1. I have never smoked it.
2. From tobacco reviews and marketeers:
"Full Virginia Flake from Samuel Gawith is a dark-brown, sumptuous flake entirely comprising Virginia tobaccos. Hot-pressed and bold-flavored..."
"Samuel Gawith - Full Virginia Flake (Aged Limited Edition)
This is the Aged Limited Edition, the cakes have been aged for 2 years. The ageing process has enhanced the tobacco by mellowing the Virginias which brings out more of the natural sugars. This in turn has created a change to the flavour producing now a rich dark pudding with meadow notes."
From what I can determine, it is pure "Virginia", with no added flavorings. The key here is that it is pressed. What exactly "Hot-pressed" means is anybody's guess. Is the heat high enough and prolonged enough to cook the tobacco?
I would suggest you begin with
Flue-cured Virginia Red. From the one photo I find, it appears to have been pressed into a plug from whole leaf, rather than pre-shredded. Press it for 2 to 3 weeks, then see what you have. Pressing alone will darken the plug, and lend it a mild, fruity aroma. If it seems too "bright" in its taste, compared to the commercial product, then you can consider heating the plug to 128°F for maybe 2 weeks. Then slice the plug into flake, and dry.
I know that Virginia Red that is cooked into Cavendish can be smoked alone.
I'm just guessing.
Bob
