Virginia RR recommendations

[Rolling Smoke (Stu)]

My favourite Virginia is Capstan, which is only available here (UK) in a 25g pouch and is fairly pricey. I am looking for recommendations for a straight VA that isn't a flake, that comes in a tin and is available in the UK. I know there are some good flakes which I enjoy, but my favourite isn't a flake so that is the magic I am looking to capture. Go!

 

[Auxsender]

If you have access to Esterval’s in Germany, they have a lot of what you’re looking for. Here is a partial list of pure VA, ribbon or ready rub, in a tin that Esterval’s sells:

Kendal Dark
Torben Dansk pure VA (both Mysore and Zaire)
McConnell pure VA
GLP Union Square
Gold of Mysore
Mac Baren VA #1

Not sure if they ship to you or not but if they do, this list could be helpful.
Best of luck.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Just buy the Flake and rub it out. Takes 5 seconds.

 

[Rolling Smoke (Stu)]

Just buy the Flake and rub it out. Takes 5 seconds.

I have plenty of flakes that I rub out and enjoy. Orlik and Peterson being the two favourites. But I prefer ribbon cut, hence why I am looking for recommendations

 

[Rolling Smoke (Stu)]

Thanks

If you have access to Esterval’s in Germany, they have a lot of what you’re looking for. Here is a partial list of pure VA, ribbon or ready rub, in a tin that Esterval’s sells:

Kendal Dark
Torben Dansk pure VA (both Mysore and Zaire)
McConnell pure VA
GLP Union Square
Gold of Mysore
Mac Baren VA #1

Not sure if they ship to you or not but if they do, this list could be helpful.
Best of luck.

Thanks for the recommendations, I will have a look at the shipping info for Estervals

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I have plenty of flakes that I rub out and enjoy. Orlik and Peterson being the two favourites. But I prefer ribbon cut, hence why I am looking for recommendations

Okay, I misunderstood. I've not been a huge fan of ribbon cut Virginias, I don't find them to smoke as well and they burn even faster. Could explain why there aren't many of them. You might try the two F&T ribbon cut Virginias, Blackjack and Golden Mixture. Both are quite good.

 

[InWithBothFeet]

Be wary of your import duties for tobacco ordered from across the channel.

 

[andrew]

If you haven't tried Rattrays old gowrie, it's worth a shot. Isn't straight Virginia but tastes mostly like one to me, it's in a tin and it's ready rubbed

 

[BingBong]

I'll unhelpfully chip in with something never available, Germain's Gold Leaf R/R - it's in stock for one day every 3 months, on average.

My first smoke of the day is usually Gold Block mixed 1:1 with F&T Blackjack, so VaBur with Red/Orange Va, not bad but quite a way from Capstan Blue in flavours, and no money saved.

Ashton Gold Rush? Bright Va r/r with a honey topping? Very good leaf, but no darker components. Marginally cheaper?

If I could persuade you to fold and stuff some flake, F&T Vintage Flake is closer to Capstan in flavour - and cheaper, about the same as OGS.

 

[Brad H]

Mac Baren VA No.1
I think it’s one that wasn’t discontinued.

 

[Rolling Smoke (Stu)]

S

Mac Baren VA No.1
I think it’s one that wasn’t discontinued.

Sadly discontinued in the UK as far as I can tell

 

[Brad H]

S

Sadly discontinued in the UK as far as I can tell

Hmmm. I thought it was one that survived. I’d have to go back thru all my pictures to find the post of the ones that survived and see.

 

[Rolling Smoke (Stu)]

Hmmm. I thought it was one that survived. I’d have to go back thru all my pictures to find the post of the ones that survived and see.

I can find old listings on the usual retailer sites, but it seems it was offered in a pouch here and shows as unavailable. May well be still available elsewhere or perhaps I am looking in the wrong places

 

[Brad H]

I can find old listings on the usual retailer sites, but it seems it was offered in a pouch here and shows as unavailable. May well be still available elsewhere or perhaps I am looking in the wrong places

It maybe one that survived in US. Then again it has been a while since I read that memo they put out.

 

[Brad H]

I can find old listings on the usual retailer sites, but it seems it was offered in a pouch here and shows as unavailable. May well be still available elsewhere or perhaps I am looking in the wrong places

 

[BingBong]

Mac Baren suddenly disappeared off UK listings a couple of years ago, bar a couple of Amphora pouches - and they could have just been slow stock. It was as well that I'd moved on from HH Latakia Flake, which is all I smoked for several months some time ago; disappointing to see it all go.

 

[dPero]

Mac Baren suddenly disappeared off UK listings a couple of years ago, bar a couple of Amphora pouches - and they could have just been slow stock. It was as well that I'd moved on from HH Latakia Flake, which is all I smoked for several months some time ago; disappointing to see it all go.

You have Germains and SG

 

[BingBong]

You have Germains and SG

We have Germain's occasionally.

 

[Lumbridge]

I recommend Amphora Virginia, if it's available to you.

 

[Skippy Piper]

I'll toss in a recommendation for my favorite Virginia blend as of late, Gawith Hoggarth Kendal Mixed. It comes in a very fine ribbon cut (almost shag) that is really easy to pack and light on the go, even in windy and rainy weather, and is a medium nicotine strength pure Virginia blend with an assortment of rich charred wood smokey flavored dark fired Virginias, bready stoved Virginias, and hay-like bright Virginias.

There's a lot of variety and flavor interest to take in if you want to sit back and analyze it, but it's also great for absent-minded puffing and the dark fired Virginia really mellows the acidity of the other Virginia varietals. You'll find no Lakeland essence or other flavorings in this one, just a nice assortment of different Virginia tobaccos.

The nicotine content is a touch higher than the Capstan you're used to, but it's still what I'd consider to be a medium strength blend; just at the upper end of medium.