What Va Blends Should I Try/Cellar Next?

[vink]

So since last summer I have been on a Va trip! My three favorite blends being Capstan Blue, deluxe navy rolls and recently Orlik Golden sliced. I will finish to cellar those soon and also will be getting more FvF, BBF, Stoney and Reiner long golden flake. I got plenty of silver flake, Klondike gold and HU sunset also. Now I want to try other blends that are must have stuff and are easy to get. I tried Wessex BCDF recently and really like it but does not come easily to Canada!

I already had on my to try list, Capstan Gold, GLP Union square, C&D opening night and Mac Baren pure Va. What I really like is the naturally sweet stuff. Good list or anything better to recommend?

 

[Jwebb90]

I would recommend Fribourg Treyer Blackjack & Cut Virginia Plug, as well as Robert McConnell Scottish Flake.

 

[ofafeather]

There are lots of great ones and sounds like you’re off to a good start. I’d highly recommend Bijou. @hoosierpipeguy has a few threads he started about building a cellar. I would say they are required reading for this topic. Also look at @cigrmaster who has a slightly different take because he avoids red VAs.

A surprise for me was MacBaren Virginia Flake. It has a slight vanilla topping but is overall just a great smoke. McConell Folded flake is another sleeper.

The Rattray line is another must try and if you like the citrus in Orlik Golden Slices I highly recommend Wilke Lizzie Blood Red VA. It has a blood orange topping.

 

[vink]

I would recommend Fribourg Treyer Blackjack & Cut Virginia Plug, as well as Robert McConnell Scottish Flake.

Yeah I really want to try cut Virginia plug but seems really hard to get!

 

[vink]

There are lots of great ones and sounds like you’re off to a good start. I’d highly recommend Bijou. @hoosierpipeguy has a few threads he started about building a cellar. I would say they are required reading for this topic. Also look at @cigrmaster who has a slightly different take because he avoids red VAs.

yeah I got a lot of stuff based on their lists! The rest of the stuff I did not try on Harris list are hard to get!

 

[vink]

I would recommend Fribourg Treyer Blackjack & Cut Virginia Plug, as well as Robert McConnell Scottish Flake.

I would recommend Fribourg Treyer Blackjack & Cut Virginia Plug, as well as Robert McConnell Scottish Flake.

Any difference between Scottish flake and cake? Got some Scottish cake lying around somewhere...

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I went sorta nutso over C&Ds Virginia Flake. Stocked up a lot of this one. When I smoke it, I taste oatmeal, breads, slight spices, and a slight sweetness. Everytime I smoke it my wife asks if I am baking cookies.

 

[SmokeClouds]

I would add C&D Yorktown to the list.

 

[Jwebb90]

Any difference between Scottish flake and cake? Got some Scottish cake lying around somewhere...

From what I recall the Flake is sweeter. Also, I’ll second the recommendation of Yorktown. I bought a 1lb last year and should probably buy more.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

A significant factor in building a cellar today is availability. GLP Union Square, C&D Opening Night, Newminster 400, Mac Baren Pure Virginia and Virgins Flake are all good and you could buy all you want tomorrow.

Buy what you can of SG FVF and BBF, F&T CVP and Vintage, Aylesbury Classic Flake, Astleys 44, Vauen No 14 and Rattrays Old Gowrie and HOTW when they hit the shelves.

 

[ofafeather]

Also, Watch City has some good ones. I really like flake 558.

 

[Mtlpiper]

For straight VA Mac Baren's Pure Virginia Flake is a decent alternative to SG's Full Virginia Flake. If you can manage to get some of Germain's Medium Flake it's really good, as is G&H's Bright CR Flake (it has dark fired Malawi Virginia which sets it apart a little). The latter two might be a little tough to get hold of in Canada though.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

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It's not matured like a Samuel Gawith flake, but they seem decent enough.

 

[Johnkelly55]

HOTW is available at Mars Hill, limited quantities. One at at time.
JohnK

 

[ofafeather]

Ah for the good old days when you could buy Christmas Cheer and Rattrays by the case from JR. Now a 1 tin limit and you have to consider yourself lucky.

 

[Western Isles]

Three groups of recommendations:

Virginia: Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake (dried!),
Peretti's 150th Anniversary

Virginia/Perique: Esoterica Dorchester, Watch City Old Dominion, Peretti's London Flake, Peretti's Park Square, Samuel Gawith's St. James Flake

Virginia/Perique/Kentucky: Rattray's Old Gowrie, Rattray's Hal o' the Wynd

Happy smoking!

 

[Western Isles]

... Samuel Gawith Best Brown Flake (dried!) ...

I wasn't clear from your original post if you already had BBF or were purchasing some, but just in case, let me amend my note on the importance of drying Best Brown Flake before smoking. Perhaps some have had a different experience, but I would recommend you start thinking dry, even desiccated thoughts now before ordering. Every bit helps.

I live in a humid area, and have only had successful BBF times when left to dry at least 24 hours.

 

[sablebrush52]

I have to admit I'm a bit jealous about the Klondike Flake, since it hasn't been available in the states for about 6 years. Another Brigham blend well worth trying is Legend.

Looks like all the well known favorites have been covered, so I'll offer two less well known, Ascanian 1 and 2 and Meistermischung 88, both of which can be ordered from Esterval's. The Meistermiscung, like Capstan Blue, has a noticeable topping that is very much in the British tradition, very old school. If you happen to have a friend in Munich, ask him to send you some Georg Huber Virginia Golden Flake, which is available only in Munich and which is one of the best smokes I've had in years.
And now that I think of it, if you know anyone in the Netherlands, get yourself some Troost slices.

 

[vink]

I have to admit I'm a bit jealous about the Klondike Flake, since it hasn't been available in the states for about 6 years. Another Brigham blend well worth trying is Legend.

Looks like all the well known favorites have been covered, so I'll offer two less well known, Ascanian 1 and 2 and Meistermischung 88, both of which can be ordered from Esterval's. The Meistermiscung, like Capstan Blue, has a noticeable topping that is very much in the British tradition, very old school. If you happen to have a friend in Munich, ask him to send you some Georg Huber Virginia Golden Flake, which is available only in Munich and which is one of the best smokes I've had in years.
And now that I think of it, if you know anyone in the Netherlands, get yourself some Troost slices.

Yeah got lucky with the klondike and bought the 16 last tins at smokingpipes just because everyone here were saying it was awesome! to my knowledge it’s available in Canada at around 40$ CAD a tin. I got to give it a try again since I did not find it was as sweet as some say. Sadly it’s not possible for me in Canada to order from Estervals. I would have bought 2-3 pounds of Capstan instead of those pricy tins!

 

[kcghost]

I would try G.L. Pease's Stonehenge and Six Pence.