Manufacturer Description:
Golden Virginia, press aged, sliced and packed in whole skeins. A genuine tobacco, classically sweet flake, slowly smoldering, cool and gentle.
Characterisation:
The No Name gold comes - contrary to what the manufacturer says - already cut as very wide, almost square and neat flakes. Since they are packed in a pouch and appear rather dry and not very elastic, they should be transferred to an airtight container for longer storage periods. The flakes are evenly marbled in light, medium and dark brown and show golden specks. In addition to hints of dried apricots, the scent is appetizingly reminiscent of sweet butter cookies. Due to the low moisture content, the No Name gold should be brought into the pipe without pre-drying.
Plugging:
The dry consistency of the No Name gold makes it a bit difficult to bring the flakes in a creased and folded manner using the traditional method. For this reason, however, they can easily be plugged as a Ready Rubbed of the desired fineness or as fluffy little balls. Of course, with No Name gold it is also important to proceed with sensitivity and allow the compressed tobacco room to develop and to put a few loose fibers on top of the filling, which take on the flame more quickly.
Light up:
Here the relative dryness of the No Name gold plays to its advantage. The fire is easily accepted, so that a short press with the tamper and a second flame are enough to create a lasting ember.
Smoking properties:
The No Name gold is a pure Virginia and shows the aromas attributed to this tobacco variety in the pipe. In addition to a fine spiciness, toasted bread aromas and slight hints of hay can be tasted. This is then joined by an intense fruit sweetness that is unusual even for a Virginia, which one could almost consider artificial if the manufacturer didn't deny it. Tasting this is an extremely interesting smoking experience. In contrast to some other pure Virginias, the pipe does not get too hot even when smoked carelessly. However, it can happen that you occasionally have to press the tobacco down with the tamper and light it again during the smoking process, despite careful plugging. Some dark gray ash and a little condensate remain, but these do not make cleaning difficult.
Redolency:
The room note of the No Name gold is just as natural as the tobacco. If you want to smoke this tobacco, you should be in tolerant company.
Conclusion:
The No Name gold is a wide flake in all shades of brown, which is easiest to smoke when rubbed. This is not the only reason why you should have some experience in dealing with this type of tobacco. Even during the course of the smoke you occasionally have to help a little with tamper and fire. The no name gold, which is at the most medium strong, makes up for this with an unusually sweet and absolutely natural aroma that harmonises beautifully with the Virginia-typical roasted, hay and bread notes. For lovers of pure Virginias and those with a sweet tooth, this is the opportunity to try a tobacco that brings the best of everything if you know how to use it.
Copyright © 2016 by TECON GmbH
with friendly support of Dennis Hübel
