Wring out the Full Virginia Flake

[RL Bucktails]

Or put your oven on the lowest setting and place tobacco in a tray for a couple minutes.

 

[rakovsky]

For a comparison: I had the Plug version of FVF last year and diced it into tiny cubes. But despite them being pretty small, they were hard to light as well. I friend had given me a Djeep and a pack of SWAN matches. I had already used the Djeep and about 1/4 of the SWANs. But this time I used them up on the FVF Plug, since it needed so many lights. Then I switched to using Diamond Kitchen matches. Finally I smoked through the bowl. I ascribed the lighting trouble to its moisture at the time. But later a friend said that I needed to rub out the diced Plug cubes with my fingers.

Beside the trouble with lighting it, another remarkable thing about it was the taste. It came across as good quality and kind of good tasting. But it was so middle of the road in taste categories compared to other blends that I have trouble describing it.

 

[coming to_falling too]

FVF has got to be one of my favorites. I don't seem to have much trouble with it, though.

I usually just rub a flake out and set in on my coffee warmer for a few minutes. I don't like to get it completely bone dry, though. I find it better with some moisture retained.

Making sure it's rubbed out fully is important, if you're going that route. I find I really have to work at it sometimes, depending on flake thickness.

 

[rakovsky]

FVF has got to be one of my favorites.

Ok, nice. I thought it was good quality. How would you describe its smell and flavor compared to other blends like OGS and Capstan?

 

[Brad H]

I have been trying for months to get some Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake. It is held in high esteem in reviews by those who love pure Virginia. Finally, a week ago, I found some on Watch City and ordered three tins along with some Brown Flake. Anyway, it arrives and I pop the tin and while I know Sam Gawith is known for moist packing, I could almost wring out the juice from these flakes. I opened the tin, rubbed one flake out and let the whole kit-kaboodle sit and dry for a couple of hours. Loaded it in a cob and while it tasted good, it was still so wet I could hardly finish the bowl.
I know they still use the old equipment from over a hundred years ago, in their processing and it is done the "old way" but does anyone know why their tobacco is so wet??? Is there a reason they consistently do so?

So I gave it some serious thought and pondering. Finally it hit me why they are packed so wet.
I came to the only conclusion could be because those square tins dry out so damn quickly!

 

[Cigar City Piper]

So I gave it some serious thought and pondering. Finally it hit me why they are packed so wet.
I came to the only conclusion could be because those square tins dry out so damn quickly!

Yeah they stopped vacuum sealing them a while ago but even when they did it was still wet probably wetter. Doesn't bother me.

 

[Brad H]

Sometimes there is enjoyment in flaking and drying out what you want to smoke 8 hours later……
Sometimes there isn’t.

 

[coming to_falling too]

Ok, nice. I thought it was good quality. How would you describe its smell and flavor compared to other blends like OGS and Capstan?

I can't really speak for OGS as it's been quite a long time since I've smoked any, but I did just finish a tin of Capstan and I would say the most notable difference for me is that Capstan has that plum flavored topping that's very noticeable in the taste and aroma. FVF on the other hand just straight Virginia, or if there is a topping I don't notice it. It's a nice mature Virginia flake and I would recommend it if you're looking for such. It's really good when it gets age on it.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

Ok, nice. I thought it was good quality. How would you describe its smell and flavor compared to other blends like OGS and Capstan?

I've only had one tin of Capstan and it was a few years ago and I remember it being very good, but don't remember much else about it.
I've smoked a ton of OGS, and the difference between it and FVF is about as vast as it gets.
OGS is a bright Virginia that gives the aroma and flavor of hay and grass, with a hint of citrus.
FVF has a little bit of that, but the predominant aroma and flavor is much darker. Think prunes or figs. It tastes like black tea and prunes to me and is sweeter and darker than OGS.

FVF is my number one straight Virginia, and it does require some prep to smoke. Some folks think it's worth it, and some don't.
What I've found if I plan ahead, is that it helps to lay out a flake the night before I plan on smoking it. When I'm ready to smoke the next day, I rub it out and it works great. This is not a fold and stuff flake. I have to almost completely rub it out to enjoy it.

It is also notable that FVF has changed over the years. There are more bright Virginias in it than there used to be. Ten years ago there were almost no brights in it, now they're visibly noticeable.

Here is a sample of 2013 FVF beside 2025 FVF. Notice the difference in color. No doubt some of the difference is from the age, but the older tobacco was nearly the same color to begin with.

 

[starrynight]

I think if I enjoyed the flavor more I’d put up with the drying and shenanigans.

FVF is unique in that it’s the only flake I’ve had that tastes like black tea and lemon grass, but that’s not my cup of…

The last batch I had felt and looked like beef jerky. If I buy any more tins they’re going in the cellar for 10 years.

 

[rakovsky]

I can't really speak for OGS as it's been quite a long time since I've smoked any, but I did just finish a tin of Capstan and I would say the most notable difference for me is that Capstan has that plum flavored topping that's very noticeable in the taste and aroma. FVF on the other hand just straight Virginia, or if there is a topping I don't notice it. It's a nice mature Virginia flake and I would recommend it if you're looking for such. It's really good when it gets age on it.

