Peretti Oxford Flake
(3.43)
A blend of Eastern and Middle belt lemon and red Virginia richly matured, which gives a sweet smooth and zesty smoke.
Here we have our most traditional of Virginia flakes. A blend of several mature virginias combined to provide a rich, cool, slow burning smoke.
Details
| Brand | Peretti |
| Series | Flake |
| Blended By | L.J. Peretti |
| Manufactured By | L.J. Peretti |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Flake |
| Packaging | Bulk |
| Country | United States |
| Production | No longer in production |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.43 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 14 of 14 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Tolerable |
ORIGINAL REVIEW 9-25-2017
I purchased a one ounce sample of this about a year ago, because I wanted to try it, but was lucky to have a friend send me about a three bowl sample allowing me to let the ounce age. I can't say I was too crazy about this one. The smell, like many have mentioned is very "McClelland-esque" and it would not surprise me if it was made by them.
The color is mostly dark brown with some flecks of light color strewn about. It is also as tough to light as a McClelland flake, but once lit, it smokes fine. The sweetness in this one takes some time to develop. In taste, this reminded me a bit of SG Best Brown Flake. At about the halfway point, this becomes a really nice, sugary sweet, Virginia.
This one did not blow me away, but it is a nice Virginia nonetheless. I will look forward to see what a few years will do to what is jarred in my cellar and I will leave it will stars until I have a chance to revisit it.
UPDATE 10-26-2020
I only let the one ounce sample age an additional three years before deciding to dig into this. My opinion did not change, but I guess it is now clear that McClelland, indeed, was the blender of this one even though it has yet to be reflected above as of this date.
So this is a good blend, great for a Peretti Virginia, but just kind of meh for a McClelland blend. I would probably put this one at 2.5 stars, but will leave it rounded up to three.
I purchased a one ounce sample of this about a year ago, because I wanted to try it, but was lucky to have a friend send me about a three bowl sample allowing me to let the ounce age. I can't say I was too crazy about this one. The smell, like many have mentioned is very "McClelland-esque" and it would not surprise me if it was made by them.
The color is mostly dark brown with some flecks of light color strewn about. It is also as tough to light as a McClelland flake, but once lit, it smokes fine. The sweetness in this one takes some time to develop. In taste, this reminded me a bit of SG Best Brown Flake. At about the halfway point, this becomes a really nice, sugary sweet, Virginia.
This one did not blow me away, but it is a nice Virginia nonetheless. I will look forward to see what a few years will do to what is jarred in my cellar and I will leave it will stars until I have a chance to revisit it.
UPDATE 10-26-2020
I only let the one ounce sample age an additional three years before deciding to dig into this. My opinion did not change, but I guess it is now clear that McClelland, indeed, was the blender of this one even though it has yet to be reflected above as of this date.
So this is a good blend, great for a Peretti Virginia, but just kind of meh for a McClelland blend. I would probably put this one at 2.5 stars, but will leave it rounded up to three.
Age When Smoked:
3yrs 9 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 06, 2010 | Medium | None Detected | Full | Tolerable |
The greatest praise I can give this mix is that I don't prefer virginia blends and I have to rate this four stars. I prefer English/balakan/Oriental blends and switch things up from time to time with an English/Virginia. I was quite surprised to find this blend to be one of the most satisfying and tasty I have ever smoked. Maybe it is because this is Virginia FLAKE and not regular Virginia. I usually find Virginias to be one flavor and clean smoking but not very tasty, or interesting. This flake blend was actaully rather complex in taste for me while still having that "straight" tobacco taste for which Va's are reknown. Slightly sweet with a pleasant tang. A truly great blend I will smoke again. A nice surprise.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 27, 2016 | Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The presentation of dark brown broken flakes with small strips of lemon remind me a lot of McC Bulk 2010:classic virginia as well as the unique fermented flavor. Citrus and tangy, with mild sweetness. Easy to rub and pack, even fold and stuck if a little dryer. Not very complex but a good combination with variety of straight virginia. OF seems to have more aging process that makes the slightly edge of 2010 more smooth. Def a all day smoke straight virginia lovers.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 19, 2011 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Tolerable |
This appears to be nothing more than a repackaged McClelland product; an overly moist mixture of square and broken flakes, with the unmistakable aroma of vinegar/cloves. Rubs out much easier than most McClellands, but hard to light, hard to keep lit and so mild that it requires a vigorous draw to extract much in the way of flavor, resulting in a hot smoke with mouth rash and tongue bite.
This is not to say that Oxford Flake is devoid of tobacco flavor. If you're a fan of the more subtle McClelland Virginias, this may work well for you. I should also note that, unlike many of the McClelland blends, the vinegarcloves aroma seems to dissipate as the smoke progresses.
Despite the litany of 4-star reviews below, I wouldn't even rank this as one of the better McClelland products, and it damned sure isn't in a league with FVF, HOTW, Blackwoods Flake, or any of the other truly exceptional Virginias.
This is not to say that Oxford Flake is devoid of tobacco flavor. If you're a fan of the more subtle McClelland Virginias, this may work well for you. I should also note that, unlike many of the McClelland blends, the vinegarcloves aroma seems to dissipate as the smoke progresses.
Despite the litany of 4-star reviews below, I wouldn't even rank this as one of the better McClelland products, and it damned sure isn't in a league with FVF, HOTW, Blackwoods Flake, or any of the other truly exceptional Virginias.
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