Your Favorite Navy Flake

[alexnc]

On another thread I don’t see a lot of love for Mac Baren Navy Flake. I do love it, but maybe need to branch out. I’ve tried a few, what’s your favorite Navy Flake?
I’ve tried the Stokkebye flakes.
Maybe these are not true navy flakes, but I also love: speakeasy, blockade runner, Salty dog, anniversary kake - maybe I just like rum

 

[Country Bladesmith]

To my (perhaps incorrect) understanding, not every Navy Flake has rum. Sometimes Virginia-based plugs/flakes are called such because that form of tobacco kept well aboard long trips asea, at least that’s my understanding. Again, I may be wrong. If PS LNF has any rum, I can’t taste it. It tastes like young Virginias with a slight fig-note from the Perique. Black Frigate (I know, not a flake) is on the other end of the spectrum to me, quite “rummy,” if that’s what you’re after.

 

[alexnc]

Rum can always be had on the side! Can’t take Latakia any more though. Maybe I still can, I enjoyed some Key Largo the other morning. But I mostly avoid it these days.

 

[workman]

McConnell's Scottish Flake is a rum flavored va/per. It's better than any "Navy Flake" I've tried.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Rum can always be had on the side! Can’t take Latakia any more though. Maybe I still can, I enjoyed some Key Largo the other morning. But I mostly avoid it these days.

I’d say it’s in a condimental amount in BF.

 

[Chasing Embers]

To my (perhaps incorrect) understanding, not every Navy Flake has rum.

+1

 

[Chasing Embers]

Newminster Superior Navy Flake.

 

[lawdawg]

I love Stokkebye LNF but don’t taste any rum either. I do taste some kind of coconut-like topping. It’s one of the few bulk blends that has a regular spot in my rotation.

I also share your interest in trying some more navy flakes. I don’t know how true the historic story is about sailors storing their tobacco in old rum casks, or what kind of tobacco it could’ve been, or whether today’s navy flakes are anywhere near what those old sailors were smoking, but I’m a sucker for the historical reference, regardless.

 

[CAlabama]

MB Navy Flake

 

[cigrmaster]

Rotary Navy Cut was my favorite by far but I always had a feeling it would go the way of the do do Just had a gut feeling and it turned out I was correct. it was discontinued a few years ago but luckily I was able to stock up on it as I predicted it would be gone soon. Fribourg & Treyer Special Brown Flake is pretty tasty but can be tough to find some of the time. If you don't mind waiting GL Pease Navigator is real nice when it hits the 6-7 year mark.

 

[elasmo]

I'm a big Speakeasy fan. I suppose Redburn doesn't qualify, but it's da bomb.

 

[Perique]

Dunno how you beat LNF, to my taste at least, for a “navy flake”, or Escudo for the spice. But if you want rum and a salty dog old school flake, Blockade Runner DIY flake seems to fit the bill. Then there’s always Wilke Rumcake for the sweet tooth. Not sure how it gets much better.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Dunno how you beat LNF, to my taste at least, for a “navy flake”, or Escudo for the spice. But if you want rum and a salty dog old school flake, Blockade Runner DIY flake seems to fit the bill. Then there’s always Wilke Rumcake for the sweet tooth. Not sure how it gets much better.

Redburn

 

[uprightman]

I also think I need to branch out a bit regarding navy flakes. I believe I had some when I first started smoking in college. I also have some Mac Baron bulk Navy flake right now, it is alright but didn’t wow me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I also have some Mac Baren bulk Navy flake right now, it is alright but didn’t wow me.

Was never a fan either.

 

[sittingbear]

MB Navy Flake is one of my all time favorites, but not sure any old sailor would recognize it. I think they smoked mostly ropes back then.

+1 Blockade Runner

 

[BROBS]

Newminster Superior Navy Flake.

Mine too

 

[BROBS]

Was never a fan either.

Their VA flake too, while good quality, is just kind of meh

 

[troyniss]

+1 for MacBaren Navy Flake. Fell in love with it and smoked a tin real fast.

Another contender that is very similar, I believe blended by the same manufacturer, is Erik Stokkebye 1931 Flake. It mentions nothing about 'Navy' on the tin, but if it isn't almost the same darn blend as McB Navy Flake, as it's been compared to.


If you want boozy or a top note navy'esque blends:

C&D Blockade Runner (heavy)
C&D Black Frigate (medium-heavy)
C&D Redburn (light)
DT Salty Dogs (light)
SG Navy Flake (light-medium)
Capstan Flake Yellow (light)
MacBaren Navy Flake (light)
Erik Stokkebye 1931 (light)

If you want just the cut of the navy 'flake':

New Minster no.400 Superior Navy Flake
PS 400 Navy Flake
Comoys Cask No.4
Capstan Flake Blue

These are just ones I have tried. Refer to the other ones members have mentioned too.

 

[PipesRock]

McConnell's Scottish Flake is a rum flavored va/per. It's better than any "Navy Flake" I've tried.

+1 good stuff. More contemplative smoke, for me anyway. But when I want straght forward no thought involved I do enjoy PS LNF. edit: add Capstan Blue to make three.