Seeking Straight Red Virginia Flakes & Ribbons Only

[NookersTheCat]

This years fall CRF will be with perique if their pattern holds true, been one year without perique one with. If you want it without your gonna have to get CRF from past years prolly from tin bids or at a pipe show or at a Brick an Mortar if your lucky

I thought it was even worse... I may be miscounting but it seemed to me like only one in every 3 or 4 years was without perique.
Either way, absurd imho. Come out with a blend called Carolina Red Flake meant to be a tribute to an all red virginia.. or Cringle Flake meant to be a tribute to an all red virginia.. then proceed to add perique to 50-75% of all subsequent releases.

I think if anything it probably shows just how rare quality red is today. In both cases they probably released it with the amount they could comfortably produce.. only to get tongue lashed by all the whiners who forgot to set an alarm for the drop time, then figured, "welp, we can't get any more red in order to double/quadruple the tin count to satisfy the whiners... better turn it into a VaPer like literally every other damn blend to make up the difference" lol

 

[sablebrush52]

How about Seattle Pipe Club’s Hogshead?

Hogshead is a terrific blend. Available at Smokingpipes.

 

[carp rides again]

I thought it was even worse... I may be miscounting but it seemed to me like only one in every 3 or 4 years was without perique.
Either way, absurd imho. Come out with a blend called Carolina Red Flake meant to be a tribute to an all red virginia.. or Cringle Flake meant to be a tribute to an all red virginia.. then proceed to add perique to 50-75% of all subsequent releases.

I think if anything it probably shows just how rare quality red is today. In both cases they probably released it with the amount they could comfortably produce.. only to get tongue lashed by all the whiners who forgot to set an alarm for the drop time, then figured, "welp, we can't get any more red in order to double/quadruple the tin count to satisfy the whiners... better turn it into a VaPer like literally every other damn blend to make up the difference" lol

Yep, I'm with you in all fronts. Along with I'm not sure what people are doing, the last 3 maybe 4 small batches I completely forgot about. Or was doing something else. Completely didn't log in for 45 minutes to an hour, and had 0 issues ordering whatever I wanted, off my phone no less. And I just want a reason to whine

 

[Tobacconaut]

Now with Sutliff and McClelland gone it's harder. In fact most people in the know say that one of the biggest reasons for McClelland closing was the lack of quality Red VA being farmed, not the other way around. C&D has a few of course though (as with most things) their quality is debated.

One of the best I've seen reviewed here is McConnell's but that has some Perique in it so out of your list. I very much enjoyed C&D's small batch Anthology 2023 and the few iterations of Carolina Red Flake that didn't also have Perique but again, those were limited edition and are now gone.

If you were willing to compromise on your disqualifiers I'd say McConnell's and Rattray's Red Rapparee but those both are not "Pure" Red Va's
Unfortunately I think you will find that finding such a thing in today's market with fair price and availability a rather tricky endeavor. Even now what little remains of the 515rc is being snapped up at break neck speed and it was only 6 months ago most people would scoff at it as mere floor sweepings compared to 5100. And 10 years ago those same people would say the same about 5100 lmao

Ken Byron has some Red only blends but again... pricey and spotty availability and his whole operation is in limbo now since Sutliff.

Carolina Red Flake was actually back in stock today at P&C but appears to have already sold out. They still have small batch Folklore by the lb though.

 

[NookersTheCat]

Carolina Red Flake was actually back in stock today at P&C but appears to have already sold out. They still have small batch Folklore by the lb though.

Yeah they usually post their limited editions later and seem to get less business due to so many being burnt by them previously lol. Good to know tho!

 

[Mr_houston]

I get what you are looking for @Effortlessdepths, and why. I love red VAs above all tobaccos.

Unfortunately, there are not that many straight reds out there. Sutliff had some good ones, esp. Crumble Cake, Cringle Flake and bulk Matured Red VA (RC1-515).

I’m not a big fan of the C&D reds, except their annual Carolina Red Flake.

You can also look for find mostly red VA blends. GL Pease Union Square for example is a good one.

For your all day smoke, I would try to find some Sutliff RC1-515 by the pound before it goes away forever.

Also, learn to like perique. It goes great with red VA and gives you more choices.

 

[Mrs. Pickles]

Blackjack from Kopp is marketed as straight red Virginia. It’s a fine ribbon, almost shag.

It’s kind of hard to get. It’s not worth the hunt for me, but you might like it.

If you’re truly interested in naked Red VA and nothing else, there’s nothing that will beat @Ahi Ka ’s Whole Leaf recommendation above.