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Virginia tobaccos are celebrated for their natural, tangy sweetness and exceptional aging potential. They are among the most ubiquitous of all components; few blends would exist without Virginias. They combine wonderfully with other varietals, from Burley and Perique to Latakia and Orientals, and can stand easily on their own in pure Virginia mixtures. To help with your exploration and future discoveries, we've compiled a list of Smokingpipes' top ten best-selling Virginia blends — those that primarily entirely comprise Virginias and showcase the varietal's distinctive flavor profile. Let's dive in!
Updated for 2026. This article was originally published February 20, 2015. It has annually been updated to incorporate current data and edited to reflect product availability.
- 10. Low Country Natural Virginia
- 9. Cornell & Diehl Bayou Morning
- 8. Peter Stokkebye PS402 Luxury Twist Flake
- 7. Davidoff Flake Medallions
- 6. A&C Petersen Escudo Navy Deluxe
- 5. Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Evening Flake
- 4. Peter Stokkebye PS403 Luxury Bullseye Flake
- 3. Orlik Golden Sliced
- 2. Peter Stokkebye PS400 Luxury Navy Flake
- 1. Cornell & Diehl Briar Fox
10. Low Country Natural Virginia
Staying in 10th place, Low Country's Natural Virginia is a simple pure Virginia. Its naturally sweet profile affords notes of hay and citrus. Made from choice Old Belt Red and Bright Virginias, it's a great option for at-home blending or smoking straight.
Available in: Bulk
"Just great tasting, natural Virginia goodness. At such a great price. Smokes sweet, smooth, and cool without a bite. Must try!" — Pipester.ph, 5-star review at Smokingpipes
- Components: Virginia
- Family: Virginia
- Cut: Ribbon
9. Cornell & Diehl Bayou Morning
Ranking at number nine again this year, Cornell & Diehl's Bayou Morning is a strong smoke to wake you right up in the morning. This Virginia/Perique, or Va/Per, is composed of Red and Bright Virginias alongside 25% Perique; A Perique lover's smoke packing a delightful punch.
Available in: 2oz | 8oz | Bulk
"This is currently one of my favorite blends. Definitely one that I keep on hand and typically smoke in the mornings on the weekends while I drink my coffee." — JSMitchell, 5-star review at Smokingpipes
- Components: Virginia, Perique
- Family: Virginia
- Cut: Ribbon
8. Peter Stokkebye PS402 Luxury Twist Flake
Peter Stokkebye's PS402 Luxury Twist Flake comes in at number eight this year, delivering a pure Virginia experience, comprised of Zimbabwe and eastern United States Virginian leaf, all hand-rolled into a spun cake, then pressed and sliced into flakes.
Available in: Bulk
"A mellow, easy, straight Virginia that's sweet and creamy, with notes of caramel and sugar. The topping tastes natural and doesn't overpower the tobacco. The flakes look amazing too. I bet it will age nicely. Very good smoke. 5 STARS." — Kentucky Bear, 5-star review at Smokingpipes
- Components: Virginia
- Family: Virginia
- Cut: Flake
7. Davidoff Flake Medallions
Davidoff's Flake Medallions is a coin-cut blend of sweet Virginias and spicy Perique with fermented Black Cavendish, adding a mellow body. It's great straight out of the tin and offers exceptional aging potential for those who can be patient.
Available in: 50g
"As a primarily English/Balkan smoker, I nonetheless enjoy variety, and am always looking to try highly rated tins in other categories. I like bold taste, and have been let down by many a nearly tasteless Virginia blend, but this stuff is a revelation. Presentation is beautiful, with dense, gorgeous coins fit for folding and stuffing. Lights and burns well, without drying. Flavor is always above subtle, but never strong. Good smoke production for a Va/Per, and while the spice from the Perique is always present, they are always sweet spices to complement the lightly tart but sweet, creamy, and bready Virginias. All perfectly in balance, and all sweet without candy topping." - BurleyVonPuffington, 5-star review at Smokingpipes
6. A&C Petersen Escudo Navy Deluxe
Rising up the ranks since last year, Escudo Navy Deluxe features a classic Va/Per mixture made of full-bodied Virginias from North Carolina and Virginia mixed with Louisiana Perique, all pressed and matured before being sliced into coins. The result is complex with fruity and spicy notes that has mesmerized smokers for generations now.
