Fresh Virginia Blends

[The Amish Tyrant]

I began cellaring wide with 2 ounce "samples" of a variety of tobacco blends in order to determine what blends and genres I prefer. Now I'm cellaring deep with those blends I really like.

While it may take a while to taste my way through the "wide" acquisitions and even more time for some blends to age in the cellar, I'd like a few smaller tins or jars on hand for immediate consumption.

Any preference to blends that are solid straight out of the tin (or bulk bag)? I'm looking for suggestions on Virginia blends in particular as a lot of burley blends I've tried are good from day one.

 

[judcole]

If you "really like" some Virginias enough to cellar them, why not smoke some now?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Most all Virginia blends are good fresh and for me at least, get better with age. Yesterday, I smoked a variety of Virginia blends of varying ages, all were good. 4 year old F&T Golden Mixture, fresh MB Vanilla Roll Cake, 3 year old CVP and 10 year old Newminster 400.

Aging isn't a miracle though, it doesn't make chicken salad out of chicken shit. If you don't like it fresh, you're not likely to like it ten years later. When I say fresh, I mean a recently packaged tin that's been opened for a few weeks to air out.

 

[seanv]

Off the top of my head here a few Virginia blends I would recommend

Amphora Virginia is great straight from the pouch and should age nicely

Newminster Navy Flake is really good upon arrival and improves with age

Peterson Flake is great from fresh and ages beautifully

Sutliff Virginia Slices is great and ages wonderfully

Sam Gawith Full Virginia Flake smokes great right away and ages great as well

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

If you "really like" some Virginias enough to cellar them, why not smoke some now?

I do. I'm just looking for a "tin ready" blend to try that is not necessarily for cellaring/aging.

Vanilla Roll Cake is an example. It's usually one of my 1st smokes in the morning. Aside from stocking up on it in case the blend disappears or increases in price, I don't consider it an aging blend.

On the other hand, I have a variety of Mac Baren Virginia's and Newminster flake cellared for aging.

 

[Peter Turbo]

capstan blue smoking nice fresh right now, a little pricey though.

try yorktown from C&D or union square from GLP

 

[Ocam]

Opening night is really really good. I also liked Virginia Gentleman from C&D.

If you consider vapers, GLP got a few that are very nice.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I do. I'm just looking for a "tin ready" blend to try that is not necessarily for cellaring/aging.

Vanilla Roll Cake is an example. It's usually one of my 1st smokes in the morning. Aside from stocking up on it in case the blend disappears or increases in price, I don't consider it an aging blend.

On the other hand, I have a variety of Mac Baren Virginia's and Newminster flake cellared for aging.

I think two of the best fresh Virginias are Union Square and F&T Cut Virginia Plug. Vanilla Roll Cake is an Aro, hard to count it. But it's also a blend I enjoy.

 

[BROBS]

Daughters and Ryan Rimboche