Comparition between VA and VaPer tobaccos

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Just Thought, someone might have same feelings as I did when recently smoked Staight Virginia Flakes(capstan Navy Gold and Ready Rubbed Virginia(Mc Baren Virg nr.1) and then Virginia Perique Flakes such as Orlik Golden and Solani Vaper 633 I came to conclution that straight virginias have aa obvious tendency to be a bit harsher and bitey when compared to Virginia Perique mixtures- but again, I'm not that seasoned smoker yet.

 

[jmatt]

red virginias seem to have the biggest tendency to bite. Orlik Golden doesn't have perique in it. It's also a yellow virginia. (Yes - many, including the mfg from time to time say it has perique. Even if it does, it's in such a small quantity that it doesn't/shouldn't count asa VaPer). Anyway - the two blends you say bit you have red virginia. The two you found more tolerable have less or no red virginia.
Perique on it's own can range from fruity (fig/raisin) to peppery to downright spicey and bitey. Just depends on percentage in the blend.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

All Righ,JMatt thanks for this piece of info,then I did found Orlik has a slight licorice and something as orange taste in it,whereas that Capstan Navy Gold was more citrucy tastewise

 

[cosmicfolklore]

SOME Virginias bite. Some, some, some... I find that really good Virginias do not bite, and there are only a couple of manufacturers that produce a good enough Virginia to actually smoke. The rest of the companies just muck about pretending their stuff is pipe tobacco. I don't waste my time with most companies.
Then some companies mess even their Vapers up to make them mouth scorchers too. C&D gets fail fail in both categories. They make good burleys though, probably the best. But, if you try their Virginias or VaPers, you might just get tricked into thinking that you hate those genres. YMMV

 

[pitchfork]

I'd say that generalization is true. Most VaPers are easier on the palate than straight VAs -- probably something to do with acidity. Burley has a similar effect on VAs.

 

[shutterbugg]

VA tends to burn fast and therefore hot. Anything mixed with it that slows the burn-rate will make it seem to smoke cooler. Perique, black cavendish, rough-cut burley, latakia...all of them will temper the flames of hell that is straight VA. So will slow, easy drawing. That's also the key to actually tasting anything but cigarettishness in a straight VA.
My biggest beef with straight VA flakes is even when sipped, the flavor is somewhat bland for me. I find I enjoy a VAPer much more. I smoked a bunch of Dunhill Flake, couldn't wait to get back to DNR.

 

[bryguysc]

Red virginias are my favorite virginias!

McClelland and Samuel Gawith make my favorite virginias.

There is definitely a learning curve, but it is well worth mastering. I love a good, dark, tangy virginia tobacco.

 

[dottiewarden]

VA tends to burn fast and therefore hot. Anything mixed with it that slows the burn-rate will make it seem to smoke cooler. Perique, black cavendish, rough-cut burley, latakia...all of them will temper the flames of hell that is straight VA. So will slow, easy drawing. That's also the key to actually tasting anything but cigarettishness in a straight VA.

I found that cigarette taste nauseating so I don't currently smoke VA.

There is definitely a learning curve, but it is well worth mastering.

This is why I purchase and cellar VAs and Va/Pers, cause I know someday I'll take the time necessary to learn to smoke them and I'm sure I'll be glad I did.

 

[rigmedic1]

My favorite smokes are Virginias with just a hint of Perique, less than 5%. I think it acts like a condiment and brings out the sweetness of many Virginia tobaccos I have tried. i would never put Perique in FVF though, that stuff is too delicious just the way it is. Take MacBaren's Modern Virginia, which I think is tasteless, add a little Perique, and the stuff is magnificent. That's one example. I keep a lot of Bayou Morning on hand, and if I get a Virginia that isn't very good, I will mix it 50/50 with the Bayou Morning for an awesome smoke.

Otherwise, I like the spiciness of most Perique blends just as they come from the tin (or bag or jar or whatever.). If you can get some, try mixing some Monument Avenue with McClelland 5100. It is awesome, very savory.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Yes Rigmedic1 I have come to same conclution, just a hint of a perique may improve a mediocre virgina tobacco, and as far i'm concerned, I like to keep things simple >preferring not too complex nor heavy blends and am somewhat scary when it comes to tobaccos with high nic contents,wheres cigars and cigarette tobacco with good nic hit I would handle with no problem,but pipe tobacco is not the same, mainly cause it burns slower and therefore tends to increase in nicotine ,in sum more treacherous stuff

 

[jackswilling]

Old Gowrie

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Jep, later on I shall try it out,it is widely available here in Eu-whereas we lack so many great American micro producers blends,too bad, and more shame to our customs authorities-sniffing everwhere,,

 

[mso489]

As much as I love my Perique, with Virginias and burleys and other blends, once you arrive at the place where you can enjoy a refined Virginia-only blend, or a quality single leaf Virginia, sometimes that is all you want for a particular smoke. Virginias require some experience and learning for most of us, but if it is your path, it's all it's own area of pipe smoking. I feel the same about some of the more esoteric burley.

 

[krizzose]

All I can add is to keep experimenting to find what works for you. Individual body chemistry plays a big part, so another's experience only goes so far. For example, I love straight red VAs (or blends with a lot of red) not only because I love their flavor, but because they never bite me. Other people can't even smoke them. Any straight Va does require proper packing, moisture level, cadence, etc.
I've also heard that Va smoke tends to be alkaline, so try sipping some lemonade or something else that's a bit acidic. It doesn't seem to make a difference to me either way, but again your own body chemistry may create a different outcome.

 

[jefff]

I love Virginias, red in particular, but Dark Star is my ALL time favorite. I find it hits all the note, high, medium and low. I smoke it once or twice a week for almost 30 years. Every time I smoke it I am amazed by how much I enjoy it.

 

[gsmunoz]

@Cosmic -
Any thoughts or additional details you you would be willing to divulge as far as what constitutes a quality Virginia? I ask in all sincerity. I have only been smoking pipe now for about 4 1/2 months, but I am extremely intrigued.
I have been researching curing and kilning of tobacco for awhile now. I find it interesting (please correct me if I am wrong) that is seems curing is just the first step in "conditioning" tobacco. After that it seems that either extended aging or kilning is still necessary, even if the tobacco is high quality.
Just curious to hear more from those in the know, especially those who grow and cure their own tobaccos.

 

[cobguy]

. I find that really good Virginias do not bite,

Agreed! I have some really good Red FCV whole-leaf that can literally be wadded up and smoked straight with no issue.
Adding a bunch of sugary casing / topping / PG is, IMHO, often the culprit for ruining it.
Look to McClelland and McCranies for some of the best Va's available stateside.

 

[rx2man]

@ rigmedic is right on Re: SG FVF. Buy a 250 gram box, jar it up for a year and after it has had a little time......ummmmmm

 

[cobguy]

Hey rx2man ... where you been? How's that big lovable pooch doing? :D
Speaking of Va's that don't bite, Rob gave me a sample of his organic Red FCV flake that he made and it was outstanding! ::

 

[igloo]

When I think Virginia blends I think Rattray's . When I think of Perique I think of white pepper for mild or black pepper for boldness . When I think of Virginia tobacco I don't care for, it would be McClelland .The only way to know what you like is try as many blends as you need to .When you find that blend it will be much easier to expand from there . Remember to smoke slowly and try to dedicate a pipe or two . If you smoke English and try to smoke some plain or mixed Virginia in the same pipe it will not work as well .