Can You Recommend Me a VABur or Burley?

drezz01 · Jul 29, 2015

I picked up a tin of Solani Aged Burley Flake which I have been enjoying very much. The predominant notes of cocoa and brazil nut are smooth and enjoyable but on certain days I find myself searching for that underlying molasses malty sweetness that I love in a Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake or Capstan Original Navy Flake. Some reviews of ABF mention a dark sweet flavor which I simply do not pick up on. I am still loving this blend and think I will appreciate it more come Fall.
Is there a best of both worlds blend out there? A burley forward blend, with just a whisper of that dark sweetness? Preferably sans topping/casing.
Thanks in advance!

cobguy · Jul 29, 2015

Newminster #403 Superior Round Slices is a fantastic Va/Bur and available in bulk.
C&D Old Joe Krantz is Burley, Virginia and Perique ... a great morning smoke with coffee and also in bulk.
C&D Burley Flake #2 is two kinds of Burley with a nice sweet Virginia ... tin only.
Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired is sweet/tangy and got a decent kick.

Chasing Embers · Jul 29, 2015

C&D's Pegasus is a favorite here. Three burleys, two Virginias, and unsweetened black cavendish.

papipeguy · Jul 29, 2015

C&D Montford Point Marine is a fave of mine. Burley, Perique and a touch of Latakia. The C&D line has many burley blends that are quite good so check them out.

rblood · Jul 29, 2015

I second Old Joe Krantz. I know it's a Bur/VA/Per, but this stuff is amazing (and dirt cheep).

cortezattic · Jul 29, 2015

Check out Daughters & Ryan's offerings. Several Virginia/Burley blends, especially Two Timer Gold.
Esoterica Stonehaven;

Mac Baren: Old Dark Fired; HH Bold Kentucky; Modern Virginia; Navy Flake; Norwood;

Three Nuns;

Pease: JackKnife, Montgomery, and Navigator;

Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky

mso489 · Jul 29, 2015

For Va/Bur or Burley, I'd read through the whole Cornell & Diehl inventory at smokingpipes.com, P&C, 4noggins, etc. It will give you a feel for strengths of different blends, additional flavoring like Lat, Per, or Cav, and so on. For non-aro burley, other than C&D, Lanes Burley Without Bite is good, and I've just been introduced to Peter Stokkebye's 702 burley which is also mild and flavorful and maybe a little more nuanced than Lanes. Semois Tobac-Manil is a Belgium variant of burley that is exquisite to some and wretched to others, but I like it very much, a single leaf that has the levels of a sophisticated blend, though it does smell barn-like when you open it. It gets much sweeter.

aldecaker · Jul 29, 2015

Have you checked out the "stepladders" on P&C? That's how I got turned onto C&D Burley Flake #1, and the more I smoke it, the more I like it. Plus, they never seem to try and slip stuff in there that is just a dog and won't sell otherwise.

ray47 · Jul 29, 2015

Another vote for C&D's Pegasus. If you like ABF I'm certain you'll enjoy Pegasus. Their both in the same ballpark if not the same row.

brass · Jul 30, 2015

Got to plug Russ Oulette's Classic Burley Kake. Try it. It is in a class by itself.

drezz01 · Jul 30, 2015

Thanks everyone! I've added many of your suggestions to my perpetually growing "to try" list. From what I've gleaned on TobaccoReviews I think some Pegasus will be on my next order! Many reviews noted that it is punctuated with a subtle sweetness from time to time while providing a robust nutty dark cocoa base. Sounds perfect!
Thanks you again for your sage advice!

cigrmaster · Jul 30, 2015

My favorite available Vaburs are:
Solani Silver Flake

Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky

GL Pease Navigator

Peterson Irish Flake

Peterson Perfect Plug

Peterson University Flake

Mac Baren Old Dark Fired

ericusrex · Jul 30, 2015

Peretti's #8 slices is a good VaBur with some Perique. If you are thinking more along the lines of a less-cased codger-style Burley then it doesn't get any better than Peretti's 1072. It sure sounds like I'm a fanboy doesn't it! It's just that all the other great Burley blends have already been mentioned.

disinformatique · Jul 31, 2015

Get Burper cake from GQ Tobaccos.

thomasmartin · Aug 1, 2015

Mac Baren Golden Blend? (I think in the US it's called Golden Extra)

edgreen · Aug 2, 2015

If you like your burleys sweet and nutty try H and H's Capital Stairs, a Va/bur with perique

Perique · Aug 2, 2015

MacBaren Golden Extra is your huckleberry.
If you like rum flavoring: GL Pease Navigator (I've found this to smoke much better when it's been opened and the had a chance to think about itself for 6-12 mos.
If you like stewed fruit flavoring (mostly plum): Peterson University Flake.
If citrus is your thing: Erinmore Flake.
If extreme citrus is your thing: Erinmore Mixture. Don't believe the hype: it's not evil.
Now, if you're ok with Perique, it opens up a whole new sub-genre of VaBurPer, in which case I would recommend GL Pease Cumberland & McConnell Scottish Cake. Haddo's Delight and Barbary Coast if you like some brandy topping.

northernneil · Aug 2, 2015

cigarmasters first recommendation of Solani Silver Flake is where I would look for a sweeter VaBur. Only availablein 100G tins unfortunately, but well worth the small investment.

jmatt · Aug 2, 2015

I've just been branching out into VaBurs myself. Been smoking Solani Silver Flake this weekend and it is an awesome choice. I also like Mac Baren Old Dark Fired more and more as I've been smoking it.

iamn8 · Aug 3, 2015

To answer your question I believe I'm going to go with yes.

Can You Recommend Me a VABur or Burley?

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