Robert McConnell Red Virginia

I agree with Dubinthedam. The description on the tin is not quite my take on this one. That said, it is a great VAper blend to have (that is if you'd even call it a VAper). There is perique in this tobacco and I do detect it, but it is very very subtle. Much more subtle than McConnell's Scottish Cake. This blend is described as Cut RR red Virginia cake with Perique and spicy top note. The top note is very mild, and i actually detect alot of the red VA's sweetness (almost fruity) over the spice in this tobacco. That said, i've only smoked this a few times so we'll see how it ages. Great so far though, 4 stars.

I've been working on a tin of this for about 2 weeks now, and this tobacco really grew on me. The first few bowls i thought were harsh, but after the third or fourth bowl, the tobacco mellowed out. This was because of the aromatic i smoked in the pipe prior to the Red Virginia. The blend description says perique, but i couldn't taste any perique. There is a topping of some kind on this tobacco, its noticeable when the seal on the tin is broken and when you sniff the tobacco but not when its being smoked. McConnell's Red Virginia is a nice everyday tobacco. I give it a strong 4 stars....

I hope this is the right stuff. The tin I bought didn't say "superb". It just read "the original RED VIRGINIA pipe tobacco". And had a picture of an Indian and a white guy sitting and smoking.

I bought a tin of this yesterday, packed my GBD Rockroot and must say that i Enjoyed it. It reminds me a little of Davidoff's Oriental, but a little bit more "spicier". At first I thought it was toungue bite, but I think it was the perique. I will have to give i few more test puffs to give a really good analasys.

If you are wanting to explore the world of tobacco beond the regular standbys, then I would recomend trying a tin. And again, If you are ONLY into the Cpt. Black type mega sweet "Sundae-in-a-briar", then reach for the can of blue note on the next shelf.

As you can probably tell, I am by NO MEANS an expert. In my book, There are 2 kinds of tobacco. There's GOOD and there's GARBAGE. This is GOOD :-). That is only one man's opinion.

Another McConell only available in bulk, so once more, under all reserve until I buy the tin version.

Thing is, the impression of the bulk doesn't incitate me to try the tin.

A rather small ready rubbed leaf combined with broken flake, red and dark brown, but as if somebody sweeped the floor to pick up the bits of bakkie that were not selected for the tin. Sad to say, but that was my impression.

Easy to light up-figures! but, because of the so broken format, had a tendancy to overheat and thus, bite.

Smoked kind of dry till the end, but I neber bothered finishing the pouch, I quit about half way.

Apparently my style has changed from my original review, because I like this blend all round, including the cherry-something top dressing. The flavor is also a bit heavier than I remember it. BTW, my tin says nothing about "Red Virginia Superb". It reads: "The Original Red Virginia Pipe Tobacco," and was distributed by James B. Norman and blended in the EU. This picks up a star.

Original review from 2005: Good quality and all, but the cherry/licorice top dressing is not my style. Nice for an occassional aromatic diversion and a nice compromise if non-smokers are being considered. Real tobacco flavor is not covered by the flavorings. I wonder if this is anything like Rattray's Terry Red?

This tobacco suprised me. Seeking a Virginia break from latakia and aromatics, this came as a very pleasant suprise. I had already discovered Marlin Flake but found that, unconsciously, Red Virginia had taken over as my daily smoke of choice.

This is a light coloured, mildly sweet blend. The tin aroma is fruity but enigmatic, a slight hint of peaches or apricots? The flake is rubbed out so easy to pack. It ignites spontaneously and burns well to a light grey ash. Although I have found it can burn a little hot, this may be due to my enthusiasm rather than the tobacco itself.

The taste of mild virginia is extremely satisfying and the peppery backdraft of perique keeps the mixture interesting. It's not too spicey however but a subtle and well balanced combination that works very well.

This is one of those rare smoking experiences where I find myself instinctively planning the next pipeful. Give this one a try if you like virginias. I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

Very pleasant to look at - this is a bright Virginia tobacco and no mistake.

Not difficult to pack due to its being semi-rubbed-out flake, but quite short. It therefore takes and holds a light quite well.

It's loathe to bite, but can get the bowl of the pipe fairly warm. It has a nice room note, although enjoying that too much was what made me warm the thing - too much ferocious sucking!

Not as nutty as many VAs, but not 'soapy' or floral. A reasonable daily smoke, but nothing special I'm afraid.

The tin aroma is very inviting. The tobacco packs and lights easily. Care must be taken while smoking this blend or it will bite. However, if you keep your pace slow you will be rewarded with nice tobacco flavor and the subtle sweetness associated with red virginias. The tobacco burned clean to the bottom. I would rate this tobacco somewhat higher if not for its tendency to bite when smoked inattentively.

This is not the original Red Va. of the 70's and 80's that I loved so well, but is still a formidable tobacco. The original did not have Perique, nor any topping, and was similar to Hal O' The Wynd of the same era. The new blend has a very light topping, which to my nose smells a bit like prunes, or dried apricots. (ACome to think of it, GLP Cumberland has a simiilar aroma, without topping). Quite pleasant, and does not interfere with the Virginia tobacco aroma. The blend is a short ribbon, almost enterely rubbed out from broken flake, showing a range of colors from blonde to black, but predominantly red. Packing is easy in any size bowl from a small group 3 to a large group 5. Lighting is very typical, neither too easy, nor too slow to burn. The first match wakes the flavor quickly, with the topping almost disappearing, while a tingle from the Perique mingles charmingly with the sweetness of the Virginias. A medium intensity of flavor is maintained throughout the bowl, with nice compexity and variations in flavor. The flavor changes slightly with puffing tempo, as a good Va. should. IMHO, this is a tobacco that can be enjoyed in a contemplative way, or when busy with other tasks. Not as dramatic as HOTW, or Marlin Flake, more on par with Old Gowrie