Wessex Campaign Dark Flake

I tend to agree with Jiminks in this case. Makes me feel weird to say this to be honest. This is a decent Virginia but not great. It has had different iterations. I’m reviewing a tin from 2023. Fairly robust in flavor. The leaves have little inherent sweetness. Comes way too moist so needs significant drying time. It’s a solid straight Virginia but not exciting. Serious nic hit. Three stars barely.

I let it dry out to standard level where it felt dry but had a bit of spring. There is cloying sweet moments but I like them. A tiny bit monochromatic and generic, but high quality profile. Germains dark flake is similar and I prefer that blend. This is good but is more hedonistic than dark flake in a good way.

The tin was very moist. It looked like a clump of tobacco in the center. Strong molasses note and not much else. Pulling some of the flake off it looked more like a broken flake until I looked more closely. I carefully pulled the entire lump out and let it dry for the afternoon. then I unfolded what seems to be 1 or possibly 2 (it broke about mid way) very long wide flakes. These I cut to proper size for my pipes and allowed to air a little more. Rubbing out requires a little more dry time still. The VA's are earthy with some dark fruit notes and a little grassy note here and there along with a very subtle spice. There is definitely a a casing or topping that suggests molasses. It comes through with every puff and it is strong enough that if this were a complex flake, which it is not, most of the complexity would be muted. Smoked a little wet, even when dried to the correct levels. Still a good flake worth checking out if you are into VA's. There are just too many better IMHO to give this 4 stars. Recommended for what it is I would certainly not turn down a bowl if offered one but it will not make one of my rotations.

Recommended for the va lovers. Can be an all day smoke. I tried with filter and without filter as well, and the result is that it is nice both way 🙂 (i should buy it more often if it would be available in local baccy stores)

Nice VA flake. It's dark, full bodied, easy to pack and burns well. The price is a little high, but for those who really love this stuff, I'm sure it's worth it.

An excellent Virginia Flake from Wessex. The flakes themselves are dark, slightly moist, and are compressed together in the tin. Moisture content is perfect, and when the flakes are broken and packed in the bowl, lights easy, and smokes clean. This is a rich, full-flavored smoke, and should not be passed up by anyone who appreciates a good quality Virginia Flake.

You've tried the rest now try the best!!. Not much to add, if you like flakes you will love this. Bye Bye Sam Gawith.

I really enjoy this tobacco. This is similar in style to many Va/ Va flakes I have tried and enjoyed minus different flavorings. This is also exceptionally smooth and without any tongue bite issues for me. I find the presentation in the tin to be unusual but fun. If I could rewrite my pipe smoking history I wish I would have found this particular tobacco as I was starting to try Va Flakes as when I started those I got some that were unpleasant or burned way too hot and I gave up on Va's for some time before coming back to them. 4 stars but maybe a bit underwhelming in strength for some.

I can't get into this one, but once again have trouble giving a quality product two stars, and it is a quality blend, just not to my tastes. I must be affected more by the "molassesey" topping others do not seem to have noticed. To me, it is cloying and detracts from the natural "bite" (but not tongue bite!) that I like to have in a Virginia flake. I am struggling through my tin, and may have to blend it with something neutral to finish it. I get gurgle easily with this one as well. That's all I can say. Lots of folks seem to love this blend. The flakes are certainly attractive! Oh, and at Doc'spipe: I am the second reviewer to detect a flavoring, I guess.

3-21-2012 Been a year and a half or more in a jar. I like it better now, but there is still some gunk at the bottom of the bowl, wet and hard to finish.