The tin aroma is enticing with a light fruitiness, most probably from the casing. If it is a top flavoring it has been applied skillfully with a light hand and is more apparent in the tin than on the tongue. It is not an 'aromatic.'

The flakes are a treat to behold, pliable and seem to be a bit moist until one begins to work with them. Rubbing them out, they take to air like a pressed sponge to water, expanding and blooming into a surprising amount of springy and easily workable ribbon. In this form they lend themselves to smoking in larger pipes (as do most of K&K's offerings). However, and herein lies the rub, they respond very well if they are folded once, rubbed/rolled slightly keeping the fibers parallel then placed carefully into the bowl as vertically as possible. CVP seems to respond very differently to the various methods of handling and packing and to the size of pipe chosen. Many will be sympathetic with lustra's contradictory experiences (see below). I certainly am. Still, this works well for me both fully rubbed out in a medium to larger pipe and, less rubbed-out in smaller pipes, and I tend to prefer the latter.

CVP takes to the match and burns very, very well. Keeping the temperature in the pipe low yields an alluring, flavorful and invigorating smoke, leaving a clean and fruity aftertaste with a hint of toasted oats. While this is not a nicotine powerhouse, there is enough to be noticed. It is a great summer pipe, shows its stuff best out of the wind or indoors, and would be a good all-day flake for many a Va. smoker.

If you like Va. flakes, this is definitely one to try. It is also one for the 'cellar'. The tin reviewed is from 2008. CVP ages well.

As this is my first review here, I really want to thank all of the contributors. This site has been a great help over the years. Thank you!

This brings a nice nuance to what could have been an also-ran virginia blend. It takes it to a new place that makes it a must smoke. The flavors of this virginia are subtle and delicate. Tip top taste buds turn this into a great smoking experience.

Came to stay in my regular rotation.

A very well behaved tobacco, easy to rub out and easy to light, burns down to a nice grey ash with no waste. Unfortunately no longer available in England and has to be procured from overseas. Therefore I tend to smoke it sparingly as a treat.

07/27/09 UPDATE: I am revising some of my reviews. I have given out more 4 star ratings than anything else. That practice is probably not helping. So, I am reducing CVP to 3 stars, not because I like it less than I did before, but because I am limiting 4 stars to fewer than 25% of all my reviews. One day I may use the 4 star rating to designate my top five.

It has that creamy taste that I associate with Virginia blends. It is something I look forward to when cracking open the tin of a new blend and more often than not I am disappointed.

I was really looking forward to trying it and am very happy to report that I am a very satisfied piper. I filled my pipe for the first time and, not expecting much, lit this wonderful weed and smoked the first few puffs while going over some documents. The wonderful taste caught me offguard and I put the paperwork down for a moment and savoured the toe curling, creamy, smooth deliciousness coming from the mouthpiece of my beloved briar.

In no particular order, HOTW, OG, LGF, CVP. These are the reasons I am a piper for life.

Mo, South Africa

This was the first tin I?ve ever finished except for the four or five bowls I gave to a veteran pipe smoker who loved it. It never bit me and only got hot if I deliberately huffed. You can fold, spindle, or mutilate the flakes or even cram them in like a miniball in a muzzle-loader and still get a decent smoke. I think my most favored packing technique was to roll a section of flake lengthwise, stuff it in and then thoroughly rub out some more and put it on top as kindling.

The taste is of light and pure gold virginia which is sweetly cased and a top dressed with scenting common to Three Castles cigarettes. There are a few, odd flecks of black cavendish which lend a slightly exaggerated and creamy sweetness.

Cut VA Plug has many virtues: an excellent cut, clean burning properties, and top- quality, unaffected bright VAs. It is "proper" in a non-pejorative sense: elegant, comfortable, and conservative. It worked best in a narrow to medium gauge chamber.

I have tried it folded and fully rubbed, and I think that I prefer it rubbed out.

My only substantial complaint is that it tastes so good the first half of the bowl but gets quite bitter toward the end. It does burn well, but a nice slow smoking pace is required to get the best from this tobacco.

It is presented well in the tin and does require some drying time.

The tin I smoked was 8 months old. I have one more tin that I will let age for a few more months and see if it mellows out a tad. I will try it in the same pipe because in all fairness, the pipe is not fully broken in as I only smoked 16 bowls through it.

I will report back if the results change.