McCranie's Red Flake, vintage 1983

Red Virginias don't get redder than this. And it's a complex, sweet, mellow, lacking tongue bite... sublime Virginia. This blend hits the zone for me 90% of the times. I smoke others Virginias just because I love variety and in sake of perspective.

If you love HOtW, you've really got to try this.

Words simply can not do justice to this marvellous tobacco!

I am surprised that more pipesters have not reviewed this excellent blend... Rich and sweet, it brings an earthy quality to the smoking experience lacking in other Red Virginia's. Complex and full, it develops in a rare event of point and counter point for the Virginia leaf pipester. This blend is also good to introduce to others, as they will tell you how much they like it. Do not miss this one.

Meerschaum Man Smoking a Fez by Yanik

A pure Virginia flake of the highest quality. I was given a few bowlfuls by a friend that "wowed" me ... I immediately called McCranie's and purchased 10 tins, with the regret that sometimes accompanies such a purchase. Other readers will know what I mean ... you really enjoy a blend, jump in and buy several tins, they arrive, and you ask yourself "What was I thinking??" Such was not my experience here.

I have smoked 5 of my 10 tins ... and I suspect this may be the best tobacco I have ever had. I enjoy it even more than Red Ribbon, another excellent blend. To anyone who enjoys Virginia blends and has not tried this jewel of a tobacco ... I whole heartedly recommend it!

When it comes to Red VA's, this one can stand right in there with the best of them. When I gave it the highest recommendation, it means a smoke that has what I look for and not just that I smoke it all the time. Too many good blends out there to settle on one just now, but I consider this to be a good utility smoke and worthy of a spot in the rotation, although mostly I smoke what I feel like smoking when I want to smoke it. I enjoy the fermented aroma when opening the tin, and the flakes are visually appealing. The tin I have from 1994 is somewhat deeper and more earthy in taste as well as darker in color. Other tins I have are dated 1998 but have that rich Red VA. flavor that matures w/age. The flakes rub out nicely, but I gave some a quick whiz in the food processor, just a little, not too fine. Packs well, lights easily enough, bit of a tingle at first then mellowing too a smooth, cool and slightly sweet smoke. Too me, it's also a wee bit tangy now and then as VA's. tend to be but in a pleasant way. Burns well, had to use a cleaner near mid-bowl because of a little gurgle but altogether a very enjoyable smoke. Burns down to grey ash and leaves the pipe clean. As I've stated before, I mostly smoke bent pipes, and I enjoy the aroma coming up from the tobacco as I'm smoking while doing other things. Sometimes it's nice to hold the warm pipe under your nose as well and sniff the aromas. The flavor of good Va. tobacco is tough to beat, IMO, and this flake provides a taste treat that should hold most any VA. smokers attention. Smoked in an unhurried fashion you will be rewarded w/an insight into the realm of VA. tobacco enjoyment. Could get a bit hot if smoked TOO fast, but this is a somewhat forgiving tobacco. A very refreshing smoke.

They describe the tobacco as being "soft" which is a pretty good adjective for this flake. It's not harsh or bitter, although it starts out as being slightly astringent like all pressed virginia's. Out of the tin the flakes are nearly whole, with a melange of yellow, orange and red tones. There is that "catsup" like smell that hints at McClelland, but this is only a guess.

Sweet Sweet Sweet is the best way I can describe the first bowl in a Stanwell cutty. I did not rub out the flakes save for the top 1/8th of the bowl for a good charring light. This pipe has a narrow bowl that would show any stinging qualities of this tobacco, but there are none. This tobacco has no tongue bite but delivers loads of flavor. I can't quite taste all the nuances there, but that is mainly due to the horkin' cup of coffee that I'm drinking at the same time.

10/31/07

A blessed All Hallows Eve to you all.

Red Flake was a disappointment. For $12+ for a tin, I was underwhelmed. My tin was stamped 12/06 and I purchased if from their Charlotte, NC store while my wife and I visited our youngest son. He has fallen in love with N.C. while attending college. I purchased it in May, '07, so it only had perhaps 6 months on it. I am almost finished with the tin; haven't exactly been running home to fill my pipe with it, as you can see.

All the same, for the price, I found it rather rough and lacking in flavor. There are better tobaccos out there. While a totally different tobacco, McCranies' Old Master has been a much more pleasant smoke. And I typically prefer VA and VA/Perique blends.

The pleasure to price ratio just does not cut it for me.

I reieved a sample of this tobacco in a box pass. I will have to say I am on the hunt for more. This is very well balanced smoke to me. It has the natural sweetness I tend to look for, plus the true taste of tobacco. My sample was a little dry, but it smoked well with no bite. I would have to say in my mind it is definatly 4 stars. Good full flavour.

Ah, a good Virginia blend , it smokes consistant, with few lights. packs easily for a flake even if not rubbed out. its a very cool smoke (you would have to try hard to get tongue bite with this blend) So pick up a coupl'a tins One to smoke now , one to cellar I don't believe you will be disapointed, 3 stars hoo-boy