Manufacturer Description:
Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake is for lovers of pure pressed Virginias created in the heart of Lakeland. Full Virginia starts life as a blend of Virginias in the cold press. Hot pressed and allowed to cool overnight, the cake takes on it´s delicious and distinctive dark colour that creates a pipe smoker´s dream; a feeling of calm, serenity and anticipation for the next pipeful.
Characterisation:
The Full Virginia is cut as the typical SG flakes: About 8 cm long, 3 cm wide and 1 mm thick slices with a dark brown colour, interspersed with golden yellow and light brown tobacco fibres. The tobacco gives off a strong, natural scent of a dark Virginia. The flake slices are of solid consistency, but can still easily rubbed-off. They feel a bit damp.
Plugging:
The Full Virginia Flake can be plugged in various ways. Rubbed-off between the fingers and loosely stuffed into the bowl or by the folding and bending method, where the slices are folded lengthwise and then folded in half and this "plug" is then turned loose into the bowl. It must always be ensured that the tobacco is not stuffed too tightly, it expands significantly when ignited. As a final layer some small crumbs of tobacco should be filled to facilitate light up.
Light up:
The Flake is easily lit with 1 to 2 flames. Depending of the plug method it tends to straighten up after the first light up. After a slight depressing with the tamper and ignite renewed it’ll glow evenly until the end.
Smoking properties:
The Full Virginia Flake should be smoked cool and slowly so that it can realize its full flavour. As with any Virginia it’ll need a little attention to the temperature. The taste is strong and reminiscent of dark, unsweetened chocolate. Burning down is slow and steady, with a bit of condensation formed. The residual ash is fine and relatively dark grey.
Redolency:
The redolence of the Full Virginia Flake is relatively neutral. A very subtle sweetness from the Virginia and a not too heavy tobacco smoke, leave the flake appear to be rather unremarkable. The tobacco is therefore suitable for any occasion, where it’s permitted to smoke.
Conclusion:
The Full Virginia Flake is a typical representative of its kind: Exact cut, dark tobacco slices with some lighter units emit a strong, natural smell of tobacco. The relatively easy to plug flake slices develop after lighting a strong, pleasant taste somewhat reminiscent of dark, unsweetened chocolate. The burning behavior is straightforward, whereby some tobacco condensate develops. The Full Virginia Flake calls - like most of Virginia - a little attention in relation to the temperature, so that it can realize its full aroma and maintained constant. The tobacco is suitable for both beginners and advanced smokers, while its average strength should be respected.
Copyright © 2009 by TECON GmbH
with friendly support of Heinz-Günter Döteberg
