Cornell & Diehl Virginia Ribbon

From the C&D website: "High grade Old Belt golden Virginias. Sweet, with just a hint of citrus, because a naturally high sugar content and relatively low presence of oil, this bright leaf makes a both fine companion to a Burley, and makes for a dandy smoke on its own. "

I got a supply of this at the same time I got some Burley Ribbon Cut for the same purpose - curiosity mostly. What is probably considered blender is indeed a blend well suited to smoking alone. I do enjoy a matured VA flake now and then, but I mostly avoid them as I do not like the lingering aftertaste they leave (at least for me). This however is Virginia naturally sweet, tasty fruitiness (not citrus to me, more pineapple) with a pleasant grapenuts cereal flavor for after effects and no bite.

As a blender I have used this 50/50 with the C&D Bulk Burley Ribbon for a decent smoke and I used it 40/60 with C&D's discontinued Orient Express to sweeten it up and make a fine homemade mixture.

I am considering getting some of their blending perique because this VA reminds me of McClelland's Blackney's Best Arcadian Ribbon (without the perique, of course) in taste profile and see what some more home experimenting can come up with. Can't beat the price.