Note: This thread based on an agreement to test and review the main components of the nearly endless blends,
in a quest to better understand them.
When accumulating samples so as to better understand the components, I ended up with an ounce of McClelland No. 27 Matured Virginia which was one of the highest reviewed, highest rated Virginias (TobaccoReview.com). In general this component is described as sweet but tangy, sometimes haylike, but one that can be a tongue burner. One description was this:
But Virginia apparently are more challenging. Preparation and drying are important and tongue burn seemed a real issue."This pipe tobacco has a delicate fruit-like flavor which makes them subtlety sweet. They are rather tangy but are pleasant on the palate, reminiscent of a mild salsa. The best matured Virginia’s are naturally sweet and clean-smoking tobaccos that fill the mouth with flavor. You will notice a flavor curve that is zesty at light up and then turns richer as the tobacco is smoked. Virginia tobaccos are also important components of aromatic and flavored blends."
McClelland No. 27 Matured Virginia
Unlike the Burley component thread, this Virginia is pure, not modified with any other component or flavoring. For some reason a lot of the companies use the number "27" in naming their Virginias, anybody know why?
No. 27 is very well regarded, as it's tobaccos are matured/fermented. This leads to what many called a "catsup" (tangy) aroma. Although this tobacco itself is called naturally sweet (and added to blends for that reason). The "tangy" piece leads to Virginia's being called "bright". Reviewers also noted that it was VERY important to dry this tobacco, or face a common report of tongue burn. Prepare, you're fine; don't and you burn. Simple.
Oops...
As recommended I tried rubbing out a couple of No. 27's broken flakes but took a pass on drying it (save a few minutes in the pipe). For failure of drying it properly, the rub out wasn't really all that successful - I now had a bunch of long shreds, but not the shag cut these flakes are made of. Had I dried it properly I read, rubbing out, lighting and burning it would have been simple.
Fack it, I continued and packed the pipe in pseudo Navy Flake fashion, making a rough roll, stuffing and packing firmly. All wrong. Lighting was difficult, relights abounded and of course I experienced the dreaded tongue bite. This of course made a real evaluatation impossible, though I did experience some nice gentle and sweet notes here and there. The lesson here: moisture leads to steam and a harsh and nasty, tongue-burning smoke while with proper prep, it is widely regarded as a wonderful, gentle and sweet smoke.
Think Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde.
Thus, this tasting was a bust. The absolute ease of packing and smoking one-light Burley had spoiled me. This Virginia requires more skill and attention, ergo I'll have to try again.
Who's next?
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