After extensive testing of many of the VZ SC tobacco flavors, I discovered that many of them share certain characteristics and can be somewhat grouped together. Not only that, several of them seem to transition from one to the next fairly smoothly. With that in mind, I thought I would break them down here for anyone wanting to get an idea of how they relate to each other, rather than trying to describe the flavors individually.
My personal favorites in each group are colored blue.
NOTE: Keep in mind that this is very subjective, and is just my take on it!
Flue Cured Flavors
These have a very neutral, mild, and sweet flavor. They don't have the typical harshness that you would expect from a true tobacco flavor.
Virginia Flue Cured (VFC) - Very smooth; makes for a nice ADV and a base for many mixes. I use a few drops of it as a foundation for mixes when I don't want much (or any) tobacco flavor, but need something with "body" to attach other flavors to...if that makes sense.
Honey Flue Cured (HFC) - Almost identical to VFC, but a little sweeter.
Chocolate/Burly Flavors
These flavors seem to transition from a heavy chocolate, "wet" flavor to a very dry, pure burly flavor. They are listed here in order of most chocolate to most burly. Interestingly enough, the transition from Black Cigar to Burly (in the order shown below) seems pretty smooth to me. I've found that I can sometimes be off one flavor in either direction in a blind taste test, due to the similarities in adjacent flavors.
Black Cigar - Pretty heavy on the chocolate. Good for adding some bottom end to other tobacco mixes, or as a standalone chocolate tobacco.
Cigar - Very similar to BC, but a little less chocolate. Makes a good base for heavy, fruity tobacco blends.
Blended Tobacco - Still has some chocolate, but starts to transition into more of a pure tobacco flavor. Not a big fan of this one, but I'll check it out again after more steep time (currently at about a week).
Dunhill - Very similar to the Mild Seven, but a little more aromatic and better tasting IMO.
Mild Seven - Still has a slight hint of chocolate, but more burly flavored. A somewhat odd flavor with a weird after-taste sometimes. One of those love it/hate it blends I think, due to the occasional after-taste.
Seven Star - Very similar to Mild Seven, but very little to no chocolate and a better finish. I consider this to be the beginning of the burly tobaccos.
555 - A little stronger and more aromatic. A bit perfumy, but mellows out after a couple of weeks.
Real Cig - Less aromatic than 555, more burly. A little harsh at first, but smooths out nicely with steeping.
Parliament - Most "realistic" cigarette tobacco that I've tried. Very good, dry cigarette flavor that isn't too harsh, with just a hint of a nutty undertone. People who enjoy Hangsen RY1 should like this I think, as they are somewhat similar...although I find the RY1 a bit weaker with more of a peanut butter taste.
Burly - Very dry and distinct. Once you taste this flavor, you'll easily recognize it in the other tobaccos. I don't really care for it on it's own, but it's excellent for adding a bit of a cigarette vibe to any other flavor. (If nothing else, you should buy some of this and the Black Cigar, just so this post makes sense. LOL)
Complex Flavors
I grouped these here because they don't seem to fit within the somewhat smooth transition from Black Cigar to Burly. I used the term "complex" simply for lack of a better description.
It's worth noting that for whatever reason, I've noticed that the first three flavors in this group are more sensitive to bad wicks and the equipment than the other flavors; possibly due to them containing something pleasant that is not far from an unpleasant burnt wick taste.
BTW - Picking a favorite from this group was difficult; I like them all.
September Wolves - Slightly burly flavor, with what seems to be a hint of cinnamon or maybe mint. Nice after a couple of weeks of steeping. EDIT: This one is getting better and better with age. It's starting to look like a good candidate for some experimentation.
Old Captain - Very similar to September Wolves, but more arromatic and not as burly. Makes a great secondary vape when you want something different.
French Pipe - This flavor has a lot going on with it, and is one of those flavors that you will either love or hate. It is a very perfumed flavor, but not in a bad way. I've never smoked (or smelled) a French pipe, but I have a feeling this is what it would taste like.
Island Tobacco - This one is really out there, and tastes like nothing else I've tried. There seems to be hints of chocolate, coconut, and at times maybe even some banana. Whatever it is, it is starting to grow on me after a week or so.
