Manufacturer: |
J.F. Germain & Son
|
Name: |
Medium Flake
|
Weight (net): |
50g
|
Packing: |
Tin
|
Tobacco type: |
Light aromatic
|
Strength: |
Medium
|
Tobacco species: |
Virginia
|
Cut: |
Flake
|
Flavour: |
Fruits
|
Tongue agreeableness: |
Very good
|
Burning behavior: |
Very good
|
Condensate: |
Less
|
Aroma constancy: |
Very good
|
Cut quality: |
Good
|
Plugability: |
Good
|
Humidity: |
Good
|
Light-up: |
Very good
|
Manufacturer Description:
Classically processed Virginia flake with fruit extracts.
Characterisation:
The Medium Flake comes recently no longer in the usual narrow rectangular tins known of Germain's, but in one of the larger rectangular tins, as they are now being used by most tobacco companies. But the flakes themselves are still wrapped in wax paper, which may show discoloration sometimes, but this does not detract from the quality - on the contrary, it shows but that this tobacco is an unadorned natural product. What is surprising is a strong smell of fruits, so pervasive and not for real tobacco, it is inevitably reminiscent of multivitamin juice. Among then floats but the typicall for Germain´s ocean flavor of salt and algae. Nothing inspiring confidence to beginners, but thoroughly exciting auspiciously when you can not be deterred. The medium to dark brown marbled flakes themselves seem rather dry, but the individual slices stick together. Also the flake contains of fine tobacco fibres and is quite crumbly, what the removal makes somewhat difficult.
Plugging:
The Medium Flake can be easily rubbed to a Mixture due to the narrow, dry fibers. But the bent and folding method is possible, if the provided fraying does not bothering personal taste. The narrow cut tobacco makes the Medium Flake suitable for smaller pipes. Tobacco crumbs as the uppermost layer facilitate the kindling.
Light up:
The Medium Flake makes no problems in lighting. After the first flame smoothe the surface again with the tamper, one more flame and he tobacco burns evenly until the end of the filling.
Smoking properties:
Due to the pervasive fragrance of multivitamin juice some may expect inevitably a strong flavored smoke, but the Medium Flake surprises. The aroma used is hard to taste anything. Medium-bodied and rather not of the sweet variety of Virginia it shows smoky notes, where a slight acidity reduces severity. If a flavor is felt, then maybe the fact that the smoke is not device tart or even recalls in cigarettes. The Medium Flake tobacco tastes genuine and if the manufacturer would not specify otherwise, it would be a typical representative of a pure Virginia. Also with regard to the usual peculiarities, like a certain ferocity and sharpness when you sip too greedy on the pipe. It leaves only medium to dark gray ash and smoked cool also not developes too much condensate.
Redolency:
The room note of Medium Flake recalls cigarettes and can therefore, and especially if the smoke is cold, are easily perceived by non-smoking society as unpleasant.
Conclusion:
The Medium Flake would - if not marketed as mixed with fruit extracts – be an excellent example of a pure Virginia flake. The brown marbled lake comes taken out of the tin wrapped rustical in wax paper and may confuse beginners with its unusual scent composition of multivitamin and seaweed, but it turns out to be a not too sweet, medium-bodied Virginia with a nice balance of acidity and smoky spiciness. If it succeeds to smoke it cool and to tame the usual Virginia typical "bitches", it offers real treat tobacco in which - thankfully! - nothing can be tasted of the smelled flavors.
Copyright © 2011 by TECON GmbH
with friendly support of Dennis Hübel