What Makes Brown Flake Just That?

[JohnClyde]

Hi,

I've smoked traditional SG and Germains versions for years but this morning tried G&H brown Flake u/s for the first time. I was struck by the noticeable dark fired note, both on my hands after rubbing it out and in the smoke. Which got me wondering what defines a brown Flake?

Is it the ageing and subsequent richness or the relative lack of bright zesty Virginia or is it merely a tradition of naming a certain blend to differentiate it from others?

 

[tobefrank]

The colour? Just joking, I don't know... Maybe a brown sugar type flavour?

 

[greeneyes]

Aging will do it, as well as heat and pressure. I personally do a "wet toast" (in a pressure sealed container so it doesn't dry the tobacco; left vs. right, toasted) at 140°C. In fact I'm doing another round today. My understanding is that in the case of brown flake, a bright and lemon Virginia flake is heat-pressed.

 

[pantsBoots]

The length of time it was pressed under heat. The longer it's treated in this manner, the darker it gets. FVF is pressed longer than BBF.

 

[LongHairDontCare]

Just a heads up, for brown flake u/s. Absolutely great stuff. But, if you have a pipe that absolutely sings with all of your Va/Per/DFKs, like Scottish Flake, HoTW, old Gowrie, penny farthing, etc, and you think the U/S might not ghost it, you could be very mistaken. I now have a pipe that has a very special super power...it takes my absolute favorite-st tobaccos and makes them taste like horse apples.

 

[JohnClyde]

Thanks for the replies.

That makes sense. Longer in the steam jacket press.

I'd wrongly presumed it to indicate something about the constituents, I.e. a trad name for a vabur flake, in contrast to a straight virginia flake

 

[cigrmaster]

I have a few brown flakes that are straight up Virginia flakes and no burley or Kentucky. Blends like Wessex Brown Virginia Flake, Astleys no 44 Dark Flake, Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake,. All of the flakes I mentioned are from 2012 or 2013 and earlier. I have no idea what they are made with now.

 

[sablebrush52]

I have a few brown flakes that are straight up Virginia flakes and no burley or Kentucky. Blends like Wessex Brown Virginia Flake, Astleys no 44 Dark Flake, Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake,. All of the flakes I mentioned are from 2012 or 2013 and earlier. I have no idea what they are made with now.

Harris,

I have the answer to your question, straight from a reliable source:

 

[JohnClyde]

Cob's chocolate flake?

 

[anotherbob]

Harris,

I have the answer to your question, straight from a reliable source:
View attachment 80106

why

 

[sablebrush52]

why

Because it’s there.

Think I’ll break open a 12 year old tin of Germain’s Brown Flake.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

How does that age, Sable? I've been thinking about getting some more for the cellar but was wondering if long term aging made much of a difference?

 

[sablebrush52]

How does that age, Sable? I've been thinking about getting some more for the cellar but was wondering if long term aging made much of a difference?

The flavors deepen nicely. There’s a nice bit of sweetness that develops and something resembling a chocolate malted. It’s my favorite brown flake.

 

[smudgersmissingleg]

The flavors deepen nicely. There’s a nice bit of sweetness that develops and something resembling a chocolate malted. It’s my favorite brown flake.

Sounds nice. I've got 3 pouches in the cellar that are a couple of years old but I'll definitely add some more.
It's my favourite brown flake as well, lovely stuff.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

G&H Brown flake unscented one of my very favorite,and in all probability continuous use of this will result in a slightly lakeland ghosted pipe,more so than St Bruno for instance

 

[Brendan]

I’m just wondering who in the hell decided to take that photo in the first place

 

[sablebrush52]

I’m just wondering who in the hell decided to take that photo in the first place

I dunno, I don't really want to know, but it sure makes a statement!

 

[BROBS]

G&H Brown flake unscented one of my very favorite,and in all probability continuous use of this will result in a slightly lakeland ghosted pipe,more so than St Bruno for instance

unscented is certainly a misnomer

 

[BROBS]

I’m just wondering who in the hell decided to take that photo in the first place

?‍

 

[anotherbob]

Because it’s there.

Think I’ll break open a 12 year old tin of Germain’s Brown Flake.

I mean of all the people you've worked with over the years why that one?