Red Virginia

[Kyle Weiss]

For my personal list and musings, I'm trying to compile a list of pipe tobaccos that have a Red Virginia base, but of course, tin descriptions, TR.com search functions and other problems make this a tough task. I also happen to get along oh-so-very-well with Red VAs... so I'm doing a spreadsheet (again, just for myself) of common points in my tobaccos.

Any and all you fellas might know of, either from experience or common knowledge, feel free to list them--again, with a Red VA base, or at least a good amount (HOTW and Embarcadero being two I really like, as an example). Just a favor to ask, if I may be so bold. 8)

 

[monbla256]

Right off the bat McClellands has several Va;s that have a base or preponderance of Red Va blends. It's one of their favorite "ketchup" 'bacs to blend with There is Virginia Woods, Blackwoods Flake, Matured Va #27, #25, Deep Hollow, Auroroa, and in bulk there is FM#2000, #2015, #5100 Red Cake, and #5120 Frafrant Va Ribbon. And don't forget Rattray's Red Rapparee which is still got Red Va's as it's base, or at least it used to when blended in Scotland . These are all blends I have and still smoke and I am a BIG fan of Red Va's for sure Will be nice to see the list you come up with when you get it finished

 

[sisyphus]

F&T Blackjack and Cut Blended Plug, Wessex Red Va Flake, McConnell Red Va Superb

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Rattray's RRR and I didn't get along, interestingly. Not sure why. Still adding it to the list, but I figured it would have been a slam-dunk for me--it wasn't. :scratch:

8)

Thanks guys, keep 'em comin', even if it's a short list.

 

[gravel]

Off the top of my head- McCranies Red Ribbon and Red Flake

 

[loneredtree]

Kyle,

Do a search for "red Virginia" on this site: http://luxurytobaccoreviews.com/

Looks like it picks up on the RV in the body of the review...

M

 

[Brewdude]

For my part, I'd also like to see a list of blends where red ginnys figure prominently.

Like others have mentioned 5100 Red Cake, McCranies Red Ribbon and Red Flake, and Red Raparee figure into my experience. In fact 5100 is a staple for me.

A while ago I got some really fine H&H Louisiana Red that I've forgotten about until just now. It was like a slightly amped up version of 5100 iirc. Need to go find where I stashed it.

Looks like C&D makes a blend called "Red Carpet" which has a great appeal from its description-

The perfect blend of Red Virginia and Perique with a touch of Izmir for interest, pressed and sliced into flake form.

Need to get some of this in and check it out.

Also looks like C&D has a bulk blend called "Red Odessa" with Red VA, Latakia, and Perique". Sounds like this might be their expression of Red Raparee.

C&D also has another bulk blend of just Red VA for blending purposes.


Cheers,

RR

 

[sisyphus]

Also looks like C&D has a bulk blend called "Red Odessa" with Red VA, Latakia, and Perique". Sounds like this might be their expression of Red Raparee.

Red Odessa is a variation of their Odessa, substituting red Va for Cavendish.

Their version of RR is called Red Stag.

 

[Brewdude]

Also looks like C&D has a bulk blend called "Red Odessa" with Red VA, Latakia, and Perique". Sounds like this might be their expression of Red Raparee.

Red Odessa is a variation of their Odessa, substituting red Va for Cavendish.

Their version of RR is called Red Stag.

Good to know. Thanks.


Cheers,

RR

 

[alfredo_buscatti]

I once asked one of the sons of McCranie Sr., I think Todd, why he smoked Red Ribbon exclusively. He said "it always satisfies."

Like other tobacco manufacturers I think McCranie's balances quality with price for their noted red VA offerings. The first vintage I tried was 8? y/o, and loving flake bought it. They advertise their red VA as being the best of the best. Though I'm not sure this is the case, and though it's been a long time since I smoked a tin, I do believe they offer quality.

 

[jj1015]

Opening Night, Union Square, Kajun Kake and Briar Fox are all pretty heavy on the red VA.

If I were you, I'd just order some straight red VA from Cornell and Diehl, then let it age for awhile. It's a pretty good VA on its own, and you can always add a splash of something else if it's too bland (if nothing else, it's a heck of an education when it comes to VAs).

 

[Anonymous]

McCranie -- the reviews here & @ tobaccoreviews sounded like Red Ribbon & Red Flake were good stuff. (1983's probably all gone. 2000 ?) So Smokingpipes doesn't carry it, but the McCranie chain does -- kind of.

Not as bulk at all, and only the ribbon (no crop date listed) in tins.

(?)

:face:
BEHIND THE CURVE

 

[kaiser83]

Off the top of my head- McCranies Red Ribbon and Red Flake

That's what I'd have to say too.

 

[Storm_Crow]

So Smokingpipes doesn't carry it, but the McCranie chain does -- kind of.
BEHIND THE CURVE

I was on the McCranie website a week or two ago looking for Red Ribbon (along with Old Master) coincidentally, and I didn't see it. Maybe I'll give em a call and find out if the stuff's still available.

 

[Anonymous]

Oh great. Now we'll have another stampede shortage . . .

:face:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Great list. Then I went and deleted the stupid file I was working on... stupid technology. That's okay, what else am I doing? :no: :lol:

See? BoB is also a redundant data backup. Poke fun at that statement as you will, gents.

8)

 

[Brewdude]

McCranie -- the reviews here & @ tobaccoreviews sounded like Red Ribbon & Red Flake were good stuff. (1983's probably all gone. 2000 ?) So Smokingpipes doesn't carry it, but the McCranie chain does -- kind of.

Not as bulk at all, and only the ribbon (no crop date listed) in tins.

(?)

:face:
BEHIND THE CURVE

I'm sure I smoked some of the '83 crop back over 10 yrs ago before I put down the pipe for a while. At least that's my best guess.

Looks like I have some of the 2000 Red Ribbon and Flake now. Smoked through a couple tins of it and it's a dead ringer for the earlier stuff IMHO. It's listed on the tin yak.

Oh great. Now we'll have another stampede shortage . . .

Perhaps.

Frankly, when bulk 5100 is going for $46/lb or less I can easily overlook any slight differences.

I was on the McCranie website a week or two ago looking for Red Ribbon (along with Old Master) coincidentally, and I didn't see it. Maybe I'll give em a call and find out if the stuff's still available.

Let us know what you find out. Hard to believe it's not available.



Cheers,

RR

 

[brother bear]

I just picked up a tin of Wessex Red Virginia Flake a few weeks back that's pretty good. There's just a hint of pepper that makes me think there's probably some perique in there, but mostly it's just red viriginia. It's pricey though, and unless it's a special occasion I have been smoking MB HH Mature Virginia, which is comparable (although I don't know if it's a red).

 

[Kyle Weiss]

I tried the Mac B Matured Virginia and there was something about it flavor-wise that didn't do it for me. Some kind of topping that really distracted from the flavors. I feel like I'm pretty good friends with Mac Baren products, but this one leaned too far aromatic for me...

...still adding it to the list, just worth mentioning. :lol:

8)

 

[s.ireland]

Looks like C&D makes a blend called "Red Carpet" which has a great appeal from its description-

The perfect blend of Red Virginia and Perique with a touch of Izmir for interest, pressed and sliced into flake form.

Need to get some of this in and check it out.


Cheers,

RR

Hey Brew! I'm going to wager that you would really enjoy Red Carpet. It's fantastic.

As far as other Red VA-heavy blends...


Wessex Classic Virgina and Classic Virginia with perique, McConnell Scottish Flake and Scottish Cake, Solani 660 silver label...