New Article by Russ Ouellette: Versatile Virginia

[admin]

Where would we be without Virginia tobaccos? We'd be nowhere ... there are very few blends that do not benefit from having flue-cured tobaccos included in them. Learn more in Russ' new article.
Versatile Virginia

 

[admin]

This is ironic ... getting ignored on my own site.

 

[papipeguy]

I hear the crickets.

 

[blendtobac]

It's not that you're being ignored, it's the massive low pressure system on the east coast. Makes everyone sluggish.

 

[kanaia]

Great article. Question for you. When John Rolfe grew tobacco in Jamestown, Va and called it Orinoco why isn't that the first Virginia?

 

[topd]

Opps...! Sorry Kevin. I read the article and left a comment. Forgot to comment here too.

 

[jfox520]

Very informative. I have been trying to learn as much as I can.

 

[blendtobac]

The tobacco we know as Virginia, being a flue-cured leaf, didn't show up until the early to mid 1800s (I believe it was 1839, but I'm not positive). That would have been a little less than 200 years after John Rolfe's era.
Russ

 

[bentmike]

I love that picture of the old flue cure barn.

 

[kanaia]

Thanks Russ.

 

[ciderguy]

The wonders of the brightleaf. I really appreciate the dried fig and plum flavors and also the acidity that VAs can bring to a blend. Great article and wonderful pictures!
Could someone recommend a blend or straight VA that really shows off the citrus acidity? I pick up on hints of it here and there, but I'd really like to see what its like full force.

 

[blendtobac]

I find that yellow Virginias, especially when they're more "fresh", will deliver that sort of flavor. I don't seem to experience as much of that when they're in flake form, as the pressing seems to dull some of the citrus note for me. The acidity will increase with some blends, but it seems to lean more toward a vinegar type of note, rather than the lemony tang.
Russ

 

[cortezattic]

Mac Baren Virginia #1

 

[daytonsean]

Definitely broadens the horizons of the Virginia. Love it.

 

[john218]

Great article.
Russ did an excellent job describing the characteristics of Virginia tobaccos.