Available in: 50g
"If this was the only tobacco I could ever get my hands on, that would be fine. What really sets Escudo apart is consistency. First puff? Great. Mid-bowl? Better. Last third? Still smooth, still flavorful, still behaving like it knows it's a classic. No bitterness, no burnout, no 'why did I pack this?' regrets. Final verdict: Escudo isn't trendy — it's timeless. This is the tobacco you reach for when you want guaranteed satisfaction and zero nonsense. If you don't like Escudo, that's fine... but also, we might need to talk." — Bryan A., 5-star review at Smokingpipes
5. Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Evening Flake
Entering the list at number five, Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation's Evening Flake is a mild-mannered Va/Per flake-cut blend, made up of Golden Virginias with a touch of Perique that is hot-pressed for a week before being sliced into flakes. Its profile of tart, tangy citrus with bread from the Virginias plays nicely with the jamminess and spiced elements from the Perique.
Available in: Bulk
"One flake, torn in half and stuffed/folded, ragged side up into a trusty old Deluxe Milano Billiard is just right for a long, slow, easy smoke. Stays lit during the occasional pause and tastes great the rest of the time. I'm a recent flake convert and that format has advantages. This example is proof positive of a well-married blend with good flavor and aroma. The burning characteristic is a big plus. I've almost always fought with ribbon cuts just to keep it lit but not this stuff. It's a bit easier than a cube cut to handle. I like it and can't find fault with it at all." — Smokey, 5-star review at Smokingpipes
4. Peter Stokkebye PS403 Luxury Bullseye Flake
Nearing the top of our list, as in year's past, is PS403 Luxury Bullseye Flake from Peter Stokkebye. It's a delightful Va/Per with a touch of Black Cavendish, sliced thin into neat bullseye coins. The result is a classic tobacco with some sweet and spicy notes that has excellent aging potential.
Available in: Bulk
"I bought a pound to age and left a little bit out to sample. I might have a half a pound left; I can't quit smoking it, it's so good. It tastes like graham crackers and milk. Rub it out thoroughly and give it time to dry until a little crispy and you are ready to go." - Kelly M., 5-star review at Smokingpipes
3. Orlik Golden Sliced
This iconic Va/Per has always made our top best-selling lists for Virginias, and for good reason. It's a classic favorite among newcomers and seasoned smokers alike, combining mature Golden Virginias with a touch of Perique in a flake-cut blend. Delight in natural flavor marked by a familiar touch of sweet citrus, perhaps while dreaming of warm summer days while braving the biting cold of winter.
"Perfect for a summer day, lounging in a field, working around the farm, and enjoying the simplicities in life. The blend exhibits notes of warm citrus, orange peel, and a third thing I couldn't quite put my finger on for quite some time. Then it eventually came to me. The best way I can describe that missing descriptive note in the blend is an added drop of happiness." - Dawson D., 5-star review at Smokingpipes
2. Peter Stokkebye PS400 Luxury Navy Flake
It seems that Va/Pers have dominated this year's list of best sellers. Moving up the ranks and earning the silver medal on our list this year is Peter Stokkebye's PS400 Luxury Navy Flake. Pressed and sliced into flakes, this mixture features very mature Old Belt flue-cured Virginia, enhanced with the spicy addition of Louisiana Perique.
Available in: Bulk
"I thought I wasn't a Virginia guy, but I love this stuff. I could smoke just this and be happy. I won't but I could haha. I'll probably try to get a few pounds of this to keep." — ThornCXII, 5-star review at Smokingpipes
1. Cornell & Diehl Briar Fox
And now, skyrocketing to the top of this year's list is Cornell & Diehl's Briar Fox. One of C&D's best-selling blends, this exceptionally smooth mixture of Virginias and Burley is pressed into old-fashioned crumble cakes. This sly little fox can accompany you all year long with its tastiness, no matter the season or occasion.
