Getting into straight Virginias

[Chasing Embers]

Breath Smoking
https://youtu.be/0o8Sfg6EH9k

 

[perdurabo]

That's strange I never think of cadence anymore. I smoke fast or slow and get great flavors. I just get a wide variety smoking slower.

 

[fitzy]

For years I had been trying to find any taste in Virginia's and I think I'm almost there. lol
I don't have any suggestions for you other than what's mentioned. Good luck.
You should try some Va's and Va/Per's like McClelland's bulk broken flakes, F&T CVP and the bulk Stokkebye luxury flakes. All delicious. Also Dunhill Flake is damn good.

 

[mso489]

I think it's best, going to Virginias, to choose a quiet time and just smoke, no projects or music. It's a real transition and concentration helps. Any quality single leaf has a sort of blend-like quality, but you have to let it rise to the surface. And some all-Virginia is blended of different leaf. Just a suggestion, especially if you are "not getting it." You have to open your mind to it, like reading another language.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Virginias are like aromatics. It's all about the retrohale.

 

[andrew]

Are you cleaning the pipe in between bowls OP? If you aren't it will make the taste unpleasant after so many smokes

 

[crashthegrey]

I recently got really into straight Virginia tobaccos, flakes especially. I have had the same experience. 90% of the time or more, I love it. But every once in awhile, in a clean pipe dedicated to Virginia flakes, with the same tobacco, I get a really lame bowl with no sweetness. I do nothing special and it's a great smoke again another time. It could be cadence, it could be what tea I am drinking, it may be my last meal, maybe it is my frame of mind. I don't know, but I have had it happen very rarely.

 

[krizzose]

I'm smoking some Christmas Cheer 2014 right now. It's the first time I've paired it with a glass of Calvados. I don't want to be accused of hyperbole, so I'll just say the match is the fu$&ing shiznit outstanding

 

[vink]

Are you cleaning the pipe in between bowls OP?

What I usually do is once I'm done smoking I put a pipe cleaner into the stem and push it to the bowl. If it's really wet I'll add another pipe cleaner into the bowl. I deep cleaner with alcohol after 3-4 bowls usually.

 

[maduromadness]

There is good advice here from the other forum members. I will echo and add:

Smoke slowly and sip. Occasional puffing ok

Properly rest your pipe and preferably have a deadicated pipe for Virginias

Different pipes can/will perform better than others for virginias

Dry out Virginias/they perform better on the drier side IMO

Be consistent with the dry times

Beverages can influence the taste from the smoke for better or worse

Lastly mood can effect your smoking experience i.e. Cadence
Enjoy! I love Virginias! On that note I've never had a pure Virginia get ashy on me. Burley though, that's another story.

 

[snoopy311]

I’m having a final 2016 smoke of McClelland No. 2010 Pure Virginia. Funny thing was the first 3 to 4 puffs didn’t taste very good but after that the tobacco came alive and now it’s wonderful. Sweet, flavorful and oh so good.