IMO, these are all excellent flavors that are easy to mix, with only one or two that I don't really care for. And even those are just a matter of personal preference; not so much the flavors themselves.
I'll update this as I try more of the VZ SC tobaccos.
Thoughts?
My personal favorites in each group are colored blue.
NOTE: Keep in mind that this is very subjective, and is just my take on it!
Flue Cured Flavors
These have a very neutral, mild, and sweet flavor. They don't have the typical harshness that you would expect from a true tobacco flavor.
Virginia Flue Cured (VFC) - Very smooth; makes for a nice ADV and a base for many mixes. I use a few drops of it as a foundation for mixes when I don't want much (or any) tobacco flavor, but need something with "body" to attach other flavors to...if that makes sense.
Honey Flue Cured (HFC) - Almost identical to VFC, but a little sweeter.
Chocolate/Burly Flavors
These flavors seem to transition from a heavy chocolate, "wet" flavor to a very dry, pure burly flavor. They are listed here in order of most chocolate to most burly. Interestingly enough, the transition from Black Cigar to Burly (in the order shown below) seems pretty smooth to me. I've found that I can sometimes be off one flavor in either direction in a blind taste test, due to the similarities in adjacent flavors.
Black Cigar - Pretty heavy on the chocolate. Good for adding some bottom end to other tobacco mixes, or as a standalone chocolate tobacco.
Cigar - Very similar to BC, but a little less chocolate. Makes a good base for heavy, fruity tobacco blends.
Blended Tobacco - Still has some chocolate, but starts to transition into more of a pure tobacco flavor. Not a big fan of this one, but I'll check it out again after more steep time (currently at about a week).
Dunhill - Very similar to the Mild Seven, but a little more aromatic and better tasting IMO.
Mild Seven - Still has a slight hint of chocolate, but more burly flavored. A somewhat odd flavor with a weird after-taste sometimes. One of those love it/hate it blends I think, due to the occasional after-taste.
Seven Star - Very similar to Mild Seven, but very little to no chocolate and a better finish. I consider this to be the beginning of the burly tobaccos.
555 - A little stronger and more aromatic. A bit perfumy, but mellows out after a couple of weeks.
Real Cig - Less aromatic than 555, more burly. A little harsh at first, but smooths out nicely with steeping.
Parliament - Most "realistic" cigarette tobacco that I've tried. Very good, dry cigarette flavor that isn't too harsh, with just a hint of a nutty undertone. People who enjoy Hangsen RY1 should like this I think, as they are somewhat similar...although I find the RY1 a bit weaker with more of a peanut butter taste.
Burly - Very dry and distinct. Once you taste this flavor, you'll easily recognize it in the other tobaccos. I don't really care for it on it's own, but it's excellent for adding a bit of a cigarette vibe to any other flavor. (If nothing else, you should buy some of this and the Black Cigar, just so this post makes sense. LOL)
Complex Flavors
I grouped these here because they don't seem to fit within the somewhat smooth transition from Black Cigar to Burly. I used the term "complex" simply for lack of a better description.
It's worth noting that for whatever reason, I've noticed that the first three flavors in this group are more sensitive to bad wicks and the equipment than the other flavors; possibly due to them containing something pleasant that is not far from an unpleasant burnt wick taste.
BTW - Picking a favorite from this group was difficult; I like them all.
September Wolves - Slightly burly flavor, with what seems to be a hint of cinnamon or maybe mint. Nice after a couple of weeks of steeping. EDIT: This one is getting better and better with age. It's starting to look like a good candidate for some experimentation.
Old Captain - Very similar to September Wolves, but more arromatic and not as burly. Makes a great secondary vape when you want something different.
French Pipe - This flavor has a lot going on with it, and is one of those flavors that you will either love or hate. It is a very perfumed flavor, but not in a bad way. I've never smoked (or smelled) a French pipe, but I have a feeling this is what it would taste like.
Island Tobacco - This one is really out there, and tastes like nothing else I've tried. There seems to be hints of chocolate, coconut, and at times maybe even some banana. Whatever it is, it is starting to grow on me after a week or so.
IMO, these are all excellent flavors that are easy to mix, with only one or two that I don't really care for. And even those are just a matter of personal preference; not so much the flavors themselves.
I'll update this as I try more of the VZ SC tobaccos.
Thoughts?
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