Available in: 2oz | 8oz | 16oz
"This to me is the classic peanut butter-and-jelly blend. A great Virginia and a great Burley complementing one another to make something simple yet amazing." - Brad M., 5-star review at Smokingpipes
Another top 10 best-selling Virginia blends list is in the books! Keep in mind that these blends were ranked solely on popularity and availability, not on our own tastes or judgements. Did your favorite Virginia make the list this year? Let us know in the comments. As always, happy smokes!
- Low Country Natural Virginia stayed at #10
- Cornell & Diehl Bayou Morning stayed at #9
- Peter Stokkebye PS402 Luxury Twist Flake moved from #7 to #8
- Davidoff Flake Medallions moved from #6 to #7
- A&C Petersen Escudo Navy Deluxe moved from #8 to #6
- Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Evening Flake entered at #5
- Peter Stokkebye PS403 Luxury Bullseye Flake moved from #3 to #4
- Orlik Golden Sliced moved from #1 to #3
- Peter Stokkebye PS400 Luxury Navy Flake moved from #5 to #2
- Cornell & Diehl Briar Fox moved from #4 to #1
A note on the tobacco information.
Strength: a measure of the tobacco's body and nicotine. One is the lowest. Five s is the highest.
Room Note: a measure of the pleasantness or intensity of the smoke's odor to everyone else in the room. One is the least intense room note, while five s would be the most noticeable to others.
Taste: A measure of the the power and fullness of the smoke's flavor, with one being the most mellow and five s being the fullest.
Tagged in: Cornell and Diehl Escudo Orlik Peter Stokkebye Reviews Sutliff Tobacco
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Comments
Does anyone know when Orlik Golden Sliced was first introduced?
Scrumptious list of Virginia-dominant tobacco mixtures, but I think you forgot about Bayou Morning!
IRC (Iwan Ries) Virginia Flake is by far my favorite
Reiner Long Golden Flake
Solani Silver Flake
Wessex Campaign
Astleys #44
Mac Baren Virginia #1 is an excellent Virginia with a mild, but noticeable taste.
Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake is an extremely mild Virginia. A beginning pipe smoker would enjoy this tobacco
MUY BUENAS NOTAS
*Cries in McClelland*
For a Balkan smoker this is a very informative piece.
It's really amazing how excellent the Stokkebye LNF is, considering the price and easy availability. Same with Orlik. Maybe I'm a luddite, but I find these tobaccos compare well with just about any VA flake. Still need to try the Solani, and the Yorktown sure sounds interesting as well.
Yes, this list must be mourning the loss of McClelland :-(
For what it’s worth, just read a review from 2010 on tobaccoreviews.com that Orlik Golden Sliced was introduced in 1958 when Orlik started blending tobacco in Denmark.
Great article, BTW.
How do Sam Gawith and G. Hoggarth & Co. make the list when they have not been in stock for...months?
Capstan Flake Blue is absolutely spectacular, but the PS Luxury Navy Flake is also wonderful and fairly inexpensive in bulk. Great stuff...thanks Kaz.
@John Moore Good question! The list was based off of sales from the past 5 years. If you're looking to get some of the Samuel Gawith or Gawith Hoggarth, I recommend signing up for the email alerts. We did receive two Samuel Gawith shipments in June and will hopefully have more Gawith Hoggarth soon as well!
The top 4 are my favorites. I would definitely add HH Pure Virginia and PS Bullseye and not to forget Sutliff ‘s crumble kake Virginia. Really enjoyed the story and comments.
Does this take into account availability?
@Jeff The list was compiled based on sales over the past five years, so it did take into account availability during that time period. All but the Full Virginia Flake and Bright CR Flake are usually readily available!
