What Is the Sweetest Straight Virginia Blend You Have Ever Smoked?

[jravenwood]

Probably discussed before but I’m making my way through some McClelland blends and thought I’d see what opinions I get. For me so far it’s a very aged tin of Mcc #27. Any straight Virginia blend counts; new or old, current or discountinued... what do you gents think? ::
Edited by jvnshr: Title capitalization (please check Rule #9)

 

[prairiedruid]

McCranie's Red Ribbon the more age the better.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

MacBarens Modern Virginia, which has an apricot toppings is about the sweetest I have had. With commercial Virginias, it is hard to separate the casing from the natural flavors. Germains Medium Flake is a very nice sweet, citrusy flavor that is about as close to a natural light cured Virginia flavor that I can think of.

 

[cortezattic]

Dan Tordenskjold Virginia Slices is the sweetest blend in my cellar. Watch City Cigar's Old Dominion is pretty sweet too, but probably because it's a crunble cake with a sweet binder. There must be some red Va blends out there that are yet sweeter than these though.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

McClelland 5100 and 40th Anniversary. McCranies Red Ribbon although it is more refined and not as in your face as the two mcclelland blends mentioned.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I think of 5100 and all of the McCrannies and all McClellands as more savory than sweet. I mean, I still love them, probably more than a sweeter smoke, but still not the sweetest. Sweet tends to bite, so I rarely prefer sweet over savory anyways.

I mean, there is a little sweetness to them, but there is also a strong middle ground savory component to the flavor. Does that make sense?

 

[cigrmaster]

Wessex Brigade Campaign Dark Flake

Rotary Navy Cut

Brigham Klondike Gold

Fribourg & Treyer Cut Virginia Plug

Capstan Blue Flake

Well aged Samuel Gawith Best Brown and Full Virginia

John Aylesbury Luxury Flake now called Classic flake
There are just a few for my tastes.

 

[pipebuddy]

Wessex Dark Flake. It's very sweet.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I think Dark Star is about the sweetest McClelland, now that I think of it. It is like white sugar in flavor, very subtle. I actually enjoy Dark Star more when cube cut and mixed with a red Virginia to bring out the sweetness, mixed with the savory.

 

[jaytex1969]

I'm very inexperienced with straight Virginias, but I find the H&H Marble Kake quite sweet.

 

[oldtoby]

Agreed with Cortezattic, Dan Tordenskjold Virginia Slices are indeed sweet tasting to my palate.
Another I might mention that doesn't get a lot of attention is GH&Co. Glengarry Flake. And it's not drowned in Lakeland sauce. Sweet as can be, imho.
Although not a 100% Virginia blend, GH&Co. Ennerdale Flake actually makes the bit on my pipes taste kinda sugary.
As others have posted, 5100 is pretty sweet, too. One of my McC favourites is/was 5105 Stoved Virginia. It came in bulk and was intended for blending, but I really loved it as a straight up smoke. Kind of like Dark Star, only rubbed out. Very hard, tiny pieces. Stoved to the point of tobacco charcoal, if you take my meaning.

 

[oldtoby]

Yeah, Cosmic. Dark Star mixed with a bit of Red makes for a damn fine smoke. Like the way you think. :wink:

 

[jvnshr]

Newminster No. 400 Superior Navy Flake

 

[cosmicfolklore]

+1 Javan, I am smoking that right now, with some age on it. I find it to be a lot like Virginia #1, in that it is hard to tell when that honey topping ends and the Virginia begins. But it is definitely sweet.

 

[oldtoby]

Cosmic, have you tried JF Germain Brown Flake? I find it pretty sweet as well. I just didn't care for Medium Flake all that much.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yes, but I think that the Medium Flake is sweeter, maybe the sweetest that I've had, but that doesn't mean that it is a favorite. Like I said, I prefer the savory side of a MCClellands or any red Virginia. But, if only talking about the sweetness, MF takes the lead, IMO. But, I'll take another bowl of 5100 any day. ::

 

[oldtoby]

Agreed about the 5100 and Red Va.

Maybe I need to re-visit Medium Flake. If I still don't like it, I'll send you the rest. LOL!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Maybe I didn't indicate strongly enough, but it's not really a favorite of mine. Neither is the Modern Virginia I mentioned either. But they are sweet. Just not my thing. But, if you want to toss a tin of Brown Flake this way, that would be awesome, ha ha. ::

 

[oldtoby]

It's a partial tin. Maybe around 40g's. Been jarred since 2008. PM me your addy.

 

[jravenwood]

Oh man this is great ! Thanks for all the replies . Dark star, yes I tried that recently but I think i need to heat it up a bit first . I still need to try Klondike gold which I was lucky enough to get from a member here.. so many to try. Keep me coming !