Royal Yacht or Die?

[dcicero]

I'm hoping you all humor me on this. Ive asked for recs on VAs before, but time has passed, and I have new information about my tastes. I'm looking for a nice VA hoping you guys can help. I've tried a few. Royal Yacht, Capstan, OGS, Yorktown, and Opening Night by C&D. I do like them all, but the only one I constantly reach for, and enjoy to the last sip, is the Royal Yacht. Capstan smells like heaven, but its a bit too soft in flavor to me. I have a bit of a love hate relationship with OGS. If I can get to the second half of the bowl, I'm in. Rich tobacco taste, but the brightness(?) of the first half turns me off for some reason. Yorktown honestly was just about nothing to my taste buds. I want another VA in the lineup, but I'd like some help if your game. Any suggestions?

 

[coming to_falling too]

Have you tried Newminster Superior Navy?

 

[skydog]

I choose death. Haha honestly wish I could help you. All of the VAs you listed are a better alternative to Royal Yacht to me. I will say the normal VA advice, if it doesn't strike your fancy at first, just it and try it again in a few months.

 

[Country Bladesmith]

If you’re not averse to a little Perique, the field opens up quite a bit.

 

[bullet08]

Elizabethan Mixture from Peterson. If you enjoy Royal Yacht, you might enjoy Va/Per.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Aylesbury Luxury (Classic) Flake.

 

[lightmybriar]

Union Square to me is a lot like Capstan but with more fullness and body. Have you tried that one yet?

 

[logs]

I don't know if you want to go vintage but you'd probably appreciate Dunhill Ye Olde Signe. It's the same (or very similar) to Royal Yacht but without the topping. Here's a discussion about it: Dunhill Ye Olde Signe Dethroned Royal Yacht :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion - https://pipesmagazine.com/forums/threads/dunhill-ye-olde-signe-dethroned-royal-yacht.62255/

In any case, why not just stick with Royal Yacht? You love it and it's still being produced

 

[mingc]

Assuming that what draws you to RY is the funky taste and the nic hit, might I suggest 1792 Flake? It has boat loads of both, thought it is not a straight Va. Others with boatloads of both are the Gawith Hoggarth flavored Brown Twists. Make sure it's the Brown and not the Dark for the extra ass kick. Have you had any of them?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I would say you should try some of the Ken Byron Va blends with some of his toppings on them. I love Va blends but couldn't stand Royal Yuck. Perhaps try some G&G Plugs that have plum or some other blends that have plum toppings. It sounds like you want a fuller flavored blend and I'm not sure any straight Va blends are going to provide that for you.

 

[brooklynpiper]

As a Yachtsman--no wait that's Embers' pipe. As an admiral? No, that sounds like their black frigate shenanigans. Anyway I love the king of boats tobacco and wanted to chime in saying that I would also recommend GH&co flavored brown ropes.
I understand there's a similarity to Ye Olde Sign, but I could never enjoy that one. I don't know why. It's one of my least favorites. It was the tobacco equivalent to when the lead singer of your favorite band dies and the band keeps going with a new imposter frontman.

 

[alaskanpiper]

Never understood all the Royal Yacht hate. It’s an enjoyable blend for me.

 

[workman]

I like Royal Yacht very much. The one that comes closest that I know of is Elizabethan Mixture, but I prefer Royal Yacht.
RY is very rich in flavor with some fruity, citrusy notes, supposedly the topping is plum.
Nothing is quite like it, but you might enjoy St Bruno or some of the stouter va/pers, á la Hal o' The Wynd or McConnells Scottish Flake.

 

[tradition]

Amphora Virginia

 

[alaskanpiper]

Esoterica Dorchester and Dunbar. They are also lightly topped VA based blends. Maybe Rattray's Wallace Flake/Peterson University Flake if you want something a little fuller and still plum flavored.

 

[mikethompson]

Any longer term members remember when Royal Yacht smokers were run out of here on a rail?

I never tried it, but it certainly had its followers

 

[gamzultovah]

Never understood all the Royal Yacht hate. It’s an enjoyable blend for me.

+1

 

[gamzultovah]

@hoosierpipeguy wrote: “I would say you should try some of the Ken Byron Va blends with some of his toppings on them.” And I agree. I’ve been smoking KBV VEO for three days straight and I can’t seem to put it down. A very tasty and full bodied VaPer with lots of vitamin N.

 

[gamzultovah]

Any longer term members remember when Royal Yacht smokers were run out of here on a rail?

I never tried it, but it certainly had its followers

@pipestud swears by it, and I agree. I think it’s a great first smoke of the day.

 

[pitchfork]

Union Square is probably my favorite - always worth a try. Sugary sweet brights balanced out by bready, fruity reds.

But if RY is your thing, you might like some of the S. Gawith and Gawith Hoggarth VAs:

Full VA Flake
Best Brown Flake

Best Brown No 2
Brown Flake Unscented