A cigarette is to be smoked. A cigar is to be enjoyed. A pipe is to be savored.

I rate this blend 9.98 out of 10.

Out of the tin, looks like a standard top grade SG Flake, only THICKER. a LOT thicker.

Rubs out just as easy as all the other SG Flakes, packs almost as easy, burns the same. quality work, as always.

Flavor was lighter than i'd like, almost too light. There was some nice VA sweetness and soft tobacco flavors in the background to give it something. I will have to revisit this later, maybe the flavors have developed after airing out a couple more months.

I had to drink this with water or a weak tea, otherwise the drink would've overpowered the flavor of the tobacco.

*updated - not enough flavor for me. i'm not an "english smoker" writing a bad review of a light VA, it is simply the lightest VA i've ever smoked.

I use in rotation with Marlin Flake and the two go together like strawberries and cream, albeit one at a time.

The tobacco is on the moist side and can bite if not dried out. I haven't aged this but I am sure it would age very well indeed.

If properly dried this is a nicely balanced tobacco that all VA lovers should try.

This is a good Virginia tobacco in bright golden broken flake cut, naturally sweet, mild with some floral note, easy to pack and smoke, bite is minimal for a Virginia tobacco, inexpensive and can improve with age. (I keep 2 pounds in sealed jar for aging). Compare it to Mac Baren Virginia No.1, MVF is less sweet, less fruity in aroma and flavor, burn cooler with less bite.

I like Medium Virginia Flake but I largely prefer Mac Baren Virginia No.1.

Golden Glow fits in there somewhere, slightly different than BBF and MVF. It is tasty in its own right but I mixed it 50-50 with GLP Filmore and discovered a very interesting smoke with a little added zest.

Not exactly compex, but by no means monochromatic, IMHO, far superior to FVF (FVF is for Gentlemen, something even my friends could never accuse me of), this simply put, is just far more tasty and a bench mark for virginia's of quality.

This has been my "Mainstay" tobacco throughout the day for quite sometime now, only changing tobacco's in the evening, sometimes with great reluctance.

For viginia lovers and even new pipe smokers, this is one to try.

Background: I'm mostly a VA smoker, prefer flakes & straight pipes with VA's.

It's described as a FVF lite & most likely won't be a favorite of those who like stronger blends. But what it may lack in strength, it more than makes up for in flavor. This is one of my favorite VA blends, a light smoke, especially in the nicotine department.

The flakes are the thickness of a standard flake, but cut into 4" long, 1/8" square strings that are flexible and soft. Upon inspection, the medium to light brown tobacco looks to have been stripped of stems. The sample I bought was moist, but not sopping or oily. Just enough to be flexible, supple.

Preparing to fill, I dry it using the oven method (60 seconds in a pre-heated oven, 200 degrees). I then bag it up & let it cool in a Ziplock bag. Then I break the strands into 1/2" strips & fill the pipe. Normal packing works well for me.

Upon light up, the pleasant oats waft is apparent & welcome. The light semi sweet taste is so nice with a cup of sweetened Joe in the morning. The blend remains constant down to the last crumb and leaves a white fluffy ash. Only clue it's the end of the bowl is when it's hard to relight. Speaking of which, I required a couple re-lights mainly due to a lack of attention to tamping (requires a little more so than most). I've yet to get any bite from this blend, even when puffing like a loaded freight train.

** 5-15-08 update **

Still the same fine smoke as when first reviewed. KEY: Dry it just shy of crispy, I use the microwave for small batches (20 seconds on high spread on a paper towel).

VA's are like a Colibri butane lighter, persnickety to say the least. They favor certain pipes, require the right humidity, and can burn when worked too hard. I find Medium VA Flake to be like an Old Boy, a reliable performer, consistently good flavor. Many VA's are in my cupboard, this one gets the most attention.

The tins I have smoked have not been what I consider "broken flake" type tobacco, and as a Virginia Plug smoker for 45 years, its no where close to that...but, it is a tobacco that I can enjoy anywhere and anytime. This is an exceptional morning smoke as well.

It is not a "rich" Virginia tobacco yet it has an enduring quality that I have come to appreciate. It does remind me of some of the Virginia types that were available back in the late 50's and early 60's and perhaps that's why I am drawn to this. I like the fact that the tobacco is straight forward, easy to light and pack, and leaves a pleasant enough room note.

Sometimes its nice to enjoy a simple approach to pleasure. The quality is certainly there and consistency from tin-to-tin is well above average. I highly recommend Golden Glow to anyone.

Smoked in mostly group 5 straight billiards.

...a pipe is to be savored.

i'd really, really like to see how sam gawith would do red virginia.

Well this VA flake does have just a hint of the Lakeland floral essence the first few puffs but does come into its own about mid-bowl. At that point, the classic creamy VA tang comes to the front with notes of nutmeg, cinnamon, and honey. Toppings perhaps? Perhaps not - and that is what I consider the mark of a well done VA. Kendal Cream Flake would love to be this blend, but it isn't, being too wet, strong and hard to keep lit.

The tobacco taste and aromas of classic creamy VAs dominate eventually and even remind me vaguely of Christmas Cheer once in a puff - the standard by which I hold all VA flakes.

Tin aroma? Well honestly I got notes of overly damp tobacco, salt-marsh and a hint of fish - perhaps tuna, bizarre and turn-offish at first but, thankfully, it never appeared again in the smoke. This offering has the worst tin aroma of any blend I have yet smoked.

The overly-moist flakes are falling apart and this perhaps should have been ready rubbed. But VA flakes have a marketing edge I suppose and what they hey, ehh,?, so I don't blame them.

I love the blond appearance of this VA proving it is not overly stoved (cooked).

All in all, this blend could have done just fine without the Grousemoor essence, apparently used to endorse this as a signature Lakeland mix. It would have stood well, alone, as a quality VA flake (which it is). However, there are many of those on the market already and Sam Gawith chose to capitalize (I think) on their uniqueness rather than follow the crowd.

Given that very observation, I must forego the 1 star rating I was going to give and give it 2 stars, as I am a fan of some SG offerings - for what they are. Though I was more disappointed than pleased all said and done.

I hope aging and drying will improve the smoke, as perhaps warmer weather will do. I find SG blends are more enjoyable in the warmer months according to my palate.

VA, SG, and mild aromatic fans who appreciate natural toppings that are neither goopy nor sweet, here's another one to try.

Good Draw to you,

Ethan "Glorfindel" Dickey SW-NC Mnts.