Jim's Sutliff States of Virginia Limited Edition 2023 Review.

[JimInks]

Have you tried any blending yet?

Yes. I was even considered for a blending job by one company, but things changed and it didn't happen. I've been a consultant and taste tester for several companies. Have created and co-created several blends for several companies, too.

I hate that I missed my chance to be a full time blender. I figured out what was in Stonehaven, and managed to come close to duplicating the base tobaccos and their ratios while experimenting. I would have loved to have brought that to market. I remember mentioning it to Rich when he owned 4Noggins, and he asked me to share it. I asked how much is he going to pay me, and he suddenly got very silent.

 

[BriarsAndBottles]

Yes. I was even considered for a blending job by one company, but things changed and it didn't happen. I've been a consultant and taste tester for several companies. Have created and co-created several blends for several companies, too.

I hate that I missed my chance to be a full time blender. I figured out what was in Stonehaven, and managed to come close to duplicating the base tobaccos and their ratios while experimenting. I would have loved to have brought that to market. I remember mentioning it to Rich when he owned 4Noggins, and he asked me to share it. I asked how much is he going to pay me, and he suddenly got very silent.

We need to make JimHaven a thing! I’ll help sponsor it lol. Maybe a kickstarter?

 

[BriarsAndBottles]

Btw. I got myself a few tins too. Something to throw out there, while mixing these three together will be fun. I think I might take a few blends I’m already a fan and familiar with, and seeing the impact the three Virginia types have on it. Basically turning a favorite blend into three new ones with the addition of each component respectively and seeing how they compare.

 

[Auxsender]

Yes. I was even considered for a blending job by one company, but things changed and it didn't happen. I've been a consultant and taste tester for several companies. Have created and co-created several blends for several companies, too.

I hate that I missed my chance to be a full time blender. I figured out what was in Stonehaven, and managed to come close to duplicating the base tobaccos and their ratios while experimenting. I would have loved to have brought that to market. I remember mentioning it to Rich when he owned 4Noggins, and he asked me to share it. I asked how much is he going to pay me, and he suddenly got very silent.

Absolutely none of my business at all and please feel free to tell me so but are you certain the time for you to blend has passed? I can’t believe it would lose money and it might be fun.

I know I’d buy 2 tins. I bet nearly everyone here would. I bet nearly everyone that’s spent more than 30 mins on Tobacco Reviews would.

You are a highly trusted brand, Mr. Jim. Sutliff would be fools to not license a JimInks blend from you.

 

[JimInks]

Absolutely none of my business at all and please feel free to tell me so but are you certain the time for you to blend has passed? I can’t believe it would lose money and it might be fun.

I know I’d buy 2 tins. I bet nearly everyone here would. I bet nearly everyone that’s spent more than 30 mins on Tobacco Reviews would.

You are a highly trusted brand, Mr. Jim. Sutliff would be fools to not license a JimInks blend from you.

I don't mind the question at all. And, I thank you for the very kind words. Sutliff does a great job with what they've been doing these past few years. Doesn't look like they need anybody's help. Their CEO knows what he is doing.

 

[JimInks]

We need to make JimHaven a thing! I’ll help sponsor it lol. Maybe a kickstarter?

Oh, no. I'm not getting into home micro-blending. It's a real pain, I don't have the room, and besides, there's Ken Byron who is exceptionally inventive. I can't see competing with him.

I occasionally make a blend for myself, but that's about as far as I go.

 

[Chalaw87]

I picked up a couple of tins too.

Im looking forward to trying these tins, not for blending, but to help better train my palate to differentiate between the stoved, yellow, and red Virginias. I think this a perfect control to help distinguish the nuances between the three offerings.

As always, thanks to JimInks for the pre-release review.

 

[Merton]

I love Sutliff (red virginia, Cringle and even 515rc). I love virginias including SPC Hogshead which I believe is produced by Sutliff. But, the $14 plus price for 1.5 oz is too high. I can afford it but do not choose to buy. Having said that i am most willing to pay $35 on sale for 4 oz of hogshead so i get the inconsistency. However, the plug has more smokes per ounce in my view.

 

[Oddball]

I'm stoked for a couple straight leave options.


