Samuel Gawith - Full Virginia Flake

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1. A Mind Blowing Experience

   Posted by The Pipe Monk on 4th Dec 2014

   A mind blowing experience.
   
   Tin Aroma:
   Deep fermented fruity, sour, tangy, plummy. The 2 year aging has done well for this already famous blend. If you love virginia flakes expect instant involuntary drooling. It feels like someone
   threw a leathery, earthy virginia bomb on all of your senses. It'll make you want to eat the flakes right out of the tin.
   
   The Flake:
   The flake is cut a bit chunky as all SG flakes are, the aging has done a fantastic job on the flake, a very rich dark texture along with lovely bright flecks in abundance. The moisture is in
   abundance in a fresh tin and it's a good practice to let the flakes breathe for a few minutes every day.
   
   Preparation: I have smoked FVF folded and stuffed, fully rubbed and coarsely rubbed and for me the best experience has been when the flake is coarsely rubbed. YMMV.
   
   Charlight: Depending on the moisture content of your flake, it will take 2-4 relights to get this puppy going. The first light blackens the flake a little too dark, what I got in all of the
   
   charlights was bitterness at first and then the taste slowly coming out of the flake.
   
   The first half:
   This tobacco is a pleasure, if you are looking for a more complex alchemy in this blend, please move on, but, if you are a big fan of the grassy hay and sharp taste of the virginias this tobacco is your best bet. This blend has subtle undertones and they will blow you away. Don't worry much about the alchemy rather enjoy the full experience. Close your eyes and let it please your sense in its entirety.
   
   After a few sips of this beauty, you are greeted with the full blown strong taste of the aged virginias. Very sharp, spicy and tangy taste. Hits you hard in the flavor department but is actually mellow when it comes to Nicotine. A very honest leaf is what I will call Full Virginia Flake. You can just relax in your chair, lean back and let the virginias work their magic on you.
   
   Sip this beauty slow, hurrying with this tobacco will make it bitter and very very hot. This tobacco is all about the taste of the leaf, its pretty mild when it comes to nicotine, which is good for non cigarette smokers and a little sad for ex-cigarette smokers like me. Do not let down by this however, a true gentleman is always patient with his date.
   
   The second half:
   Rich creamy sharp virginia, a little sweet from time to time, always reminding me of the days when I used to visit my maternal grandfather's farm. The sharp flavor accompanies your smoking
   experience till the end. Consider it as a faithul friend who will never leave your side even when things go sour. You might have to coax it a little if you are smoking it very moist without letting
   it breathe for 5-10 minutes. A fair warning, DO NOT dry this tobacco or it will leave its ghost and will just become a husk of its former glory.
   
   The good thing about this leaf is that the extra 2 years on it makes it extremely mellow. It won't bite you if you treat it with respect. Puff it hard and it will put you in your place, trust me I have experienced the famous virginia leaf tongue burns when I first started smoking. Hence, I will not recommend this Lady to new pipe smokers. Stick with Orlik Golden Sliced for a few months
   before you ask this Lady out on a date.
   
   Climax:
   By the time you reach at the end of the bowl, you will be either blown by the sharp character of this amazing Mistress or will completely be hating it. Patience is the key when it comes to
   Virginias and this blend demand your utmost respect, especially when you are a newcomer to the pipe and tobacco lifestyle.
   
   A very satisfying smoking experience, it has become a part of my rotation. Trust me, your mouth and your brain will agree with me after you've smoked a few tins of this beautifully made flake.
   
   I will give this blend a solid 3.75 out of 4.
   
   Smoking Companions: A chilled can of Coke Zero, some potato chips.
   
   Pipes used: Peterson 2014 Christmas B35 Zulu, Falcon with Green Apple Genoa bowl and a Rick Black freehand sitter.
   
   Tobacco Components: Virginias hot steam pressed to perfection.
   
   Will buy again? Hell YES!

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