Sutliff Crumble Kake Red VA...Thoughts?

[pipesandscotch]

So, I popped my first tin of SCKRV last night, and the first thing that hit me was the strong vinegar smell (I prefer ketchup in my VA tins lol), then throughout the bowl, there was a strong tangy, but more sour taste. Not had this experience with Watch City Simply Red, or any other Red Va before. I let the tin stay open and then moved it to a Mason jar. Will the vinegar smell dissipate?, Does anyone have a similar experience or that this blend settles down? Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[seanv]

I haven't tried this blend but I imagine it will settle down after a month or so of jar time. I've had a few blends come out of the tin swinging but a bit of jar time smoothed them out.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Sutliff weak attempt to mimic McClelland.

 

[rushx9]

The vinegar smell will mostly dissipate. I enjoy the Sutliff Crumble Kakes, especially with a year or more age. They don't really reach the heights of McC Red Cake, but they're still pretty tasty, and probably the closest thing out there. Not gonna have the deeply fermented McCatsup thing happening, but I pick up a red wine flavor that I really dig. Not gonna go hoard lbs of the stuff, but I think it's worth hiding a tin in the back of the cellar to see if it really surprises in 5 or 10 years. Same goes for 515RC-1.

Another thing. I, for one, feel that even McC VAs really start to shine best a couple weeks after the tin has been cracked and it's had some breathing time. Same thing applies to these Sutliff cakes.

 

[BROBS]

So, I popped my first tin of SCKRV last night, and the first thing that hit me was the strong vinegar smell (I prefer ketchup in my VA tins lol), then throughout the bowl, there was a strong tangy, but more sour taste. Not had this experience with Watch City Simply Red, or any other Red Va before. I let the tin stay open and then moved it to a Mason jar. Will the vinegar smell dissipate?, Does anyone have a similar experience or that this blend settles down? Any thoughts are appreciated.

You just popped the tin and it’s most likely wet as hell when you’re smoking it. Break up a piece and let it dry completely... then try it

 

[craig61a]

It’s not vinegar you’re smelling. If it’s fresh, give it some time to air out. If you pinch it between your fingers and it sticks together then give it some more time. Once it falls apart after pinching it is about right. You don’t want to dry it too much, or you’ll lose the flavor.

It isn’t McClelland 5100, and it wasn’t necessarily meant to be either. To me it has a bit more stewed red fruit flavor, which I tend to like.

 

[kcghost]

It has gotten decent reviews from people who have tried it.

 

[Merton]

Sutliff weak attempt to mimic McClelland.

well, probably but since McC is mort it somewhat fills the void.

 

[musicman]

I’ve got a tin of this in the cellar. My Secret Santa giftee identified it as one of his favorites, so I snagged an extra tin for myself. I think I’ll give it another year or so before opening, however. I found RC-515 to be MUCH better, less vinegary, and smoother after a year or so in a jar.

 

[Mr_houston]

I llove red VAs, and this is what they should taste like.

I fully rubbed out a tin today and was surprised at the volume of tobacco from those cakes.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

So why does Cornell & Diehl Red Virginia not have the Vinegar smell?
It sounds to me like Sutliff is doing something right and has the best McClelland alternative on the market.

 

[gervais]

So why does Cornell & Diehl Red Virginia not have the Vinegar smell?
It sounds to me like Sutliff is doing something right and has the best McClelland alternative on the market.

I think the sutliff vinegar smell is from whatever casing/topping they use

 

[Chasing Embers]

I think the sutliff vinegar smell is from whatever casing/topping they use

According to Mike McNeil and GL Pease it's part of the curing process. Even some Virginias that cosmicfolklore grew and sent me had a heavy vinegar presence.

 

[pipesandscotch]

You just popped the tin and it’s most likely wet as hell when you’re smoking it. Break up a piece and let it dry completely... then try it

You're, right, and thank you!

 

[pipesandscotch]

It's been a good while since I've had 5100 and I am not trying compare it to that. Just giving it its own fair shake. This flavor for me is definitely vinegar and it is sour. I know vinegar is used by some blenders. So to all of your replies (and much appreciated!), I think some age and drying will settle it down.

 

[craig61a]

Yes - This has been settled for some time now, but the Internet lore of blenders splashing their blends down with vinegar still persists.

A while back I cased some whole leaf with apple cider vinegar; after 6 months to a year, while the note was similar, the flavor was very distinct from reds that had that note.

 

[pipesandscotch]

Yes - This has been settled for some time now, but the Internet lore of blenders splashing their blends down with vinegar still persists.

A while back I cased some whole leaf with apple cider vinegar; after 6 months to a year, while the note was similar, the flavor was very distinct from reds that had that note.

So, I am confused by that post and not being difficult. What has been settled? Is it apple cider vinegar that I could be detecting or the VA or what? It certainly has the same smell to me, and I have watched youtube folks speak of doing the same thing you stated you have done.

 

[NomadOrb]

Not one I purchase often, but I enjoyed it when I smoked the tin I had.

As others have said, the "vinegar" wears off after a week or so.

 

[craig61a]

So, I am confused by that post and not being difficult. What has been settled? Is it apple cider vinegar that I could be detecting or the VA or what? It certainly has the same smell to me, and I have watched youtube folks speak of doing the same thing you stated you have done.

In Search of Vinegar and Tang :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion :: Pipe Smokers Forums of PipesMagazine.com

 

[pipesandscotch]

In Search of Vinegar and Tang :: Pipe Tobacco Discussion :: Pipe Smokers Forums of PipesMagazine.com

TY!