Carolina Red Flake vs. Edisto

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briarfoxx

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 28, 2021
157
279
Tennessee
I haven’t had the opportunity to try C&D’s Carolina Red Flake (without Perique), but I have heard it compared similarly to Edisto.

How do folk who’ve tried both think they compare?
 

brandaves

Can't Leave
Jan 5, 2020
344
2,666
Kentucky
I have some Edisto cellared but haven't tried any yet.

The problem is that C&D' Small Batch Red Flake has varied a lot from release to release...Is there a particular year of Red Flake you're thinking of?
 
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seanv

Lifer
Mar 22, 2018
3,089
11,090
Canada
I am watching this thread. I haven't tried any of the CRF releases but I do enjoy Edisto. I will probably buy a few tins this year but they will sit in the cellar for a few years in the que.
 

briarfoxx

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 28, 2021
157
279
Tennessee
Is there a particular year of Red Flake you're thinking of?
Not specifically other than just the straight red Virginia version (no Perique). I actually didn’t realize it had varied that much. Tobaccoreviews.com has a single entry for it: Tobacco Reviews | Cornell & Diehl - Carolina Red Flake (Small Batch) - https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/10575/cornell-diehl-carolina-red-flake

Based on the description there it says the components used were the same from 2016-2019 and then changed from 2020 onward. The more recent releases are probably the easiest to get ahold of, but I’d be interested in anyone’s opinion from any batch they’ve experienced.
 

Ebarber

Can't Leave
Mar 11, 2020
380
1,268
Newark, Ohio
I am a huge CRF fan. That being said I believe the 16-19 have the same tobacco with the 10.5% sugar content reds.
2020-2021 has the 8.5% sugar content reds (which is still awesome by the way). I'm hoping the new stuff has the 13.5% sugar content reds in it as the last release of the CRF w/p did last year. I love Edisto as well as opening night. I have tons of the previously mentioned sitting in the cellar. Edisto is young yet so its kinda hard to tell how it will age but I'm pretty sure it will be pretty outstanding judging by the taste fresh.
 
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pauls456

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 19, 2020
250
501
60
Tucson, Arizona
Excluding the Carolina Red with perique, they are quite comparable. The Carolina Red has a higher sugar content and smokes brighter (at least the ones I've tried). I believe the Edisto will benefit from a few years of aging to blend its flavors better- but time will tell. The Carolina Red is quite enjoyable without any age on it.
 

briarfoxx

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 28, 2021
157
279
Tennessee
I am a huge CRF fan. That being said I believe the 16-19 have the same tobacco with the 10.5% sugar content reds.
2020-2021 has the 8.5% sugar content reds (which is still awesome by the way). I'm hoping the new stuff has the 13.5% sugar content reds in it as the last release of the CRF w/p did last year. I love Edisto as well as opening night. I have tons of the previously mentioned sitting in the cellar. Edisto is young yet so its kinda hard to tell how it will age but I'm pretty sure it will be pretty outstanding judging by the taste fresh.
I haven’t tried Opening Night yet, but I do have an unopened tin. I should crack it open and compare. Thanks!
 
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briarfoxx

Starting to Get Obsessed
Aug 28, 2021
157
279
Tennessee
Excluding the Carolina Red with perique, they are quite comparable. The Carolina Red has a higher sugar content and smokes brighter (at least the ones I've tried). I believe the Edisto will benefit from a few years of aging to blend its flavors better- but time will tell. The Carolina Red is quite enjoyable without any age on it.
It sounds like Carolina Red must start with a higher quality leaf to begin with or maybe is pre-aged compared to Edisto (or both). Thank you for the perspective!