Did Carolina Red Flake Change?

[americaman]

People have been saying that the 2015 version of Carolina Red Flake tastes better than the new release. I don’t understand how that could be since it comes from the same batch of leaf.

I never tried Carolina Red Flake until the 2019 release, so I have nothing to compare it to. I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

 

[sandollars]

I bought a few but haven't tried it yet. Right now I am working on some Sutliff 515 RC

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

People have been saying that the 2015 version of Carolina Red Flake tastes better than the new release. I don’t understand how that could be since it comes from the same batch of leaf.

I never tried Carolina Red Flake until the 2019 release, so I have nothing to compare it to. I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

Why does it really matter? I say that because if you ask 10 people, you're likely to get at least 7 different answers. The only thing that matters is what you think of it. I didn't get any in 2015 but still have some open from the 2018 batch as well as numerous tins aging. Having it open for some time really helps this blend based upon my limited experience. I'll bet (I actually did "bet", I have 45 tins being stored) this blend really blossoms with 2 to 5 years of aging and longer.

 

[anotherbob]

well nothing is ever like the first time again.

 

[lukasstrifeson]

I think a lot of times in hobbying (of any sort) we get lost in searching for objective answers to subjective questions.

 

[Waning Embers]

I think a lot of times in hobbying (of any sort) we get lost in searching for objective answers to subjective questions.

Unless you're not a hobbyist and just enjoy the smoke for what it is. Too much overthinking can wreck a thing.

 

[sandollars]

Unless you're not a hobbyist and just enjoy the smoke for what it is. Too much overthinking can wreck a thing.

In my case, 2 marriages!

 

[spartacus]

I have some 2015 that I have smoked and it is very good. I have not tried the 2018 or 2019. I put 20 tins of each in storage that I will get to years down the road.

If for some reason I don't like it I will trade it or give it away.

Enjoy what you have. Let's see what they do in 2020!

 

[alaskanpiper]

Nothing to compare it to for me, but just tried the 2019 for the first time yesterday and found it to be a very pleasant smoke. Excited to see what my other two tins do with a little age on them.

Glad I waited instead of paying consignment to try the older ones, as I am perfectly happy with this version of the blend. Great stuff.

 

[sandollars]

It's pure Red Virginia. I figure if I don't like it I can always add some Perique or Burley. Or both!

 

[Waning Embers]

It's pure Red Virginia. I figure if I don't like it I can always add some Perique or Burley. Or both!

Or Orientals like Izmir or Basma. Yenidje is good with it but getting harder to come by.

 

[sandollars]

Or Orientals like Izmir or Basma. Yenidje is good with it but getting harder to come by.

Exactly. There are plenty of options here with Virginia. Especially one as fine as this.

 

[Waning Embers]

Exactly. There are plenty of options here with Virginia. Especially one as fine as this.

After the 2016 mold incident, I can't bring myself to buy it, but I do have a closet full of McClelland reds. Very many options.?

 

[renfield]

I believe that all of the CRF vintages came from the same batch of tobacco. Any changes would be due to things other than the leaf itself. Probably an effect of different amounts of time spent in a tin vs in bulk storage at C&D.

 

[skydog]

On my first few samplings of this years release I found it better than the past two years of CRF that I have tasted. I thought 2017 and 2018 were very similar other than the year of aging in a tin and expected the same this year. It's not night and day difference but I found it noticeably better.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

You can’t step into the same river twice... Grasshopper.

 

[sablebrush52]

After the 2016 mold incident, I can't bring myself to buy it, but I do have a closet full of McClelland reds. Very many options.?

Love me some McClellands Red Virginias. Between The various CC, McCranie's, Red and Black, the 40th, etc, I'll be enjoying the best Reds ever made for some time to come.
I was pleasantly surprised by the first release of Carolina Red Flake in 2016 until the the widespread mold reports came out and I sent my order back. I sat out the 2017 release, but since the mold issues didn't repeat, at least at the same global level, I bought tins in 2018. No rush to open a tin. I just hope that it doesn't grow a Santa Claus beard in the interim.

 

[bnichols23]

Love me some McClellands Red Virginias. Between The various CC, McCranie's, Red and Black, the 40th, etc, I'll be enjoying the best Reds ever made for some time to come.
I was pleasantly surprised by the first release of Carolina Red Flake in 2016 until the the widespread mold reports came out and I sent my order back. I sat out the 2017 release, but since the mold issues didn't repeat, at least at the same global level, I bought tins in 2018. No rush to open a tin. I just hope that it doesn't grow a Santa Claus beard in the interim.

Mine didn't, nor this year's. Maybe I just got lucky, but I don't think I remember anyone I know having experienced any trouble with the recent blends.

 

[alexnc]

I guess I need to pop a tin. Sitting on a few 2017 tins and added a few 2019. But my Crumble cake red and 515 keep me busy with the reds.