St. James Flake Burnt Ends

Burnt Ends is a product resulting from collecting the leftover edge pieces from Samuel Gawith's St. James Flake production. It carries the main blend's leaf structure: bright virginias are combined with perique from Louisiana's St. James region, a bit of sugar is added to the mixture, and it is pressed and sliced. Since the edge portions of the pressed block don't yield neat slices, they are collected separately; so the product consists of irregular, partly rubbed pieces rather than a regular flake.

The flavor profile sits on the same ground as St. James Flake: virginia's hay and bready sweetness is topped by perique's peppery, lightly plummy spice. Because the edge pieces come from the block's outer surface, color and moisture distribution are more variable. Suited to smokers seeking ease of packing without giving up virginia-perique character.