SG St James Flake

[Stick]

Just ordered a tin from Gauntleys.  I've got a flake thing going on at the moment and to broaden my horizons wanted to try my first VaPer blend.  Looks just the ticket.

 

[RDPipes]

I hope you like it sir.
As for me it is good but, it comes like damp beef jerky and is just more trouble to prepare they I feel it's worth.   

 

[Brewdude]

Stick

One of my favourite VaPers.

Compared to some others it's quite understated, mellow, and eloquent. Seems to follow in with the overall SG profiles. Nothing too extreme or OTT, if you see what I mean.

Do be aware though, that it come much too moist and will require some drying. So be sure to prepare it in advance with whatever method you prefer.

I like to rub mine out fully and let dry in a saucer for a few hrs. What deems it "ready" is kind of a touchy-feel kind of thing and is hard to express here. Suffice to say that I prefer my 'baccy a bit on the dry side.

Works for me anyway.

Do let us know how you get on with this fine weed.


Cheers,

RR

 

[Stick]

RR,

Thanks for the guidance friend and for taking the time to reply, its much appreciated.

My chosen method for drying at the moment is to simply air dry the flake resting on top on the tin for a while. If its a ready rubbed I spread it thinly across the tin lid; interestingly I've found that a thin spread that covers the entire lid is exactly the right amount for my bowls. Judging by yours and Cart's comments, I've a feeling that the SJF will take a little longer to prepare. For me this almost ritualistic preparation is all part of the smoke and extends the pleasure of this fine hobby.

Interestingly, the two people that inspired me to venture forth with VaPers are the two who've reply to this thread thus far. Thanks chaps! I'll provide you with a full debrief after the sortie's flown.

Regards,

Stick.

 

[Stick]

I hope you like it sir.
As for me it is good but, it comes like damp beef jerky and is just more trouble to prepare they I feel it's worth.   

Thanks Cart, although it's hard to come by in Blighty, I'm rather partial to a spot of beef jerky...  

 

[d4klutz]

I am partial to John Patton's Cool Hand Fluke for a good VaPer. I am dipping my toe into more Va's and VaPer's lately.

 

[SpeedyPete]

I am partial to John Patton's Cool Hand Fluke for a good VaPer.  I am dipping my toe into more Va's and VaPer's lately.

I just love how we operate!

I started off with aromatics, many years ago

Switched to "ordinary" South African brands and smoked this for many years

Discovered latakia and went on a latakia binge

Tried burley blends, did not like it

Started smoking VA's, liked it a lot and still do.

Tried VaPers and did not like it at all.

Tried VaPers again, now it's my daily staple food!

And now I WANT to like burleys as well and ordered some

Never a dull moment in our hobby!  :cheers: 

 

[Stick]

Crikey Pete, that's more an odyssey than a journey!

 

[whiderwarde]

I thought I would contribute a method of drying.  I'm impatient (aren't we all) and I've found SG flakes especially need a little more than air-time, in my opinion.  I've recently fallen in love with Best Brown Flake, and I've found that placing a bowl's worth on a metal tin lid that I've saved for the purpose and balancing it on top of my lamp shade, near the bulb, for about 10-15 min works well.  I like a good dry, clean smoke. Of course, I risk knocking it over and spilling it all in hard-to-clean places.

On a side note, the lid I use is from a tin of Dorchester: gives me the feeling that I'm still interacting with that woefully unavailable tobacco in some small way.

 

[Stick]

I thought I would contribute a method of drying.  I'm impatient (aren't we all) and I've found SG flakes especially need a little more than air-time, in my opinion.  I've recently fallen in love with Best Brown Flake, and I've found that placing a bowl's worth on a metal tin lid that I've saved for the purpose and balancing it on top of my lamp shade, near the bulb, for about 10-15 min works well.  I like a good dry, clean smoke.  Of course, I risk knocking it over and spilling it all in hard-to-clean places.

On a side note, the lid I use is from a tin of Dorchester: gives me the feeling that I'm still interacting with that woefully unavailable tobacco in some small way.

Thanks WW,

Do you rub it out or leave it as a flake for the drying process? I tend to go for the latter with one and a half flakes.

I considered the Best Brown before plumping for the SJF. What is that you like about it WW?