Orlick is always in my pipe when fly fishing.No constant tending to.Grand aroma and smooth smoke.A anytime blend.Wether at 90 degrees or -20 below. As for Bright CR to me mind you.Is unsurpassable.Smooth smoke,the baccy transforms into soft paynes grey ash.Its fragrance is of its own.Its frustrating to some pipers who are used to mass produced American and Tutonic baccy. Gawith & Hoggarths way of production is a art,a grand tradition with ancient machinery.These components are what separates there blends from everyone.Which makes them more special and unique.It is obtainable.Just remember all those pipers who don't have McClelland so the nearest thing is S&G.Thats a lot of people.Much like fly fishing.Its just in the manner of where you cast and not fishing the same hole. As for mourning the loss of McClelland.You might have learned from always thinking a baccy will always be around.After years of talking with English tobacconist. You may be mourning Gawith&Hoggarth some day.Seven blends have been dropped this year .Dont hord,just enjoy and share.Smoked a pipe since the age of 12 now 43.Well I'm a southerner,it's in the blood.I have seen many blends come and go.Eventually you find a replacement.For instance no Penzance so now Star of the east flake.Stop whining.Its so mamby-pamby.S&P does have e-mail alert.Along with great service. It works.You just might not be setting your fly fast enuff.
There is absolutely no way that any C&D product is in the top 10.
@CV This list was generated based on sales over the past five years. Of course, everyone has a different favorite, but this list just compiles the top ten Virginia's purchased over that five year time period.
I would submit that Peterson's University Flake would be a great addition here as well.
I would like to see my favorite pipe tobacco added to the fine group of pipe tobaccos, Sutliff Molto Dolce.
For me its 4th gen 1855. Love it!
Relieved to see that Solani 633 did not make your top 10 in popularity, as I need a reason to continue pipe smoking!
I don't have a clue as to why C&D's Pirate Kake or Burley Flake # 1 or #4 didn't make this list, just clueless....
@Confused: It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt. -Mark Twain. I have only tried 3 outta 10 on this list, but I shall endeavor to try the others. Thank you for the updated list.
Bayou Morning Flake is my first choice these days! Very interesting list.
One of my all time favorites that I haven't seen for a long time was Mac Baren's Navy Flake.Escudo Navy Deluxe is another favorite.I like Orlik's too, but it is not much like Escudo or Mac Baren's. Will have to try these others, when I take up smoking again. The way things are going today, smoking is the least of my worries. Still, I proved it is possible to quit smoking. I learned, the less you smoke, the more exquisite the pleasure of smoking is.I learned how to quit smoking from reading A Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger. At Holden Caulfield's exclusive private school, smoking privileges were earned by attending a smoke-in, a room with others wanting that privilege, and it was stocked with all kinds of cigars, cigarettes, and pipe tobaccos.To pass, all the tobacco had to be consumed before leaving the room. Nobody passed the test!So if you ever want to quit smoking, just OD on it until you are done. Tapering off only makes it more enjoyable!
Honestly? This list contains six blends that contain Perique. A straight VA top ten is a radically different list than a mixed straight VA with VaPers thrown in. Help the consumer! You do this by keeping apples with apples and oranges with oragnes. A list of straight VA blends, and then a different list with VaPer blends, and a separate list that adds dark-fired Kentucky. A list of great ‘kitchen sink’ blends that add everything.
I agree with Thomas S. Why confuse people by adding VaPer blends in this listing? It has always surprised me when people identify/recommend Orlik Golden Sliced as a Virginia Flake, saying they can't detect any perique. For me it is an obvious VaPer, and the sweetness of perique is easy to detect (it is a misconception that perique must be "spicy"/"peppary" when it is often sweet, like fig or prune). It is an excellent tobacco but not a Virginia Flake.
Peterson flake is still number one , escudo and then elizabithan mixture after comes orlik i tend to see c&d blends harsh and require good aging to enjoy maybe union square and opening night with good age worth to be on the list comes after sunday picnic
only 2 straight virginias in this list now. Come on we want to see the list of straight virginias. briar fox? seriously?