John Aylesbury Sir John's Flake Virginia
(3.79)
A pure Virginia specialty. Elegant and mellow smoke. A Danish type blend. With an unobtrusive aroma and a fine sweetness on the tongue.
Details
| Brand | John Aylesbury |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | Kohlhase & Kopp |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | Other / Misc |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | 50 grams tin |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Extremely Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.79 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 24 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 28, 2012 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
I'm thinking Steverino pretty much nailed this fine blend, though it was actually another online friend that recommended it to me. I went through my tin very fast in late June/early July, and must have highly enjoyed it, going by the few short notes I wrote about it, and the fact that as far as I can tell, smoked it pretty much exclusively for a few days.
Unfortunately, since then I have gone through a time in which I had so many other things going on in my life, that I never got around to writing a review at the best possible time in this case; that is to say, when I was in the middle of the last bowl from my one and only tin! Therefore, though I may not at this point remember the specifics that made it such an enjoyable Virginia Flake for me, I think four stars are in order, just to give it the benefit of the doubt!
I am mainly a Virginia man, and insofar as I can remember, this had all of the elements that make up a good, pure, unadulterated Virginia Flake. I simply cannot go into much detail now and remain honest as a reviewer, since it has been five months since I had a bowl of it.
I do know, however, that although this is the holiday season and I find myself needing to watch my spending in the next month, I can say for sure that come the Spring (i.e. tax refund time), I will probably find myself willing and able to pick up a few more tins, and maybe even a new pipe. (Really need a new Savinelli: love their light rusticated billiards, and had the misfortune recently of cracking my only remaining one!)
My admittedly imperfect memories from five months ago of this flake are good ones, however, and I can say with certainty that a couple tins of this, one to smoke and one to save a while, will be at the top of my list for a time when I feel that I can do another tobacco order without too much guilt, and I just have the feeling that a bit more experience with this blend could have perhaps even the effect of making it a true favorite.
Unfortunately, since then I have gone through a time in which I had so many other things going on in my life, that I never got around to writing a review at the best possible time in this case; that is to say, when I was in the middle of the last bowl from my one and only tin! Therefore, though I may not at this point remember the specifics that made it such an enjoyable Virginia Flake for me, I think four stars are in order, just to give it the benefit of the doubt!
I am mainly a Virginia man, and insofar as I can remember, this had all of the elements that make up a good, pure, unadulterated Virginia Flake. I simply cannot go into much detail now and remain honest as a reviewer, since it has been five months since I had a bowl of it.
I do know, however, that although this is the holiday season and I find myself needing to watch my spending in the next month, I can say for sure that come the Spring (i.e. tax refund time), I will probably find myself willing and able to pick up a few more tins, and maybe even a new pipe. (Really need a new Savinelli: love their light rusticated billiards, and had the misfortune recently of cracking my only remaining one!)
My admittedly imperfect memories from five months ago of this flake are good ones, however, and I can say with certainty that a couple tins of this, one to smoke and one to save a while, will be at the top of my list for a time when I feel that I can do another tobacco order without too much guilt, and I just have the feeling that a bit more experience with this blend could have perhaps even the effect of making it a true favorite.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 02, 2021 | Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
3rdguy
Recently finished a full tin and it did not take long. Hands down my favorite Virginia. Easy to prep, light and smoke. Enjoyable retrohale of smoothness. I really cannot think of a downside. Going to be cellaring this one. Highly recommended.
Recently finished a full tin and it did not take long. Hands down my favorite Virginia. Easy to prep, light and smoke. Enjoyable retrohale of smoothness. I really cannot think of a downside. Going to be cellaring this one. Highly recommended.
