Help With Sutliff’s 515-RC1

[Kingsley]

Hello All,

I recently acquired a few ounces of Sutliff’s 515-RC1 on a whim, as I’d heard some good things in the past, I love red VAs, and it’s real cheap. After a bit of drying time, approximately 15 - 20 minutes, I lit my bowl up, and proceeded to experience a truly unique, but overall pretty bad time. The vinegar note was so entirely strong, not only did it hurt to smell, it was so sour that even when ever-so-lightly drawing upon my pipe, it entered into a sensory area I’d best describe as abusive and overwhelming. The sweetness of the blend was also interesting, but at the same time, pretty negative. It was like vaporizing cotton candy. I’ve heard that with aging this stuff can be promising, but, with how it is as of right now, it’s a bit hard to imagine saving this stuff for later. The smoke even had a bit of a cigarette taste to it. I really don’t like giving up on blends, so, how long do I need to air this stuff out for until it’s palatable, or at least, not like spraying my mouth with nothing but hot sweetened vinegar? Does anyone here have history with aging the blend, and if so, is it worth it? How long is ideal? There’s only so much info on the handling and aging of this blend, as most posts only highlight how polarizing the blend is, so naturally anything substantial concerning my inquiries would be appreciated.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Throw it away.
I find it totally unsmokable.

 

[jei64822]

Sorry, don't have any tips on how to improve that one, but their red virginia crumble cake is quite good

 

[seanv]

Try using it as a blender instead of smoking it straight

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I didn't find it good but not horrible either. Smoke it, mix it or throw it away.

 

[Simmerdown☕️]

Gift it down the road. Someone out there probably’ll enjoy it. ️

 

[renfield]

Probably best to use it as a blender after letting it air out a bit. The vinegar note is really in the way of everything else when fresh.

 

[logs]

It's part of the "vinegar first" tobacco movement influencing a lot of VA lately. .

 

[PipesRock]

Let it sit a few weeks in a jar. Before you toss it consider blending it with perhaps an Aromatic or English you think is too flavored etc... As others said, it does need to air out and dry quite a bit. But I wouldn't blend it just to avoid wasting... life's too short.
--P.S. it won't (or didn't) help Autumn Evening.

 

[FurCoat]

Nothing will help Autumn Evening. It is the only blend I have tossed out.

 

[BROBS]

Hello All,

I recently acquired a few ounces of Sutliff’s 515-RC1 on a whim, as I’d heard some good things in the past, I love red VAs, and it’s real cheap. After a bit of drying time, approximately 15 - 20 minutes, I lit my bowl up, and proceeded to experience a truly unique, but overall pretty bad time. The vinegar note was so entirely strong, not only did it hurt to smell, it was so sour that even when ever-so-lightly drawing upon my pipe, it entered into a sensory area I’d best describe as abusive and overwhelming. The sweetness of the blend was also interesting, but at the same time, pretty negative. It was like vaporizing cotton candy. I’ve heard that with aging this stuff can be promising, but, with how it is as of right now, it’s a bit hard to imagine saving this stuff for later. The smoke even had a bit of a cigarette taste to it. I really don’t like giving up on blends, so, how long do I need to air this stuff out for until it’s palatable, or at least, not like spraying my mouth with nothing but hot sweetened vinegar? Does anyone here have history with aging the blend, and if so, is it worth it? How long is ideal? There’s only so much info on the handling and aging of this blend, as most posts only highlight how polarizing the blend is, so naturally anything substantial concerning my inquiries would be appreciated.

Dry it until crisp.

 

[BROBS]

It's part of the "vinegar first" tobacco movement influencing a lot of VA lately. .

ITS DELICIOUS

 

[oldgeezersmoker]

I got 8 ounces when first released after the demise of McClelland. I let it dry overnight, spread out on a plate. Enjoyed it well enough, but it is designed to be a blender. I now use it mixed 50/50 with 507 S, and really, really like it. That mixture is also popular with some denizens of another forum, who have referred to it as 1022.

 

[logs]

ITS DELICIOUS

Add some olive oil and you'd have a great salad dressing

 

[kg.legat0]

Dry it until crisp.

This is how I have found 515 to be the most enjoyable. A few months in the jar really mellowed it out, too.

I've been smoking a bowl of it just about every other day, lately. To each their own, of course! I like the sound of '1022' as well -I have a good bit of both around the house, definitely am going to try it out.

 

[FurCoat]

ITS DELICIOUS

I've had mine jarred for some time and it has settled down to a fine smoke. I bought it as a blender but find myself smoking it as is. As others have stated, it is a good blender and anyone who enjoys WCC will agree as I believe they use it in many of their offerings.

 

[BROBS]

Add some olive oil and you'd have a great salad dressing

Now we’re cookin

 

[BROBS]

It can be dried to a point where there is no vinegar-like taste. I find it to be a bready and sweet smoke.

 

[Merton]

I really like it and love the vinegar note. It is especially good in a cob during summer. Note to original poster: if you don't like the vinegar in 515 please stay away from cringle flake 2019 ( really great stuff for some and not so much for others)

 

[mikefu]

I got 8 ounces when first released after the demise of McClelland. I let it dry overnight, spread out on a plate. Enjoyed it well enough, but it is designed to be a blender. I now use it mixed 50/50 with 507 S, and really, really like it. That mixture is also popular with some denizens of another forum, who have referred to it as 1022.

I second the mixing it with 507-S. Its great that way, I prefer about 60/40% RC1/507