Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!!

scottbtdmb · Subject: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Sat Apr 17, 2010 9:02 pm

Decided to crack one of my ten year old tins of Full VA Flake today. All I can say is that is was easily one of the best smokes I have ever had. I dried out the flakes for about an hour and then cut a couple up into small squares and loaded them into an old Charatan bulldog. I took a road trip to Philly today with some friends and after a wonderful meal at Pinochio's Pizza, I fired up the FVF on the ride back and was mesmerized from the charring light up til the last puff. I can only describe it as a very cool smoke with a lot of rich dark chocolate undertones and a hint of sweetness here and there. It was very very mellow compared to fresh tins I have smoked and I was careful to smoke it as slowly as possible to relish the taste. The last quarter of the bowl was pure bliss. I entered that "zone" that so many have described when one reaches the end of a bowl of aged VA's. It was pure bliss!!!! I am happy to say that I have another 8 tins of FVF in the cellar, all ranging from between 1999-2003. Wow, I almost want to go smoke another bowl of it now, but it is time for bed.....

-Scott

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Buddy Springman · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Sun Apr 18, 2010 5:52 am

Sounds like a great experience - I hope you get plenty more from that tin.

Buddy

Muddler · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Sun Apr 18, 2010 10:29 am

I know it gets much better with two years of age on it. At ten years it must be sublime! I'm most envious.

raf66 · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Sun Apr 18, 2010 12:17 pm

I am quite envious Scott. I haven't been able to try the blend as my local B&M and all the online places I've tried have been out for months. I can't wait to give FVF a go. I will tell you that Va and Va/Per are staple blends in my rotation so I'm sure adding 10 years onto that FVF really heightened the taste. Enjoy.

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mark · Number of posts: 1647 Registration date: 2008-07-03

Muddler wrote:

I know it gets much better with two years of age on it. At ten years it must be sublime! I'm most envious.

Yes, I just popped a three year old tin and the improvement was amazing compared to the fresh,,,

raf, PM your address and I'll throw a few flakes your way,,,

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raf66 · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Sun Apr 18, 2010 2:21 pm

Thanks for the wonderful offer Mark. Just sent you a pm.

_________________
If you're not a liberal at 20, you have no heart, and if you're not a conservative at 40, you have no head. - Winston Churchill

adauria · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:29 am

Great review and I'm glad the "bb" method worked out for you!

-Andrew

Piet Binsbergen · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:34 am

Muddler gave me a 3yr old tin of FVF........ I still want to keep it for a year or two........ good to know, thanks for sharing!

Yak · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Mon Apr 26, 2010 7:52 pm

Quote:

Decided to crack one of my ten year old tins of Full VA Flake today. All I can say is that is was easily one of the best smokes I have ever had.

You've been to the mountain top, then.

What a Face

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That's why they're cliches.

Danish_Pipe_Guy · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:56 am

Sounds super! I've become of the opinion that VA's are almost unsmokable without at least a year of age and absolutely glorious at three years. I've also found that Full Virginia Flake like all Va and Burley flakes are best when dried out for a couple of days....

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EJinVA · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Tue Apr 27, 2010 9:07 am

Danish_Pipe_Guy wrote:

Sounds super! I've become of the opinion that VA's are almost unsmokable without at least a year of age and absolutely glorious at three years. I've also found that Full Virginia Flake like all Va and Burley flakes are best when dried out for a couple of days....

Definitely, The're a bear to get that initial light going when fresh out of a tin, and to keep lit for that matter. I have a small baccy pouch, which is perfect for putting several flakes in, then after a couple of days they are dried and ready to smoke. Then you just keep adding fresh flakes to one side and smoking off the other side.

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Yak · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Tue Apr 27, 2010 12:55 pm

Drying out good Virginia is a crime against nature !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a Face

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All the old cliches are true.
That's why they're cliches.

EJinVA · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:26 pm

Yak wrote:

Drying out

How about 'allow it to air out a bit'.

_________________
Reality is an illusion that occurs due to the lack of alcohol.
- W.C. Fields

Piet Binsbergen · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:39 am

EJinVa, thats put in a Gentlemanly way!...it shows class my man! lol!

Danish_Pipe_Guy · Subject: Re: Popped some 2000 FVF Today!!!! Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:54 am

I'm not suggesting that anyone should let tobacco become bone dry, but, with the moisture that's present in FVF a day or two of drying is preferable to me over constant relights throughout the course of smoking a bowl. I find the drying is more necessary with Sam Gawith flakes in particular more than most blends.

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