I've had a mind to include a maritime/nautically branded blend in my regular rotation.
I know that what does and does not constitute a "Navy Flake" has been controversial, and I don't want to get into it. Suffice it to say that what I'm looking for would have a VA base with a rum topping.
I'm open minded on whether the VA has been turned to cavendish, whether other components are included (a little latakia or perique), and so forth.
I know that branding is insubstantial, but I'll admit that I can be a sucker for it. All things being equal, I just like seeing a schooner or square rig or helm on the tin.
(I know that some maritime/nautically branded blends don't fit the category anyway - e.g. John Marr uses bourbon, not rum - and I'm still interested to hear about them.)
Here are those I've tried so far:
I'm not asking for further suggestions because I'm dissatisfied with what I've tried thus far. I just want to know whether I've done due diligence before settling into a decision.
Is there something else I should try?
I know that what does and does not constitute a "Navy Flake" has been controversial, and I don't want to get into it. Suffice it to say that what I'm looking for would have a VA base with a rum topping.
I'm open minded on whether the VA has been turned to cavendish, whether other components are included (a little latakia or perique), and so forth.
I know that branding is insubstantial, but I'll admit that I can be a sucker for it. All things being equal, I just like seeing a schooner or square rig or helm on the tin.
(I know that some maritime/nautically branded blends don't fit the category anyway - e.g. John Marr uses bourbon, not rum - and I'm still interested to hear about them.)
Here are those I've tried so far:
- C&D Black Frigate
(If I had to make a decision today, I might go with this. It was weird to process at first, but the more I have of it, the more it's growing on me.)
- C&D John Marr
(IMO, this is nothing to write home about.)
- GLP Sextant
(This may be in some respects "better" than Black Frigate, but the latakia is strong enough to categorize it with typical Englishes. And once you do that, there are Englishes I like better.)
- GLP Windjammer
(This is a very tasty tobacco - in some ways tastier than Black Frigate - but I have an aversion to burley, and the burley presence in Windjammer is strong enough to keep me from choosing it.)
- SG Navy Flake
(This is an extremely high quality tobacco. It's like a higher quality version of Black Frigate. But, BF is a bit rummier and a bit sweeter, and for those reasons I'd probably still lean toward BF. But this one's a close call -- it's outstanding.)
I'm not asking for further suggestions because I'm dissatisfied with what I've tried thus far. I just want to know whether I've done due diligence before settling into a decision.
Is there something else I should try?