This is very the first fig off of the this tree as I didn't let any ripen last year.  It was propagated in the Fall of 2012. It was not quite as sweet and jammy as Ronde de Bordeaux and the flavor notes were a bit more subtle.  However, this particular fig could have used one more day; it was picked because I am leaving on a trip tomorrow. To be honest, I tasted several varieties tonight and am having trouble describing the flavor.  But I would rate it quite high; maybe just a notch below RdB.

Looks good, Steve
Thanks for posting

Thanks for sharing.

Steve, looks very nice. TV is a very good fig here also. Thanks for sharing

Thanks, Steve!
Can you compare this one to the Gino’s Black, Marseilles Black VS and Sal’s EL , if you have them too?

Guys, out of those 4, which one is best to keep?

One of my favorites. So far I would rate it above all those, and I have them all ripe presently.

I hope you get more to try.

I have Takoma Violet, please give more information as mine will not produce until next year.

My Takoma, Gino's are 2nd year trees and my MBVS and Sal's Gene Strain  3rd year. Both my Takoma Plants are healthier more vigorous and more productive, and a little earlier than the others with a larger and more intense flavor to my palate fig, although my MBVS's are just starting now.  Really my 1st year with these fruiting with exception of MBVS and maybe a single fig or so from Sal's last year so right now It's the one I would keep if made to choose. I like the others as well and plan to keep all.

Thanks for the info, very helpful.

"Takoma Plants are healthier more vigorous and more productive"

I noticed this too during the scion year and now as first year trees (not that any ripened fruit as rooted cuttings). So, I can concur on the apparent quality of Takoma Violet, at this early point. My observations and experience - of both this year and last year - of these same Mount Etna types match strudeldog's, though my trees are basically a year younger.

I can add a few other observed similar Mt Etna types into the mix: Black Bethlehem, Keddie, Salem Dark, Hardy Chicago... One caveat: Salem Dark may be somewhat more vigorous than Takoma Violet but Salem Dark for me at least so far has been among the least productive of the Mount Etna types. Again the caution, these are only the first two years of observations and experience of very young trees.

On similar criteria, currently I would give Gino's Black a slight edge over Marseilles Black and the others apart from Takoma Violet both of these past years.

It seems I am growing another apparent Mount Etna strain, unknown, that rivals Takoma Violet for both vigor, health, productivity but I'll know more about that over the course of another year or so. Similarly this ripening season should shine some light on the comparative taste of these young fruiters over the next month or so.

Greenfig, it seems that others have answered your question.  I am growing TK, Sal'sEL and MvsB.  As far as vigor, all three are very healthy and good growing trees for me.  If anything, my TK is perhaps the slowest growing of the bunch but differences are subtle.  No complaints about vigor.  Regarding cold hardiness, ask me in June as all three are in the ground now.  Takoma Violet is the closest thing I have to a "local" fig.  Gene H. found the mother tree growing in Takoma Park, MD about 2 suburbs away from Rockville where I am.  Out of all the tree's he grew he felt it was the most cold hardy.

I haven't tasted many varieties yet but of what I have tasted I would put Takoma Violet at the top of the list with Hardy Chicago next to it.  I had the first ripe figs from my in ground Hardy Chicago last week and they were ripened to perfection and delicious.  The Takoma Violet I have tasted came from Strudeldog and we tasted several varieties that evening with Takoma being the winner hands down for both of us.  Not saying there were not lot's of good figs included.