I am new to VA/pers and I have received a shipment of three samples today: Peter Stokkobye's Escudo Navy Deluxe; McClelland's Bulk #5100 Red Flake; and Cornell & Diehl's Bayou Morning. I think I am going to try the Escudo first, as it smells the most intriguing. What do you think of my choices, and what others might you suggest?
VA/per pipe tobacco suggestions?
- Thread starter La Mosca
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Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
I love me some VaPer. The Escudo is a good one to start with. I've never tried the Bayou Morning, and I don't believe the 5100 actually has Perique in it but the 2015 is a favorite of mine. I'd also try Esoterica Dunbar and Anniversary Kake
Escudo is my favorite.
I just got some VaPers in today -- Escudo and McClelland Beacon Extra. Escudo's rep precedes itself but I'll post my impressions of Beacon Extra after I try it... it's supposedly a Perique bomb. I've also had Solani Virginia Flake with Perique. I was indifferent to it at first but after I learned how to smoke it properly, look out, great stuff! Let us know how you like your new VaPers.
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- #5
I stand corrected: it is McClelland #2015 Virginia Flake that I got, and not the #5100.
I actually went with the Bayou Morning first, and I was pleasantly surprised. It was sweet, cool, and had just enough perique in it to make it interesting. I had a heck of a time getting it lit, but once I did it burned down to a pretty good white ash. I can't wait to try the Escudo.
2015 and Solani 633 are my favorites.
I'm very new at this, and have only had a couple of bowls but I really like Orlick Golden Slice.
La Mosca please compare Bayou Morning with Escudo when you finally get to try it...
Escudo is my benchmark va/per but I am looking for something with more perique spiciness.
It also doesn't hurt that Bayou Morning is cheap; I have some ordered and I hope it will be a worthwhile purchase. I love the flavour of Escudo, but I wanted a bulk...
Escudo is my benchmark va/per but I am looking for something with more perique spiciness.
It also doesn't hurt that Bayou Morning is cheap; I have some ordered and I hope it will be a worthwhile purchase. I love the flavour of Escudo, but I wanted a bulk...
Sort of a side-question, but should I dedicate a pipe for Va's and one for Va/Per's or can the two go together quite easily without ghosting too much?
Commander Quan
Commander Yellow Pantyhose
I'll smoke both out of the same pipes.
Allright, I'm working my way through a tin of Capstan blue and was thinking of trying the Solani 633 next. Good to know I can use the same pipe.
I smoke Virginias and VaPers in the same pipe. Anything with Latakia is smoked in a separate pipe. If I had the money, I would have dedicated pipes for different kinds of tobacco. BTW, Wilfredio, nice avatar. Tom Waits is my all-time favourite musician. The longevity and scope of his talent and relevance is astounding... he's in his fifth decade of artistic excellence.
If you'd like to try a Va/Per with some latakia in it, look at C&D's Buffalo Soldier. Just finishing my first tin. While it hasn't bowled me over, it's a pleasant smoke...no one ingredient in my opinion stands out above the rest, but it burns well, packs well and for me doesn't bite.
Escudo is pretty tough to beat, but Solani 633 is right up there. I don't think I've met a VaPer I didn't like.
Thanks man!
This is actually also my favorit photograph of the man. What makes it a bit special is that the pic is taken by Anton Corbijn, a fellow-dutchman.
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- #16
I smoked the McClelland #2015 last night, and the Escudo Navy Deluxe tonight. Both were actually very similar: stronger than the Bayou Morning, and both rather enjoyably ketchupy. I would readily recommend either to any Va/Per fan.
Escudo is a winner for me. I didn't particularly get much from Bayou Morning, but I am giving it another few chances before passing judgement. I have really been enjoying VaPers lately and have tried several. 4noggins Prairie Wind is one that shouldn't be overlooked, either, though it does have a bit more Perique zing to it than Escudo. I have been trying a ton of VaPers lately. I'll try to grab some of my notes from my spreadsheet this evening and post my thoughts.
I can't say I've ever gotten ketchup from Escudo - did you smoke it in the same pipe as the McClelland? I always find I get more of a nice toasty cocoa flavour from it...
My Bayou Morning is still on the way - so you actually found it milder than the Escudo? I was hoping for more perique and I had heard it had a bigger nic kick, too. Interesting...
Prairie Wind and Cool Hand Fluke come up quite a bit in recommendations, I'm considering both. (Great prices too)
My Bayou Morning is still on the way - so you actually found it milder than the Escudo? I was hoping for more perique and I had heard it had a bigger nic kick, too. Interesting...
Prairie Wind and Cool Hand Fluke come up quite a bit in recommendations, I'm considering both. (Great prices too)
