pipesandcigars.com Scotty's Old Red

I have been trying a lot of VA's lately, after many years I have developed a taste for them and have tried many really good ones. I ordered this blend as I have read good things about it and as it's readily available for a good price and became an everyday blend, then that would be nice. It looks in the pouch to be a mix of fermented red ribbon and a rubbed out partially dark Va with a very tart, peaty aroma. It is pretty moist and even with an overnight drying period it retained it. It packed easily into my pipe and was a little hard to get lit. After several attempts, I sat back with it and a cup of good Irish tea. It is a nice mild blend with no tongue bite and it had a very natural flavor but not sweet. I like my VA's to taste sweet and in this area this blend disappointed me. It was very mellow while smoking, required a couple of relights and smoked down to the ver y bottom of the pipe to a dark grey ash and no dottle. It did not leave any moisture in my pipe and it produced a great amount of smoke. It never smoked hot even when pushed. I have to say that it was very pleasant smoke but nothing notable at all. I have had much better blends of it's type of late. I am going to mason jar it to age and see if that improves it which I suspect it will.

I am normally a Virginia Flake smoker. Upon receiving my first order of Old Red I packed my pipe lightly and fired it up. I found the back of my throat tickle with each puff and began to cough. I made it thru the first pipe full and decided to try packing the Old Red very tight. Low and behold I experienced a very different pipe of tobacco. It was very smooth and sweet. This is a great Virginia for all day smoking. I will be ordering more in the future.

It's pretty easy to see why this is one of Scotty Bendett's more popular blends. It's mild, mellow and very tasty, with all the hints of woodsmoke and caramelized brown sugar you get with a Virginia blend.

I can picture this stuff in a forest green tin, with an Irish Setter on it! A good reliable companion.

If you factor in how affordable this stuff is...quite a bargain.

So, I can see this being a regular blend for me, as I have been looking for a bite free Virginia, without the sticker shock of some of the imported blends. This may be made with McClelland tobacco, but has been mellowed enough to remove most of the vinegar tang they have.

If you like your tobacco on the natural side, by all means try some. I think you will be pleased.

I recently took up pipe smoking after a 5yr affair with cigars.I got tired of cigars and returned to the more civil and enjoyable ritual we know as pipe smoking. I used to smoke primarily Heavy English and Oriental blends so I went back to them again on my return but oddly enough although they were still enjoyable I knew I was looking for something else. I have starting exploring the world of American Burley type blends. I enjoy a good straight Burley but I knew once again I was looking for more. Then I tried Half and Half blends and I like those even better. I had so much straight Burley on hand that I thought I would buy some good inexpensive Virginias to make my own homemade Half&Half blend. That's where Old Red comes in.

I know there are a lot of straight Virginias smokers here but I did not enjoy the couple I tried years ago and got discouraged. I ordered a pound of Old Red on the reviews I read here. Of course you have to try a tobacco straight by itself before you use in in blending. Lo and Behold , Wow I really like this stuff. The in the pouch aroma is a little strange, something akin to Balsamic vinegar.

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Upon lighting it is a whole different world.Great natural quality tobacco flavor with a touch of sweetness and man I love the aroma of the smoke. I just love French inhaling this stuff. It's on the mild side but never boring , and no tongue bite. There is probably not enough nicotine for you nic-junkies but it suits me just fine. I can puff Old Red mindlessly or lay back in a more comtemplative mood with it just as well.

This could be a all day smoke for many but I am incapable of smoking the same thing day in and out but if forced to choose just one this would definitely be a strong candidate.

Simple,Sweet,Tasty Virginia with a great aroma and at less than $25 for 1lb. delivered this is my choice for the best tobacco value that I have ever encountered.

To begin with the aroma smells like hay-grass on the sweet side.My pouch came a little moist and was pretty easy to light. I think it would be better if it had some perique but then it would be louisana red but its still good . My session ended with a nice grey ash. The tobac has a little bit of a nicotine kick but not to strong.

try some you might like it.

I had a pipe of this today I really enjoyed it! good smoke for a great price. for me the blend was very moist i tried some that i dried and compared it to the non-dried. The dried was much better.

This is a nice virginia blend that reminds me of McClellands Blsckwoods Flake, only difference is the tobacco is fully rubbed out and the reds are more dominant in this mix. The flavor is very smooth and creamy for a virginia and has a nice aroma as well. Me being an English fan this one can be a little one demensional but will provide a decent change of pace for rotation.

I would highly recommend this blend for seasoned smokers; new smokers may not like it so much.

Finally.....A great Va. bulk blend at an affordable price. Scotty has a winner. As stated in the description this is pure Va.(red, and stoved) fully rubbed out and ready for the match. My pouch came just a little moist for my taste. The aroma has a rich fermenting scent. The pack, light, and burn is very good. The taste is smooth, sweet, and spicey. I have found a few (very few) blends that have IMHO a better flavor. For the difference in price I will give this fine house blend four stars, and will be ordering more for the cellar.

I put this at the top of my list for "camping" tobaccos! Old Red has an incredible mellow taste and the room note is fantastic. Upon the first smell of the tobacco I thought "Wow, what a great pipe smoke for a walk in the Adirondacks!".

A winner every time in my book!