Carolina Red Flake 2024

Carolina Red Flake is an unflavored Virginia blend Cornell & Diehl releases in limited quantity each year as part of its Small Batch series; the 2024 edition is a member of that yearly cycle. According to available records, the blend is presented as flake, obtained by pressing and slicing ripe red Virginia leaves, and offered in two-ounce tins. No flavoring is added; the sweetness comes from the leaf's own sugar and the ripening that occurs during pressing.

The flavor profile runs along a bready, dark-fruit Virginia character, sitting at medium nicotine. Being a flake, it needs to be rubbed out or folded before packing, marking it as a blend aimed more at the experienced Virginia smoker than the beginner. Being limited production, it was only on the market the year it was released, later becoming a record kept in aged stashes.