Wessex Classic Virginia

I took a semi rubbed out flake and rubbed it out completely. The tobacco lit easily. This is a lovely red Virginia that tastes delicious, with no sharpness. It burns beautifully to the bottom of the bowl. Although I would describe the strength as mild to medium, it is very satisfying and tastes of quality tobacco. I rub it out completely,which I find releases the flavor. Smoke it slowly and you will be rewarded with a delicious cool smoke. It remains mild, with little nicotine strength and no loss of flavor from start to finish. Also excellent with a little perique added. I also like to mix this 5 to 1 with Wessex Brown Flake for a delicious taste experience. Rubbing out the flakes completely produces a milder smoke which I prefer.

Red Virginias are a hit or miss with me. I like most of them, but many don’t like me. It must be a body chemistry thing. Classic Virginia is a hit as it is smooth and sweet and didn’t ever bite me, even when pushed. I do think that there is a little topping on this, but either way, it is very tasty. I have smoked this fully rubbed out and as is. It isn’t as rich as the Brigade Campaign flake, but still worth a few tins in the cellar. I should also add that my wife, an occasional pipe smoker herself, finds this to be the only Virginia that she enjoys. Until recently, Wessex blends seem to have flown below the radar, at least my radar. Classic Virginia will be wonderful with age. I intend to find out.

I must say I am happy I bought this one. This is, as advertised, a dark Red Va Flake and it is good. The tin aroma is, mostly, of figs and good ol' matured VAs. It packs well, lights up well and smiokes well. I don't think there is any other kind of tobaccos besides a bit of lemon Va, here and there. I am not sure if there is a very light top note added to Classic Virginia. It seems like it at first, but it vanishes so quickly I am just wondering if I dreamed this. It is rich and the nicotine content is at the minimum level to make me happy. Be careful, as it is an all Va mixture, not to push it. Smoke slowly and then, you will be able to enjoy all the flavours without your tongue paying for it. Smoke too hard and quickly and you will lose all the flavours and your tongue will get it.

Tin: Nice wide-mouthed pancake tin; an almost completely rubbed out "natural flake" pretty much ready for packing, dark brown and tan, having an overall dark chestnut hue with a standard red VA hay scent. The strands are supple but not moist.

In Omnia Paratus. Another English concept by a German company.

Packing & Burning: Packed straight from the tin, it packs fairly easily, and surprisingly, lights with one match.

Aroma & Taste: Mild and unremarkable. It is vaguely sweet. It reminds me of McClelland's Blending Virgina, BCV being a little milder and softer. After this first bowl, the rest of the tin produced a woodsy, stoved walnut aroma.

Strength: mild

Room Note: mild-medium woodsy cigarette

Overall: Wessex' BCV gives a reasonable idea of what red VA is like. Recommended for that purpose. 3.4 stars.

A really good example of a red Virginia. My sample is several years old; in fact it was imported by James Russell, rather than XYZ, the current importer. I enjoy the no nonsense, straight forward flavor. There's nothing complex about this blend, just honest Virginia favor. It's not too sweet or too strong. It could easily be an all day smoke. I like it best with my morning coffee.

For me, it's one of those tobaccos that if it was the only blend I could smoke, I would be happy, but if I never smoked it again, I would be okay too.

This is an eye catching broken flake, of beautiful tan and dark brown hues. A true and simple straight Virginia, it has a fresh grassy smell with only a faint note of natural sweetness. Slightly moist in the tin, it is nonetheless easy to pack and it lights up pretty well.

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The flavor is somewhat muted and unpretentious. It lacks the rich, herbal sweetness of other Virginia flakes (very different from, say, Old Gowrie, Brown Clunee of Hamburger Veermaster), but it is still very palatable. Sober, down to earth, it somewhat reminds me of Astley?s 55 and McConnell?s Scottish Flake, though smoother. If not smoked with care, it does have a tendency to bite and, if pushed, it can burn rather hot. Other than that, a very nice straight Virginia, prepared with all the care and craftsmanship of the blenders at Kohlhase & Kopp(incidentally: I got mine at Cupojoes, NY).

A beautiful Red VA flake- not much else to say! This is a high quality tobacco and it has all of the qualities of other straight red VA's. This is comparable to Marlin Flake, Red Ribbon, No. 27, and any other great VA. It reminds me of variations of the same theme, kind of like wines are. If you like Va tobacco you need to try this and see what you think. The burning characteristics are great and the flavor is elegantly rich. Quite a find, it is too elegant perhaps for all day consumption, but great for those special moments.