F&T Vintage is the best of their flakes, imho. I keep one tin around. Do not be put off from FVF either, it's very very good and, if you are lunting but need to pop in and out of nonsmoking zones, very controllable; also, ages beautifully.
Enjoying Virginias; Where Do I Go From Here?
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I recommended you buy it. I've smoked many things of Vintage. Kind of a darker and slightly stronger version of CVP. Needs some age to really shine but a fabulous blend.
Not necessarily. I like how the Flakes pack and burn. Plus there's significant more Flake than ribbon cut Virginia blends.
I prefer BBF to FVF. Seems to burn better and very sweet.
You want flakes? Don't overlook the offerings from the smaller B & M shops like Watch City and LJ Peretti. Quality is high, and you can order small samples to try. The only downside is some of them will likely change or be discontinued in this post-Sutliff era.
Yes, folded and stuffed flakes have more intensity, for me anyway. I used to break them up and rub them out, but something @simong said changed my ways for the better - I even fold and stuff wet FVF.
I agree with some of the suggestions above: Sam Gawith's Best Brown is a great place to start. It can be a little bitey though. I would go to Peterson (formerly Dunhill) Flake and Deluxe Navy Rolls.
The problem with Old Gowrie and the other Ratray's blends in the yellow cans is that they all have Kentucky in them to one degree or another. That makes them too stout in my opinion to learn the subtleties of the Virginia leaf. If you want to learn Virginia you have to get through the straight blends first. Go with Peterson Flake and Navy Rolls.
The problem with Old Gowrie and the other Ratray's blends in the yellow cans is that they all have Kentucky in them to one degree or another. That makes them too stout in my opinion to learn the subtleties of the Virginia leaf. If you want to learn Virginia you have to get through the straight blends first. Go with Peterson Flake and Navy Rolls.
Lots of good suggestions here now for you to try and I’ll add another unsung hero of the Virginia’s it’s Ashtons Gold Rush, we’ll worth your time and cellars extremely well.
Absolutely.
I hear soooo many pipers tell new smokers to fully rub out flakes, and dry them to almost crispy.
There is a HUGE difference in flavor between rubbed and dried FVF, and folded and moist FVF. In my opinion the folded and moist is FAR better tasting. It does take some technique to keep it going, but it's worth it....in my opinion.
The same goes for most flakes.
Of course there will be a big flavor difference.
Once the flakes are rubbed, you seriously dilute the flavors.
You can fold 2 flakes in the same pipe you can fit only 1/2 of a rubbed flake.
When it's folded, you get 3x+ the amount of tobacco in the pipe.
It burns cooler and it's more condensed....a no brainer in my opinion.
Thanks for the thoughts, Terry. I thought I heard Gold Brick has Kentucky in it as well. Is that not the case?
But that's one of the Virginias and it's been already enjoyed thoroughly.West Virginia?
I’ll throw out three C&D blends: Yorktown, Opening Night, and Union Square. I enjoy them fresh, as well as with age. Yorktown is my all day go to.
Yes, I agree that the Rattray trio are VaKyPer and outside the straight va realm. For some reason, I can't abide SG Best Brown, while I love FVF - my brown flake goto is Germain's, which is also a straight va (despite frequent claims otherwise).
Correction: Union Square is GL Pease.
This is a great time of year to dive into Virginia blends. I'd highly recommend Peterson Flake and if you would like to venture into Virginia/Periques I'd also suggest Peterson Navy Rolls. These two are a little more expensive than other tins, but they are absolute classics and should be a stop on everyone's smoking journey at least once.
My personal favorite Virginia is Samuel Gawith's Full Virginia Flake, but as others have noted it can be a pain to deal with. Fortunately where I live in Southern California the humidity is comparatively low to other places and I get it to the perfect moisture...but it can take a day or two of drying to get it to that point. Flavor wise though, it is without compare in my humble opinion.
My personal favorite Virginia is Samuel Gawith's Full Virginia Flake, but as others have noted it can be a pain to deal with. Fortunately where I live in Southern California the humidity is comparatively low to other places and I get it to the perfect moisture...but it can take a day or two of drying to get it to that point. Flavor wise though, it is without compare in my humble opinion.
Lot of good recommendations already.
I didn't see anyone mention Capstan Blue. Fantastic tobacco if you don't mind paying for it.
Orlik Golden Sliced has been mentioned but I second that one. It's mild but tastes so good.
I love anything Virginia based by Sam Gawith.
I didn't see anyone mention Capstan Blue. Fantastic tobacco if you don't mind paying for it.
Orlik Golden Sliced has been mentioned but I second that one. It's mild but tastes so good.
I love anything Virginia based by Sam Gawith.
When I finally got into Virginia blends I realized how important McClelland was. Xmas cheer... forget it. Swell stuff despite the fact that it sometimes nips me.
Now my standby is 1792, and it's not cased like it used to be. I liked the old casing, lots of tonquin. But, the newer ones are a very solid VA flake...the best I've found. No bite.
I've not had fvf or best brown for years, but I have some tins from the olden days and I'll bet I'll dig them when I smoke them.
Peretti Ampersand is very solid. Very. Like....try it.
F&T doesn't do much for me...but my son loves it.
Nothing else I've found comes close with straight va. But ...I don't look too hard anymore, too much TAD in the past and I've got a silly amount of tobacco in my cellar.
Now my standby is 1792, and it's not cased like it used to be. I liked the old casing, lots of tonquin. But, the newer ones are a very solid VA flake...the best I've found. No bite.
I've not had fvf or best brown for years, but I have some tins from the olden days and I'll bet I'll dig them when I smoke them.
Peretti Ampersand is very solid. Very. Like....try it.
F&T doesn't do much for me...but my son loves it.
Nothing else I've found comes close with straight va. But ...I don't look too hard anymore, too much TAD in the past and I've got a silly amount of tobacco in my cellar.
I second Capstan Blue. Great stuff. Also, if you're into Tolkein...