If smoked at its own pace this is a very rewarding smoke indeed. Contrary to MacBaren's own recommendation of folding and filling, I find a full rub-out and a loose fill in an oversized bowl really does draw out the full flavour and intensity of this blend; it also, in my opinion, reduces the dreaded bite'.

5 stars MacBaren!

I find most Mac Baren tobaccos to be hot in every definition of the word. I love Scottish Mixture, for example, but can't smoke it, even in the flake form. I've often thought Mac Baren, many years ago, discovered a million pound batch of New Mexico Hatch chilis and began adding a bit to their blends. Having said that, however, heat hasn't been the case with Navy Flake and I highly recommend it.

The flavour and smoke is nice and spicy, bouyant and lively. A bit of a pick-me-up is this if you ask me. I've found that it can bite and burn hot but if smoked gently it's lovely. Burns very easily so that isn't a problem and the flakes are perfect for packing by just folding and stuffing.

It's nice, I like it.

The moisture content of the slices was just right for me. The flakes felt solid with just the right amount of moisture. I checked out the Mac Baren website and read the notes on loading this tobacco (just in case they had some tips). I went with their recommendation for folding length-wise and then folding again. I loaded this into a Peterson’s Kapet with standard bit. I accidently packed the first bowl too tightly and was immediately hit with tongue bite. About ½ way through the bowl I was about to give up and then realized what was happening. I used my trusty pipe tool spike and loosened without putting out my bowl – what an immediate difference! The rest of the bowl was excellent. The taste and smell was difficult to describe – good but I could not put my finger on how to describe it. I decided that this is a good trait. Most likely the best way to describe a pipe tobacco to another smoker is to say: “here, try a bowl”! Even though I could not describe the taste, I knew I liked this tobacco by the bottom of the first bowl. After the second bowl I am convinced. Hard to say much about the room note as I smoke in my workshop and there is generally no one there to ask. MB has this tobacco listed as a 3 on their strength scale, but it does not seem as strong as Burley London Blend to me. Both smoke and taste are even throughout the bowl, and leaves only an even, light ash. The scent from this tobacco did not permeate my clothes as strongly as the Burley does. The slight sweet taste and smell is a welcome addition to the burley taste/smell.

I smoked both bowls about 1/4 of the way down and then lightly tamped and re-lit. I was able to smoke the rest of the bowl without a re-light. I enjoyed this smoke and intend to keep this in my regular rotation. I recommend this tobacco highly. I would not smoke this one as a morning smoke with coffee and would not smoke it all day, but do like it for a change from my standard.

Popped the tin to find a very nice gold wrapping that contained VERY bright coloured and quite dry flakes. Smell from the tin immeadiately reminded me of Gold Block...

If I'm honest I found it smoked and tasted like MB's Vanilla Cream, apart from you had a honey aroma instead of a vanilla one..

I think people who don't smoke Gold Block anymore (in case someone finds out that they do!) smoke this as a 'screen' to hide their shame of liking GB!! Which wasn't really that bad anyway..

Wasn't overly unpleasant.. Just typically Macbaren.

***UPDATE 02/04/10***

Was overly harsh with this blend. After several bowls and time to get to know it, this is a really nice blend.

I don't detect any rum at all, but I do get a smooth 'wheaty' honey aroma tobacco that burns well, and is also well presented in gold wrapped paper and a neat tin.

Apologies McBaren, upgraded to 3 stars..

I prefer my flakes folded and stuffed, which assures a slower burn. Navy Flake is perfectly dry right from the tin and lights easily. Once lit, it continues to burn with minimal effort. I cant get this tobacco to bite even when I try. Take a nose whiff from the bowl and be amazed at the aroma - like baking cookies!

The flavor is nutty and quite sweet and little bit like figs. However you never forget that this is high quality leaf. There is a light rum taste, which I normally don't like in blends, but here it is tamed and interesting. The flavors are pretty consistent all the way through the bowl but get more "toasty" as you near the end. Wonderfully smooth and rich. Navy Flake is one of those tobaccos that I can always count on to give me a great smoke.

The flakes are also beautiful. Thin and with the perfect moisture level, it's the easiest to light and keep lit flake tobacco I've tried. In fact, thanks to its combustibility, Navy Flake is not much of a Navy Flake at all. I've smoked this mixture at sea and unless you put a cap to your pipe, you better get a big bowled pipe or you'll be smoking at deck for twenty minutes. Your pipe won't suffer thou, because no matter how fast it burns, it does it really cool.

I can no longer say all Mac Baren's bite beyond any pleasure they can provide. Navy Flake has entered my permanent rotation of tobaccos and it's there to stay.

This blend has the signature tin aroma of fruitiness like raisins or plums (and a hint of chocolate).

I prefer to smoke flakes like this fully-rubbed out, and that's how I've been smoking these. The flakes are firm and semi-brittle, and rub out nicely. They pack well this way, with easy lighting and an even burn throughout the bowl.

The flavors are mild and slightly sweet, but lack the honey and biscuit flavors found in Mixture Flake. It's still a nice, mild smoke that delivers a decent amount of nicotine without bringing weakness to the knees.

I certainly will finish this tin, although I'm undecided about restocking it, and I'm more inclined to favor Mixture Flake over it. Nevertheless, it's a good, high-quality 'baccy from McB, and I recommend it.