alPol05
Well-Known Member
Piping Notes 01 - Virginia RED TIPS
A few weeks ago I received my package from the WLT with tobacco I purchased and several sample packages. One of the samples was Virginia RED TIPS - Flue Cured.
Today I found a bit of time to try this leaf and compare it to other Virginias I have. Here are my observations.
I loaded my pipe and struck a match. The first cloud of smoke… The first taste in my mouth… It was a surprise from the beginning to the end. Fantastic taste, aroma, and the unmistakable scent of pure tobacco! Burning hay in my nostrils and light, sweet taste in my mouth!
I am fascinated and pleased! What a great surprise!
As I write this, I smoke the third bowl and don’t want to stop.
I also have two other blending Red Virginias that I wanted compare to the Red Tips. These are commercial blending tobaccos that I bought some time ago. Although these are not Virginia Tips, this is the best I have on hand.
I am disappointed and sad – Is this what I paid for?
On the bright side, I want to have another bowl of the Red Tips!
Thank you, Don!
A few weeks ago I received my package from the WLT with tobacco I purchased and several sample packages. One of the samples was Virginia RED TIPS - Flue Cured.
Today I found a bit of time to try this leaf and compare it to other Virginias I have. Here are my observations.
1. Virginia RED TIPS - The tobacco straight from the bag was pleasantly pliable in my fingers and didn’t need any drying or humidifying – it was just right and ready to smoke. I shredded the leaf for a few bowls. I have a few pipes that I use for smoking pure leaf just for testing. These pipes are always thoroughly cleaned and used only for that purpose.
I loaded my pipe and struck a match. The first cloud of smoke… The first taste in my mouth… It was a surprise from the beginning to the end. Fantastic taste, aroma, and the unmistakable scent of pure tobacco! Burning hay in my nostrils and light, sweet taste in my mouth!
I am fascinated and pleased! What a great surprise!
As I write this, I smoke the third bowl and don’t want to stop.
I also have two other blending Red Virginias that I wanted compare to the Red Tips. These are commercial blending tobaccos that I bought some time ago. Although these are not Virginia Tips, this is the best I have on hand.
2. Sutliff Red Virginia for Blending
I loaded a bowl into a fresh pipe and started puffing. My enthusiasm was falling at the neck breaking speed. I was puffing a bit faster and stronger… What is happening? I was smoking something without the taste and aroma. Am I smoking tobacco? My mouth is sour, and I have a tongue bit. The second bowl was only slightly better. I could finally identify some remnants of tobacco taste, but the sour tongue and burning mouth could not deal with this much longer.
3. Stokkebye Red Virginia for Blending
A few hours later I tried this tobacco in a fresh pipe. This smoke was a bit better. There were some aroma and less harshness than in the Sutliff Virginia. It is a step above the Sutliff, but my mouth was sour, and I felt a slight tongue bit.
I loaded a bowl into a fresh pipe and started puffing. My enthusiasm was falling at the neck breaking speed. I was puffing a bit faster and stronger… What is happening? I was smoking something without the taste and aroma. Am I smoking tobacco? My mouth is sour, and I have a tongue bit. The second bowl was only slightly better. I could finally identify some remnants of tobacco taste, but the sour tongue and burning mouth could not deal with this much longer.
3. Stokkebye Red Virginia for Blending
A few hours later I tried this tobacco in a fresh pipe. This smoke was a bit better. There were some aroma and less harshness than in the Sutliff Virginia. It is a step above the Sutliff, but my mouth was sour, and I felt a slight tongue bit.
I am disappointed and sad – Is this what I paid for?
On the bright side, I want to have another bowl of the Red Tips!
Thank you, Don!