Blenders Bench: Acadian Bright Virginia

Blenders Bench is the line through which Daughters & Ryan sells single leaf varieties separately for blenders and smokers who want to build their own mixture. Acadian Bright Virginia is obtained by putting light-colored flue-cured Virginia leaf through a process similar to the one used in Perique production.

Its flavor carries citrus tartness from fermentation, a light malty astringency, grass and hay, sugar, faint dark fruit, and woody, earthy tones. It can be smoked on its own, but its main use is adding sweetness and acid balance to blends.