Ready Rubbed VA's and Va/Pers

[solideogloria86]

I love VA and VaPer flakes and broken flakes. From Union Square to Christmas Cheer. Lbf, Comoy's Cask No.4, HH Pure Virginia, Wessex Campaign Dark Flake etc.

For some reason, I've never ventured to try anything Va that's not a flake. I was sent a sample of Bayou Morning, and didn't enjoy it. Too heavy on the perique for me.

My question is, what are some top quality Ready Rubbed, or Ribbon VA's and Vapers?

I have the current Elizabethan and the Sutliff Match for Murray's on my list to try.

What else have you got?

 

[tfdickson]

Rattray‘s Old Gowrie is one of my favorites.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Yorktown, Elizabethan Match, and Rouxgaroux.

 

[Servant King]

My favorite for each category is Ashton Gold Rush and Lane 125th Anniversary, respectively. @anotherbob and I both frequently rave about Gold Rush. It's hard to believe that it has no topping, but it doesn't. Mellow, stays lit very well, unbelievably flavorful smoke, and it only gets better with age. And it doesn't turn your bowl hotter than a rock sitting in the Sahara all day in direct sunlight in July. 125th is a VaPer that is extremely light on the "Per" yet is still noticeably present, unlike in something like OGS, where I just can't taste a hint of perique.

 

[solideogloria86]

I will add that I smoke Hal o the Wynd pretty regularly. But I think I'd consider it more of a VA bur for its "unusual share of strength."

 

[Chasing Embers]

Gold Rush. It's hard to believe that it has no topping, but it doesn't.

TR says fruit, citrus, and honey.

 

[Streeper541]

If you can get your hands on some, Esoterica Dunbar is superb.

C&D's Bayou Morning is great, especially if you like a heavier helping of Perique in your Va/Per.

Truth be told, MM Country Gentleman ain't too shabby either.

 

[FurCoat]

TR says fruit, citrus, and honey.

View attachment 99696

Never really looked into this blend but it sounds like it's right up my ally. I like K&K's blending. I might pick up a tin to try. I'm not buying a lot of tins at the moment, buying bulk as much as I can.

 

[Servant King]

TR says fruit, citrus, and honey.

View attachment 99696

Good catch. I shouldn't have said topping when I meant casing. I know pretty much all tobacco has some semblance of topping to some degree. Thanks for that!

@FurCoat definitely worth trying a tin. 15 mins. of dry time right out of the tin is highly recommended, which should come as a surprise to absolutely no one.

 

[peregrinus]

My 2 favorite flakes are
SG FVF and SG St. James Flake.
Currently my 2 favorite RR Vaper style tobaccos are
HU Director’s Cut
HU Edward G
Both the HU tobaccos have more than the standard Virginia and perique tobaccos in the blends and this make them a bit more interesting on a longer term basis to me.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I know pretty much all tobacco has some semblance of topping to some degree.

Yep. I like Gold Rush too.?

Never really looked into this blend but it sounds like it's right up my ally. I like K&K's blending. I might pick up a tin to try. I'm not buying a lot of tins at the moment, buying bulk as much as I can.

It's a good one!

 

[Chasing Embers]

If you can get your hands on some, Esoterica Dunbar is superb.

The apricot topping really makes that one.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Of Gowrie which is more of a ready rubbed than ribbon. Golden Glow, Blackjack, Yorktown, Three Year Matued Virginia and the now discontinued HH Mature Virginia.

 

[sablebrush52]

C&D Yorktown, C&D Derringer, D&R Rimboche SJ and AP, HU 5th Anniversary Blend, HU Edward G, HU Director's Cut (hopefully, I hear it's now been returned to it's original blending), Rattray's HOTW, Sutliff Matured Red Virginia 515 - RC-1, Sutliff Match Victorian, GL Pease Stratford, Esoterica Dunbar, Esoterica Dorchester, Watch City Rougaroux

 

[Toast]

Aside from those already mentioned: GH Dark Birds Eye, GH Kendal Gold Shag, Germains Uncle Tom, Capstan Ready Rubbed (only Capstan available in the UK), & Robert McConell Scottish Cake.

 

[MarcosEZLN]

I don't have anything new to offer, but I'll add my votes for Hal O'The Wynd/Old Gowrie (debatably VaPer w/ the Kentucky), as well as Esoterica Dorchester. I've only recently tried the Dorchester but man is it good. I don't go in much for fruity aromatics, but this is just a great, bright VaPer with a perfectly balanced, subtle note of apricot. I bought a pound unsampled for $70 because it was too good of a deal to pass up, and now I'm bummed out about how expensive it will typically be to resupply. Absolutely worth a try if you can pick some up, though.

 

[tobefrank]

Viprati! Severely underrated.

 

[solideogloria86]

Thanks for all the suggestions. My wishlist on Sp just got longer. I'll probably start with a lb each of Match Victorian and Yorktown. Judging by the blend components and the reviews I've read, worst case scenario I won't be wowed, but I'll be satisfied. Best case, I'll be wowed. Also really interested in Gold Rush.

 

[gamzultovah]

Two of my go-to, non-flake VaPers are: GL Pease Telegraph Hill and Sutliff Crumble Cake Virginia Perique. Both are very easy going and both age very nicely.

 

[saltedplug]

Semois isn't VA RR but Belgian burley ribbon. An outstanding smoke!