J. F. Germain & Son Hampton Rich Dark Flake

Rich Dark Flake is a dark-colored flake in which Germain presses together several Virginia varieties with Burley. The pressing time is kept long; this extended fermentation brings the leaf's own sugar to the surface, creating a molasses-like dark sweetness and a heavy body. Records indicate this blend was released for the British market as the counterpart to Stonehaven, which goes to the US market under the Esoterica label; the name Hampton appears as one of the labels for the same product. Flake slices are rubbed out or folded before filling.