FVF Group Tasting Sample Reviews
- Thread starter ashdigger
- Start date
SmokingPipes.com Updates
Watch for Updates Twice a Week
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
Ok, I smoked two bowls yesterday with about an hour in between and two bowls today back to back. Also, I have not smoked FVF in at least 10 years and 80 to 90% of my smoking is Va's and VaPer's.
It was quite moist so I rubbed it out and let it sit for about 20 min. Both took 2-3 charing lights and then burned to the bottom with out any relights. I used two new Missouri Pride cobs without the filter.
This was interesting in that for me, they were quite similar. Both "bright" tasting and zesty with a touch of spice. The difference is noticeable in that the aging took a bit of the sharp edge off and enhanced the lower notes. I would say the aged tobacco was more balanced. It is not a complex smoke but thats not the point. I found both quite satisfying with the aged winning by a bit. Both leave a very nice aftertaste.
I have a few tins that are about 3 years old that I have not gotten around to. After this I will let one sit for at least another 4-5 years before opening but I will not go out of my way to age the rest.
It was quite moist so I rubbed it out and let it sit for about 20 min. Both took 2-3 charing lights and then burned to the bottom with out any relights. I used two new Missouri Pride cobs without the filter.
This was interesting in that for me, they were quite similar. Both "bright" tasting and zesty with a touch of spice. The difference is noticeable in that the aging took a bit of the sharp edge off and enhanced the lower notes. I would say the aged tobacco was more balanced. It is not a complex smoke but thats not the point. I found both quite satisfying with the aged winning by a bit. Both leave a very nice aftertaste.
I have a few tins that are about 3 years old that I have not gotten around to. After this I will let one sit for at least another 4-5 years before opening but I will not go out of my way to age the rest.
Nice reviews guys,
I'm looking forward to reading some more and hoping my samples show up tomorrow!
I'm looking forward to reading some more and hoping my samples show up tomorrow!
Jefff, this is exactly why tastings like this are valuable. Could you imagine letting a tin sit for SEVEN years HOPING it would knock your socks off and being let down by the fact thats its just okay, well, now you know. As for me, I have seven pounds aging. Two of those pounds have three years, two pounds have one year and three pounds have two months. This total doesn't include the two pounds consumed for this tasting.
As a huge fan of FVF, I'll add the following obsevation/disclaimer. I've had several tins of FVF, but I overwhelmingly like BULK FVF much more.
As a huge fan of FVF, I'll add the following obsevation/disclaimer. I've had several tins of FVF, but I overwhelmingly like BULK FVF much more.
I smoked another bowl of the fresh baccy this morning, and finished the aged baccy a few minutes ago. What a great smoke. Just real honest flavor in this FVF. The aged baccy does have a more dark, molasses sweetnes too it and it's just sort off to the side as you notice it before it's gone with every puff. The new is just as good really but seems a bit brighter.
Like I said earlier, this is my first experience with FVF. I like this and as I smoked my bowl I could not Stop myself. I ordered three pounds.
Like I said earlier, this is my first experience with FVF. I like this and as I smoked my bowl I could not Stop myself. I ordered three pounds.
Hakchuma, excellent, glad you liked enough to buy three pounds. That's the ultimate seal of approval.
It's a very nice tobacco, fuller than Dunhill Flake, and was a good remedy for the Sunday blues after the Colts' narrow loss to the Lions. It would help if most of our D line wasn't injured.
Got my samples yesterday. First of all the smell was amazing with a noticeable difference between the aged and the fresh. FVF is my current favorite tobacco so I didn't really need to sample the fresh. But having only smoked a pipe for about a year now, I had not had a chance to try any aged until now. The first thing I noticed was how much richer and creamier the smoke was. The sweetness of the aged flakes was more like molasses and dark chocolate and less like citrus. It was more earthy and almost had a savory quality to it. I never really thought I noticed grass or hay in Va until I noticed the absence of it in the aged sample. There is still the same spiciness that the you find in the fresh flakes but it is much more subdued. I love it fresh and I like it even better aged. I already have some aging in my cellar but I know plan to get much more. It was really cool of you to share this with us and let some of us who were not familiar with aged Virginia get a taste of it. Below is a pic of my first flake with my Luciano bamboo Dublin.
Carver, your sample is going out today.....to China.
There are a total of 30 samples out and about. From the Netherlands to China and all points in between. Hopefully the remainder of the US samples will be delivered today.
Keep the reviews coming.
There are a total of 30 samples out and about. From the Netherlands to China and all points in between. Hopefully the remainder of the US samples will be delivered today.
Keep the reviews coming.
Mine arrived today. The smell is intoxicating. The fresh FVF smells of raisins and dark molasses/blackstrap molasses. In the aged the scent isn't as strong, hints of raisins but more of a fermented almost a ruby port like quality. Smoking will commence tonight and I'll have the reviews up in a day or 2. Thanks again for your generous offer.
