Sutliff: 515 RC-1 Tin (Bag) Note?

[transpose]

So I received 8oz. of Sutliff: 515 RC-1 from SP last week. I plan to do some blending and pressing with it. When I pulled the bag out of the box it smelled sweet and delicious. It sat like this for a couple of days. So about 3 days ago I decided to crack open the bag and pull some out to give it a try straight. Well, I know the description says “tangy”, but DUDE, the nasal hit when I put the open bag to my nose is so sharp it legit hits like rubbing alcohol. I can still detect the mature red sweetness, but only through the smelling salts. Is this normal for this blend? I also jarred an ounce and let it sit with the lid off for like 4 hours to see if it mellows out when it dries a bit. I still seems as sharp.
Maybe I just need to bowl some up and give it a try! But first, seriously, is this normal?

 

[kckijana]

My 8oz arrived today and I think I smell the same thing, but not as strong to my nose. Maybe a humectant?

 

[kckijana]

My 8oz arrived today and I think I smell the same thing, but not as strong to my nose. Maybe a humectant? Definitely wet tobacco.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Mine arrives tomorrow. I’m excited. Maybe its a natural fermentation? I’m dying to sniff mine now.

 

[DotAndBang’sPipes]

Agreed. A vinegar type smell stung my nose. Nevertheless I let it sit out for 24 hrs and that calmed down. I’ve been using it to make some CD blends more palatable to my tastes. The result is wonderful. I wonder what it would be like to blend this with Sutliffe’s Red Ribbon.

 

[ray47]

I got my 8oz also and got the same reaction when I opened the bag. It actually burned my nose somewhat. It had a strong aroma of vinegar. I didn't get any ketchup aroma like I've read in some reviews. The red Virginias really stand out, but I wish Sutliff had gone easy on the PG. All in all it's a good blend, but it's not all that close to McClelland's 5100 Red Cake.

 

[transpose]

Vinegar...That’s it! I’m assuming natural fermentation? I’ll be smoking some tomorrow.

 

[balkisobrains]

I mostly got alcohol /flavoring. Not really like Red Cake or the vinegar smell. The Sutliff Red VA Ribbon seemed closer to Red Cake, although the Red Cake is wetter than the Red Ribbon. But they could have called the 515 151. ::

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Jeez, I hope they didn’t just case it with vinegar.

 

[tkcolo]

It's pretty overwhelming vinegar. I'd guess is the same vinegar MCC used, but way more of it. Smoked straight, it's super tangy, almost too much. Like drinking a bud light lime. I regularly mix 515 with other VAs, VaPers, burleys, etc. It's always interesting. It like a ketchup leaning version of a familiar blend. I like the mix better that straight. I'm curious to see what it does over time. I just bought a bunch of it.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Bought ten pounds of it when it first hit SPC. I smoke it quite often straight, but sometimes blend it with Yenidje and Macedonia ribbons.

 

[krizzose]

There’s definitely a little vinegar smell to it.
Duane:

I’ve been experimenting with 515 and orientals, as well. Great combo.