It burns well (either rubbed out or in larger chunks), slow and regular and requiring few relightings.

It has all the flavour you can wish from a flake: dried plums, apricots, a wonderful sweetness with some tart notes here and there. Never too strong, or getting bitter towards the bottom of the bowl.

Excellent.

Although I enjoy the spiciness of a good VA/Per, the particular spicy flavors of this straight virginia don't sit well on my palate. The spiciness seems artificial and i agree with wosbald that this is topped with something.

Finding the right Virginia is a highly personal pursuit. I can see why others might enjoy this one but it just doesn't float my boat.

I'll gladly finish the tin but see no reason to pay a premium price for this.

* * 1/2

Well, I was very pleasantly surprised. Memories of taste and smell give more than the usual hostages to fortune, but I am convinced that the present incarnation is even better than the original! It ranks with Old Gowrie and Light Flake as among the finest. Now that the latter is reported to be discontinued, there is even more reason to search for stockists of Cut Virginia Plug.

This is a simply great blend. I love the packaging and flake presentation. Simple, handy, and beautiful. I took about half a flake and rubbed it out to a broken flake consistency and loaded up my pipe. This blend has a great flavor. It is a nice sweet-wood virginia flavor with the occasional fruit and pepper accents. It flavor is clean and refeshing, leaving a delightful finish on the palate. The aroma is a neutral, tobacco aroma. Unoffensive, but may not be appreciated by all. A treasure to try for any Virginia smoker. Get it before I start stockpiling it!

I do think that this cut plug can serve as an all day, anytime of the day smoke and will smoke well in almost any type and size pipe. I think for me this is one of those few tobaccos that is simply... versatile.

I've smoked this in too many pipes to mention how many and what size and type. Great for the beginning Virginia smoker and for the experienced smoker.

Highly Recommended!

Regards, Peter .........a pipe is to be savored.

At the beginning, sometimes, it is mild and fruity, like a nice Chablis. Other times, it is such a slow starter, so light and subtle--and tasteless--that it will make you crazy.

Later on, almost always, it's sweet, tangy, and loaded with flavor--like eating BBQ shrimp at the Jazz Kitchen in Austin, Texas. Smooth, cool, and delicious. But sometimes not. Sometimes it's just a sort of dull medium Virginia of no particular distinction.

In short, this is generally a charming smoke. Occasionally, it can blow your doors off. I've smoked a full tin in a wide variety of pipes--clays, meerschaums, briars of various sizes--and I've experimented a great deal with rubbing it out, and I still haven't found exactly what it is that makes this tobacco work so well when it does. Like a beautiful woman, it has its mysteries.

CVP is a dense tobacco, and it burns slowly for a LONG time. I have gone to smaller bowls when I smoke this blend, simply to avoid smoking the same tobacco for two to three hours.

Aroma: The aroma is well matured Virginia, with a trace of top dressing. Overall, the bouquet reminds me of Capstan Medium Navy Flake.

Packing: Very easy in almos any size pipe. Either a partial rub out, or a ?roll up? worked well, depending on the burn rate desired

Lighting: Not the quickest lighting flake I can recall, but fairly easy A one match light is possible.

Initial flavor: The initial flavor is sweet medium strength Vrginia, quite beguiling and gentle.

Mid-bowl: The tobacco burns cooler than expected unless puffed too quickly. There is a full range of medium to high notes that keep you interested, but don?t stress the tongue or palate.

Finish: Even at the finish, there is no harshness. The ash is medium gray and quite fine.

Summary: This is to me, an excellent all day tobacco that can be smoked either casually or contemplatively. It is rewarding either way.

Appearance and Tin Aroma: Beautiful presentation! The flakes are stacked neatly and have a beautiful mixture of browns, yellows, and birdseye. It smells like rich hay, similar to Marlin Flake. I stared at the flakes and smelled them for a long time before packing my pipe, such was the quality of this flake.

Packing and Lighting: I prefered to rub out the flakes due to them being a little moist and oily upon opening the tin. Stayed lit well after 2-3 lights.

Initial Flavor: Aaahhh! This is going to be an enjoyable experience. This is a fine Va flake. Very similar to the afore mentioned MF, but not as spicy.

Mid-Bowl: Delicious flavor! Round, mellow, some natural carmel notes. This blend works very well in my Castleford stacked billiard that I have dedicated to Va. blends.

Bottom of Bowl: Please don't end! Alas, it does and all that is left is a fine grey ash. There was a slight build up of strength and a little increase in the spicyness, but never became harsh. It did leave a lot of moisture in the shank though, but nothing a pipe cleaner couldn't handle.

Overall: This is a fine blend. In my rotation, it is right behind MF and ahead of Blackwoods Flake. I wish I had tried this blend a couple of years ago so I could have layed some tins for aging, but this blend is delicious fresh anyway. Due to the flavor richness, I never found myself overpuffing, and becuase of that, tongue-bite was never a problem. Even though I am still primarily a English/Balkan smoker, this blend still satifies. I heartily recommend it!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 points. Enjoy!

I listed a flavoring only because I can't believe it can be this tasty unaided. I'd prefer to think it is just pure virginias singing. Those of you with leathery tongues from are-we-not-men harrrr! more latakia and perique! smoking habits will likely miss it. A shame. This is like a lambic ale.

My lesson: before you give up on a tobacco, try a fresh pipe. I've ordered a half dozen cheap factory seconds for this purpose. Looks like cleaning time for the rest.

This is wonderful, sweet! and yes, delightful smoke for the first thing in the morning for me. The small pipe allows a half hour of indulgence, no more, and I'm on my way.

It will likely become a regular and I will update accordingly.

This reminds me of the old Imperial Tobacco Capstan Full.

If you want to try a good, hearty, full virginia flake then look no further. Even better than Sam Gawith FVF, this is wonderful tobacco and should age excellently.

I didn't think that virginia flake like this existed anymore.

I have so far discovered three excellent virginia flakes: Dunhill Flake, Peterson's University Flake and Hamborger Veermaster. Cut Virginia Plug is even better than they are. It's smooth but never dull, its delicious sweetness is natural, not achieved through chemical additives or casings, and this tobaccos behaves very well at all times: no bite, and a consistent burn.

If I had access to this stuff constantly it would be one of my most smoked tobaccos.