OGS Revisit

This was one that I loved in the beginning, but have grown out of it some. It has an uncured taste to it, like it was never processed all the way or something. The times that I have enjoyed it somewhat was on very hot days. But, for my money, I'd prefer the Newminster Navy Flake for hot days. And, yeh, if it has any perique, it is so faint that it's not even worth mentioning. Calling it a VaPer is a stretch, IMO.

Apparently at the ten year mark it is the cats meow. It sounds alot like the current version of erinmore though where I hear apricot flavors in the topping.

I enjoy it enough to keep one or two tins in the cellar. It is one of the least expensive blends I like so that is another plus. I haven't had any with age but most VA's with age are much sweeter than without. I may have to keep the few tins I have closed up for a decade.

Mild smoking mixtures take some work to appreciate for those who are more attracted to robust, full bodied mixtures, at least this has been true in my own experiences. When I started working at the tobacconist last year I had up to that point always been a fan of full bodied, dark Maduro wrapped cigars. Mild or medium cigars were like smoking air and I was always at a loss when I'd hear people discussing complexity and nuance in these "light" offerings. Some education from my mentors and some changes in how and when I smoked began to show me what I had long been missing out on. I found the same to hold up even more for pipe tobacco, especially bright Virginias.

I know now that as delicious as OGS is I can't expect much from it if I've been smoking heavier, more robust blends earlier in the day. If I happen to go for a day or more without smoking at all and load a flake like OGS it is tasty as can be and very satisfying. It's a well blended and constructed flake that's simple to smoke and never disappoints me as long as I remember that it is a very mild blend. There has been musings that it doesn't even contain Perique but it's there, no question.

tarak, I am with you on OGS, I do not care for it at all fresh, way too grassy to me. I have smoked 15 year old OGS that is sublime. It turns jet black and wreaks of raisins and figs. Unfortunately I do not know when the change took place, like if it was at the 10 year or 8 or 12. It is worth hanging on to though if you have the patience to age it.

Tarak, I totally get what your saying, if it's not doing it for you then it's time to move to another. Right now I'm devouring a tin of SG Golden Glow, it's the richest, tastiest bright Virginia I've come across and although it's milder than FVF, it's got a lot to offer.
Cigarmaster, OGS is one I never thought of cellaring but your description of that flake turning black is intriguing. I'll have to bury a few tins.

setter, I have also seen blends like Hamborger Veermaster, Fribourg & Tryer Cut Virginia Plug and Escudo all turn jet black after 10 years of aging.

I enjoyed OGS right from the first puff. I find it straightforward but also subtle. I certainly enjoy more complex Virginias and Va/Pers, but I consider OGS a commendable blend.