Top 3 Straight Virginias
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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.
I actually enjoy
Carolina Red Flake (Small Batch)
XX Flake (20th Anniversary)
507-C to throw in a bulk blend
Carolina Red Flake (Small Batch)
XX Flake (20th Anniversary)
507-C to throw in a bulk blend
My top 3
Bright CR Flake
WCC Simply Red
Dunhill Flake
These 3 cover the range of VA styles for me.
Bright CR Flake
WCC Simply Red
Dunhill Flake
These 3 cover the range of VA styles for me.
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
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.
Love opening night.
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.
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.
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
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
when I smoked it I was getting some St. Bruno vibes at least in the topping. Or am I tripping?
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.
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.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 am more of a Va/Per guy, but my top 3 straight Virginias are:
SG Full VA Flake
SG Best Brown
Peterson Flake
SG Full VA Flake
SG Best Brown
Peterson Flake