Virginia Tobacco » Dan Tobacco Patriot Flake Tobacco Reviews

Solid VA flake

Last time I ordered from Dan Pipe (I live only 45 miles away, but it's a long drive, so when I go there I want to make a full day of it...hence, I mail-order a lot), I wanted to check out a few more of the old CAO blends, nowadays marketed as DTM's American History series. I like VA flakes, so this was a natural choice to order.

Opening the tin, I get a good whiff of citrus and some grass, and lots and lots of sweetness. I'd say there is a light orange topping on this, but for me, that is a good choice to go with a sweet VA. The leaf is bright, the slices are rather widely-cut, and they are perfect to either fold-and-twist or rub out straight from the tin.

Lighting is a one-char affair for me; once lit, Patriot Flake burns slowly for a VA and needs little maintenance. The taste is sweet from the outset, deepening a little in mid-bowl: lots of Mysore leaf in there, and some Tanzania.

This is a mid-day candy blend for me; enough strength in there to make it interesting, but in the large range of VA flakes available, not standing out enough to make me drop everything to get another tin. Still very good, and I would highly recommend to lovers of straight, sweet VAs.