Virginia

Virginia is the most common and most fundamental type of pipe tobacco. It takes its name from the U.S. state of Virginia, where it was first grown commercially; today it is cultivated in many countries, from Brazil to Zimbabwe and from Canada to Tanzania. In the great majority of pipe blends on the market, Virginia appears either as the lead component or as the base that forms the body of the blend.

Character

The feature that sets Virginia apart from other types is its high natural sugar content. This sugar gives the tobacco a sweet, grassy, hay-like character, at times reminiscent of citrus. Depending on the leaf's ripeness and processing, the color range runs from bright lemon yellow (bright/lemon Virginia) through orange and red to nearly brown (red/dark Virginia):

• Bright (yellow) Virginia: Vivid, sharp, citrusy, and grassy.

• Orange Virginia: More balanced; bready and lightly fruity.

• Red/dark Virginia: Deep, sweet-tart, with notes of dried fruit and toasted bread.

Processing

Virginia is traditionally processed by flue-curing: the leaves are dried rapidly in closed curing barns, heated by ducted air rather than direct exposure to smoke. This method locks in the leaf's sugar and preserves the sweetness that is the type's signature.

Use

Virginia is used both on its own (straight Virginia blends) and as the foundation of nearly every blend family. Combined with Perique it produces the VaPer family; combined with Latakia and oriental tobaccos it produces the English blend. Pressed and sliced flake form is one of Virginia's most classic presentations.

A note for beginners: because Virginia is high in sugar, smoking it fast and hot can cause tongue bite. A slow, cool smoke is the key to bringing out this type's subtleties.