Newminster No. 400 Superior Navy Flake

I received a sample of this and being a big fan of flake couldn't wait to try this out. I rubbed it out and it burned with only one relight. The Virginia really shines in this flake with exquisite taste that reminded me of Dunhill Flake. I really like this tobacco and would say if you like a medium strength Virginia Flake, this is on tobacco that is definitely worthy of lighting up. A true delight with exceptional lemon/bronze flavored Virginia.

I got a pound when it first came out mainly because of the price, and it was indeed a good value. Smoking it, however, I really get the impression that it needs to age a few years. It comes across as raw to me. Doesn't bite, doesn't taste all that bad, but needs to develop some character. Well, I have plenty in a great big jar, so I can continue to evaluate it as the months pass. I can concentrate on my more aged Virginias in the meantime, but still, the pipe I'm smoking of this right now isn't at all bad; this tobacco is just young and needs some experience. Even now, it is a perfectly good little Virginia flake, but don't expect a lot of complexity right now.

Edit 2 19-23 Got another pound, and though it has been ten years, seems different to me; more complex, with different levels of curing and stoving. I like it!

Jar note: super dark and deep raisin, prune, date scent. Grassy and floral in the smoke, mildly/moderately sweet, no fruit to speak of. Rubs out very fine, burns well, barely a relight necessary without any drying time. Pleasant smoke from beginning to end.

When I first tried this flake, I wasn't that impressed. However after a bit of aging, it really begins to shine. Citrus and hay comes through in a very flavorful way. For the price, give it a try...

The topping in these flakes reminds me of Capstan. I am not quite sure I'd class this tobacco as an aromatic though. The tin note is quite pleasant, but the topping makes it somewhat difficult to explore the virginia leaf in this presentation. In true honesty, I don't think I am reviewing a bad tobacco here, but certainly it would not be a favourite. For starters, I cannot detect any earthy undertones or sweetness from the bright virginia, which are features I definitely enjoy in a virginia blend. Secondly, I am finding the smoking experience quite one dimensional. Having said that, I can see how some people will enjoy these flakes if this kind of tobacco is what rings their bells, so please take this review with a pinch of salt.

Edit January 9 2017:

I have already gone through my 2oz bag and my appreciation has changed, so I am upgrading to 3 stars. It might not be as good as other virginia blends that are available in the market, but it does not disappoint either. Like I said before, I could see the potential here, but maybe I did not choose the right pipe to sample it the first time. Detecting the topping is always a downside feature, but once you go past it, these virginia flakes are quite enjoyable.

This is an honest, simple, pure, satisfying Virginia flake that bite sensitive smokers can enjoy. Beautiful flakes with fresh pouch aroma of grass and sweet tang. It is just as good in quality as more expensive flakes. I sometimes want complexity in my smokes. Other times I'm looking for something that satisfies an itch for something down to earth. SNF satisfies, which is the most important, if intangible, quality I seek in a blend.

I like this blend for it's lighter citrus note. I always have a tin of MacBaren's mixture flake around, this blend is similar, but lighter. Of course MacBaren makes #400, so it's still very good quality and similar to mixture flake to me. So far this is the best of the Newminster line that I have tried, reasonably priced and a good smoke, recommended.

Nicely prepared flakes ~ 3"x1.5"x1/16" that I just fold and are easy to pack by this method. I thought that my bulk sample was a bit dry as received but it still smoked without getting hot. Not as sweet as some other VA flakes but smokes without bite or condensation and is an enjoyable trip. Give it a try if you enjoy VA flakes.

I received this in a bag, then moved it to an empty tin, and the notes come across differently for the bag and tin. In the bag, my impression was that this flake was treated heavily with propylene glycol. After moving to the tin, I'm no longer struck with this smell. The tin note is honey, hay, leather and a hint of tea.

Flakes are large and fall apart easily, and can be stuffed directly into the bowl.

After smoking several bowls of this, I can report tongue bite is a serious finding. You'll want to take slow puffs and manage the heat as well as sipping a beverage constantly and moving the pipe around so smoke doesn't touch the same point on the tongue throughout the smoke. Bite is much worse in the first half of the bowl. Afterward it mellows and gives the tongue a break.

On lighting, a sweet topping is detected: maybe honey, possibly rum, or PG based on initial impression. The topping burns off halfway through the bowl and gives way to more traditional virginia flavors.

This is definitely a sweet smoke with a pleasant aftertaste. Because of the bite and initial PG impression that turned me off a bit, I'm giving this 2.5 stars. I don't think I will purchase again. If bite were not so intense, this would be a solid 3.5 stars. Recommended for tough tongues and long stemmed pipes.

Update: After trying this flake in a church warden with matches and avoiding clenching, much less bite.