For those of you who have smoked previous versions of C&D's Carolina Red Flake w/Perique, how does it compare with other popular VaPers?
2023 Carolina Red Flake w/ Perique
- Thread starter rsshreck32
- Start date
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A guy gave me some a few years ago. I don't remember if it had Perique in it. I liked it though. If you like Vapers try Bayou Morning, Escudo, Stokkebye has some good ones too.
It’s strong, stronger than St. James flake and Escudo. If you like stout blends you should enjoy it.
I like it and smoke a few bowls each week. I like C&D Exclusive and Bayou Morning more, though.
Suggestion- get 3 cans and put two up for a few years. Crack one now
Kindly
Mike
Suggestion- get 3 cans and put two up for a few years. Crack one now
Kindly
Mike
I should still have a couple of tins stashed away somewhere....
I cracked a 2021 tin "fresh" when it was released and it was initially quite harsh and very strong, mellowed out into a nice repeatable smoke over the next couple of months; but I'm hoping a few more years will help the virginias mature into a sweeter smoke. Personally, feels like the blend really could've used a touch of cavendish to smooth out the rough edges.
From C&D, you can try Bayou Morning/Flake, Exhausted Rooster, or Gentlemen Caller, which I all kind of prefer to CRF w/ Perique.
+ 1 for Exclusive a true 50/50 VaPerI like it and smoke a few bowls each week. I like C&D Exclusive and Bayou Morning more, though.
Suggestion- get 3 cans and put two up for a few years. Crack one now
Kindly
Mike
It’s in my top 3 of current production VaPers
Well, personally, I like escudo, Peterson Deluxe Navy rolls, and Davidoff Flake medallions. Those 3 are pretty similar. I also like Seattle Pipe Club VA Jazz. That is more than 2!
I also like the 4 Rattray's: Old Gowrie, Brown Clunee, and Hal O' The Wynd (these 3 have some burley added), and Marlin Flake.Well, personally, I like escudo, Peterson Deluxe Navy rolls, and Davidoff Flake medallions. Those 3 are pretty similar. I also like Seattle Pipe Club VA Jazz. That is more than 2!
If you haven’t tried it yet, I recommend GL Pease Telegraph Hill.
I just started my first bowl of this year's release. I had forgotten how C&D red Virginia stings me. Not complaining, just commenting (as I really like that sting from time to time). The ratio of perique is perfect for my taste and it's a pretty hardy smoke for a Virginia. I'll need to dig out a 2022 to see how it aged.
I skipped this year. I still have many tins of the previous release and only opened one and have barely smoked it.
I prefer the CRF with no perique.
My go to Va/Per though is GLPease Stratford for a lighter fare or Fillmore for a strong smoke.
I prefer the CRF with no perique.
My go to Va/Per though is GLPease Stratford for a lighter fare or Fillmore for a strong smoke.
I'm no expert at all with pipe tobacco, only been smoking 11 months roughly, but I was really surprised how "light" this blend was. Flavor and strength seemed pretty mild to me. Not saying it wasn't good, just was expecting some more "oomph".
Typically for me, CRF can stand a popped tin, jarring for a few months, then it really shines. While I feel like this version is no different in that aspect, I do feel like there is one thing to mention. It is pretty damn good from the fresh tin. I picked up three. one for now/jar decanting, and two for cellar.
I've been hammering the one I opened all week and ended up picking up 3 more tins... I made the mistake of getting only one of this blend before in all years but last year.
I've been hammering the one I opened all week and ended up picking up 3 more tins... I made the mistake of getting only one of this blend before in all years but last year.
I went hard on this one and bought four and a half pounds (41 tins).
I popped my only edition of CRF, which happened to be the 2021 version with Perique, leading up to this 2023 release. I smoked 2 bowls and found it to taste extremely tart and sweet. I put her down for the time being in hopes to find it a bit mellower and more mature during our next encounter.
The 2023 release tastes much better balanced between the VA and Perique proportions, while the VAs taste mellower, more mature, and MUCH more bready, which suit my palate better when combined with the stone fruity, port wine flavors of the Perique. I believe the 2023 release has the highest Perique content of the CRF w/Per thus far. I suppose a higher percentage of reds, along with the varietals used for the 2021 release just doesn't do it for me.
As Ben pointed out, this is a top VAPer, for myself as well.
I popped my only edition of CRF, which happened to be the 2021 version with Perique, leading up to this 2023 release. I smoked 2 bowls and found it to taste extremely tart and sweet. I put her down for the time being in hopes to find it a bit mellower and more mature during our next encounter.
The 2023 release tastes much better balanced between the VA and Perique proportions, while the VAs taste mellower, more mature, and MUCH more bready, which suit my palate better when combined with the stone fruity, port wine flavors of the Perique. I believe the 2023 release has the highest Perique content of the CRF w/Per thus far. I suppose a higher percentage of reds, along with the varietals used for the 2021 release just doesn't do it for me.
As Ben pointed out, this is a top VAPer, for myself as well.