Burley Round Up - What do you like and why?

[idbowman]

There's a lot more to it than just burley, but Old Joe Krantz is a winner in my book (must love perique, though).

 

[MichaelM]

Also, is it just me or do most of C&D's burley's have more than your average amount of nicotine? Old Joe Krantz in particular had me swooning..

They're on the stronger side of things to be sure. Some burley blends that I like from C&D are Night Train, Burley Flake #1 and #2, and Exhausted Rooster. I have a tin of OJK that I haven't opened yet.

If you like ABF, which is superb, you'd probably enjoy Wessex Burley Slice, which is a lesser tobacco but in the same vein.

I also like Weybridge from 4Noggins.

Those are some good C&D blends.  Its funny to me that, with the exception of Haunted Bookshop, I've never had a C&D blend I've liked after the first bowl.  It always takes 5 or 6 bowls before I figure them out, and then I love em.  My nicotine tolerance is super high as I just don't usually notice it, so I can't say much about that, but I do like what C&D does with burley.
4Noggins is running a 20% off bulk sale tomorrow, so I may give Weybridge a shot.
Mike.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

I think it's important to distinguish here between burley and dark-fire-KY burley. It's just as importnat to distinguish latakia from other orientals because it's cured differently and therefore tastes much different.

I'm trying to try more burleys these days. I think I have found that' I'm not a huge fan of the harsh, bitter, super-earthy burleys, but I love them in supporting roles or when sweetened by a decent amount of VA. I grabbed some C&D Pegasus recently hoping the VA will work well enough to make it palateable. I have not loved C&D's big-n-Burley though it is less harsh after a year of aging. I need to try more of the Burley flakes from C&D, and I have some OJK and some ABF to try as well. I do like some burley in a supporting role as in GH&Co. Brown Flake US and C&D 3 Friars.

 

["sam"]

I think it's important to distinguish here between burley and dark-fire-KY burley. It's just as importnat to distinguish latakia from other orientals because it's cured differently and therefore tastes much different.

I'm trying to try more burleys these days. I think I have found that' I'm not a huge fan of the harsh, bitter, super-earthy burleys, but I love them in supporting roles or when sweetened by a decent amount of VA. I grabbed some C&D Pegasus recently hoping the VA will work well enough to make it palateable. I have not loved C&D's big-n-Burley though it is less harsh after a year of aging. I need to try more of the Burley flakes from C&D, and I have some OJK and some ABF to try as well. I do like some burley in a supporting role as in GH&Co. Brown Flake US and C&D 3 Friars.

What do you think of Pegasus? I smoked a tin of it fully expecting to love it, but it wasn't as nutty and sweet as I had hoped...seemed a bit harsh or green.  This was more than a year ago too though so the memory is already a bit fuzzy. I will probably buy some more of it because I do remember having a few really good moments during some of the smokes.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

I think a lot of C&D blends need some age to take the edge off. I have liked it so far. I think C&D burley tends to be more earthy than nutty.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

I think C&D burley tends to be more earthy than nutty.

So far I tend to agree. In the right mixture, say for example Epiphany, they work nicely. But I am struggling to find a taste for their mixtures that are comprised of mostly burley. I will say that I did appreciate OJK, but it's just too strong in nicotine for me.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

Epiphany is definitely good. I'm finding I like some good VA mixed in myself.

 

[fsu92john]

Some more good suggestions here, thanks for your time.

John (fsu92john), you made mention of Wessex Burley Slice as a "lesser tobacco" compared to ABF. Do you mean lesser in quality, flavor, strength? Just curious. At the price I might not bother if it's not up to ABF's level of goodness. If it's milder and sweeter I might like it.

Just my humble opinion, of course--ABF is the gold standard in this genre, and while I enjoyed the one tin of the Wessex that I smoked, I wouldn't rate it nearly as highly. Still good, though.

 

[DireWolf]

Two of my favorites are Solani Aged Burley Flake and Old Dark Fired.

Have some ODF, but haven't tried it yet.

Considering (after reading) adding some ABF to my next order.

Sounds good, but is it a good burley intro for a noob?

I'm a bit shy to them based on their strength, and reports that they can be bitter.

 

[MisterE]

My favorite is probably Peretti's Somerset Slices. It's not cheap, but worth every cent in my opinion.  After that, Solani ABF is a dependable, accessible, user friendly Burley flake.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

Solani ABF is a really good burley. It was one of the first higher end burleys that I ever smoked. It's mildly sweet and earthy, but it doesn't bitter at all. If anything, it has spoiled me on everything else I have tried.

I keep hoping to find something comparable that's cheaper in price and available in bulk, but no dice.

 

[DireWolf]

I'm going through my backlog of VAs, now that they are making more sense to me, so in an upcoming flake order, I wanted to throw something in for a head to head with the ODF I got during the recent HH sale.

Done.

I'll keep the peretti in mind next Tashkent order.

 

[juanmedusa]

I almost forgot, if you like the C&D stuff, you might want to try Tom Eltang Mixture. I got a sample of it in my bombing. It's also made by C&D and will probably have an appeal for those of us already into their burley perique Virginia blends.

 

[ftrplt]

Have some ODF, but haven't tried it yet.

Considering (after reading) adding some ABF to my next order.  

Sounds good, but is it a good burley intro for a noob?

I'm a bit shy to them based on their strength, and reports that they can be bitter.[/quote]

ABF is where I started back into my journey with Burley. Have never found it to bite or be bitter. Slightly sweet with a creamy edge to it. Good stuff!!! :cheers: FTRPLT

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

I haven't seen Somerset Slices for sale on Peretti's site in quite some time.

 

[Brewdude]

I haven't seen Somerset Slices for sale on Peretti's site in quite some time.

Nor have I. Got some in a trade a while ago and have been rationing them. Prolly got 2-3 bowls worth left now!





Cheers,

RR

 

[MisterE]

I haven't seen Somerset Slices for sale on Peretti's site in quite some time.

Nor have I. Got some in a trade a while ago and have been rationing them. Prolly got 2-3 bowls worth left now!





Cheers,

RR

You usually have to call to place an order. I can't remember having seen it on their website. It goes pretty quick when they have some.

 

[DrumsAndBeer]

I have been smoking a lot of burley lately. I gotta say, my taste for it has changed completely.

One of the nicest blends I have come across so far is Sutliff's Breckinridge. Anyone else smoke this one?

It's lightly sweet & nutty with a mild chocolate tone. A very good all day burley smoke. Completely bite free.

 

[Thomas Tkach]

I have been smoking a lot of burley lately. I gotta say, my taste for it has changed completely.

One of the nicest blends I have come across so far is Sutliff's Breckinridge. Anyone else smoke this one?

It's lightly sweet & nutty with a mild chocolate tone. A very good all day burley smoke. Completely bite free.

I have a tin but haven't tried it yet. I need to.

 

[MisterE]

I forgot to mention in my last post that the Ehrlich DPE was an amazing Burley blend. One of the best I can remember. Now that Ehrlich's is gone, I believe another maker in the Boston area continued to carry the blend. I don't think it was Peretti's, but one that's located in Harvard Square. Maybe one of the bros might know which one it is. Definitely worth a try.