The tobacco lit easily, and burned very cleanly. There is a slight undertone of spiciness to the smoke, but it primarily has a nutty flavor typical of burly, and is nicely sweet, though not as sweet as the Virginias I usually smoke. I think there is a honey sweetening in the tobacco. The flavor is more one-dimensional than a Virginia, but that’s not a criticism, just an observation. The flavor is a good one. My impartial judge stated that the room aroma was more pleasant than the Virginias I smoke, too.

Mac Baren’s Navy Flake DGT’s well, which is important to me. The smoke stays cool and dry, and the tobacco burns to a nice, gray ash with little dottle at all. The more I smoked of this tobacco, the more delight I found in it, until I realized that it wasn’t going to be a one-time purchase – this is a tobacco I’ll keep around to provide a nice break from my usual fare.

UPDATE:

It's strange to see how tobacco changes with some airing time after cracking the tin seal. Some tobaccos improve, while others become worse. This one, I'm afraid, has in fact become worse. First of all, when the tobacco had breathed a few days, I could understand what all the talking about its topping is about. Honey!! But sadly, artificially smelling. The main problem I have with this flake- after I have now smoked many bowls of it and feel ready for a valid judgement- is that it loses almost every hint of taste after the middle of the bowl. No matter if I rub it out or not, no matter if I smoke it with filter or not, no matter what pipe I smoke it in- just hot air with a hint of sweetness. A shame, I wanted to like it....

Many favor this blend and will disagree with my opinion. To them I say, thats OK, after all this is only my opinion, yours will no doubt vary. My findings were gathered from plowing thru a single (seemed huge) 100 gram tin. I’m glad it’s over. My personal rating 1/5, because I’m in the minority here, somewhat recommended.

I had some expectations on this one, but, finally, the Mac Baren toping/casing hurted again.

Perhaps it is a matter of personal chemistry, cause I cannot bear this honey-like thing they put in many of their offerings. I could many years ago, when I was an Aromatic smoker.

Better after a pair of weeks, when this casing tends to vanish a bit.

In my flakes I look for more taste and less device. And normally prefer more Virginia and less to none Burley.

Good if you want a very light and cased tobacco with very thin flakes.

Rdx score: 84.7 (10 pipes smoked)

This is one of the first flakes I had ever tried when I first started smoking a pipe. I use Mac Baren's suggestion of the "fold and stuff" method. It works and lights very easily with some small loose bits sprinkled on top.

I dry a few pieces of flake on a piece of paper for about a half hour after taking it out of the tin. It also smokes very cool and pleasantly with the room note being very nice.

I love flakes because of the minimal maintenance after lighting and slow burn. Navy Flake is one of my regular go to's, especially in company.

It may be my taste buds, but I love this stuff. I love honey and this blend delivers plenty of that. Some of the more experienced pipers here will probably not agree with me, but I think this stuff is great for beginners and veterans who don't want too heavy of a smoke. And the room note is absolutely delightful, even the non- smokers kept inhaling the aroma. I smoke it daily. I agree with the previous poster that the tin tastes a bit better than the bulk pack. Try it with an open mind, and you will love it.

Yes, there is some kind of a honey aroma. The taste, however, was displaying something unusual that did not agree with me.

And, again, the lack of strength...Such a shame!

In the tin it smells of chocolate and honey. The two rows of flakes are pleasing and appetizing to the eye.

I folded and stuffed, and it lit right away straight out of the tin and stayed lit, smoking right down to fine white ash around an hour later. The chocolate taste stays, and deepens right to the end, but doesn't detract from the taste of the tobacco. Lovely and rich from start to finish, with little or no bite. Staight to the number one spot in my list.

To repeat: Wow!