It grows on ya', doesn't it...that's why I buy 15 tins a year!
C&D Carolina Red Flake Not Tasty
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Another question. I rubbed out AND dried all the flakes immediately. Will it still develop good flavor? Or should I have left them in the jar for awhile? And/or dried them without rubbing them out? What would be the optimal way to prepare this stuff if I we're going to smoke it and not age it?
Personally (and I know people do it differently), I take it out of the tin and put it in my pipe, I don't worry with all the prep work, but that's just me...I've never been that picky.
Effortless, I am a burley guy first, and then enjoy a lot of other genres besides. I think moving from burley to Virginia blends always takes some re-tuning because the Virginias are much quieter, more subtle, and nuanced. I like both burley and Virginia, but I am alert to the change from one to the other. When I get back to burley, I feel I am back home.
It was the right moisture for me right out of the tin, so I jarred it as is. It also depends on personal preference--some people like to dry all their blends to a crisp.
I know what you mean, I've gone back and forth and at first VAs seem bland, so I usually don't smoke for a few days to allow my palate to reset. This is the first time I've tried to reset to plain, unadulterated VAs however. I figured I would smoke just them for a few weeks. However, I am placing an order today, and I do want to line up some new Burley blends for after my VA run. What would you suggest, being a Burley maestro yourself? I've greatly enjoyed C&D Burley Flakes #1, #2, #3 (haven't tried the others), C&D Big n' Burley, OJK original, D&R Picayune and Two Timer, Semois, Five Brothers, and have custom blended some decent Burley blends using C&D burleys. I am not closed to more flavored blends, with H&H Classic Burley Kake being a bit too flavored for me (though I do still enjoy it during the holidays around family for their benefit). What would you suggest?
Hmm I just purchased a tin, dated Sept. 2020, makes me wonder if I should just forget it and smoke it next year, let it age a little...
I have enjoyed the 2020 batch have already smoked a tin and a half of it. Definitely let it breathe a little but I find C&D moisture to be perfect for me. Just got some 2018 batch and it is amazing. Popped tin and it smelled almost like sunbear to me, non-smokers said it smelled like fig newtons and fruitcake. The 2020 doesnt have that smell....yet, but I imagine it will in 2 years. Also, bit more nicotine to the 2020 which is just fine with me. It is my first pipe every morning, which I may need to ease up seeing as my supply is somewhat limited.
Welcome to the club. C&D red Virginias are my least favorite out of all I have tried. I just don’t get what others see in them, I find them so harsh and unpleasant. But I continue to revisit every couple months to see if eventually I enjoy them.
it seems to hit some people like that. Just seems to be how it is for whatever reason or reasons.
I'm a Burley smoker mostly, but I am currently
I am a Burley smoker mostly, and I've noticed that if I switch to a red VA right after being in Burley land it tastes the way you said, and just taste like nothing if it's a regular VA blend. But I'm currently on an all VA kick, and the flavors are definitely becoming much more apparent, including the CRF, though I can definitely tell that it's mostly because it needs more time to age. It's hard to smoke burleys and Virginias alongside each other.
@ram74 I get it. I bought the red carolina with perique back in february and hated at the time. For me, I needed to adjust my smoking style and try other pipes. I'm not saying that is why you do not like. I think it's an individual thing. I tried watch city simply red when I received a sample and my first impressions are not good. Number 1 is the chemistry of my mouth doesnt seem to like it as it flirts with being bitey with me. Then one of the main flavors for me, tastes like just after you lick an envelope to seal it. Now others on this site speak very highly of it.
They're nowhere near the best Red VA I've tried, but I like the C&D for it's vegetal nature. Overtly sweet VA are the ones that can burn my tongue if I'm not careful.
I will say (I know there will be a run anyway if it gets released again) the CRF with Perique is utterly amazing. Same VA, but the Perique gives it a whole new character. Again, the vegetal nature of the VA, but the plummy perique elevates it to "cellar hard" status.
I will say (I know there will be a run anyway if it gets released again) the CRF with Perique is utterly amazing. Same VA, but the Perique gives it a whole new character. Again, the vegetal nature of the VA, but the plummy perique elevates it to "cellar hard" status.
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Same here. I miss McClelland, but at the same time I feel like I've been able to appreciate other styles of VA more than I had before.
I admit being initially disappointed by the 2020 CRF because I was hoping for something approaching McClelland levels of sweetness and fruitiness. That's just not in the cards. But if you smoke CRF carefully, it's a really nice, subtle, spicy expression of red VA. The flavors are very clean and pure - they just don't smack you in the mouth the way McClelland VAs do.
"The flavors are very clean and pure - they just don't smack you in the mouth the way McClelland VAs do."
OK, I'm smoking some right now, really slowly, and I'm getting a little bit of a smack (spice and earthiness).
OK, I'm smoking some right now, really slowly, and I'm getting a little bit of a smack (spice and earthiness).
I agree. I thought there was something wrong with my tin or my taste buds. Very bland and not that special at all (which in my opinion is quite common with special editions and one-time-only blends)
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