smoking it as I type this.)
Heinrich's Dark Strong Flake is a VA/Bur, and is very nice, if you're into that and can find it in stock anywhere.

 

[cigrmaster]

Astleys no 109 is a very nice beginner flake.

 

[keith929]

Try Altadis 507 Virginia Slices.

 

[cortezattic]

keith929 found a real sleeper. I love Altadis 507c Va. Slices. Not much talk about it around here though.
Here's a bunch more, for reference purposes.
Villiger 1888 After Dinner

Solani 633: Virginia Flake with Perique

A & C Peterson Escudo

Sillem's Councilor 1695 Flake

Robert McConnell Folded Flake

Orlik Golden Sliced (Red)

Watch City Cigar Hampton Roads

Nording Hunter Blend: Beagle

Iwan Ries IRC Virginia Flake, Virginia Slices

Reiner Long Golden Flake

Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Louisiana Flake (light Lakeland)

Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake, Lux. Bull's Eye Flake, Luxury Twist Flake

Samuel Gawith St. James Flake, Full Virginia Flake, Medium Virginia Flake

Former Straight Grain Flake, Cross Grain Flake, Bird's Eye Flake

Dan Tordenskjold Virginia Slices, Limerick, Hamborger Veermaster

Low Country Pipe & Cigar Waccamaw

Mac Baren Navy Flake, Virginia Flake, Old Dark Fired, Mixture Flake

Newminster #400 Superior Navy Flake, #403 Superior Round Slices

Friborg & Treyer Cut Virginia Plug, Vintage, Special Brown Flake, Cut Blended Plug

Rotary Luxury Navy Cut

 

[wnghanglow]

Kind of an overwhelming selection here guys, if I got an ounce of each of those I would be set for a year lol going to have to research and narrow it down.

 

[cortezattic]

It is very overwhelming. The brands I listed are only those receiving 3 or 4 star ratings at "that other review site".

 

[pitchfork]

Just to add to your selection woes, I'd recommend McClelland Matured VAs #22 and Gawith Hoggarth Best Brown #2. I find they are very, very forgiving in terms of technique. Both are rich, sweet and easy to rub out. Also, Full VA Flake, if dried properly is a very mild (though full flavored) smoke. I mean it's mild in terms of not smoking harsh or bitey.
I would, for example, stay far away from GL Pease Union Square, Montgomery, etc. They are very natural VAs and even confirmed VA smokers find them very fussy (though good when they're good).

 

[wnghanglow]

Thanks for the detailed description pitchfork

 

[jah76]

I love these threads....I always find something new to try.