i'm smoking my second flake of MacBaren's Navy Flake right now. Very cool smoke, and very mild. I'm just folding it so far instead of rubbing it (first time flake smoker). Already makes me want to smoke flakes exclusively.
Do you all find a difference in the bulk Navy Flakes compared to the tinned ones? My online pipe retailer has both, but I'm not sure which would offer the highest quality.
If they are by the same blender no the only difference is the packaging. The bulk tends to be a little less moist but thats still too moist for immediate use for me. Bulk is how I order many of my favorites.
Can't think of any bad examples but they are all different, I suspect the term 'Navy Flake' to be arbitrary. Some are more to my taste than others, however. MacBaren's is a good place to start, not too strong, easy to rub out if you like, lights well and stays lit. My favorite is SG's version, if you can find it. It's a VA with a touch of latikia and topped with rum, not rum flavor. It is a rich full smoke.
McB's Navy is mild, with a nice sweetness about it. I recommend it. Be careful not to draw too strongly, so as not to experience the famous McBaren bite. After that, you've got to try the world-classic, Dunhill Navy Rolls and Escudo Navy Rolls- xly high quality and more or less the same, but you'll spend a happy week or two trying to decide between them!