| I had to wait several weeks and try a several times for this new blend to be posted, and other reviewers have beat me to a punch. Nevermind, after two full tins in a large bent Don Carlos, this is a good, trusty, but full Lakeland flake, almost all natural in my book.
I too like G&H flakes, including Brown Flake and Rum Flake. Best Brown no. 2 is very close to G&H's Brown flake (unscented) in my book, but not quite as robust in my opinion. Don't confuse the two, as some have. I don't really compare it much at all to the floral scented flakes (Ennerdale, Brown flake aromatic, or SG Best Brown, etc.), which have varying degrees of extra sweetness added.
This is just a tad, and I mean tad lighter than the full bodied G&H's Brown flake. It may have more portion of virginia than burley than in Brown flake, and has just a hint of sweetness more so.
Overall it starts creamy, builds by mid-bowl to full, and ends nice and round-like. Its sweetness may be just from the sweet virginias added. Any scenting is musty and minimal. It is earthy but a little sweet nonetheless. (It is not sweet in the sense of SG's Kendal Cream Flake.) It is not a light smoke by any means.
It smokes dry and steady. Easy to rub out (I do just a little). It feels like a good cigar in body (but no cigar leaf is added). It leaves a strong room aroma.
I can compare it most to Germain's Brown flake, but it is fuller than that (with a touch of sweetness). It also has some similarities to University flake but is fuller and better in my opinion.
I don't know whether I like Germain's Brown Flake(which can be smoked more as it is not as full), G&H's Brown flake unscented (which is even more robust), or this variation better (the mid-full ground). They are all variations on a theme of earthy, fuller flakes. Still less full than darker flakes. Highly recommended to fuller side flake lovers, va. or burley or both, but a little milder than most dark flakes. Not necessarily for those who prefer lighter or sweet golden virginia flakes.
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| I tried a tin of this at the encouragement of Solar Pons, with whom I have shared a fondness for Lake District tobacco.
Upon opening the tin, I was greeted by an aroma that I can only describe as a combination of leather, florals and spice. The flake strip are medium brown in color with some darker veins and a smattering of birds-eye. The strips are fairly this and need little rubbing out.
When first lit, I was a little put off by the presence of florals (often used in European style tobaccos). I have never liked the taste of florals (read - soap) but in BB#2, these soon give way to a rich and almost creamy smoke. Mind you that the florals never go away, they just seem to dance along in the background of high quality VA and Rich Burley.
I would not consider this a "sweet/sugary" smoking experience, but BB#2 does have a good sugar content that comes from top notch VA. The Burley is dense and satisfying. I would recommend this. I WILL be buying more.
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