The presentation of this flake is unparalleled. Opening the tasteful little tin and removing the descriptive paper insert (of quaintly questionable grammar) reveals a tobacco leaf sticker securing folds of golden foil embracing mottled brown slabs of compressed leaf. The aroma is subtle but distinctive, a dew-dappled meadow strewn with sour plums. Picking up one of those slabs reveals just how delicate they are as they separate into interlaced strips, like the tenderest corned beef (as I recall from my meat eating days of yore).

On a technical level, the moisture level is perfect, absolutely perfect. Once you put flame to the flake, it burns perfectly too: it lights easily; it stays lit without a problem; and it burns to a talcum-fine, platinum-gray ash with no dottle.

But though a well done presentation prepares your taste buds for the gustatory treat that follows, the proof is in the putting of the smoke into your mouth. It does not disappoint. It's a delightfully clean, pure tobacco flavor. This is not a buttery, sweet virginia. Instead it has a very dry, smooth, subtle tang that gently tickles the tastebuds with delicate hints of citrus, umeboshi, and hay. It may come across a bit mild, as some reviewers have noted, but it still has a richness and fullness within that mildness (like, say, quality minimalist music). This is a flake for those who prefer their sherry medium dry.

I find the reviews below accurate, all of them. It simply comes down to a matter of preference. That's why I think that any virginia flake lover looking for a good, pure, honest smoke owes it to themself to give this one a go, just on the chance that Holger Danske's RNF may be The One they're looking for -- one they may have otherwise missed because this sublime little flake flies under the radar.

(And I have no clue why it's called a Navy flake. I thought 'Navy' suggested rum or something. I've come to the conclusion that, as far as tobacco is concerned, it means nothing.)

I have to say, initially, I struggled to place the smell, it almost had wafts of a sickly bolognese scent. Only after much inhalation did I discern it properly, good tangs of pineapple with hints of mango. I was also impressed by the neatness (not something that normally charms me) of the flakes as they lay oh so correctly in the tin. It seemed almost wrong to disturb them from their slumber. Nevertheless, faint heart ne'er won fair maiden and, feeling much like the prince that woke sleeping beauty, promptly rubbing some of it after gently waking it, I endeavoured to pack it into my pipe, never too easy with a flake, even if the lighting was a stroll through a very picturesque park. And ooh la la, that sweet, light taste with hints of lemon, just so relaxing and chilling. The room note slips into obscurity, but only a very minor downside, barely worthy of mention.

Sorry if I've made this sound like a fairy tale worthy of a Disney movie, but it seems like this tobacco has it all. So well packaged, so fantastically smelling, so delicately, so sweetly tasting. Perfectly cast as the four star leading lady if you ask me.

Not very tasty and the room note was horrible -sour, acrid, yucky.

Presentation and quality are fine, burns to a nice whte ash, no bite or taste for that matter.

Glad I was able to try it, but I won't be buying more.

Update: After the tobacco has dried for some time, the casing is lighter, the flavor got much better and the taste is now more consistent. It is a bit harsh on the throat if puffed fast.

Regrettably there is a an intense sourness emitted during smoking which blocks the tobacco's sweetness and makes things less pleasant than expected from a virginia flake. As noted by others the blend also suffers from too much of a dried grass taste (a common issue with virginias).

In sum, no dread but also nothing to look forward.

aj

Rubs out easily, moisture content is ideal. I rub this one out quite well, it helps it to stay lit, and it still burns cool as it is sliced so thickly. Outdoors on a windy day though, just roll a slice up and shove it in the pipe. Lights with ease provided you put some of the well rubbed "crumbs" on top.

Breath smoking provides a toasty, slightly tangy virginia sweetness, very pleasant. It does not overheat easily, and wont bite unless highly aggravated. Take it easy, sit back and relax, its a gentle walk compared to the thunderous cavalry charge of some of the famous Latakia blends.

Overall very pleasant, I'm sure it will mature well. But none of the raisiny sweetness I love in some VA blends- Light Flake used to have this, I've been searching for something as good since the quality declined recently. But this is a fine, natural tobacco and I look forward to smoking it again.

This flake is definitely under rated. It is mild, so if your tastes don't lean that way, don't smoke it.

I think our briar bretheren who don't have a sweet tooth and require some strength in their smoke will enjoy this Royal Navy Flake. And, for what it's worth, I found the tin art to be kind of neat.

The tin contains two nicely cut stacks of high quality flakes that are at just the right moisture level. It burns clean and dry and although too tangy to be an all-day smoke of mine, it is one that I smoke a pipefull of almost every day.

If you love virginia flakes and want to try something different, give this blend a try.