Seems like I've caught the Virginia bug and have particularly enjoyed F&T CVP and Wessex GB. Those two blends seem to be scarce these days so I'm wondering what Virginias I should try next.
Enjoying Virginias; Where Do I Go From Here?
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Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake will be very comparable, if you want something similar.
Dunhill's (Peterson's) Elizabethan Mix, Royal Yacht would be two to try if you want to branch out.
Stokkebye Virginia Flake, Luxe Twist, Bullseye coins are three well executed bulks to try too.
Dunhill's (Peterson's) Elizabethan Mix, Royal Yacht would be two to try if you want to branch out.
Stokkebye Virginia Flake, Luxe Twist, Bullseye coins are three well executed bulks to try too.
Forgot to mention, Ken Byron also make some very interesting virginias.
Gawith & Hoggarth bulk offerings cover a full spectrum of Virginias from very bright yellows through to heavy stoved ones. Kendal Gold offers the bright end, Broken Scotch Cake is darker and a Brown Twist is robust in flavour and nicotine, of course if you’re up for some heavy stuff, Black Irish Twist will satisfy. I know of no other blender who covers the breadth of Virginias as well as this and to smoke your way through their offerings is a fine way to study Virginia leaf.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Thank you; I'll give all of those a shot. I do enjoy Kendal Gold. Where would CVP and GB fall in the bright-stoved spectrum?
Are you related to Briar Lee?
John Aylesbury Sir John Flake
Wessex Brigade Fragrant Virginia (an be difficult to find)
C&D Opening Night
all of the Rattray Virginia and Vaper blends
Wessex Brigade Fragrant Virginia (an be difficult to find)
C&D Opening Night
all of the Rattray Virginia and Vaper blends
Not forgetting Orlik Golden Sliced, an easy smoke.
The two you mention are a fuller version in my opinion but personal preference plays heavily with Virginia leaf especially as it’s so nuanced. If we think of this as a time piece then Kendal Gold is 12 o’clock, CVP and GB would be at 3 or 4 o’clock and Broken Scotch Cake is 6 o’clock. Brown Twist would be at 9 or 10 o’clock and Black Twist is 1 minute to midnight. Of course YMMV.
Go to this new company that's a paid advertiser here and buy what I did two nights ago. Nova Pipes & Tobacco | Premium Pipe Tobacco, Pipes & Accessories - https://novapipesandtobacco.com/. Wessex Gold Virginia Flake much better than Gold Block to me. CVP (can't have enough of this fabulous blend), F&T Vintage, Wessex Campaign Dark Flake (hope it's still available, very good and difficult to come by). 2 tin limit on each. And if you're wallet will stand it, add F&T Cut Blended Plug and Special Brown Flake, Capstan Flake Blue and GLP Union Square. These are the Virginias I smoke most frequently.
I'd stay away from Gawith Full Virginia Flake. Very good smoke but very difficult to smoke due to the cut and moisture level. The Rattray blends are not straight Virginias but I do like Old Gowrie. Orlik Golden Sliced has a slight bit of Perique but it's also a very nice smoke. This shop doesn't carry Aylesbury Sir John's Flake Virginia, my favorite, but you can usually find it at Smoking Pipes or Watch City.
Mention this website in the comments so they will know their advertising investment is working.
I would add, if you like Virginias, start stocking up for aging purposes. Wessex Gold Virginia Flake is very good fresh but superb with age. I'm smoking some 5 year old now and it's fabulous. Smoking through a tin of 6 1/2 year old CVP now, incredible. The investment is well worth it.
I'd stay away from Gawith Full Virginia Flake. Very good smoke but very difficult to smoke due to the cut and moisture level. The Rattray blends are not straight Virginias but I do like Old Gowrie. Orlik Golden Sliced has a slight bit of Perique but it's also a very nice smoke. This shop doesn't carry Aylesbury Sir John's Flake Virginia, my favorite, but you can usually find it at Smoking Pipes or Watch City.
Mention this website in the comments so they will know their advertising investment is working.
I would add, if you like Virginias, start stocking up for aging purposes. Wessex Gold Virginia Flake is very good fresh but superb with age. I'm smoking some 5 year old now and it's fabulous. Smoking through a tin of 6 1/2 year old CVP now, incredible. The investment is well worth it.
Haven't heard of Fragrant Virginia so I'll have to track that one down. Others all sound great.
These all sound amazing! Have you had F&T Vintage? If so, what's your opinion on it?
I'll second C&D Opening Night. Newminster 400 is right up there too; although it's technically discontinued, it's still in stock on SP, which I regard as a minor miracle, one I'd be taking advantage of right now if I didn't already have a couple pounds squirreled away. My current favorite is Mac Baren VA Flake which, speaking of miracles, is somehow being retained by STG.
I'll also second hoosier about FVF. There are definitely some finicky tobaccos out there, but this one is to the point where it can cause a level of frustration that could easily derail the whole smoking experience. Peterson University Flake is another one that shared this attribute, at least for me.
I'll also second hoosier about FVF. There are definitely some finicky tobaccos out there, but this one is to the point where it can cause a level of frustration that could easily derail the whole smoking experience. Peterson University Flake is another one that shared this attribute, at least for me.
Thanks! For the MB VA flake you mean just the normal one, not the No. 1 or HH?
I’d recommend giving Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake a go as well. Full bodied and sweet.
But I’ve got the palate of a goat…
But I’ve got the palate of a goat…
Also for you Virginia lovers: Is it just some kind of mental bias or do flakes taste better than ribbon cut?
Happy to help. Yes, the regular MB VA flake is what I meant. The #1 is a ready rubbed mixture, not bad, perhaps a little plain for my liking, but for some dudes, that's right in the ol' wheelhouse, so to speak. The HH Pure VA is discontinued, but I found it to be not as good as the regular VA flake, so no tremendous loss there. I am still mourning the loss of Plumcake, however...
