Search For Good Tasting Virginia

[BROBS]

I have never been very patient. I live with 0% humidity, so everything dries pretty fast. I forget that until I take a pipe to visit family in Texas. Everything tastes different there. Seems like setting it out rehydrates it. I will try that. The twang is what I struggle with more.

It does still exist when it's dry but it tones down a lot when crispy. It's a much sweeter, more tea-like smoke.

but it could just be too weak for you.

 

[lawdawg]

Just a slightly different perspective, I like my Virginias not quite crispy. IMO most tobaccos end up giving off some harsh notes if dried all the way crunchy, which does not happen when there is still a bit of moisture in the tobacco. I do like Virginias quite a bit drier than any other style, but not quite bone dry. It definitely pays to experiment with different levels of dryness and firmness of packing a bowl to figure out what works for you.

 

[petes03]

Get some Orlik Golden Sliced. It’s easy burning, doesn’t bite, still tastes good even when pushed too hard by an inexperienced Virginia smoker. In my opinion, it should be the mandatory first Virginia!

 

[pantsBoots]

Best recommendation I could give would be to get one of each style of Va/Va Blend and based upon what you like, go from there:

Peterson Flake (straight Va)
Orlik (light VaPer)
Escudo or Peterson DNR (classic VaPer)
Samuel Gawith FVF (dark Va)
Samuel Gawith BBF (medium Va)
Samuel Gawith Golden Glow (lighter Va)
C&D Sunday Picnic (VaOr)
Sutliff Crumble Kake Red Va (Red Va)

That's what I prefer most and they all offer a range of what Va can do alone or blended with other leaves. Happy hunting!

 

[kola]

I never crispy crunch dry my tobacco's. Especially Virginias.

Good ones I like? Union Square, SG's BBF and FVF and others mentioned. OGS is great too.

 

[DIYpiper]

Well, I broke down and ordered a tin of Orlik and will give it a go. I think in the mean time I’m going to try drying my Suliff virginia and see what it does and play around a bit.

I appreciate everyones offerings on this.

 

[cigrmaster]

After 20 plus tears I have finally came up with enough straight virginia flakes to keep me quite happy. My list is as follows. Anything with a TR next to the fame means it is tin ready to smoke with no additional time for drying. I tend to enjoy my flakes and ;pugs to have some moisture to them as too dry means they burn fast and hot which I don't care for. his list took years to put together and I had a blast doing it.





Virginia Flakes:-21

Friboug & Treyer Cut Virginia Plug
Fribourg&Treyer Special Brown Flake
Fribourg & Treyer Vintage Flake TR
Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake
Wessex Gold Virginia Flake TR
Wessex Gold Brick TR
Wessex Gold Slice TR
Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake
Samuel Gawith full Virginia Flake
Samuel Gawith Kendal Plug
Dan Tobacco Hamborger Veermaster TR
Dan Tobacco Patriot Flake TR
Dunhill Flake TR= discontinued TR
Astley’s no. 44 Dark Flake -TR
Astleys NO. 109 Medium Flake
John Aylesbury Luxury Flake now called Classic Flake TR
Rotary Navy Cut TR- discontinued
Capstan Blue Flake TR
Capstan Gold RR
Brigham Klondike Gold TR-discontinued
Butera Royal Vintage: Dark Stoved- discontinued

 

[Country Bladesmith]

Not sure about the tin note matching the taste per se, but I have been really impressed with Sutliff 515 RC-1, and I also enjoy Newminster No 400 Superior Navy Flake. D&R has some great straight Virginias also. Straight Virginias aren’t my usual fare, though. I usually like at least a dash of something else as a condiment.