 

[whiderwarde]

I rub it out first. I've come to the conclusion that flakes are flakes for storing (they retain their moisture as flakes better than ribbon or the like), but should be rubbed out for smoking like any other tobacco. I know others will disagree with that.
I've never had St. James, so I can't compare the two, but I like Best Brown's lightness. In the story "Benjamin Bunny," Beatrix Potter says that rabbit tobacco is lavender. The first thing my wife said when she smelled it was, "It smells like lavender." I find I can't separate my enjoyment of tobacco from aesthetics like this.
I've come to appreciate its balance of sweet floral and citrus notes, very smooth and not intrusive. For this same reason, I would choose it over Full Virginia Flake.

 

[Stick]

Thanks again WW,

With your words of experience, Best Brown is now firmly on my hit list as my next purchase. What you've described reminds me of Firedance. If you've not tried that yet, I believe you may well like it.

Pip pip,

Stick.

 

[Wet Dottle]

Hmmm... Stick, maybe I'm the odd one out, but I never let St. James Flake or FVF dry at all because I find they lose sweetness. But I do recognize that most of the times the tinned versions are a bit difficult to smoke as flakes, therefore I rub them out. Actually, these are the only flakes I rub out, because rubbing a flake reduces the intensity of its flavors, which is something I don't want to lose. The bulk versions in the 250g boxes, however, sometimes seem to come good enough to smoke directly without the need for rubbing. Well, maybe they dry a bit during shipping...

This is just one datum point for your reference. Perhaps I am too unrelenting in the pursuit of the perfect smoke and don't like compromising. The only thing that matters is that you enjoy it. I like St. James Flake a lot, more than FVF. Hope it works for you.

 

[Stick]

Hmmm... Stick, maybe I'm the odd one out, but I never let St. James Flake or FVF dry at all because I find they lose sweetness. But I do recognize that most of the times the tinned versions are a bit difficult to smoke as flakes, therefore I rub them out. Actually, these are the only flakes I rub out, because rubbing a flake reduces the intensity of its flavors, which is something I don't want to lose. The bulk versions in the 250g boxes, however, sometimes seem to come good enough to smoke directly without the need for rubbing. Well, maybe they dry a bit during shipping...

This is just one datum point for your reference. Perhaps I am too unrelenting in the pursuit of the perfect smoke and don't like compromising. The only thing that matters is that you enjoy it. I like St. James Flake a lot, more than FVF. Hope it works for you.

Thanks WD,

Before I reply, may I just say; your avatar... ding dong. It took me 20 mins to read your post as I couldn't avert my eyes. I'm sure I blushed a little too.

Anyhoo, ahem...

Well there's another learning for me... drying lessens the sweetness. Seems like there's a delicate balancing act to be had here; dry enough to keep alight but moist enough to retain the taste. That's why I enjoy this hobby, it has a complexity akin to alchemy!

Regards,

Stick.

 

[JimInks]

Hmmm... Stick, maybe I'm the odd one out, but I never let St. James Flake or FVF dry at all because I find they lose sweetness. But I do recognize that most of the times the tinned versions are a bit difficult to smoke as flakes, therefore I rub them out. Actually, these are the only flakes I rub out, because rubbing a flake reduces the intensity of its flavors, which is something I don't want to lose. The bulk versions in the 250g boxes, however, sometimes seem to come good enough to smoke directly without the need for rubbing. Well, maybe they dry a bit during shipping...

This is just one datum point for your reference. Perhaps I am too unrelenting in the pursuit of the perfect smoke and don't like compromising. The only thing that matters is that you enjoy it. I like St. James Flake a lot, more than FVF. Hope it works for you.

Thanks WD,

Before I reply, may I just say; your avatar... ding dong.  It took me 20 mins to read your post as I couldn't avert my eyes.  I'm sure I blushed a little too.

Anyhoo, ahem...

Well there's another learning for me... drying lessens the sweetness.  Seems like there's a delicate balancing act to be had here; dry enough to keep alight but moist enough to retain the taste.  That's why I enjoy this hobby, it has a complexity akin to alchemy!  

Regards,

Stick.

I agree about the loss of sweetness. I smoke mine a little damp, not wet. Dry, it's not as good.