Plum smelling smoke is one of my long held connotations of pipe smoking, maybe going back to Prof. Plum with his pipe in the game Clue.

I only tried FVF's Plug version. It has a lightly sweet plumlike syrup tin note for me that I don't recall carrying over into the smoke smell. The most specific that I got in defining the smoke smell was that sometimes it was like an empty wood storage building or barn.

Thanks for talking with me about it. I still have Capstan to try. From what you are saying, it will be more plumlike. That reminds me of Unviersity Flake, which has a light plum topping, and which I tried.

Wishing you the best.

 

[rakovsky]

I've only had one tin of Capstan and it was a few years ago and I remember it being very good, but don't remember much else about it.
I've smoked a ton of OGS, and the difference between it and FVF is about as vast as it gets.
OGS is a bright Virginia that gives the aroma and flavor of hay and grass, with a hint of citrus.
FVF has a little bit of that, but the predominant aroma and flavor is much darker. Think prunes or figs. It tastes like black tea and prunes to me and is sweeter and darker than OGS.

I had SG Best Brown Flake and it does have a Black Tea flavor for whatever reason. It's pretty unique, the only blend out of 50 I've tried to have that Black Tea flavor. I imagine there are other blends with it though.
F.V. Plug didn't have a Black Tea flavor, by comparison.

Here is a sample of 2013 FVF beside 2025 FVF. Notice the difference in color. No doubt some of the difference is from the age, but the older tobacco was nearly the same color to begin with.

That's an impressive photo.
I recall my FVF plug looking somewhere between the two in your photo in terms of color, brown patterns, darkness. My friend gave it to me like it was a 3D rectangle that I then diced.
May I please ask, how much are the Flake version of blends like the plug version?

All the best.

 

[BingBong]

I had SG Best Brown Flake and it does have a Black Tea flavor for whatever reason. It's pretty unique, the only blend out of 50 I've tried to have that Black Tea flavor. I imagine there are other blends with it though.
F.V. Plug didn't have a Black Tea flavor, by comparison.

That's an impressive photo.
I recall my FVF plug looking somewhere between the two in your photo in terms of color, brown patterns, darkness. My friend gave it to me like it was a 3D rectangle that I then diced.
May I please ask, how much are the Flake version of blends like the plug version?

All the best.

Plugs are slightly more intense than Flakes; I find this with both FVF and St James. Flakes are great for we lazier folk lol.

Earlier, I folded and stuffed some FVF into my White Spot Zulu, group 3 bowl and I use a mesh, so not a huge amount. After sparking up, I went a-lunting to get groceries and see someone. The propensity to extinguish was ideal when I needed to go into various shops, stuffed the pipe in my pocket without a problem as required. FVF is a favourite for lunting, without doubt.

 

[Choatecav]

I can't really speak for OGS as it's been quite a long time since I've smoked any, but I did just finish a tin of Capstan and I would say the most notable difference for me is that Capstan has that plum flavored topping that's very noticeable in the taste and aroma. FVF on the other hand just straight Virginia, or if there is a topping I don't notice it. It's a nice mature Virginia flake and I would recommend it if you're looking for such. It's really good when it gets age on it.

Boy, there have really been some great comments and thoughts on this subject. I never dreamed, when starting the thread, that it would still be kicking around at this point.
All I know is that I do enjoy the FVF even if I do have to dry it out some for my particular taste.
I also agree with this description as to the difference in it and Capstan, which I also like very much. Just scratches a slightly different itch.
thanks for all of the input.

 

[Brad H]

Plum smelling smoke is one of my long held connotations of pipe smoking, maybe going back to Prof. Plum with his pipe in the game Clue.

But what room?

 

[Arkansas Paul]

May I please ask, how much are the Flake version of blends like the plug version?

I have never had FVF in the plug version.
Didn't know it was a thing.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

@peckinpahhombre once posted a thread about how he dries his FVF, and I have used it ever since.

First cube cut the flakes. Then dry it till it has just reached a dry to the touch and feel. Then jar or put it all back into the tin. Wait for a week or so for the water deeper down inside those cubes to equalize, and then gravity fill and enjoy. I now do this with almost all flakes, but it is especially important for FVF, because those small cubs can hold water really well, even when it is dry to the touch.

I always dry an entire tin of jar as soon as I open them, because it is ridiculous to be drying one little bowl full at a time. Who has time for that shit?

 

[Choatecav]

@peckinpahhombre once posted a thread about how he dries his FVF, and I have used it ever since.

First cube cut the flakes. Then dry it till it has just reached a dry to the touch and feel. Then jar or put it all back into the tin. Wait for a week or so for the water deeper down inside those cubes to equalize, and then gravity fill and enjoy. I now do this with almost all flakes, but it is especially important for FVF, because those small cubs can hold water really well, even when it is dry to the touch.

I always dry an entire tin of jar as soon as I open them, because it is ridiculous to be drying one little bowl full at a time. Who has time for that shit?

I like that method, Cosmic. I'm gonna try that method.

 

[rakovsky]

But what room?

 

[Hutch Piper]

I’ve never been able to smoke this blend. I dry it for days and it is still too wet to smoke. I prefer not to have to relight countless times during a smoke. That diminishes my enjoyment, so I’ve moved on from this blend.