Benchmark Straight Virginias

[Ruffinogold]

The benchmark Virginia, in my mind , is Dunhill Flake. It's not too far in either flavor direction . It's one of those blends that most any pipe smoker has had and thats part of what makes a benchmark as well , the referencing of it . It's about medium in flavor and that helps too . From it , certain flavors can go further or lighter etc ... one could talk about a different virginia and say ...... its not as sweet as dunhill , or its more lemony etc.. and people would get where the guy was coming from . It happens to be a great blend as well

Fixed the spellings in my original post . I still think Dunhill is the benchmark virginia . .y wife has a couple tins from ,I'd have to look , but some years back . It ages so great ..... I should steal them from her

[Ruffinogold]

The benchmark Virginia, in my mind , is Dunhill Flake. It's not too far in either flavor direction . It's one of those blends that most any pipe smoker has had and thats part of what makes a benchmark as well , the referencing of it . It's about medium in flavor and that helps too . From it , certain flavors can go further or lighter etc ... one could talk about a different virginia and say ...... its not as sweet as dunhill , or its more lemony etc.. and people would get where the guy was coming from . It happens to be a great blend as well

Fixed the spellings in my original post . I still think Dunhill is the benchmark virginia . .y wife has a couple tins from ,I'd have to look , but some years back . It ages so great ..... I should steal them from her

Oh boy ... I checked . 2013 and 2014 . I wonder if she'd miss one

[Houtenziel]

You know.. I haven't had any of the Dunhill( now Peterson I guess?) Virginias. I should get some. I generally am not a straight VA smoker, but I think its worth a go just for reference as Ruff stated above.

[Middle Earth]

Due to its limited run/availability I cannt say it is a benchmark
But Carolina Red Flake is a fantastic VA
It was still in stock last I looked, but as always, it will sell out ..... quickly

[Tsal]

You've smoked one Va, you've smoked them all. Grass and hay, grass and hay, fellas.

[Kevin Keith]

You've smoked one Va, you've smoked them all. Grass and hay, grass and hay, fellas.

With hints of citrus and Lectric Shave

[Tsal]

Thank you. It's a pleasure to participate. Reading this "Benchmark Virginias" thread inspired me to crack open a 2 year-old tin of Gawaith Best Brown Flake, which I decided to smoke in my Savinelli "Spigot" dress pipe in their 315KS ("author") shape. This is a great pipe that I picked up at a "Savinelli Night" event at what I believe is the best pipe shop in Paris (À la pipe du nord). I rubbed out a few flakes and let them dry for an hour, and this is turning out to be (so far) a "one-match" smoke. Quite cool and very nuanced, with some citrus and some leather.

Love me some nuance of citrus and leather! Welcome to PSF where the smoking lamp is always lit.

[Middle Earth]

You've smoked one Va, you've smoked them all. Grass and hay, grass and hay, fellas.

Haters gonna hate

[Middle Earth]

BTW not done here

I recall a certain member extolling F&T Cut Virginia Plug.....

[Tsal]

You've smoked one Va, you've smoked them all. Grass and hay, grass and hay, fellas.

Haters gonna hate

On the contrary, I happen to like straight Virginia's, I just can't seem to pull the wool over my head like everyone else can.