upon opening, there's a citrusy, damp hay-like aroma which is pleasant. the one long strip of flake looks great, too. the moisture level is perfect out of the tin (and pouch...)

rip off a piece, fold and stuff, light, tamp, light, enjoy!

the flavor is quite high-noted at the beginning, cvan be sharp if puffed too hard, but if smoked slowly, yhis is awesome. smoke slowly for full flavor range.

it gets citrusy, earthy, sweet, raisiny, plum-like at times, spicy, it's all there if smoked the right way. I love it and always will have some on hand!

tip: if you reserve a pipe for just OGS, it will be divine...

Thank you Jesus, your gift is well known.

The reviews seem mostly accurate to me. Doesn't matter which pipe I use, it burns nice and cool, nice and slow and now I'm quite curious as to how the other flakes I've ordered will stand up to this one. Cus this one works quite well.

If I were a store owner and NooB came in asking for a bunch of aros, I'd say, "Ok, here are some aromatics for you, but you might want to give this one a shot." Seems like all newcomers to the Men of Briar start out this way; too many aromatics. I'm guilty. Now I don't ever go to an aromatic anymore and I'm going to go back and redo my aro reviews.

It is what it is and this all quite subjective. But Orlik, it seems to me, represents what pipe tobacco should be: pipe tobacco and NOT perfume.

Each bowl gets better and better. This one makes my top five. Might not be that way in a year from now but certainly worth keeping a few tins in the cellar.

I've tried a lot of the rest of the flakes and I found them all enjoyable, but OGS is one that i keep coming back to. When it comes to Navy Cut flakes, this one is at the top of my list. It's consistent, flavorful, and burns quite well. It's also cheap as hell (which is definitely something to factor in) and, though PS Luxury Navy Flake is cheaper, this one beats it hands down. I was teetering between 3 and 4 stars and i'll have to say it's a solid 3.7, if anything for me.

Upon popping the seal on the round tin, I was greeted with the image of the judge on the paper cover. The smell from the tobacco was very strong and at first, overpowering. The folded flakes would require trimming to get a good measure so with my pocket knife I trimmed off a couple of inches and rubbed.

*Smell* The tobacco has strong citrus scents with an aniseed/licorish aroma that reminds me of Dandelion and Burdock

When packed, the leaf takes the flame well. This tobacco burns straight out of the tin with no trouble. After a charring light you get into the meat and veg of this smoke. It is a pleasant smoke and the sweet virginia is mellow with the hint of perique (and I meean a hint) rounding the smoke off well. It is nutty in places, creamy in others. The smoke does smell similar ton decent cigarettes but dont let that put you off. It will bite you as VAs do if you chuff too hard at it but this is a pleasant smoke, but one I have to be in the mood for. I have tried this folded as well and the smoke lasts longer and the flavours are more intense

All in all, a wonderfull smoke but one I have to be in the mood for. Have smoked 3 tins of this and it seems to be consistent

The bright Virginias provide a lemony-sweet flavor which is highly complimented by the spiciness and richness of the perique. The taste is almost analogous to lemonade and black pepper. Though this combination might not sound appealing at first, it is surprisingly pleasant upon the first light.

I have had a better experience with smoking this tobacco outside while it is slightly warm out than while indoors. The fresh air pairs fantastically with the smoke.

Overall, this is a great smoke in my opinion. It is nothing fancy, yet it provides a sweet simplicity that many are in search for. However, if you are not of fan of bright tobaccos, this blend is not for you.

While the quality of the Virginia tobacco used here is good it is not outstanding and what I enjoy about this blend is in the flavoring and topping which overwhelms any quality and taste shortcomings of the tobacco used.

Supposedly both Virginia and Perique are used in this blend but the Virginia is definitely the more noticeable of the two with a "tin" note reminiscent to me of fresh cut hay, sweet Valencia oranges and tangerines. Its a unique mix of notes and flavors but one that smells very fresh and clean.

Having spent the earliest years of my life in Central Florida this blend immediately takes me back to my childhood as the room note of this tobacco reminds me of the early summertime smells of a humid Florida afternoon just after a passing mid day rain-shower has stirred up the pleasing scent of freshly mowed grass and nearby citrus groves.

As to the technical aspects of the smoke itself I found it best to rub the ribbons out a bit and let dry some before lighting when pulling from a 100g tin (not as necessary with 50g tins as the cut is finer). After doing so the tobacco burns well enough but can be a bit wet when fresh especially in Peterson system pipes or any other with a condenser or filter. The result is a heavy liquid which can condense in the system chamber or cause a filter to be necessarily used only once. If smoked quickly this is definitely a blend which can get hot, especially in humid climates and may lead to gurgle so some care is required to get the most out of this blend.

For myself, still living in the tropics, I find this tobacco fits perfectly with the natural smells of the tropical plants and fruit which can be found here in Hawaii. I can also see how others might find the citrus flavoring to be a bit over powering or simply not for them. Overall 3 stars and I would make it 4 if not for the tendency of the blend to be a bit wet when smoking and for the fact that some may not like the heavy citrus note which for myself makes this blend an all time favorite!

Great Tobacco. Round tin from UK tobacconist with a large long flakes, very similar to Rattray's Marlin Flake in appearance. Wonderful citrus and hay notes from the tin.

Bright and sweet Virginia taste, noticeable citrus in amongst the hay and the Perique. An Awesome tobacco which provides consistent smokes in the smallest and the largest bowls. Get some! I wish I'd tried this earlier, and I'll be buying more for the cellar.

Can't understand the low stars from other reviewers. This stuff really is a delight.

Just as an aside, I often mixed a small amount of 1792 flake (which I simply cannot smoke alone) with this and the result was wonderful. The 1792 added depth and sweetness which is somewhat lacking in this tobacco.

May 2013 I take back my words. Giving an extra star. This is a nice blend. I enjoy it in the afternoon. Not so surprising many facetted as Astley's 55, but a great all day smoke

The smoke is tangy and at times, very slightly peppery. The topping, if used, is unnoticeable so you really have the sensation of smoking a pure, unadulterated Navy Cut Flake Virginia tobacco that is perfectly spiced. The Perique is used to support the Golden Virginia, giving it more body and that dried prune taste at times and graciously disappearing to allow you to savor a divine offering for a Virginia tobacco lover.

I believe this is a great choice for one taking their initial leap into Va's and flakes. Could definitely be an all day smoke. In my humble opinion, it lacks a bit in the flavor dept. I prefer C&D's Briar Fox when craving a milder VA.

There's a distinct citrus/orange arome in the tin, but I doubt it's a casing/topping as I've come across other non-aromatic bright VAs and some cigars that have this. It's really a "green (fresh) tobacco" odour that some young leaf has which gets lost with age unless trapped in a tin or cigar tube.

Golden Sliced isn't really like a factory-produced cigarette, but does remind me a bit of hand rolling tobacco such as Golden Virginia (though GV actually has more taste as it's darker cured and contains some oriental). Very grassy/hay like, with no VA low notes or perique spice and richness at all.

Can bite a little if rushed, but has so little flavour that I tend to end up rushing it.

It's not objectionable but to my taste there are far better takes on a mild/medium strength VA flake around. Gawith & Hoggarth's Bright CR, for example, blows it away, though Bright CR is quite a bit stronger. Sam Gawith's Best Brown and Germain's Brown Flake utterly demolish it.

I can see why fans of mild tobaccos would go for it though, so somewhat recommended if that's what you're looking for.