I'd give in one star, but out of respect for other reviews I'll add another. Some may like it, but I don't! I recommend Orlik Golden Sliced, and even more so Erinmore Flake for those who want something less like a cigarette. I haven't tried Sam Gawith FVF yet, but I hear that's better than this, too.

packaging & aroma when you get from opening the tin is great! when i smoked this, i thought it was good the first three puffs then it took 360 to "what in the world am i smoking?"

the taste is probably truly mild or more like smoking cheap cigarette tobacco. if i had a choice between smoking this or not smoking, i will chose not smoking at all.

i highly recommend picking something else to try.

As comparisons to Mac's Virginia No. 1 are inevitable, both are different enough to enjoy them as separate entities. Whereas No. 1 is honey forward, Virginia Flake is more vanilla forward (subtle, smoother and not as cloying vanilla as found in their Vanilla Cream). Mac Baren rates their flake stronger than their No. 1, and after consuming many bowls of each, I would have to agree, but not by much. One huge plus with the flake is a perfectly-sized tin for carrying in one's pocket, and I like the yellow-colored scheme of the tin as well. If you favor a Virginia in a flake form, Virginia Flake provides a satisfying experience. Tastier than their No. 1 as well. A solid offering - like a good "B" movie that you don't mind watching more than once.

Then it nosedived into eaux de crushed Marlbaro Red Butt. Absolutely terrible. The worst part is, being a poor college student, I'm gonna have to smoke the rest to justify the purchase.

We are talking of something not so natural, the honey factor is quite evident, and maybe a touch of lemon and vanilla. The favouring is applied with light hand, but enough to cover the sharp edges usually associated with Va's. That's why VF is never shining any hayish or fruity notes. But also nothing wrong.

VF is better in medium larger bowls, stuff easily both with the fold & plug method or rubbed out, and burns evenly, cool and unbiting. It doesn't suffer any deterioration by several relight, and good with DGT. The strength never exceeds the mild-to-medium notch.

It's the first tobacco leaving me a so sceptical... difficult to tell if it's good or not. Sometimes it gives me some very nice experience, others I'm just bored. Virginia no. 1 absolutely wins the match in the McB family. I'm simply unable to compare it with other flakes of other brands.

Gentlemen,

This simply will not do. Will you please advise by immediate return, where precisely you put the Virginia as advertised on the lid of this tin?

Long story short, this is a good virginia flake without any fancy extras. It tastes delightful all the way down. This could easily be smoked all day, just be aware of the nicotine, of which this little friend is not void of.

~noflex

It is predictable from start to finish: no surprises, neither of the unpleasant kind (it burns slow, cool, with no bitterness, sourness or tonguebite, very smooth) nor of the pleasant one (it is good, but without peaks of excellence). A mild tasting flake with a medium body, sweet, only slightly grassy and hayish. Similar to Capstan (but without its sour fruitiness) or Marlin Flake (but not as deliciously sweet), or Full Virginia Flake (but not as fragrant and complex). The problem, IMHO, lies in the fact that it's also rather undistinguished: it doesn't excel in any department, while undoubtedly providing a solid good smoke. With so many virginia flake alternatives, one has to go looking for nuances to tell the winners from the simply OK stuff. And IMHO the three tobaccos I compared it to above shine with more personality, more "juice", more complexity, more satisfaction. The difference is not huge, but it's there. Somewhat it can be comparable to some similar Fribourg & Treyer flakes: good, but not the best of its kind.

Anyway, far from being bad: if you stumble upon some tins at a good price, cellar them away because it is enjoyable and without specific faults other than not being the best of its class.

The tin aroma is less bright than what I normally expect from a VA flake. As with MacBaren's Vanilla Flake, the tobacco has been pressed pretty tightly. The flake works pretty much the same folded or rubbed out: little volume, slow burn.

The taste is nice, as is the room note. It is nicely sweet, but for my taste lacks in VA characteristics; it comes over more as a classical Danish tobacco than what I am used to from the Richmond Navy Cut (formerly Richmond Medium Navy Cut) or Ilsted's Own Golden Flake.

Most of all, I believe this blend is lacking in strength, spiciness and the typical citrus and pepper notes I expect of a pure VA.

As a tobacco, Virginia Flake is not bad at all. It's a good smoke. But I do feel cheated by the name; it does not have what I expect of a VA flake. With a different name, I'd probably give it three stars.

This is a pleasant mild smoke that doesn't offend as long as it's smoked slowly. Whatever casing might be in there burns off at the match or in the drying process, much like MacB's Navy Flake. This tobacco is neither complex nor does it develop down the bowl. It's just a nice friendly smoke when you're not in the mood to try anything new and your taste buds don't want to be overwhelmed. Mildly and pleasantly sweet, but not as sweet as Virginia #1. I've smoked about 6 oz of this and I'm going to age the rest for a couple of years. I wonder if the mildness might give way to a bit more zest with some cellaring.

When I want something a little bit aromatic, a little bit creamy and sweet with true Virginia flavor, but not too heavy Aromatic or too complex Virginia flavor, then only Mac Baren Virginia Flake will do.

This need Definitely some drying time then fold it and pack it as it is, with preference in a horn shape pipe and with the "air pocket" packing method, the flavor is close to Mac Baren Navy Flake, the burley provides the "creamy" body and reduces bite, the taste is sweetm mild creamy and fruity, the sweetness comes from the natural sweet Virginia leaf rather than from added sweetener.

This is not the same Virginia as with Virginia No1, Virginia Flake is a bit sweeter with more body and without the hay flavor of VA #1

* Bad blend ** Good blend *** Excellent blend **** Exceptional blend

You're much better off with smoking something like Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake or Orlik Golden Sliced if you desire this kind of Virginia.