Va/Per Dark-Fired Trend

[mso489]

I think the first Va/Per dark-fired blend I tried was Russ O.'s Fire Storm. Today I'm trying a second bowl of a sample from the Chicago pipe show of C&D Bluegrass that is a nicely balanced version of the genre. I went right through the tin of Fire Storm, so it never made it to a jar. Fire Storm is a lively and full strength blend. Between the two, I don't know which I'd order ... maybe both. I still have on hand some of the classic Va/Per blends, so I will eventually go back and compare. I think the dark-fired adds something that a burley smoker like myself particularly appreciates. I'd recommend either of these, and I'd happily try other blends in this genre.

 

[alaskanpiper]

I have been intrigued by this as well. The first taste of Firestorm set my mind a-wondering. Didn't know about the bluegrass, I'll have to scoop some up soon if I can.

 

[cobguy]

Here's a few I really enjoy:
C&D Exhausted Rooster

GLP Triple Play

Watch City Cigar #558

Savinelli Doblone d'Oro

HU Directors Cut

 

[krizzose]

Maybe the classic of the genre: Hal o the Wynd

 

[logs]

I may have to revisit Fire Storm. I tried a tin a few months back and liked it, but it didn't strike me as especially unique as a VaPer, with the exception of the Virginians being on the sweeter side.
What is the taste of dark fired Kentucky? I've never really developed a sense for what it means to have it in a blend.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Watch City Rhythm & Blues is superb. Check out their custom blends, there are a number with some dark fired.

 

[sasquatch]

I've been smoking MB Club Blend for ... I dunno, 15 years now I guess, and haven't found anything better. They used to call it "patented cavendish" and now they call it "dark fired" but whatever, it's spicy and mean, and I likes me some nestled in the middle of a sweeeeet virginia roll.

 

[mso489]

Ah, Triple Play, I enjoyed that one before Fire Storm. There are so many good blends, you forget some. Hey, you have to know when you're happy.

 

[danimalia]

I really enjoy these blends. I feel like the Dark-Fired adds a bit of strength, body and maybe rounds out the flavor profile a bit when added to VaPers.
I have a tin of Triple Play in the mail, but lately I've also been loving Flake #558 from Watch City and Savinelli Doblone D'Oro like Darin mentioned. Definitely need to try Firestorm.

What is the taste of dark fired Kentucky? I've never really developed a sense for what it means to have it in a blend.

IMO, it is a bit like hickory smoke BBQ, but it also also is a bit floral. It's less pungent than Latakia, but it has way more body and nicotine. C&D, Stokkebye, etc. sell it as a blending tobacco, butyou can also try an ounce of D&R Ryback. Ryback is meant to imitate the Dutch style cigarette tobaccos like Drum, Bali Shag, etc., but it is pretty much a straight mix of VA and dark-fired Kentucky.

 

[logs]

Danimalia, thanks for the dark-fired description. I happen to have a bit of Ryback in a jar. Haven't tried it yet but I'll give it a shot now.

 

[skydog]

I find that a nicely balanced Va/Per with some condimental dark fired leaf is my favorite use of dark fired tobacco. I like burley blends but for some reason any blend with too heavy of a hand with the dark fired turns me away. GL Pease Triple Play is definitely a prime example of well balanced in this genre and I enjoy it everytime I pack a bowl of it.

 

[oldtoby]

Sasquatch, I smells what you're cookin'.
Club and Rollcake rock! 8)

 

[samw74]

I’m currently smoking one of my favorite Va/per/dfk blends : Hearth and Home Viprati.

 

[mikefu]

I second that, Sam. I love Viprati, and smoked some earlier today. I also really like the MacBaren Dark Twist, particularly when I fold and stuff the coins, as I love having the occasional unexpected blast of sweet/smoky from the center cavendish and dark fired.

 

[haparnold]

I'm a huuuuuge fan of the Virginia, Perique, Dark Fired combo. I've tried many or most of the blends mentioned above, and I like them all.
Has anyone else noticed that C&D Bluegrass is a little fiddly? (no pun intended). I like the flavor a lot, but I find it pretty hard to keep lit, at a variety of moisture levels.

 

[creole]

HU Tobacco’s Louisiana Broken is another in this genre. A really excellent smoke.

 

[bigtex]

GLP Penny Farthing is a new VA, KY, perique blend. It is a fine shag cut, so fine that you can roll cigarettes with it. My impression is the tobacco starts out really good with sweet and tangy notes and becomes a bit muddled and irritating about half way through.

 

[logs]

becomes a bit muddled and irritating about half way through

Huh, what?? I think you need to try, try, again. Maybe a different pipe. There's more goodness deep down inside this blend.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Old Gowrie, I'd rather prefer Vaper-Kentucky blends where perique is applied moderately yet Dark Fired should not be overly pronounced in these like blends

 

[dcon]

+1 to bigtex. For me, Penny Farthing started out “muddled” and just stayed that way. It is now relegated to a jar for some aging (and hopefully magic).