Pipe Used:
briars and cobs
Age When Smoked:
tin date of 03/16/2018
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 25, 2021 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant |
I'm going to do my best to describe this one. This is an interesting and pleasant Virginia tobacco. The tin note is almost a spot on match to Orlik Golden Sliced. Bright, hay-like, and grassy. Comes in a long winding flake that is folded up on itself. Looks like a nice chunk of Virginia tobacco. The moisture out of the tin is absolutely perfect. You can smoke it right away with zero dry time. Takes a light and stays lit well too. I don't really ever have to relight it due to its own qualities. Any relights were user related 🙂
Onto the smoke itself. It's very light, flavorful and pleasant to the taste. Doesn't get harsh and is not prone to tongue bite, although it could nip if pushy extensively. I have had no issues with it however. It's sort of "buttery" in flavor and has a very nice honey note throughout and it builds in sweetness as you move through the bowl. Here's where the difficulty comes in, this combo butter and honey is unlike any other Virginia that I've ever had and I've had A LOT of them. Pretty much every top Virginia that you have heard of, I have tried and many of the other ones as well. Sir John's Flake Virginia is in an area all by itself because of how unique tasting it is. I happen to like it a lot and rather than plan on it being a regular in my rotation, I am leaning more towards cellaring about 5 tins so that I can have it as a change of pace blend when I'm in the mood for an interesting Virginia that I would like to sip, sit and think about in terms of flavors. I really enjoy it and it's hard to imagine finding a really unique Virginia, but it appears that's what this one is for me. It's the perfect Spring/ Summer day smoke, but I had it on a 50° day here in Minnesota today and it was terrific! It's a very nice Virginia that is worth your while if you can snag a tin. Happy Smokes fellas!
Onto the smoke itself. It's very light, flavorful and pleasant to the taste. Doesn't get harsh and is not prone to tongue bite, although it could nip if pushy extensively. I have had no issues with it however. It's sort of "buttery" in flavor and has a very nice honey note throughout and it builds in sweetness as you move through the bowl. Here's where the difficulty comes in, this combo butter and honey is unlike any other Virginia that I've ever had and I've had A LOT of them. Pretty much every top Virginia that you have heard of, I have tried and many of the other ones as well. Sir John's Flake Virginia is in an area all by itself because of how unique tasting it is. I happen to like it a lot and rather than plan on it being a regular in my rotation, I am leaning more towards cellaring about 5 tins so that I can have it as a change of pace blend when I'm in the mood for an interesting Virginia that I would like to sip, sit and think about in terms of flavors. I really enjoy it and it's hard to imagine finding a really unique Virginia, but it appears that's what this one is for me. It's the perfect Spring/ Summer day smoke, but I had it on a 50° day here in Minnesota today and it was terrific! It's a very nice Virginia that is worth your while if you can snag a tin. Happy Smokes fellas!
Pipe Used:
Savinelli
PurchasedFrom:
Online
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 23, 2018 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Tolerable |
All these positive reviews and my preference for virginia flakes added this blend in my wishlish.once the tin opens a nice smell of citruses accompanied from a sweet topping comes out.the long cut flakes are mostly consisted of bright virginias with some spots of darker virginias.the moisture is perfect and once it's rubbed or broked it is ready for lighting with a few relights needed through the process.while smoking you instantly realize that this flake stands in equal quality standards and taste with the best virginia flakes like Orlik Golden sliced,Reiner golden flake and some other.the flavours are very natural and pleasing.citruses,grass,hay and some sour notes combine perfect with the light applied sugar topping wich adds some additional flavour without sublimating the tobacco.rarelly some spices and dark fruits come out completing the experience.burnns slow and medium hot to perfect ash with a lot moisture left at the end of the filter.nicotine level is almost medium and the aftertaste is pleasant.room note is bareable with no tongue bite present even though some harsh spots might appear if pushed hard.an all day blend.generally i am quite pleased from this blend and i totally recommend it.
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Feb 29, 2012 | Mild to Medium | Medium | Medium | Pleasant |
I picked up a tin of Sir John's a while back when visiting Germany. Upon opening the tin, I was presented with "soft", medium brown flake cut tobacco with a wonderful light chocolatety-caramel smell. This tobacco rubbed out easily and burned well with a smooth and creamy virginia flavour, making it ideal as an afternoon smoke. Recommended.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 14, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
Thanks to Steverino for his accurate review that I agree with. Although the light topping doesn't spoil the taste for me and the flake preparation is ~ to Reiner's Long Golden, that one is still my favorite in taste. If you enjoy Va flakes, this will give you a smooth, cool smoke without relights or condensation. This was my 1st experience with an Aylesbury blend and it was a good one.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2021 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant |
This is one of the best pure virginia flakes out there today. (now that McClelland is gone). Aylesbury took over the Sillem virginias and now offer Major Flake, which is an old sillem recipe and excellent. Sir John is rather old school, straight virginia, with a subtle honey topping, but its VERY subtle. Its quality tobacco and moderately stoved. Smokes very cool and has a distinct natural virginia taste to it. I rate this very high.
