Suggestions for a Sweet Virginia

[workman]

Capstan Blue is about as sweet as it gets without tasting explicitly of some topping.
Marlin Flake is a va/per with some black cavendish, and I never understand why it is mentioned as a virginia blend. I don't find it very sweet at all, more acidic and frankly cigarette-like.

 

[troutface]

Capstan Blue is about as sweet as it gets without tasting explicitly of some topping.
Marlin Flake is a va/per with some black cavendish, and I never understand why it is mentioned as a virginia blend. I don't find it very sweet at all, more acidic and frankly cigarette-like.

Marlin Flake is indeed a va/per, but the perique is really minimal and the black cavendish is unsweetened. We all taste things differently, but my observation is that many folks perceive it as quite sweet. I found it too sweet and haven't bought it since. On the other hand, I never thought Capstan was as sweet as others seem to think, so go figure.

 

[Casual]

Ok there’s been enough talk of newminster 400 that now it’s on the top charts at sp.com. It’s time to start telling people they changed it and it’s ruined, before the shortages begin.

 

[workman]

Marlin Flake is indeed a va/per, but the perique is really minimal and the black cavendish is unsweetened. We all taste things differently, but my observation is that many folks perceive it as quite sweet. I found it too sweet and haven't bought it since. On the other hand, I never thought Capstan was as sweet as others seem to think, so go figure.

I'm aware that my experiences don't always correspond with others. I get much more perique from Marlin than I get from Hal o' The Wynd. I think it's the cavendish in Marlin that I don't like.
I don't find Capstan very sweet either. It's balanced, I'd say, with the right amount of sweetness that doesn't get boring. Some other virginias, like Cut Blended Plug or McConnell's Red Virginia I have found too sweet and with an artificial note from the toppings.

 

[pantsBoots]

SG Best Brown Flake was the first thing I thought of. It's like smoking brown sugar.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Wait! Which ones aren’t sweet?

 

[That Guy]

Newminsters LNF & LTF have already been recommended. These definitely shine with some aging .

Another bulk blend would be sutliffs Virginia slices. To me it has more of a sweet tea smell. Good stuff.

Also maybe try C&D's
Opening Nights
Interlude
Yorktown
Manhattan Avenue
Easy to find and almost always in stock

Good luck and happy hunting

 

[karam]

I'm aware that my experiences don't always correspond with others. I get much more perique from Marlin than I get from Hal o' The Wynd. I think it's the cavendish in Marlin that I don't like.
I don't find Capstan very sweet either. It's balanced, I'd say, with the right amount of sweetness that doesn't get boring. Some other virginias, like Cut Blended Plug or McConnell's Red Virginia I have found too sweet and with an artificial note from the toppings.

Probably that’s why I like Cut Blended Plug so much! I need to revisit Capstan, been on a straight Virginia bender for a couple of months so maybe I’m ready for it.

 

[workman]

Probably that’s why I like Cut Blended Plug so much! I need to revisit Capstan, been on a straight Virginia bender for a couple of months so maybe I’m ready for it.

As I recall, CBP tasted like it had an orange topping. I liked it but found the topping a bit much at the time. I'd probably be more relaxed about it today, but at that point I was searching for a "clean" virginia flavor.

 

[Casual]

Wait! Which ones aren’t sweet?

Newminster 400. They changed it and now it’s horrible. Stop buying it. Buy escudo.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Newminster 400. They changed it and now it’s horrible. Stop buying it. Buy escudo.

You may have all of that 400 that you want. No fears of me buying any. And, please help yourself to the new Escudo too, ha ha.

 

[Casual]

You may have all of that 400 that you want. No fears of me buying any. And, please help yourself to the new Escudo too, ha ha.

Thank you for your service.

 

[karam]

As I recall, CBP tasted like it had an orange topping. I liked it but found the topping a bit much at the time. I'd probably be more relaxed about it today, but at that point I was searching for a "clean" virginia flavor.

I am not getting any citrus bitterness or tang from it. More like a semi spicy cookie, certainly one of the sweeter blends I’ve had though. Pipe tobacco can be weird though, if I think back one of the blends that developed into a very sweet smoke as the bowl progressed was HU Janneman Flake for me.

 

[kg.legat0]

So many good suggestions already - I would add Sutliff 707 Sweet Virginia, Mac Baren Virginia No. 1, and Mac Baren Virginia Flake to the list. ...I really think Sutliff Virginia Slices might be my deserted island blend, though ...it's not 'incredible' but it's just right in so many ways.

Also, I feel like I get a weird creamsicle-ish topping with F&T CVP...really great blend but that was not expected, at first.

 

[Architeuthis]

Hit some Savinelli Brunello. Sweet, spicy, weird.

Forgot about this one. It definitely has a unique sweetness.

 

[eljimmy]

Most Virginias will get sweeter with age. The SG BBF is quite sweet to me when aged. I'd recommend Mac Baren HH Pure Virginia and Vauen No 14. Wessex Gold Virginia Flake for citrus sweet.

Does the Wessex Gold Virginia Flake ghost a pipe? I've never had it and just popped a tin and something in the tin note reminds me of cloves.

 

[AJL67]

• Capstan Blue
• McConnell Red Virginia
• Mac Baren Navy Flake

Those have both been doing it for me lately.

 

[isaac]

Just to update to what I have tried that fit the bill quite nicely

Newminster 400
Wessex Dark Flak

Cut Blended Plug/Special Brown Flake, Cut Virginia Plug didnt have that sweetness, but perhaps with some age it will come around.

 

[Terry Lennox]

Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake (sweet topping and good value bulk)
Wessex Campaign Dark Flake (hard to find)
Marlin Flake (has unflavored black cavendish)
Solani 633 (sweet but is a VaPer)
Dunhill (Peterson) Dark Flake (only available in Europe for now)

 

[sittingbear]

Two Friends Redwoods.