I consider myself a burley devotee. I like burley as a base tobacco (the greater percent in a blend), as a condiment within an English or other blend, as a single leaf, or as a leaf to mix with other blends for a little more character.
I don't consider the burley in the brands that are sold in tubs, pouches, or in bulk as being different from burleys used by blenders to do premium blends. Depending on your tastes, some of the so-called over-the-counter blends or codger blends have harmony and refinement equal to higher priced blends, and in some cases they burn longer and cooler with fewer relights, though most of us don't like to admit that.
I often recommend Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic, which is burley based with Virginia as a condiment and flavored with three liqueurs -- pretty toney for blend in a pouch.
You only know if you try a blend. And you can buy these in a pouch at a notably moderate price. It's not a different burley. It's not often an inferior burley. It's a burley, and sometimes it could be your best smoke of the week, so dive right in there and forget the snobbery. Sometimes a good burley is just a damned good burley.