Admiral's Flake Vanilla

Admiral's Flake Vanilla is one of Borkum Riff's aromatic offerings presented in flake form. According to records, a vanilla topping is added to a body built on Burley and Kentucky leaf; once the flakes are rubbed out and packed, the topping's sweetness comes through alongside the dark leaf's dry, earthy base. Pressing produces a slower-burning, fuller smoke compared to the same brand's ribbon-cut blends.

Borkum Riff launched in Sweden in 1962, taking its name from a lighthouse in the North Sea; the blends, originally produced for Swedish Match, are now prepared in Denmark under Scandinavian Tobacco Group. It suits flake smokers who want a mellow sweetness rather than the tangy taste of unflavored Virginia flakes. Nicotine-wise it's a notch more noticeable than the brand's ribbon-cut aromatics.