Seeking Help Choosing Next Virginia(s)

[bookn3rd5]

Hello all!
Been a while since my last post, figured today is as good as any to start a new one. A few weeks ago I had posted a question in regards to what tobaccos I should sample to start to branch out a bit more - and among those that answered, a few of you made some suggestions regarding virginias..F&T Cut Virginia Plug and McClelland 5100 Red Cake to be specific. While i didn't get around to trying CVP yet (it always seems to be out of stock regardless of what site I go to), I did get 4 ounces of 5100. Turns out that so far, it is my go-to/favorite tobacco. Love the stuff. Time to maybe expand that horizon a bit more
At this point I'm looking to place a (limited) order soon. I was hoping some of you could make some additional suggestions regarding what virginia's you'd recommend! Those I'm considering so far:
1) Capstan Blue Flake (I've read raving reviews about this one..considering getting more than one tin of it)

2) Full Virginia Flake (very popular on tobaccoreviews but I haven't seen many threads about it on this site)

3) Dunhill Flake

4) F&T CVP (if it's actually in stock)
If you had to go with only two types of Virginia tobacco's, what would they be (and why)? I am hoping to get a good discussion going and appreciate any feedback!
Edit: Corrected capitalization in title per Rule #9. L.

Number Nine, Number Nine, Number Nine

 

[bentmike]

One of my favorites is by Mac Baren and it is called simply "virgina flake" not even capitalized on the tin lid. I get mine here at Smoking Pipes $7 and some change for a compact 50g tin which is nice when I'm on the go.
edit: If I could only pick two it would be FVF and Erinmore Flakes.

 

[taerin]

FVF is my favorite of all the flakes, here's a post about it. http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/top-5-flakes-the-votes-are-in#post-456901

 

[barleynbaccy]

Capstan is as advertised. I'm a big McClelland virginas fan, and if you like red Va's try the 22 or 27.

 

[bookn3rd5]

Thanks all!
And has anyone sampled Christmas Cheer 2013 yet? The description said it's composed of virginia's - is it worth purchasing? Or based on past releases (I know it changes from year to year), have your experiences with it been positive/negative?

 

[tamer291]

Heath and Home Anniversary Kake was my first transition from aros to VAs. Very flavorful. I have since purchased a straight VA flake from my local B&M.

 

[taerin]

Probably can't go wrong with Christmas Cheer, it's VA tobacco that has been aged for years.

 

[shaintiques]

Any of those will do ya right, also MacBaren Virginia No 1 is pretty good and Mac Baren Navy Flake is also tasty.

 

[easterntraveler]

http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/top-5-flakes-the-votes-are-in
We recently took a poll for top Flakes. A very well balanced list.

 

[andrew]

Thanks all!
And has anyone sampled Christmas Cheer 2013 yet? The description said it's composed of virginia's - is it worth purchasing? Or based on past releases (I know it changes from year to year), have your experiences with it been positive/negative?

CC is the one I'd recommend the highest as it's a limited release. I find all of them to be pretty similar I've tried, it just comes down to aging. It's basically the best Va that they've grown and it's incredible stuff. I've tried the 2008, 2011, 2012, and I plan on ordering a few tins of 2013. Highly recommended stuff if you're looking for a good quality Va that won't be available all the time. Other than that I would highly recommend blackwoods flake by McClelland's as well. It depends on if you want to get tins or bulk basically, in my opinion McClelland tins are amazing especially for Virginia's.

 

[cigrmaster]

The Capstan Blue Flake and the F&T CVP are similar in that they are both Golden Virginia forward blends, either one will be real tasty. If you are going to delve into the world of Samuel Gawith, I would recommend trying their Best Brown flake first, much less finicky and a real tasty blend.
If you are looking for something stronger and readily available, I would try a tin of Mac Baren Old Dark Fired, real flavorful and a nice after dinner smoke. Peterson University and Solani 660 are both great blends as well, only issue with the Solani is that you have to jar it upon arrival as it does not come vacuum sealed.

 

[taerin]

Anything higher than medium nic makes me very sick. Stonehaven is as strong as I can take.

 

[bookn3rd5]

How does BBF and Blackwoods Flake compare up to something like Dunhill Flake? Ahhh...so many choices

 

[captainsousie]

Not sure on the taste comparison but I do love Blackwoods Flake. It is a broken flake that comes in fairly large chunks so heads-up if you didn't know.

 

[cortezattic]

Oh YUM! I love all the Va. flakes mentioned so far. Dan Tobacco also makes a few I like: Hamborger Veermaster, Tordenskjold, and Limerick; and I'm gonna try Patriot Flake later tonight. Right now I'm letting my palate recover from a wonderful Va flake experience called Sillem's Mayor 1814.

 

[Perique]

On the VA side, setting aside VaPers and VaBurs, some of my current favorites include Dunhill Flake and, more recently, Capstan Blue. I'm also a big fan of Dunhill Royal Yacht. I am not a fan of FVF which, though very popular on review sites is, in my opinion, a pain in the ass. To smoke FVF frequently is like picking up an additional hobby in and of itself in terms of prep work. If that interests you as one who like to tinker, FVF will be enormously satisfying.
Some have recommended VaPers above, and there are many threads on that topic. On the VaPer side of the equation I would recommend:

Escudo

PS Luxury Bullseye Flake and Luxury Navy Flake

Anniversary Kake

GLP Fillmore

McClelland Beacon Extra and St James Woods
There are also a number of outstanding hybrid VaPers but sounds like you are more interested in straight VAs.
The wet, high maintenance English stuff just doesn't work for me. YMMV.

 

[andrew]

Never had dunhill flake but Blackwoods flake is a very nice smooth tangy Va. Apparently it's the same as St. James woods without the perique added, and st. james woods is my favorite va/per. I find McClelland's Va's have a tangy quality that I love due to a special fermentation process it goes through in the tin, which results in this vinegar like smell that you don't taste, it makes it very tangy. I did find though with blackwoods flake I had to pop the tin and then let it sit for about 2 weeks before it got really good, I'd read a bunch of reviews where they said to do that with a newer tin, and mine was from 2013, after 2 weeks it got way better, and now after about 2 months it's really good. Blackwoods flake though I find has one of the least vinegar like smells of all the McC's offerings I've tried so far. But I would reiterate get on the Christmas cheer bandwagon, it's a limited release so once it's gone it's gone. I just ordered 3 tins of it. I also ordered another tin of blackwoods flake after trying it. Personally I find McClelland Va's to be above and beyond any other Va's I've tried. I have about 600 grams of luxury bullseye flake but I find it needs some age on it before it's going to be really good. Therefore I'd recommend getting a tin if you want something to smoke right away.

 

[bookn3rd5]

Thanks so much for the suggestions everyone! I decided to go with Capstan Blue and Blackwoods Flake - but I will be sure to keep all of the other blends you mentioned on my TAD list. I'm excited to keep exploring blends and hope to be in regular contact with all of you

 

[taerin]

Not choosing SG FVF is complete and utter blasphemy, you have been warned

 

[bookn3rd5]

Haha, I almost caved and added it onto the order! However, I'm still relatively new to pipe smoking - and this isn't the first time I've heard that it can be a pain. As my experience grows and I become more comfortable and knowledgeable with flake tobacco then I will venture out and get some. I know it's very highly regarded by a lot of pipe smokers and I will definitely give it a go - just not quite yet