I got home from my office at approximately 7 Saturday evening and made a dash for the mailbox - and there it was.
By 7:15 I had a Scott Thile group 4 size billiard loaded and ready for the flame. I have never smoked FVF before due to its reputation of requiring more prep than I am usually willing to do. No real prep this time either. Fold, stuff, light. The first third or so yielded a basic, strong pure tobacco taste. After that a bit of peppery effect joined in. Quite an enjoyable smoke. I asked my wife what she smelled. "Earthy, with a bit of licorice and cedar". I asked her if she has been spending time on TobaccoReviews.com. She was embarrassed.
After lunch on Sunday I loaded up another Thile billiard with the old stuff. Fold, stuff, light. This was a very full, but mellow smoke The peppery element had turned to a delightful spice which came and went as the bowl was consumed. This was one great smoke, one of the best I have ever experienced. I found it very subtle compared to the fresh version.
Sunday evening I repeated both versions in similar zulus, with the tobacco partially rubbed out. Though my initial impressions still held true, this time the differences seemed less pronounced. The aged version rounds some edges off the fresh.
Thanks to Tim for his gracious offer and for introducing me to a fine tobacco.
By 7:15 I had a Scott Thile group 4 size billiard loaded and ready for the flame. I have never smoked FVF before due to its reputation of requiring more prep than I am usually willing to do. No real prep this time either. Fold, stuff, light. The first third or so yielded a basic, strong pure tobacco taste. After that a bit of peppery effect joined in. Quite an enjoyable smoke. I asked my wife what she smelled. "Earthy, with a bit of licorice and cedar". I asked her if she has been spending time on TobaccoReviews.com. She was embarrassed.
After lunch on Sunday I loaded up another Thile billiard with the old stuff. Fold, stuff, light. This was a very full, but mellow smoke The peppery element had turned to a delightful spice which came and went as the bowl was consumed. This was one great smoke, one of the best I have ever experienced. I found it very subtle compared to the fresh version.
Sunday evening I repeated both versions in similar zulus, with the tobacco partially rubbed out. Though my initial impressions still held true, this time the differences seemed less pronounced. The aged version rounds some edges off the fresh.
Thanks to Tim for his gracious offer and for introducing me to a fine tobacco.
I had my sample sent to my workplace, so, unless it smelled so good someone took it home with them, I should be getting mine tomorrow. I can't wait!
Thanks to everyone who has already posted up pictures and reviews.
Thanks to everyone who has already posted up pictures and reviews.
My package arrived today. WOW. These aged flakes are even more gorgeous in person!
It's looking like Wednesday night is going to be my next night of peace and quiet, so I'm going to do my first tasting that night when I can be undisturbed and really focus on the smoke.
I have a little bit of FVF that's been in a jar for about 8 months, so I'm gonna throw that into the mix as well and try to do a 3 way comparison.
Thanks again for this opportunity, Ash!
It's looking like Wednesday night is going to be my next night of peace and quiet, so I'm going to do my first tasting that night when I can be undisturbed and really focus on the smoke.
I have a little bit of FVF that's been in a jar for about 8 months, so I'm gonna throw that into the mix as well and try to do a 3 way comparison.
Thanks again for this opportunity, Ash!
First - thank you Ashdigger. What a great idea, and what a generous thing to do. Thank you.
My samples came in the mail today. In advance of receiving them I've been smoking some of my own stash of FVF I put in a mason jar almost exactly two years ago. Here's all three side-by-side:
I smoked both samples in a briar I use only for straight virginias. My favorite tobaccos are red virginias, and I've smoked many different straight virginia flakes. Among the list of virginias I've had in the last year are Wessex Gold Brick and Brigade Campaign Dark Flake, McClelland 5100, Blackwoods Flake, Dark Star, 5100, Christmas Cheer 2015 and 2001, Red & Black, F&T Cut Virginia Plug, Dunhill Flake, Orlik Golden Sliced, McCranies Red Flake, and SG FVF.
So today I started with the fresh FVF. I roll the flake lengthwise, fold it in half, roll it back and forth a bit to break it up further, then just stuff the flake into the pipe. I followed that same prep for both samples and my own two year old version.
Fresh: The smell of the raw flake was definitely grass and hay. I searched the online reviews and descriptions and didn't find comments on the red vs bright virginia aspects, but on first light this was a typical yellow virginia taste, which I'm not very fond of. Grass and hay. I'm horrible at describing the nuances, but to me this tasted sharp. Had an aftertaste that I just don't care for, but many do like. It tasted similar to an Orlik Golden Sliced, but not as good. Occasionally I thought some sweetness of a caramel note came through. But just more grass and hay. I would give this 2 stars based on my personal preference for reds, but if you're a huge OGS fan you probably give this 3 stars, maybe even 4.
