Newminster

There is that old saw that goes, "You get what you pay for." and that is often the case. Every once in a while though, there is a pleasant notice that you've found quality at a lower price. With all the Esoterica hoopla, this is the other end of goodness.
Newminster is cheap. 5# goes for $106. With 100g tins around $20, you are looking at a pound in the same ballpark. Can't be very good, right? Wrong! At least that's my take. I like Virginia tobaccos so I tried three of theirs.



Newminster 701 Straight Virginia (Same number as the Stokkeybe)

It has slightly lighter taste -- more of the fruity side. It a similar fine cut but not chopped; so the tobacco clumps -- think steel wool, if you like. You can easily break it apart so it no biggy. I've been smoking it for a while. It is a great early morning blend; but, I've enjoyed it throughout the day. It is your straight Virginia and just a good, fruity product that some might see as bland. I see it as a nice tobacco taste with less bite than many I've sampled.



Newminster 403 Superior Round Slices

I've had the Mac Baron Club Blend and PS LBF that this must be compared with. It will take a better palate than mine to be definitive here. Maybe that closeness is a compliment of sorts. This might be slightly sweater. The core doesn't seem as compressed as LBF. If I were blind tasting the three, I'd be in trouble. I might find small differences but I think they'd float back and forth in my mind.
Newminster 400 Superior Flake

LNF has long been one of my go to favorites. This does not take it on. The differences are obvious beyond the missing Perique. The slice aren't cut in half -- full length. The texture is less compact than LNF and a bit brittle which seems to indicate to me a less forceful pressing. It seems to contain a bit more of the bright Virginia. Missing is the bread side that LNF exhibits. It is more of the fruity Virginia taste.
I am enjoying all three and the 400 will get a lot of smoking here. For me it is best of the lot but I tend toward flake. The other two will be kept on hand to break the monotony. I really don't mind monotony when it is as tasty. The three are on the low side of Virginia bite. I only notice a bit when I get carried away trying to outdo a steam engine.
OK, the cost is surprisingly cheap but the tobacco shows great quality making it a real value. Give it a taste at least. With the Stokkeybe line being a volume brand, it looks like that is who they are taking on. Correct to some degree but these really stand separate and deserving of their own merit.

@#6

I haven't experienced it with the Virginias -- at least not on a regular basis. I find it more free from bite than many Virginia products.
Bite is often attributed to aging. Younger tobaccos tend to be alkaline and that contributes to bite. They also say that younger tobaccos lacking finish release ammonia that contributes. But those Newminster have don't seem to fall in such a category. They seem to have the right processing/aging.
I do occasionally get some bite from a normally benign tobacco. Usually it some bit of mispacking. But it can be moisture levels. The ideal is around 30% in the pouch. I'm sure you know what proper level produce and doubt that isn't the problem. So, I can only recommend a bit lighter packing and maybe reviewing the moisture level. Packing can give me problems when I switch cuts and was use to something that isn't right for the new cut. It is a momentary laps -- usually where I just wasn't paying proper attention and doing the rote thing.
Good luck with resolving it; we all are there from time to time.

Maybe one of the others will have better info but I really don't detect a topping with the Virginias. Of course, the aros would have one. Maybe someone who has smoked the Lats will share more.

Hey Mike nice to see you here. Give my regards to your cousin Alfredo.
I know you've bounced around a bit as have most long term smokers. I don't argue Pease quality. I've an 8 oz of Laurel Heights aging away. I think we can say about any manufacturer, "Some I like better than others." and it doesn't detract from their work but reflects our taste at the time.
I don't know if you tried any Newminster. But, if you are basing it strictly on price, you might be surprised by the quality there. It has a lot of Va and I seem to recall that isn't in your wheelhouse. Still doing more Burleys, right? Don't know if the selection would suit you. But, you might find some tasty surprises. I was surprised by the obvious quality I found at that price.