After purchasing and smoking some legit 5100 RedCake from another member here I realized that I absolutely love the taste. Knowing that the very limited amount I have isn't going to last too terribly long I asked what good alternatives there were for 5100. Sutliff's 515 RC-1 was the number one response, so I knew there was only one thing to do... break out my wallet and order some.
I got it in while ago and it has been sitting in a mason jar for about a month waiting to be smoked and I decided that today was going to be the day.
I opened both the 5100 and 515 jars and smelled them side by side. They smell remarkably similar. To my nose the 515 was a bit more pungent and ripe smelling. I also got more of a fresh wood chip aroma from the 515, but like I said VERY similar. The 5100 I got had already been aged for some time and it was at the perfect amount of moisture. The 515 was a bit moist was definitely too moist. I had to set it out to dry for around 45 minutes or so before packing a bowl. For continuity's sake I smoked the 515 out of the same cob I have been smoking the 5100 out of. From first light that tangy, woody, vinegary sweetness was there. I smoked slow and tried to really get a feel for the flavors. Like the tin note, the flavor is very similar. However, it isn't an exact match. It is hard for me to articulate the difference. I think all of the flavor components are there, but the degree to which they present themselves is different. The 515 tastes a little less sweet, less zesty, and less ketchup-y... but has more of a ripe tang then 5100. The 515 burned at a moderate pace and the flavor was fairly consistent for the majority of the bowl. 515, like 5100, does leave a bit of lingering aftertaste which I quite like.
At the end of the day 5100 is unfortunately never coming back, and if you like the taste Sutliff 515 RC-1 is probably the closest thing out there. I know once I am completely out of 5100 I will turn to 515 to get my fix. If you have been sleeping on 515 you should really wake up and give it a try. That way you can see for yourself how well it matches up.
I got it in while ago and it has been sitting in a mason jar for about a month waiting to be smoked and I decided that today was going to be the day.
I opened both the 5100 and 515 jars and smelled them side by side. They smell remarkably similar. To my nose the 515 was a bit more pungent and ripe smelling. I also got more of a fresh wood chip aroma from the 515, but like I said VERY similar. The 5100 I got had already been aged for some time and it was at the perfect amount of moisture. The 515 was a bit moist was definitely too moist. I had to set it out to dry for around 45 minutes or so before packing a bowl. For continuity's sake I smoked the 515 out of the same cob I have been smoking the 5100 out of. From first light that tangy, woody, vinegary sweetness was there. I smoked slow and tried to really get a feel for the flavors. Like the tin note, the flavor is very similar. However, it isn't an exact match. It is hard for me to articulate the difference. I think all of the flavor components are there, but the degree to which they present themselves is different. The 515 tastes a little less sweet, less zesty, and less ketchup-y... but has more of a ripe tang then 5100. The 515 burned at a moderate pace and the flavor was fairly consistent for the majority of the bowl. 515, like 5100, does leave a bit of lingering aftertaste which I quite like.
At the end of the day 5100 is unfortunately never coming back, and if you like the taste Sutliff 515 RC-1 is probably the closest thing out there. I know once I am completely out of 5100 I will turn to 515 to get my fix. If you have been sleeping on 515 you should really wake up and give it a try. That way you can see for yourself how well it matches up.
