Cringle Flake has been an annual release from Sutliff since 2019, always featuring top grade aged Red Virginias. The original blend was a straight Red Virginia flake, while the subsequent years (2020-2023) were Virginia Perique blends. For the first time since its inception, Cringle Flake 2024 is again a straight Virginia flake. A blend of 24-year-old US and 14-year-old Canadian flue-cured Red Virginias.

The notes include rye bread, stone fruit, hay, and a strong pepper spice in the retrohale. The finish is characterized by dark fruit, rye bread sweetness, and a zing of pepper. In the second half, I notice more of a white bread not, cream, and stewed fruits. The spice fades in the retrohale and is absent in the finish, which evolves to dark fruit, earth, chocolate sweetness, and a smooth, creamier texture. Towards the end of the bowl the earthiness gives way to bread, and the raisin note fades slightly. It is medium to full in body and medium in strength.

Cringle Flake 2024 is an outstanding Virginia blend. It is complex, nuanced, and showcases the best that straight Red Virginia blends can offer. Although I have not tried the original 2019 blend, I have enjoyed the 2020-2023 blends (which were all Virginia/Perique) very much. However, I believe this is my favorite of them all. If you are a Red Virginia lover, you need to look for this one. Cringle Flake 2024 is not just blowing smoke. Highly recommended.