Why The Heavy Use of Red VA In VaPers?

[shanez]

Not to start a discussion on Red VA vs everything else but why does it seem like so many, especially small batch, blends feature red VA heavily?

I get that it usually has a great tanginess but I prefer a VaPer with a hay/bread/malt forward VA and the tang is supplied by a good plum/raisin/fig Perique. As a matter of fact, if you add a touch of oriental sourness to what I a good VaPer it can be even better.

I don't understand the current ravings about red vinegar Virginia heavy VaPer blends when the tang seems to dominate the rest of the blend.

 

[alaskanpiper]

BECAUSE ITS DELICIOUS

I like the more golden driven ones too, though. But If I had to pick one VA forever......i'd shoot every one of them in the brains to save my reds.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I haven’t actually counted VaPers to see if there are more with reds, but I supose that it’s because reds take on that stewy fruit aroma when blended with Perique more so than the others.

That’s all just assuming that there are more reds in VaPers.

 

[BROBS]

Not to start a discussion on Red VA vs everything else but why does it seem like so many, especially small batch, blends feature red VA heavily?

I get that it usually has a great tanginess but I prefer a VaPer with a hay/bread/malt forward VA and the tang is supplied by a good plum/raisin/fig Perique. As a matter of fact, if you add a touch of oriental sourness to what I a good VaPer it can be even better.

I don't understand the current ravings about red vinegar Virginia heavy VaPer blends when the tang seems to dominate the rest of the blend.

You get most bread and malt from red va.

how about how Mac Baren terms the Va does it make more sense then?
Bright = Filler
Red = Flavor

they don’t even use the term red or bright just flavor or filler.

 

[jyrreb]

I’m with you on this. I can’t stand straight reds or red heavy blends that are overpoweringly tangy. I certainly don’t mind it if the tanginess is a background player, but up front the flavor is very off putting to me. A sample of 515-r C made me rethink my desire for the hobby a few years back.

 

[rushx9]

Reds bring out the plummy stewed fruit flavors more, where darker VAs accentuate spicy, earthy, and cigar-ish notes. Lighter, grassy, sweet flue cured VAs seem to highlight the acrid, fishfoody, sweaty gym-sock side of perique unless it's all pressed and toasted, but then its gets a lil cigarettey, in a good way, imho.
I think most VaPer enthusiasts like the plummy, raisiny, figgy side of the spectrum, and leaning heavy on red/orange is best way to achieve that flavor goal.

 

[sablebrush52]

I don't know that I'd describe the use of Reds as heavy. but I would assume the reason such blends are being made is because they sell. Why they sell is another story.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

I suspect it's so the VA stands up to the strength of the perique and isn't overwhelmed. And the dominant red flavors are probably complemented better by the perique. Pepper on citrus? No

 

[Chasing Embers]

I don't understand the current ravings about red vinegar Virginia heavy VaPer blends when the tang seems to dominate the rest of the blend.

I guess its like latakia blends. They all taste exactly the same to me now, but red Virginia doesn't dominate blends that I smoke. It just depends on the smoker. Reds are the dominant Virginia in my collection.

 

[anotherbob]

You get most bread and malt from red va.

how about how Mac Baren terms the Va does it make more sense then?
Bright = Filler
Red = Flavor

they don’t even use the term red or bright just flavor or filler.

yeah I get the most bready malty taste from reds. More tangy from lighter leafs.

 

[F4RM3R]

Depends on how its processed too. a minimally processed red will be more bready, while something that's been pressed and aged/fermented a while or stoved will be more fruity and tangy.

Brights on the other hand will be more grassy and citrus at first but become more creamy, herbal and floral with some aging/fermenting/stoving. They can still be tangy too, but more like a citrus sour tang vs a vinegar tang of the reds.

Reds have a bit more body to fill things out. Too much brights and things can become thin. Which is why people Including myself use more reds for a straight vaper.

 

[canucklehead]

I suspect it's so the VA stands up to the strength of the perique and isn't overwhelmed. And the dominant red flavors are probably complemented better by the perique. Pepper on citrus? No

Lemon pepper - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[karam]

Not to start a discussion on Red VA vs everything else but why does it seem like so many, especially small batch, blends feature red VA heavily?

I get that it usually has a great tanginess but I prefer a VaPer with a hay/bread/malt forward VA and the tang is supplied by a good plum/raisin/fig Perique. As a matter of fact, if you add a touch of oriental sourness to what I a good VaPer it can be even better.

I don't understand the current ravings about red vinegar Virginia heavy VaPer blends when the tang seems to dominate the rest of the blend.

Have you tried Janneman flake from HU? It's pretty good, the beginning of the bowl is indeed a LOT of the tang, given the blend is mostly red Virginia, but the tanginess does subside, and turn bready as it progresses. I wasn't sure about it at the start but do like it now. Still my preference is for bright Virginia + Perique, like DLNRs, St Bernard, Solani 633 etc

 

[Ahi Ka]

From a pH balance perspective, less perique is required when blending with red Virginias. Not saying that’s a reason at all for their presence in blends, just an observation

 

[sablebrush52]

Have you tried Janneman flake from HU? It's pretty good, the beginning of the bowl is indeed a LOT of the tang, given the blend is mostly red Virginia, but the tanginess does subside, and turn bready as it progresses. I wasn't sure about it at the start but do like it now. Still my preference is for bright Virginia + Perique, like DLNRs, St Bernard, Solani 633 etc

Janneman is a great flake. Those of you in the EU should give it a try. I may still have a tin of it from my last successful Esterval's order. At this point, I'll settle for what I have. Not taking that risk again.

 

[badbriar]

Love the reds for their tangy goodness and ability to stand up to perique and other components that may be added. Red VA's seem to be a bit stronger and seem to hold up and offer more flavor - just my 2c! ?

 

[Mr. Beauregard]

Will someone provide examples of popular red forward VaPers?

 

[jyrreb]

Will someone provide examples of popular red forward VaPers?

The first one that comes to my mind as one that I’ve tried and definitely didn’t like was Louisiana Red from H&H. Far too much of a sharp vinegar-like tang for me. I’m sure there are plenty more out there but I’ve since been avoiding them.

 

[edger]

Cornell and Diehl Bayou Morning. Has the red virginias and 25% perique. Delicious! And inexpensive in bulk. What's not to like?

 

[bullet08]

Fillmore comes to mind. Took some time to get used to ripe red Va as Greg P. mentioned on the description. The first few bowls were overwhelming for me. To a point, it was harsh. By the end of the tin, I got used to it. But I still prefer Telegraph Hill. Not sure what sort of Va is in TH, but it was smooth, mellow and flavorful.