C&D Virginia Recommendations

[Dr. Van Loafer]

Good Morning! For many years I have thoroughly enjoyed balkan and english blends with healthy doses of latakia. Recently I smoked H&H Anniversary Kake and immediately enjoyed the Virginia’s found in this blend (Lemon to Brown). It reminded me of Frog Morton, albeit no latakia.

My question is, what C&D Virginia blends do you consider outstanding and worthy to purchase? (Or other Virginia blends that are on the market today?) Thanks!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Their bulk Virginia Flake, Opening Night, Yorktown (a bit of burley), Manhattan Afternoon (has a touch of honey), and of course their ltd and special releases like Carolina Red Flake.

 

[bullet08]

Only purchased their limited releases that comes out every year like a clock. Haven't tried others. GLP Va blends are good, and I think C&D packages them.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Oh yeh, their Red Virginia Cavendish is very good, but is has a lot more nicotine than most Virginia blends. I suspect that this red comes from higher up on the Tobacco stalk. And, their Red Virginia Ribbon. Both of these do very well with a few years of age.

 

[SBC]

Boy, I wish that AK reminded me of FM ... that would be nice ...

But I'll second Opening Night. That's a very clean, natural, light, pleasant, "breakfast" sort of Virginia. Unlike most VAs, it comes ribbon cut, which is convenient sometimes. The flavors are subtler than in some VAs, so you'll want to smoke it with a clean palate. I always keep some around. It fills a niche my other VAs don't.

 

[bullet08]

Boy, I wish that AK reminded me of FM ... that would be nice ...

But I'll second Opening Night. That's a very clean, natural, light, pleasant, "breakfast" sort of Virginia. Unlike most VAs, it comes ribbon cut, which is convenient sometimes. The flavors are subtler than in some VAs, so you'll want to smoke it with a clean palate. I always keep some around. It fills a niche my other VAs don't.

Kalashnikov where?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have no idea what AK and FM mean. Are these on the list of anachronisms for the forum?
Edit: Ok, FM was on there. Frog Morton.

 

[SBC]

Kalashnikov where?

Lol, the overrated VaPer, not the 7.62x39

 

[SBC]

I have no idea what AK and FM mean. Are these on the list of anachronisms for the forum?

Sorry, was referring to the OP's comment that Anniversary Kaker reminds him of Frog Morton.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Sorry, was referring to the OP's comment that Anniversary Kaker reminds him of Frog Morton.

Thanks, Duh, I should have referred back to the OP. Sorry. And, thanks again

 

[fireground_piper]

What are you looking for in a Virginia? Union square is good and clean (under the glp label). Opening night had too much vegetal/floral for me even though it’s often suggested. I do enjoy the C&D broken flake format though.

I’m a big fan of blockade runner if you don’t mind some rum topping. Burns great.

 

[SBC]

What are you looking for in a Virginia? Union square is good and clean (under the glp label). Opening night had too much vegetal/floral for me even though it’s often suggested. I do enjoy the C&D broken flake format though.

I’m a big fan of blockade runner if you don’t mind some rum topping. Burns great.

I'd forgotten that Union Square was produced by C&D, since it's a GLP. Yes I'll second this one as well, with the caveat that it needs age. To me, it's very inconsistent when fresh, but becomes one of the all time great VAs with age. It's not always good, but when it's good, I wonder if it's my favorite.
Put a tin in a mason jar and forget about it for a full year.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Laurel Heights is another GLP. Yes, it does have a microscopic smidge of latakia, but you'd be hard pressed to actually taste latakia. But, the latakia adds a leathery chewiness to the Virginia that I love. I don't even consider it a latakia blend, because it is so microscopic in this blend.

 

[That Guy]

Coming from smoking English blends i think you would enjoy bijou. Virginia and Orientals are very tasty. I used to think it was the latakia in English blends I enjoyed so much when actually it was the Orientals.

 

[sham]

Boy, I wish that AK reminded me of FM ... that would be nice ...

But I'll second Opening Night. That's a very clean, natural, light, pleasant, "breakfast" sort of Virginia. Unlike most VAs, it comes ribbon cut, which is convenient sometimes. The flavors are subtler than in some VAs, so you'll want to smoke it with a clean palate. I always keep some around. It fills a niche my other VAs don't.

I think opening night is a flake... mine is anyways

 

[SBC]

I think opening night is a flake... mine is anyways

Hm, shouldn't have said "ribbon" -- that's not true -- but a very, very broken flake. So broken up that you can often treat it like ribbon.

 

[sham]

Hm, shouldn't have said "ribbon" -- that's not true -- but a very, very broken flake. So broken up that you can often treat it like ribbon.

Interesting! For me, it is my first flake tobacco, so I did not realize.

 

[SBC]

Interesting! For me, it is my first flake tobacco, so I did not realize.

Oh ok -- yes this is called "broken flake," and yes it began life as a flake. But it's sort of "pre-rubbed-out" for you.
But you're right, I shouldn't have called it ribbon. I was remembering it that way because of the way I pack it, due to how rubbed out mine is. Maybe some tins come less rubbed out. But you are right that this is in that sense a flake tobacco, definitely not ribbon.

But wait till you try whole flakes. They're like smooth, wide, uniform strips of leather.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Oh ok -- yes this is called "broken flake," and yes it began life as a flake. But it's sort of "pre-rubbed-out" for you.
But you're right, I shouldn't have called it ribbon. I was remembering it that way because of the way I pack it, due to how rubbed out mine is. Maybe some tins come less rubbed out. But you are right that this is in that sense a flake tobacco, definitely not ribbon.

But wait till you try whole flakes. They're like smooth, wide, uniform strips of leather.

By the time my C&D tins get opened, the broken flakes are more like ribbon to me too. I think my UPS drivers put my packages into one of these while he transports it.

 

[edger]

C&D Derringer. Darker va's. Best when barely smoldering. Very underrated by the so called cognoscenti.