Seven year aged: Completely different tin note. Not the ketchup of a McClelland, but definitely stewed fruit notes and fermentation. On light this was instantly pleasing to me. Sweet, slightly tangy, fruit notes. The reds have definitely taken over. The grass and hay were almost completely gone. Definitely a background taste of the yellows if there was any of that left at all. This blend wasn't the full on tang of a straight red virginia, but if you do prefer the reds over the yellows you should love this flake aged. At 7 years I would give this a solid 4 stars. There is not just a slight difference, the blend has changed so much with time that for me it goes from "I wouldn't smoke that" to "I need to buy a lot of this."
Two year aged: Here's the good news. My two year aged supply is almost as good to me as the seven year old. While you can't see the obvious sugar crystals at two years like you can at seven, close inspection shows some are present, but nothing nearly like the seven year aged. The two year isn't quite as sweet yet, nor is it quite as tangy. But it has definitely morphed to where the yellows are lost in the background and the sweet reds are in the forefront. My wife said the tin note was vinegar. Definitely not strong like McClellands, but there's definitely that fermentation scent present. I'd say the two year old blend gave me 90% of the benefit I see in the seven year old blend.
My personal conclusion: If you like grass and hay yellow virginias, smoke FVF fresh. If you like the tangy sweetness more typical of reds, age this at least two years to great effect. If you age it longer it does keep getting better if this is the flavor you're after. But don't try it fresh if you do like the reds. I'm probably going to buy another pound or so of this now that I have "seen" how it handles age. For skeptics on aging, this one ages as different as turning a light switch on or off.
My samples came in the mail today. In advance of receiving them I've been smoking some of my own stash of FVF I put in a mason jar almost exactly two years ago. Here's all three side-by-side:
I smoked both samples in a briar I use only for straight virginias. My favorite tobaccos are red virginias, and I've smoked many different straight virginia flakes. Among the list of virginias I've had in the last year are Wessex Gold Brick and Brigade Campaign Dark Flake, McClelland 5100, Blackwoods Flake, Dark Star, 5100, Christmas Cheer 2015 and 2001, Red & Black, F&T Cut Virginia Plug, Dunhill Flake, Orlik Golden Sliced, McCranies Red Flake, and SG FVF.
So today I started with the fresh FVF. I roll the flake lengthwise, fold it in half, roll it back and forth a bit to break it up further, then just stuff the flake into the pipe. I followed that same prep for both samples and my own two year old version.
Fresh: The smell of the raw flake was definitely grass and hay. I searched the online reviews and descriptions and didn't find comments on the red vs bright virginia aspects, but on first light this was a typical yellow virginia taste, which I'm not very fond of. Grass and hay. I'm horrible at describing the nuances, but to me this tasted sharp. Had an aftertaste that I just don't care for, but many do like. It tasted similar to an Orlik Golden Sliced, but not as good. Occasionally I thought some sweetness of a caramel note came through. But just more grass and hay. I would give this 2 stars based on my personal preference for reds, but if you're a huge OGS fan you probably give this 3 stars, maybe even 4.
Seven year aged: Completely different tin note. Not the ketchup of a McClelland, but definitely stewed fruit notes and fermentation. On light this was instantly pleasing to me. Sweet, slightly tangy, fruit notes. The reds have definitely taken over. The grass and hay were almost completely gone. Definitely a background taste of the yellows if there was any of that left at all. This blend wasn't the full on tang of a straight red virginia, but if you do prefer the reds over the yellows you should love this flake aged. At 7 years I would give this a solid 4 stars. There is not just a slight difference, the blend has changed so much with time that for me it goes from "I wouldn't smoke that" to "I need to buy a lot of this."
Two year aged: Here's the good news. My two year aged supply is almost as good to me as the seven year old. While you can't see the obvious sugar crystals at two years like you can at seven, close inspection shows some are present, but nothing nearly like the seven year aged. The two year isn't quite as sweet yet, nor is it quite as tangy. But it has definitely morphed to where the yellows are lost in the background and the sweet reds are in the forefront. My wife said the tin note was vinegar. Definitely not strong like McClellands, but there's definitely that fermentation scent present. I'd say the two year old blend gave me 90% of the benefit I see in the seven year old blend.
My personal conclusion: If you like grass and hay yellow virginias, smoke FVF fresh. If you like the tangy sweetness more typical of reds, age this at least two years to great effect. If you age it longer it does keep getting better if this is the flavor you're after. But don't try it fresh if you do like the reds. I'm probably going to buy another pound or so of this now that I have "seen" how it handles age. For skeptics on aging, this one ages as different as turning a light switch on or off.
Received mine today as well, I have a piece drying now, love the smell of this. The aged smells like raw molasses to me, I asked the wife what she thought, her reply, "it smells deep"
- Status