PurchasedFrom:
cup o joes
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Oct 30, 2020 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant |
Here's the deepest virginia I have ever smoked. I had opened a tin of it 9 years ago and let it age in a sealed jar after a not so convincing first smoke. I'll never know who aged better between the tobacco and my tastebuds, but when I reopened it last week, I couldn't smoke anything but it until the jar was dry empty. It sure is a straight virginia, but still feels like a perfect mix of every bit of anything that could have been added to it. A pinch of Perique ? A nano-strand of Cavendish ? Secret danish toping ? I honestly don't give a f**** as long as I get a chance to get a ton of this and let it age for - then - better days. Before this, my favorite blend was Capstan Original Navy Cut, which I still adore but has been now replaced. This tobacco deserves a success that would make it available just everywhere.
Pipe Used:
Mainly Briar Churchwardens
PurchasedFrom:
Berlin
Age When Smoked:
9 Years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 17, 2019 | Medium | Very Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Presented in a long, folded flake that is mottled yellow and brown tones. Smells sweet and tangy and somewhat soapy and floral.
Taste: high-pitched, tangy fruit, like nectarines, some citrus notes, and as you progress down the bowl you get bread notes, floral honey and things caramelize. It does get pretty sweet, bready notes, but there is this floral element that makes it interesting. It's a nice flavor. There may be a mild flavor topping of honey, or that could be natural. I'm not sure and it's hard to tell. That's the skill of blending.
Nicotine is mild. Strength is maybe medium
My only issue with this blend is the lack of availability. It goes out of stock quickly and doesn't seem to be produced often.
I would recommend it for anyone who likes Virginias. For me, it's a joy to prepare Virginia flakes and smoke them. This blend is a joy to smoke in the summer as well.
.
Taste: high-pitched, tangy fruit, like nectarines, some citrus notes, and as you progress down the bowl you get bread notes, floral honey and things caramelize. It does get pretty sweet, bready notes, but there is this floral element that makes it interesting. It's a nice flavor. There may be a mild flavor topping of honey, or that could be natural. I'm not sure and it's hard to tell. That's the skill of blending.
Nicotine is mild. Strength is maybe medium
My only issue with this blend is the lack of availability. It goes out of stock quickly and doesn't seem to be produced often.
I would recommend it for anyone who likes Virginias. For me, it's a joy to prepare Virginia flakes and smoke them. This blend is a joy to smoke in the summer as well.
.
Pipe Used:
Canadian,bent brandy,billiard
Age When Smoked:
A few months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 11, 2019 | Mild to Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Unnoticeable |
I bought this about a month ago at my local pipe club meeting. I tried it and passed it around. It was good but did not get to appreciate it as I had smoked a variety of other blends and it did not mesh. It has a pleasant sweet tin note and the really long flakes were folded in a triangle in a round tin. Guess square tins are going the way of the Dodo. It was pretty moist also. It has dried out quite a bit in the tin that has been sitting on the shelf since then and I had already forgotten about it. Right now, I am a recovering pipe tobacco buyer and am going through some of the blends I have bought in the past few months. After a few puffs of this fantastic blend I had already made up my mind on the rating. It smokes cool and sweet with a touch of honey it seems to it. This burns really slow as I walked away from my pipe for at the most five minutes and returned and was still able to keep the fire going. It did not hurt that I was using my Savinelli Goliath pipe, one of my first pipes I owned. This to me is a 4 star but I have way too much right now to buy more though I would like to.
Pipe Used:
Savinelli Goliath
Age When Smoked:
New
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