FVF Not Working For Me

[mordy18]

I’ve had a tin of FVF jarred for about a year and occasionally sampling from it, and one unopened tin. I started drying it overnight and focusing on really sipping it. I rub it out rather than fold. I’m just not finding it an enjoyable smoke. Very cigaretty and bitter. I think i will put this jar and the tin aside for a long time and revisit years from now - Perhaps the age will improve it for me.
Anyone else have similar experience. I really enjoy escudo so maybe its the absence of perique or any other tobacco thats the issue. Maybe full virginias are just not to me taste or maybe my technique is still off?

 

[lightmybriar]

I’ve had a tin of FVF jarred for about a year and occasionally sampling from it, and one unopened tin. I started drying it overnight and focusing on really sipping it. I rub it out rather than fold. I’m just not finding it an enjoyable smoke. Very cigaretty and bitter. I think i will put this jar and the tin aside for a long time and revisit years from now - Perhaps the age will improve it for me.
Anyone else have similar experience. I really enjoy escudo so maybe its the absence of perique or any other tobacco thats the issue. Maybe full virginias are just not to me taste or maybe my technique is still off?

Gawith is a different flavor family than things like Escudo. It’s a bit of a shock to the palate if you approach it as just another Virginia. Jar it and set it aside for a while and give yourself time to approach it as a thing of its own, and then decide if it works for you or not. That’s what I would recommend. I did that myself.

 

[mso489]

mordy, you've been persistent and sensible, giving the blend every opportunity, and you will try again after some more years of aging. I'd say this blend just isn't your thing. Usually I can come around to blend and learn how to smoke it to my satisfaction, but sometimes not. If you get a chance to trade off the unopened tin, that might be the way to go. Your efforts are commendable.

 

[irishearl]

FVF was too bland and monochromatic for me. But, then, so is most all Virginia blends.

 

[Chasing Embers]

As a Virginia lover, I've never taken a liking to FVF. I like Gawith for the Lakelands and Black Twist XX.

 

[londonbriar]

Tobacco and taste is such a funny thing. I loved Best Brown Flake on my first bowl and still do, and yet it took me years to finally 'get' FVF. I really didn't like Germain's Brown Flake until a couple of months ago, and now it is one of my favourites!

For me, against all common wisdom (and unlike BBF), I enjoy smoking FVF quite wet. I rub it out fully, give it about three charing lights and then let it rest. Then I revive my palate with a drink and light again. It is the sort of tobacco that has a real subtle sweetness. I find that a good bitter moka (stovetop espresso) beforehand helps.

I think a lot of the virginias made on the continent (Rattrays, Escudo etc) have a little sugar added into the blend to help make the smoke more palatable. This can distort what our tastes are searching for in this blend.

But if you don't like it - don't worry. Put it in a jar and come back to it in a year or three. You may well get a hankering for it one day, and that might be the day it is a great smoke for you. If jarred properly, it will last indefinitely. And don't worry if you never get to like it - plenty more smokes out there to enjoy!

Steve

 

[BROBS]

ILL TAKE IT

 

[BROBS]

But really everyone has different tastes. I find Escudo terrible.

you said you had an unopened tin? I’ll trade 1 unopened Escudo for it? ?

 

[Chasing Embers]

But really everyone has different tastes. I find Escudo terrible

Same, too bland.

 

[Sonorisis]

My experience with FVF is that it needs WAY more than a year of time, and it needs WAY more than overnight for drying. Further, it benefits from fully rubbing it out before putting it in the pipe.

 

[mordy18]

Thanks all. Brobs, given that FVF as the status of semi-unobtanium and that i have only one tin i think i will tuck away a jar of what i have left plus the unopened tin and try it again in 5 years. Will be an inte

 

[marconi]

It’s great that we are all different.I have no love for Escudo or Elizabethan mixture both seem cigarette/ashy,I know that’s not the generally held opinion.As to FVF it’s hard work getting the drying right but worth it when you get that perfect bowl.

 

[BROBS]

Thanks all. Brobs, given that FVF as the status of semi-unobtanium and that i have only one tin i think i will tuck away a jar of what i have left plus the unopened tin and try it again in 5 years. Will be an inte

No worries. FVF is all over btw.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

FVF is a strange bird. Looks and feels more like a strip of beef jerky than a tobacco flake. PITA to prep, difficult to pack right, tough to light and keep lit. But oh, when you finally get it going, what amazing tobacco goodness.

I mostly agree with London briars approach although not wet but still pliable. Get it lit real good then sit it down, come back to it later.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

No worries. FVF is all over btw.

All over, as in not to be seen again?!?

 

[BROBS]

All over, as in not to be seen again?!?

All over as in available in many places.

 

[danimalia]

Tobacco and taste is such a funny thing. I loved Best Brown Flake on my first bowl and still do, and yet it took me years to finally 'get' FVF. I really didn't like Germain's Brown Flake until a couple of months ago, and now it is one of my favourites!

For me, against all common wisdom (and unlike BBF), I enjoy smoking FVF quite wet. I rub it out fully, give it about three charing lights and then let it rest. Then I revive my palate with a drink and light again. It is the sort of tobacco that has a real subtle sweetness. I find that a good bitter moka (stovetop espresso) beforehand helps.

I think a lot of the virginias made on the continent (Rattrays, Escudo etc) have a little sugar added into the blend to help make the smoke more palatable. This can distort what our tastes are searching for in this blend.

But if you don't like it - don't worry. Put it in a jar and come back to it in a year or three. You may well get a hankering for it one day, and that might be the day it is a great smoke for you. If jarred properly, it will last indefinitely. And don't worry if you never get to like it - plenty more smokes out there to enjoy!

Steve

The espresso is a great idea. I like to alternate genres when smoking for similar reasons. Sort of priming the palate for contrasts. Like alternating between the cold and hot pools at a hot springs place.

 

[gervais]

All over as in available in many places.

Not in the US right now, it isn't. Before Covid it was everywhere. Now it's nowhere ?

 

[irishearl]

FVF is a strange bird. Looks and feels more like a strip of beef jerky than a tobacco flake. PITA to prep, difficult to pack right, tough to light and keep lit. But oh, when you finally get it going, what amazing tobacco goodness.

I mostly agree with London briars approach although not wet but still pliable. Get it lit real good then sit it down, come back to it later.

It's been years since I smoked it and you perfectly nailed what I recall of the experience. I tended to like Best Brown Flake better than FVF.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

I’ve had awesome experiences with both aged and fresh tins of FVF...For me this blend is what all Straight Virginias should be measured. However, there are plenty of folks that don’t think as highly as I do regarding the time honored blend.️