Iwan Ries IRC Virginia Flake
(3.45)
Light flake. Similar to Dunhill Light Flake.
Notes: Blended for IRC By Orlik/ Peter Stokkebye per the gentlemen at the Iwan Ries store.
Details
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.45 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 17 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10, 2016 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Iwan Ries Virginia Flake is a variegated combination of black, red and bright colored Virginia leaf. The pouch note is sweet and fruity with a touch of dry grassiness, the flakes come perfectly moisturized and ready to smoke. The flavor is mild with a light sweet oat cereal taste. The finish has a bright lemon citrus note and a touch of pepper. Mid to end bowl flavors are a delicate balance of citrus, spice and wood smoke.
This is a very good flake, but it requires some finesse. For instance, the first few times I smoked this I rubbed the flakes out. As a result, I found the flavor to be sharp and cigarette like. On the other hand, the fold and stuff method dramatically improved the overall flavor, subtleties and performance of this tobacco. The results between preparation methods were night and day.
IRC Flake smokes smooth and cool with absolutely no bite. Comparatively, the flavor and nuances are somewhere between that of Golden Sliced & Dunhill Flake; it's not as sweet & spicy as Golden Sliced or as rich as the current version of Dunhill Flake.
An excellent straight Virginia flake for those that appreciate a flavorful, milder smoke.
This is a very good flake, but it requires some finesse. For instance, the first few times I smoked this I rubbed the flakes out. As a result, I found the flavor to be sharp and cigarette like. On the other hand, the fold and stuff method dramatically improved the overall flavor, subtleties and performance of this tobacco. The results between preparation methods were night and day.
IRC Flake smokes smooth and cool with absolutely no bite. Comparatively, the flavor and nuances are somewhere between that of Golden Sliced & Dunhill Flake; it's not as sweet & spicy as Golden Sliced or as rich as the current version of Dunhill Flake.
An excellent straight Virginia flake for those that appreciate a flavorful, milder smoke.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 07, 2015 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
This is a very, very good mild Virginia- great taste and aroma, but a bit light on nicotine for me. Since I have it and it is good, I'm going mix it about 1 to 1 with a bit of HH Old Dark Fired and a pinch of Latakia- I expect a pretty awesome result! Anyway- if you are looking for a light Virginia, get you some, there's not much better!
Pipe Used:
Calabash
PurchasedFrom:
Iwan Ries
Age When Smoked:
new
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 29, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I don't give out 4 stars easily. I think this one really deserves it though in the VA flake category.
I really enjoyed the old Dunhill Light Flake and recently bought a couple ounces of this to try. In my opinion, IRC VA Flake is closer to that old blend than the current Dunhill Flake. Dunhill Flake is great tobacco too, but I think it is a lot different now in the new incarnation -- more medium and not as "light."
IRC VA Flake has a touch of topping that just smells so yummy. It's not strong, just a touch to add to the pleasure of the experience, especially while preparing the pipe and during the first part of the smoke.
IRC VA Flake is in large slices you can pull apart to the desired amount. I enjoy seeing my flake tobacco in intact slices instead of broken flake. The tobacco has a light, straight-forward VA tobacco flavor with mild sweetness. It's good and flavorful from start to finish. The smell reminds of fig newton cookies in the pouch. It also burns really nice and even with a little drying before hand.
I really enjoyed the old Dunhill Light Flake and recently bought a couple ounces of this to try. In my opinion, IRC VA Flake is closer to that old blend than the current Dunhill Flake. Dunhill Flake is great tobacco too, but I think it is a lot different now in the new incarnation -- more medium and not as "light."
IRC VA Flake has a touch of topping that just smells so yummy. It's not strong, just a touch to add to the pleasure of the experience, especially while preparing the pipe and during the first part of the smoke.
IRC VA Flake is in large slices you can pull apart to the desired amount. I enjoy seeing my flake tobacco in intact slices instead of broken flake. The tobacco has a light, straight-forward VA tobacco flavor with mild sweetness. It's good and flavorful from start to finish. The smell reminds of fig newton cookies in the pouch. It also burns really nice and even with a little drying before hand.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 10, 2013 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Can't believe no one has reviewed this in almost 2 years. Anyway, as I work in downtown Chicago Iwan Ries is my go to place for anything pipe related. This is a great medium strength Virginia Flake and just picked up a fresh pouch today. For $6.90 for a 1.5 oz. pouch the price can't be beat. If you like Virginia Flake, don't pass on this one.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 17, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Went to Iwan Ries to get a tin of Hal O' the Wynd, because I wanted to try a straight virginia. I did not want to purchase a 100g tin for around $50 because I wasn't sure I'd like it. I talked to one of the friendly folks at Iwan Reis and he recomended I try 2oz of IRC Virginia Flake, their "house straight virginia". I am very glad I did. This tobacco is a mix of dark to bright virginias and everything in between, orange and lemon are plentiful. This blend is a virginia and therefore requires slow smoking. If smoked properly, this blend rewards you with a multitude of tastes and sweet virginia flavor throughout the bowl. Next time I get to Iwan Ries I'm buying a pound for aging and a 1/2 pound for smoking.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 28, 2010 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
a good VA. Fully rubbed in your dedicated VA pipe it will not stray from what VA smokers enjoy. burns clean, and develops through the bowl. Once in the zone, might pick up hints of citrus, and that good ole' VA essence.... No bite, and burns on its' own when fully rubbed. this is good tobacco and should not take any less than a four star since is a pure VA flake that represents... it isn't unique or special, but it is worth smoking, and if this is all there is to pipe tobacco, I wouldn't complain.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jul 02, 2009 | Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
This review is based on IRC Virginian Flake and not IRC Slices; the latter is listed as containing perique.
