Virginia

[Joshcertain]

I Need a little assistance here. At my local Tobaccanist, I was introduced to Virginia tobacco. I love it. I don't, however, know how to look for other brands or styles of this online.

So as I understand it a proper virginia is "stove" cured.

The stuff that I got from my Tobbacanist is kind of chunky I have to fold and rub the stuff to pack the pipe. Anyone know what this kind of cut is called?



Does anyone have any suggestions for Good Virginia baccy?

[RJpuffs]

There are different kinds of VAs, and different ways they are treated (flue cured, stoved, marinated). Often a stoved VA is called a Cavendish.

For straight VA - try Samuel Gawith's Full Virginia Flake - awesome stuff.

Rattrays Hal O the Wynd (HOTW) is also a dazzling VA, but I just learned it has a pinch of perique so its technically not a pure VA (but it tastes that way).

Most "house blends" are actually repackaged Altadis blends.

[afilter]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

For straight VA - try Samuel Gawith's Full Virginia Flake - awesome stuff.

Just received my first tin of this in the mail from and order. Looking forward to trying it.

[Professor Mike]

Josh:
Give Astley's #109 a try it's a medium straight Virginia. It's one of my favorites.

Prof. Mike

[Mister Moo]

Originally Posted by Joshcertain

...Anyone know what this kind of cut is called?



Does anyone have any suggestions for Good Virginia baccy?

It looks like a "broken flake" but can't really tell from the pic. There are many gems in the neighborhood you're looking at but, with pipe tobak as with ethnic identities, one mans Mead is another mans Persian.

I like: McClelland - Virginia Woods pipe tobacco reviews

[RJpuffs]

Originally Posted by Mister Moo

...
I like: McClelland - Virginia Woods pipe tobacco reviews

Ah, I love the 'woods! However, it needs age to hit its prime. I have a bit of 3 to 4 year aged VA Woods (only 3 lbs worth) that I stumbled upon, its really great stuff. But as I sez, it needs age or it is ketchupy.

[sounds7]

Originally Posted by RJpuffs

There are different kinds of VAs, and different ways they are treated (flue cured, stoved, marinated). Often a stoved VA is called a Cavendish.

For straight VA - try Samuel Gawith's Full Virginia Flake - awesome stuff.

Rattrays Hal O the Wynd (HOTW) is also a dazzling VA, but I just learned it has a pinch of perique so its technically not a pure VA (but it tastes that way).

Most "house blends" are actually repackaged Altadis blends.

RJPuffs is dead on. These are two of my favorites. I also enjoy Bjarne Flake De lux.

[Dedalus]

Yep, Samuel Gawaith Full Virginia Flake is a winner.

[Nicolas J. Pug]

Originally Posted by Dedalus

Yep, Samuel Gawaith Full Virginia Flake is a winner.

Agreed.....I've only tried a few straight VAs, but FVF is my clear favorite. It was my first flake.

It's also cheap and easy to find.

Peace
Nick the Pug

[Joshcertain]

Well, I tried FVF for the second time last night. First time I smoked it straight outta the tin, secont time I let it sit out for about 2 hours to dry.

I must say I am not impressed. From begining to end the smoke was flat and fairly tasteless. It lacked the subtleties that the Watsons Choice I have been smoking has. I'm gonna cellar the FVF and see if it is better next year.

So i just orderd some Mclelland Virginia Woods
some Bulls eye flake (which is a vaper i guess)
some Gawith 1792 flake
some Escudo Navy De luxe
and some Davidoff Flake

hopefully these will have some subtleties and excite me more.

[phatmax]

I have not puffed any yet, but I found this bulk "Golden Virginia" at the local B&M. The out of focus flash picture is an accurate representation of color. I can't detect any casing on it.

I am wondering how it will smoke.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by Joshcertain

Well, I tried FVF for the second time last night. First time I smoked it straight outta the tin, secont time I let it sit out for about 2 hours to dry.

I must say I am not impressed. From begining to end the smoke was flat and fairly tasteless. It lacked the subtleties that the Watsons Choice I have been smoking has. I'm gonna cellar the FVF and see if it is better next year.

So i just orderd some Mclelland Virginia Woods
some Bulls eye flake (which is a vaper i guess)
some Gawith 1792 flake
some Escudo Navy De luxe
and some Davidoff Flake

hopefully these will have some subtleties and excite me more.

FVF improves with 2-3 years of age. I like it right out of the tin but it melds well with time. I'm not saying you'll like it aged but you should definitely like it better than you do now. That said, the Escudo and Davidoff are excellent choices, and the Virginia Woods is good as well. I found the Bullseye Flake needs some aging time. I have a tin of 1792 but I haven't cracked it yet.

[commonsenseman]

Originally Posted by Joshcertain

Well, I tried FVF for the second time last night. First time I smoked it straight outta the tin, secont time I let it sit out for about 2 hours to dry.

I must say I am not impressed. From begining to end the smoke was flat and fairly tasteless. It lacked the subtleties that the Watsons Choice I have been smoking has. I'm gonna cellar the FVF and see if it is better next year.

I think giving it some time is a great idea, I really like FVF, but I've only had it aged so I dunno what it's like fresh out of the tin. I'm aging a couple tins that I'm planning on smoking a year or so down the road, I'd like to pick up some bulk FVF also but I'm having trouble finding it.

Originally Posted by Joshcertain

some Gawith 1792 flake
some Escudo Navy De luxe

1792 is one of my faves! Just make sure you're sitting down

Have a tin of Escudo sitting in my "cellar" just waiting to be smoked, I can hardly wait after hearing all of the buzz about it! Let me know what you think if you get to it first.

[Alpedhuez55]

I have been enjoying C&D Briar Fox lately. It is a crumble cake Virginina. Very bright and a little on the sweet side. Reminds me a little of Rattray's Hal o' the Wynd which is also a must have VA for your cellar.

[drastic_quench]

I picked up my first tin of Christmas Cheer (200. What are your guys' thoughts on this tobacco compared to some already mentioned? I plan to put some age on it, say a year minimum. Does it really get appreciatively better past 2, 3, 5? years?

I'm a Va/Per guy when I'm not smoking an English or Balkan, but I thought I'd give virginias a go.