I frequently add a pinch of this or that to a blend that is good but maybe no great for me at that moment. Feels like also a good opportunity to try these on their own so when I get some more blends I can lean bright here or red there.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Yes. I was even considered for a blending job by one company, but things changed and it didn't happen. I've been a consultant and taste tester for several companies. Have created and co-created several blends for several companies, too.

I hate that I missed my chance to be a full time blender. I figured out what was in Stonehaven, and managed to come close to duplicating the base tobaccos and their ratios while experimenting. I would have loved to have brought that to market. I remember mentioning it to Rich when he owned 4Noggins, and he asked me to share it. I asked how much is he going to pay me, and he suddenly got very silent.

I meant in regard to combinations of the States of Virginia (my fault for not being clearer) but happy to read the above! I’ve got a few of your co-creations in the cellar.

 

[AJL67]

Seems like they missed an opportunity to include some kind of little insert talking about each flake and blending examples.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

Thanks to @JimInks and peer pressure, lol, I got a few tins. Presently enjoying a very nice mix of all 3 in a pipe which smokes like a dream fashioned by @cosmicfolklore. Great day on the deck!

 

[Auxsender]

Seems like they missed an opportunity to include some kind of little insert talking about each flake and blending examples.

View attachment 228146View attachment 228147

Spot fucking on.

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I’m going stoved/red this evening. Earthy and a good combo, IMO.

 

[Navy Chief]

Someone going on about how tobacco prices are ridiculous and if they are sending unblended tobacco we are expected to "manufacture" ourselves it should be sold at a healthy discount in one . . . two . . . three . . . . .

I'm guessing the "fun" factor is the hook and well played and sounds like it would be fun to experiment - for me, I'm still working out flavors on blends that are "complete" - I wouldn't know what to do with this stuff or likely discern much difference tossing it together in various ways.

Looks like something the astute Virginia lover could spend some quality time with - enjoy!

I bought some simply to taste the individual components to help refine my palette a little (hopefully)... Maybe I can throw together something interesting with them, but will never be able to reproduce it since this is a limited run..

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I bought some simply to taste the individual components to help refine my palette a little (hopefully)... Maybe I can throw together something interesting with them, but will never be able to reproduce it since this is a limited run..

I'm glad I got "talked into it". Bought a few tins figuring if it was good and fun to play around with I'd enjoy it and if not, I'd just give 'em away at some point. I like the KBV Stoved and Red, but it's an aromatic (and again, really good) but this bit last night had plenty of interest without the added interest, if that makes sense.

 

[PipeIT]

I like the KBV Stoved and Red

I am misreading something here, or missed something in the posts here?

You’re talking KBV Stoved and red?

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I am misreading something here, or missed something in the posts here?

You’re talking KBV Stoved and red?

Just as a comparison to the stoved and red I blended from the Ststes tin.

 

[PipeIT]

Just as a comparison to the stoved and red I blended from the Ststes tin.

Is there anything exceptional, or unusual about these VAs, or pretty standard? I didn’t read that’s there anything different going on here about the VAs, so I didn’t buy it.

I have quite a bit of VAs already, so I am on the look out for exceptional and unusual VAs that are not typical and really stand out, which of course isn’t easy at times finding.

One that just popped into mind, Russ Ouellette Acadian Gold, not that I’m looking for exactly the same blend/style, just exceptionally unique whatever they may be. hmm

P.S. I can’t wait for Sir John’s Flake to come back to the USA.

 

[Auxsender]

Is there anything exceptional, or unusual about these VAs, or pretty standard? I didn’t read that’s there anything different going on here about the VAs, so I didn’t buy it.

I have quite a bit of VAs already, so I am on the look out for exceptional and unusual VAs that are not typical and really stand out, which of course isn’t easy at times finding.

One that just popped into mind, Russ Ouellette Acadian Gold, not that I’m looking for exactly the same blend/style, just exceptionally unique whatever they may be. hmm

P.S. I can’t wait for Sir John’s Flake to come back to the USA.

I think the biggest part of it is that it’s 3 separate tobaccos the user can mix in their desired ratios, or not. Sure, it’s another VA, but I like a good gimmick and this is pretty good. I look forward to trying it.