Well this is a great Virginian flake and quite similar to Dunhills Light Flake in many aspects. The pouch aroma, the rub result, the smoking quality and the flavor are quite close. Exact? Maybe not, but that sweet Virginian tang is there and that aroma, delightful. Fully rubbed and allowed to lightly dry and this stuff smokes itself, leaving me satisfied. If there is a topping it is not burdensome, never crowding the tobacco, but rather supporting the smoke. It softly strengthens as the bowl progresses. Some may say this smoke is one dimensional, that its uninteresting, but the old familiar isnt a bad thing. I cannot not imagine a time or place that I would find this tobacco unappealing. Ive been sampling a lot of Virginians, and maybe one out of ten had me pining for more, this stuff has me hooked.
Edit: 7/6/09 More nicotene than I expected, but nice. And I can't say there is no Perique, again, not a bad thing. This may not have dazzeling tin art or boutique glamour, but it is really, really good.
Well this is a great Virginian flake and quite similar to Dunhills Light Flake in many aspects. The pouch aroma, the rub result, the smoking quality and the flavor are quite close. Exact? Maybe not, but that sweet Virginian tang is there and that aroma, delightful. Fully rubbed and allowed to lightly dry and this stuff smokes itself, leaving me satisfied. If there is a topping it is not burdensome, never crowding the tobacco, but rather supporting the smoke. It softly strengthens as the bowl progresses. Some may say this smoke is one dimensional, that its uninteresting, but the old familiar isnt a bad thing. I cannot not imagine a time or place that I would find this tobacco unappealing. Ive been sampling a lot of Virginians, and maybe one out of ten had me pining for more, this stuff has me hooked.
Edit: 7/6/09 More nicotene than I expected, but nice. And I can't say there is no Perique, again, not a bad thing. This may not have dazzeling tin art or boutique glamour, but it is really, really good.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 27, 2009 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
IRC?s Virginia Flake is the first flake I have smoked. I purchased some after reading other reviews here. As it is a flake, it is a bit more work to get smoke ready, but it is really well worth the effort. This is magnificent and the taste is astounding. IRC?s Virginia Flake is now one of my favorites.
4-09-09 Update. This stuff smokes for days. Yesterday I loaded my pipe for the hour drive home; it was a Savinelli Antique Shell (a $40.00 pipe with a balsa filter). I lit the pipe at 4PM; I finally dumped out a little bit of ash at 6PM. I am not kidding a 2-hour smoke, had to relight twice.
4-09-09 Update. This stuff smokes for days. Yesterday I loaded my pipe for the hour drive home; it was a Savinelli Antique Shell (a $40.00 pipe with a balsa filter). I lit the pipe at 4PM; I finally dumped out a little bit of ash at 6PM. I am not kidding a 2-hour smoke, had to relight twice.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 01, 2008 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
Outstanding Virginia, one of the best out there. The large flakes are a pleasure to see, smell and handle. The only similarity with Dunhill Light Flake lies in their color (not in the size or smell, and certainly not in the taste). If we had to compare it, I'd put it next to Capstan Medium (next and above). Same tanginess, similar hay taste, a bit more sweet and with more depth.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 05, 2021 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Excellent quality straight VA, one of my favourites. IRC Virginia flake is very consistent, light-to-medium bodied tobacco, that easily can be an all-day smoke. It is nicely sweet, can feel slight citrusy /fruity topping. The flakes are long and soft, just perfect level of moisture presents. Its price is unbeatable when bought in large bulk. Even though it's pretty hard to have it imported to my country, I always have some nice amount cellared. Just let it age for a year or two, it will become even nicer and well-rounded, delivering so cool and refreshing smoke! 4 stars from me.
Pipe Used:
S. Bang, Former, Jess Chonowitsch, Ailarov
PurchasedFrom:
Iwan Ries
Age When Smoked:
Up to 3 years
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