Iwan Ries IRC Virginia Flake

IRC's VA Flake has been compared to the old Light Flake Dunhill marketed up until a couple years ago. While I've not had that particular incarnation, I have smoked through a pound of the new 'Flake' version. From a reliable source, the word I've heard is that Light Flake has a smidge more top note noticeable when smoked, as compared to the newer Flake. With that in mind, I can imagine that this IRC VA is indeed similar to the Murray's mix.

What does this mean?

Nothing really, I guess.

That said, I thoroughly enjoy IRC's Flake. Comparing it to DH Flake, (a benchmark favorite of mine), I notice a bit of a top note...a Danish influence of subtle proportions. DH Flake is more natural tasting, albeit by a minor degree. My memory is suspect, but I think if I mixed DH Flake and PS's Luxury Twist Flake in a 4:1 ratio or so, I could approximate IRC's Flake VA. (I wouldn't, but it may give someone an idea of what this is like).

I could easily be 'forced' into this being my 'desert island' blend, if need be. Not quite as good as Dunhill, but good enough. I reckon with cost a factor, though, it's even better.

Don't overlook this one, boys and girls.

Four stars.

Excellent! This is the first straight Virginia I've smoked, and it was wonderful and delicious. The note of the flake in the IRC bag was intoxicating and really excited me to this tobacco. The smoke was smooth, had this sweet taste to it and never once had any bite. I am buying a pound of this and aging it. I can't wait to keep smoking this for the next few years!

My review is on IRC Flake(comes in a Navy Flake). Its far one of the best Bulk Flakes in the Market. Its a Virginia with just a right amount of Perique. very mild smoke and great especially for a summer smoke I think this better than their Virginia Flake. Absolutley great Va/Per Blend. Good price point also.

IRC VF is a very good mild Virginia. It is easy to smoke. I cut the long flakes into ¾? pieces and rub it out and pack the bowl loosely, packing the tobacco with a match stick. My flakes were nice and dry out of the bag and crumbled easily. VF is easy to light and smoked well to the bottom of the bowl. You?ve got to smoke gently or it can bite.! I think it is all flue cured Virginia which generates, in my opinion, a very pleasant, classic, tobacco taste. I detected no flavoring at all. This is a blend I can smoke bowl after bowl. At home I like to smoke several blends during a day, but If I?m going to be away all day, IRC VF is the blend I?ll cut and put in the pouch. Since VF is pretty inexpensive for a quality blend, it a good choice for an all day smoke.

A confirmed Virginia smoker, I'm on the search for something with a tad less room note than my former mainstay (my beloved no longer complains about the house, but avoids the garage). I've become enamored of Orlik's Golden Slices, but tried the IRC Slices if for no other reason than the pricing -- about half the cost of OGS. The IRC arrives in a metallized cigar pouch -- ensuring freshness. A continuous strip about 7-8" long, I scissors it down to about 2-3 inches and drop it in my pouch. It rubs out as easily as any other flake. Not quite as easy to light (or keep lit) as the OGS, but not troublesome. Self-extinguishes nicely once you stop drawing on it, which is convenient for those of us who have to dash outside during the workday. It's not quite as flavorful as OGS, and if I smoke it too fast, it encourages salivation -- something I'm not used to in a VA. But all in all, it's a pleasant and extremely affordable alternative to your typical tinned Virginias. IR has a nice product here.

Edit: 3 months later. I ordered another pouch. I must be getting used to the milder tobaccos. This one was magnificent. My next purchase from IR, I'll go for the quantity discount. I think this is headed to be my "regular" smoke. I can't say enough good things about this, so I won't try. Up it to Four Stars.

Yea, I like this tobacco...a lot. Being a flake smoker I tried a bag on your recomendations and I'm glad I did. First of all I like the fact that it is easy to rub out and I'm not struggleing with strips of asphalt as is the case with a lot of flake. The taste is of straight good quality Va. slightly sweet,musky and seemed to have a slight orange tang for me.Not much of a nico-kick but these days that's fine with me. A liitle on the moist side and tended to nip just a little... I think Father Time will resolve these issues.A very good tobacco for the DGT. Can't beat the price either. Again, thanks to one and all here for turning me on to some great blends...life is good!

Thick walled Italian curved brandy dedicated to flake.

This is a real treat. It comes in about 7" long flakes, I break them in half with very little rubbing to fill my pipe. It has a whiff of honey, and that good old Virginia taste. The aroma reminds me of Orlik Golden Slices, yet it is different. Very little tongue bite, and burns to a nice clean ash, and for the price it can not be beat. Another must try!!

This excellent flake is very similar in flavor and character to Dunhill Light Flake but without the sticker shock. It is a bit moister and sweeter than the latter but not exceedingly so. When I open the pouch, the bouquet I'm greeted with is honey which is probably what it's pressed with to produce the plug from which the flake is cut.

As a confirmed Virginia lover, this is my morning/ early afternoon smoke. I rub this out and dry it a while before packing a bowl, leaving it a bit courser if I plan to smoke in the car or outdoors. As with most Virginias, savor slowly or it will bring your tongue to its knees.

Uncompromising quality in a delicious VA flake and value priced as well, IRC Virginia Flake garners a top rating from me!