Top 3 Straight Virginias

[Old_Newby]

C&D Yorktown is the only “just Virginia” blend I’ve tried so far, and I do like it.
What would be a couple of readily available, (preferably available in bulk) blends to play with next-I’m thinking SNF 400, but not sure what else to add to order.

NewMinster 400

 

[Puff nstuff]

I think GH Brown Twist is the only straight Virginia without perique or flavorings that I've smoked - and it's definitely one of my favorites.

 

[AJL67]

I actually enjoy

Carolina Red Flake (Small Batch)
XX Flake (20th Anniversary)
507-C to throw in a bulk blend

 

[Auxsender]

C&D Yorktown is the only “just Virginia” blend I’ve tried so far, and I do like it.
What would be a couple of readily available, (preferably available in bulk) blends to play with next-I’m thinking SNF 400, but not sure what else to add to order.

Sutliff 507 C

 

[cappadoc]

My top 3

Bright CR Flake
WCC Simply Red
Dunhill Flake

These 3 cover the range of VA styles for me.

 

[hawky454]

C&D Opening Night
C&D Virginia Flake
GLP Laurel Heights

You sparked my interest in C&D VA Flake, I bought it about a year back but I still haven’t tried it. It still trips me out that it’s not actually a flake. I’m going to have to try it soon.

I prefer VaBur, VaPer & VaBurPer but from time to time I go on a straight VA kick, especially in the summer time.

Some of my favorites are (in no particular order):
Wessex Brown Flake
Mac Baren Pure VA Flake
Sam Gawith Brown Bogie and/or Brown Irish X

 

[hawky454]

And I have to add G&H Best Brown Flake #2, but there is a touch of Burley in that blend (hell, there is probably a touch of Burley in the blends listed below; it tends to hide in unsuspecting places). BB#2 is one of my all time favorite blends and it ages very nicely.

I agree with this. BB#2 is awesome stuff! The way it ages is pretty unique too, it ferments rapidly and it develops a wonderful sweet and sour taste. It’s definitely an all time favorite of any genre of mine. The only gripe for me is I prefer this one without any residual Lakeland sauce but unfortunately some batches have it while other batches don’t…. or at least that’s how it was when I was stocking up on it. When you smoke it a lot, you do become anosmic to the lighter dosing of the sauce though.

 

[JOHN72]

This tobacco reminds me of Cosmic. It is citrusy, blond with blue eyes. Well, I think the same thing. If he's straight, (heterosexual) blond, blue-eyed, I'll take Capstan Gold. has a citrusy, sour, very pleasant aroma when you smell it fresh from the tin.

 

[proteus]

Newminster 400, capstan blue, sutliff 507c.

 

[proteus]

C&D Opening Night
C&D Virginia Flake
GLP Laurel Heights

Love opening night.

 

[KingcobraJFS]

Capstan Blue Flake
Opening Night
CRF

 

[coys]

I have settled firmly into being a lover of straight Virginias after 2 years on my pipe tour, and only dabble in English and VaPer.

These old standbys are reliable and fantastic bargains. I expect they will age nicely.

507C Virginia Slices
Newminster No. 400
PS 402 Luxury Twist

But I'm not a heavy smoker and have 2-3 bowls a week at most, so I tend toward tinned tobacco as the bulk savings ins't pertinent to me. I have cellared heaviest in:

Peterson Flake
GLP Union Square
SPC Hogshead
SG Full Virginia Flake
C&D Carolina Red Flake

I am hoping soon to get around to MB HH Pure Virginia as this sounds like something I would like.

In a vacuum (haha) I would store the most Full Virginia Flake, but with the tins not so reliable and not wanting to wrangle mason jars, I diversify.

 

[Elric]

My go-to VAs:
SG Full Virginia Flake
Newminster No. 400
DTM Hamborger Veermaster

Props to:
Capstan Medium (pricey)
507C Virginia Slices
F&K Special Brown Flake (rum)

If you don't mind the barest whiff of Perique:
Tordenskjold
Riener Long Golden Flake
Orlik Golden Sliced

 

[Old_Newby]

I have settled firmly into being a lover of straight Virginias after 2 years on my pipe tour, and only dabble in English and VaPer.

These old standbys are reliable and fantastic bargains. I expect they will age nicely.

507C Virginia Slices
Newminster No. 400
PS 402 Luxury Twist

But I'm not a heavy smoker and have 2-3 bowls a week at most, so I tend toward tinned tobacco as the bulk savings ins't pertinent to me. I have cellared heaviest in:

Peterson Flake
GLP Union Square
SPC Hogshead
SG Full Virginia Flake
C&D Carolina Red Flake

I am hoping soon to get around to MB HH Pure Virginia as this sounds like something I would like.

In a vacuum (haha) I would store the most Full Virginia Flake, but with the tins not so reliable and not wanting to wrangle mason jars, I diversify.

Try Amphora Virginia.

 

[coys]

My go-to VAs:
SG Full Virginia Flake
Newminster No. 400
DTM Hamborger Veermaster

Props to:
Capstan Medium (pricey)
507C Virginia Slices
F&K Special Brown Flake (rum)

If you don't mind the barest whiff of Perique:
Tordenskjold
Riener Long Golden Flake
Orlik Golden Sliced

What do you like about Hamborger Veermaster? The reviews on it are... mixed

 

[vosBghos]

What do you like about Hamborger Veermaster? The reviews on it are... mixed

when I smoked it I was getting some St. Bruno vibes at least in the topping. Or am I tripping?

 

[Elric]

What do you like about Hamborger Veermaster? The reviews on it are... mixed

Tastes like a mildly sweet straight VA to me. I should amend that all my stock is 14 - 18 years old so perhaps they have changed the blend. Wouldn't be the first time.

 

[ThermionicScott]

In a vacuum (haha) I would store the most Full Virginia Flake, but with the tins not so reliable and not wanting to wrangle mason jars, I diversify.

Your mind may be made up on mason jars -- which is totally your prerogative -- but I've found the process for loading them up with flake has gotten much easier and faster after a couple iterations. I'll put a half-pint jar on its side and stack the flakes using a clean butter knife to help guide them in. The flakes are then vertical when the jar is upright, and each half-pint jar will hold two tins' worth of flake when done.

 

[Old_Newby]

Your mind may be made up on mason jars -- which is totally your prerogative -- but I've found the process for loading them up with flake has gotten much easier and faster after a couple iterations. I'll put a half-pint jar on its side and stack the flakes using a clean butter knife to help guide them in. The flakes are then vertical when the jar is upright, and each half-pint jar will hold two tins' worth of flake when done.

I bought the short 8 oz mason jars and they fit nicely inside an under the bed Tupperware box. Stays out of way, cool, away from light. They hold about 3.5 oz of tobacco if you press it tight. I have a Virginia box, Burley box, and English box. I have a jar of NM400 from 3 years ago and just bought another 3 oz. The 3 year old flakes are much darker in color compared to the new flakes so I definitely am seeing a value in storing it away for several years.

 

[BorealPiper]

I am more of a Va/Per guy, but my top 3 straight Virginias are:
SG Full VA Flake
SG Best Brown
Peterson Flake