Post by atison on Apr 5, 2019 8:02:55 GMT -5
So yesterday I realized it had been a while since I last had a bowl of FVF. My first go with it was a disaster. Too wet and the flavors never developed for me. Second go was much better and the light switch was turned on.
So the rest of my tin has been sitting undisturbed for a few months all rubbed out, in a mason jar of course. I loaded my pipe up and set off chasing those intoxicating flavors from my 2nd round with it. They were there, but not as pronounced as I remembered. Keep in mind, since the 2nd round with FVF I have ventured into other virginia flake (Orlik Golden Sliced) and Vapers that have deepened my appreciation for the natural sweet Virginia notes as well as the dark fruit and peppery perique. Flake medallions has become my new favorite with Luxury Navy Flake on its heels.
I like FVF but there is one thing that sets it apart from the others I have tried. There is no other way to put it other than it is "harsh" to me. Let me try to explain what I mean by that. It doesn't come across as strong in any category for me. It just has a "burn" to it in my nostrils. I will retrohale every couple minutes throughout a bowl, but between that I like to do this thing where after the draw I just kind of open everything up where air can flow through mouth and nose and slowly release the smoke so it meanders out in all directions as well as back in through my nostrils. Other blends that are a bit harsh on the retrohale usually are not harsh at all doing this less direct method.
FVF on the other hand always leaves me with a burning sensation in my nostrils. Most blends I welcome a trickle of smoke off the bowl that makes it straight up to my nose but with FVF I avoid it. Best way to describe it is that feel you get when you breathe through your nose on a really cold day (like single digit cold). For you warm weather located folks, it also is similar to that feeling when you have had a bad sinus cold but have finally gotten your nostrils to open up and can breathe but there is so much irritation that it is uncomfortable.
My guess is that FVF with a few years age on it will tone down that harshness and pump up all its incredible flavors. That does sound like pipe nirvana for me.
With all the posts lately about FVF being back in availability (at least sporadically and in short supply) I was first tempted to jump on another tin. But the more I think about, the more I question if it is worth it for me. I am still pretty new to pipes and developing my tastes as well as my processes. I am starting to accumulate decent amounts of what I like with quantities put away specifically not to be touched before future dates. However, everything that I have ranked at the top and stocked up on is still in my top ranks young and fresh out of a new tin/jar.
I am not one who stresses and spends extra time and money to chase down something that is scarce and the masses are after. An example is Weller's Antique bourbon. Walked into the store a while back and found a bottle (for $28 too) and thought it was some pretty good stuff. Worked through that bottle pretty quick. Went back the next time, specifically on the day and time the shipment came in, and stood there for over an hour to get it and it was up to $34 and all their supply was gone in 15 minutes. That will be my last bottle of that for a while as there is too much other great stuff available every day at a consistent price.
I am sure I will pick up a tin or two somewhere down the line. However, I wont be standing in line for it or paying a crazy price for it. Maybe after I age one a few years my mind will change. But in the meantime, I will have a lot of other great blends in high quantity aging and readily available at normal pricing.
So the rest of my tin has been sitting undisturbed for a few months all rubbed out, in a mason jar of course. I loaded my pipe up and set off chasing those intoxicating flavors from my 2nd round with it. They were there, but not as pronounced as I remembered. Keep in mind, since the 2nd round with FVF I have ventured into other virginia flake (Orlik Golden Sliced) and Vapers that have deepened my appreciation for the natural sweet Virginia notes as well as the dark fruit and peppery perique. Flake medallions has become my new favorite with Luxury Navy Flake on its heels.
I like FVF but there is one thing that sets it apart from the others I have tried. There is no other way to put it other than it is "harsh" to me. Let me try to explain what I mean by that. It doesn't come across as strong in any category for me. It just has a "burn" to it in my nostrils. I will retrohale every couple minutes throughout a bowl, but between that I like to do this thing where after the draw I just kind of open everything up where air can flow through mouth and nose and slowly release the smoke so it meanders out in all directions as well as back in through my nostrils. Other blends that are a bit harsh on the retrohale usually are not harsh at all doing this less direct method.
FVF on the other hand always leaves me with a burning sensation in my nostrils. Most blends I welcome a trickle of smoke off the bowl that makes it straight up to my nose but with FVF I avoid it. Best way to describe it is that feel you get when you breathe through your nose on a really cold day (like single digit cold). For you warm weather located folks, it also is similar to that feeling when you have had a bad sinus cold but have finally gotten your nostrils to open up and can breathe but there is so much irritation that it is uncomfortable.
My guess is that FVF with a few years age on it will tone down that harshness and pump up all its incredible flavors. That does sound like pipe nirvana for me.
With all the posts lately about FVF being back in availability (at least sporadically and in short supply) I was first tempted to jump on another tin. But the more I think about, the more I question if it is worth it for me. I am still pretty new to pipes and developing my tastes as well as my processes. I am starting to accumulate decent amounts of what I like with quantities put away specifically not to be touched before future dates. However, everything that I have ranked at the top and stocked up on is still in my top ranks young and fresh out of a new tin/jar.
I am not one who stresses and spends extra time and money to chase down something that is scarce and the masses are after. An example is Weller's Antique bourbon. Walked into the store a while back and found a bottle (for $28 too) and thought it was some pretty good stuff. Worked through that bottle pretty quick. Went back the next time, specifically on the day and time the shipment came in, and stood there for over an hour to get it and it was up to $34 and all their supply was gone in 15 minutes. That will be my last bottle of that for a while as there is too much other great stuff available every day at a consistent price.
I am sure I will pick up a tin or two somewhere down the line. However, I wont be standing in line for it or paying a crazy price for it. Maybe after I age one a few years my mind will change. But in the meantime, I will have a lot of other great blends in high quantity aging and readily available at normal pricing.
