Butera Golden Cake

Having tried other Butera blends, this is my first go round with the McClelland made ones. First let me say that with few exceptions, I am not a huge fan of straight bright Virginas. But this one won me over. Sweet, a tad bit of nuttiness and best smoked (for me) by letting the flakes pieces dry and keeping them in tact as much as possible. There is a bit of a nic kick to RVGC too although not strong. There is the usual McClelland smell that comes from the aging/fermenting of their Virginias, but I don’t find it off putting. I don’t get much of the citrus note but mainly just sweetness with a tiny bit of spice along with a little bit of the expected hay. I sometimes find myself over puffing (the worst thing with this type of blend) when smoking lemon Virginias in an effort to get a bolder flavor. That is not the case here as there is plenty of flavor to satisfy me. RVGC wouldn’t be a regular blend, but when in the mood, RVGC fits the bill nicely.

A good friend gifted me a tin with a stamp dating the tin to June of 1999. I have never smoked Golden Cake so this review is my thoughts on a 13 year old tin.

I opened the tin and saw what I was hoping for, those lovely crystals we call bloom. The tobacco still had the McClelland Ketchupy tin note. It was also somewhat moist, so some drying time was in order after I rubbed the tobacco out.

I commenced loading my pipe using the threes method and headed to the deck. I did the charring light and then the relight. The first 1/4 of the bowl had that terrible McClelland yuck. But, after that you are in for quite a treat. It was a mild to medium VA taste with tons of sweetness. There was nothing complex about this flake, you got honest to goodness VA Flake! The ashes stuck in clumps to the side of the bowl, so I knew my pipe was going to need more then a normal cleaning. The tobacco burned all the way down and left the tiniest of dottles.

I would of given this flake 4**** except for that terrible ketchup taste. I am going to buy this to cellar and also to smoke now. It never hurts to do a little comparison.

1.Open the tin and pour these flakes out on a sheet of paper. 2.Let dry about 12 hours 3. Put flakes back in tin. These flakes don't come overly moist but there is enough moisture that a little drying is needed and that will help remove some of the tounge bite. Golden brown pressed virginia. Tangy and creamy. Notes of hay and malt. This reminds me of how the old Capstan blue used to taste. A really nice American Virginia that is worth the try.

Update:

Aroma: Ketchup behind which can be detected some tobacco.

Appearance: Thin partially rubbed flake, dark brown and black with yellow speckles.

Loading: I just squished some of the flakes into a Tsuge Kaga.

Lighting: Needs a fairly heavy char but then lights easily enough.

Taste: Fairly stong aged Virginia. Tangy and mildy sweet.

Smoking: Burns a bit hot for me, so I remind myself to slow down.

Conclusion: This is a good aged Virginia Flake. I'm not quite sure how much I like this class of tobacco. I think I prefer natural and stoved Virginias better. For those who like aged Virginias I think you'll find this satisfying.

This VA was plain to me. I did notice some nicotine going on and some extra flavor coming and going randomly. I will give it another chance, but if i compare it to... Dunhill Flake. I might just give it that chance when i m out of Dunhill. 🙂

Update: Second chance. And I m not out of Dunhill flake, I just opened the container today (too bad it does not come in a can)and smelt something different, like a stronger smell of prunes. I still think this tobacco is not consistent through the bowl but here and there the flavor comes and I am really enjoying my stanwell poker filled with it. I might even finish the container!

Summing up, it would be unfair not to give it an extra star!

This is tobacco with personality, meaning that : I like it, but It does not like me. Tongue bite almost all the way. I do not blame the tobacco, tongue bite is mostly a matter of tongue skin PH, there are tobaccos that others call stingy.

Update : Towards the end of the tin, as the tobacco got a little more dry, surprisingly, the bite faded away.

Its good stuff but there are a lot of smilar taste out there...

Typical McClelland (smells and taste)...

This is a nice tobacco but nothing special! There are a lot of straight Virginia flakes out there that are better than this one. Its ok but nothing I'm going to keep around.

Another Butera obviously made by McClelland: as such, it is virtually indistinguishable from the Virginias made by the renowned brand from Kansas City. And as such, it is a very good flake: tasty, fruity, sweet&sour... and slightly bitey.

Nothing particular to say in addition to my reviews of the McClelland products: while not as spectacular as some of their best (#27 and Blackwoods Flake), this is as good as some of their ordinary range product. Nothing spectacular or original, but quality stuff.