Tobacco let down

[Aguineapig]

This is definitely me. I have loved every McClelland Virginia I've tried. I've been underwhelmed by nearly every C&D and GL Pease blend I've tried.

My blends that have really been let downs have been Old Joe Krantz, Mississippi River and Solani Aged Burley Flake. I really expected to love ABF and tried. It tastes like any other burley to me, and that isn't good.

I have had a few blends that I started out not liking but enjoyed later like Irish Flake.

And I can really see it, because they are so different. C&D/Pease and D&R VA blends are dry, a bit rough (especially without age), and generally more like a "dry wine" (not to sound like a complete snob-- I almost never drink wine!). If someone likes sweet VA, they'd probably hate something like C&D yorktown which is tangy, a bit woody, and only slightly sweet. Can't blame em. My palate always liked burleys, so I gravitate towards that sort of thing. But something like 5100 red cake is probably basically the yardstick by which a "sweet virginia" is deemed. It was too wet for me, and a bit too sweet and lacking in body and some of the bassier notes that I like. But seriously, look how many people absolutely adore the stuff. Goes without saying "like what you smoke" period.

I have been considering trying ABF, too; but have been putting it off because I expect the same result. I'll get around to it one day. Same with the C&D Burley Flake.

I agree with Cool breeze on the ABF. Now, I like burleys. a lot. everything from OTC, to C&D, and condimentally applied burleys (I love a touch in a VA blend). ABF just didnt impress my enough to warrant the price. It reminded me more of an OTC burley than it did the fuller bodied ones-- I was expecting it to be far less sweet, stronger, etc. To me, if you like prince albert or SWR and you want a higher quality presentation and in flake form, and are willing to pay a lot for it, ABF is for you. I smoked up all I was sent (thanks Cool breeze!) but wouldn't buy more.

The C&D burley flakes I think are like the opposite. I've only had #4. It packs a hell of a wollop of nicotine, savory rich, full mouth feel smoke, some cigariness, and a tiny hint of smokiness from latakia and a hint of tangy sweetness. I probably only smoke it a couple times a year out of my well aged jar, in a small pipe due to the nicotine.

[BryGuySC]

I agree with Cool breeze on the ABF. Now, I like burleys. a lot. everything from OTC, to C&D, and condimentally applied burleys (I love a touch in a VA blend). ABF just didnt impress my enough to warrant the price. It reminded me more of an OTC burley than it did the fuller bodied ones-- I was expecting it to be far less sweet, stronger, etc. To me, if you like prince albert or SWR and you want a higher quality presentation and in flake form, and are willing to pay a lot for it, ABF is for you. I smoked up all I was sent (thanks Cool breeze!) but wouldn't buy more.

The C&D burley flakes I think are like the opposite. I've only had #4. It packs a hell of a wollop of nicotine, savory rich, full mouth feel smoke, some cigariness, and a tiny hint of smokiness from latakia and a hint of tangy sweetness. I probably only smoke it a couple times a year out of my well aged jar, in a small pipe due to the nicotine.

Thanks! I'll put the C&D burley flakes at the top of my "burleys to try on day" list.

[Aguineapig]

Thanks! I'll put the C&D burley flakes at the top of my "burleys to try on day" list.

Keep in mind mine was from 2011 and had 4 year age on it when I popped the tin. Some age will smooth the rough edges off. On the other hand, I suspect if you order a tin it will already have some age on it as they aren't *huge* sellers, least of all the #4

[Pipe Smoker]

I gotta say that I love ABF. Puffing some right now, with one year of age on it. To me, it has a rich, meaty flavor. Lucky that we all like different stuff.

[Emperor Zurg]

I didn't care much for Sam Gawith, Sam's Flake. It's not 'bad' but it's not good either; just doesn't have much taste to me. The tin note is wonderful - smells to me like a fresh apple fritter and I think therein lies the problem. As is typical with most great smelling tobaccos, the scent doesn't translate into flavor in the smoke so it's always a let down. Probably why I don't care for most aromatics... my brain just can't come to grips with the discrepancy. There's a taste of cinnamon (probably from the tonquin) over very weak fruit flavors. TR says this is an oriental blend. IDK what varietal but I don't get much oriental anything in it unless that's where the cinnamon flavor is actually coming from. I'd guess I'd find this blend outstanding if the fruit flavor was more pronounced... after all, who doesn't like fruit with cinnamon, but it's just not cutting it for me.

[LandonColby]

Mac Baren blends bite the S@#$ out of me, so I stopped buying blends from them all together even though the descriptions of their virginia blends should be just my style. And like others described, I find C&D blends to be a bit harsh (mainly their virginias) All their VaPers sound amazing and all of them let me down. McClelland does virginias best IMO, and they make my go-to bulk blend; Blend 2015: Virginia/Perique Flake.