There’s an old story about Winston Churchill during the war, who everyone knows was a legendary cigar enthusiast, and always kept a large walk-in cigar closet fully stocked in the thousands. Primarily with R&J Cubans, which was about as fine a cigar as was available during that era.
But at a major Allied planning conference, he suddenly found himself completely out. Sensing the pending turmoil, the American generals present quickly dispatched a young lieutenant to fetch the Prime Minister some cigars.
The hapless lieutenant eventually returned and approached Churchill with some fresh cigars hastily procured from the nearest quartermaster … a box of White Owls.
Churchill’s facial reaction upon being handed a White Owl was such that I am retelling the story eighty years later.
Which I find surprising because folks are more likely to try a blend in a pouch than a tub, and I suspect the margin is bit higher on the pouch. Very weird, this disappearance of the venerable codger blend in pouches, I don't get it.
The Burley led stuff I have tasted, like a couple of the MacBaren flakes, tasted like sludge, with just a wee dash of diesel. Even some VaBurs like Walnut Flake, can be pushing the limits a bit for me, as to how much Burley taste I can tolerate. Judging by what the producers have decided to withdraw or keep on the UK market, it seems most of the UK smokers must agree with me. 
Over there, it seems Burley is the go to base though. I think I read somewhere that even Rich Dark Flake, the UK's equivalent of Stonehaven, has a little more Virginia for the British tastes. Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't mind Burley as an ingredient or addition to a blend, but when it starts to dominate the flavour, count me out. 
