D&R Menthol Brands - Wingate, Silver/Gold

[db]

My impressions of the WinterGold were based on a fresh 1oz sample which really barely got touched because I didn't care for the spearmint flavor. But honestly I went back to it a few days ago and now that it's dried a bit I don't find it unpleasent, and everyone has their own taste preferences of course.

As far as the nicotine hit I think you'll find the Wingate Gold slightly lighter than the Light and as I mentioned I think it has a mix of menthol and just a touch of spearmint. We're getting close to the end of a 14oz pound and frankly I'm starting to grow weary of it. I can't put my finger on what is 'missing' but it's not the holy grail of a Mild Menthol I was hoping for.

Rest of post moved to New Topic specifically about Ultra Lights.

[db]

But I think that, in the RYO world, Wingate stands apart from any other I ve tried. And its got such a generous menthol blast that makes it perfect for blending in various percentages and still retain its menthol character. I m wondering Dan, as you stated in here, that the Gold is missing something, could it be the burley?

That could be it, geez I have a fresh tub of Two Timer Gold here, I should blend up a couple sticks and see.

[Capt U-96 AKA Mike]

Yep, I'm aware of the cause of the problem and have read all the articles and watched most of the videos at RYO Magazine.

Currently I just don't have enough good storage containers for the 6 currently open bags of tobacco And when I first started I was digging into the bag quite often instead of making batches.

One other tip I've found for any newbies who may read this is to gently squeeze the excess air out of the bag when reclosing it, this seems to help allot, especially if your air is dry like it is here in the winter.

If you have a K-mart near you they have these plastic containers by the name of Lock & Lock in all different sizes and shapes. I use them exclusively! The lids have 4 locking tabs and a seal, and work great. I use a small sized container to work out of, and the larger containers to use for storage of tobacco, and since they are clear, you can put in a Hygrometer and measure the tobacco's RH. And the best part is they are reasonably priced. Capt Mike

[matafact]

Received my first D&R order yesterday. This is odd, maybe something new? I ordered 3 14 oz bags of Wingate Light Menthol. I got 2 bags of Wingate SILVER, and one bag of Wingate LIGHT.

No mention anywhere of Wingate Silver anywhere I can see on their page, so??? Are they renaming the Light to Silver? And that leads to the obvious question if they are, is the bag of Wingate Light an older bag? Did I just catch them right on the switch over to the new name?

Just struck me as odd was all. After all the rave reviews on here over D&R, I couldn't wait to try them, and now??? Bit early yet to tell, rolled up my first pack today, and will give my impressions at a later time. I have been using Golden Harvest Menthol Light for over a year, with a bit of Mcclintok Full Menthol & Teton Full Menthol to get what tastes right to me, so comparison forthcoming, but want to give Wingate Silver bag I opened first a good 2 to 4 pack chance, then switch back to my other, just so I can give a full review.

I smoked Salem Lights for 25 years, then prices/taxes went up, and I started buying whatever menthol lights were buy 1 get 1<Camel, Kools Milds, Marlboros etc.> . Then I got into RYO about year ago and haven't yet to find exactly the right menthol blend, the GHML, with McFM, and Teton FM is close, in Premier light tubes, but not perfect. Hope the Wingate fills the bill. And I have yet to find a menthol tube that I like, tryed several, but prefer the premier light tubes.



p.s. Just compared the Light bag and the Silver bag, the description reads the same EXCEPT the Wingate Light bag says at the end of the description it say "No casings added" and below the crossbow picture on the front of the Wingate Light bag it says "LIGHT MENTHOL", on the Silver it does not. The barcodes are the same on the bags, and the listing of D & R menthols on the back both list the Light, but no mention of the Silver there either. If they were changing the Light to Silver, you'd think they would change the back of the bags menthol listings wouldn't they? To late today to call, and with the holiday weekend, I doubt I'll know before monday, less somebody here knows something.

Curious and curiouser

[admin]

I should have mentioned this earlier since I did notice the change from Wingate Light to Silver when I visited Smokey Moutain Tobacco a couple weeks ago. This follows the name change first noticed in mid-February by Dave Z that the Windsail Light is now called Silver. I speculated at the time that all D&R "Light" blends would eventually change over to the Silver name. I'll update this topic and the main D&R List, thanks for the reminder.

Those we know that have changed so far are:

• Windsail Silver (previously Light)
• Vengeur Silver (previously Light)
• Wingate Silver (previously Light)

This leaves the Penhooker and Rowland as the two remaining blends still using the "Light" name but I'm sure it's just a matter of time and stock levels before we see those also changeover to Silver.

BTW, we recently got confirmation from Mark Ryan on the menthol blends being mentholated versions of these U.S. and Virginia Blends:

• Wingate = Vengeur
• Wingate Silver = Vengeur Silver (both previously Light)
• Wingate Gold = Windsail Platinum

As far as the labeling goes, the labels are stickers and I'm sure eventually we will see an updated rear panel label that changes over the Light designations to Silver, fixes the typo (hint: it's under Organically Grown Blends), and lists all 35 Blends.

[matafact]

Well you been slacking is what your saying lol.. Only kidding, and still seems odd they haven't changed the website yet. And odd I did get one bag of Wingate Light, so is it old stock?

Seems odd to that they would change the front of the bags, and not change the menthol listings on the back. Still have all the lights listed on the back of the bag as lights, and no mention of the new silver designation for any of their stuff.

And I got a sample pack, that included a 3.5 0z of their Wingate FM, and wow, being a light menthol smoker, it is strong. Want to give the "Silver" a good testing out, then can't wait to play mad scientist, and see how it blends down with the infamous Venegur, then with the Windsail. Gimme a few days, and I'll start that lil adventure.

So far, I like the Wingate Silver, lil stronger menthol then the GHML I've been smoking, but has excellent flavor. To soon to tell, but initial impression is very good.

The Wingate FM is definitely to strong for me, rolled up 4 of them to try it, and it is very strong. But as they say the Windsail blends so well with menthol, will give it a try soon enough. And the Venegur yall talk about will be next, but I like to really get a feel for a tobacco, before I go messing around with it, so the "Silver" get 1st dibbs, then a jump back to my usual, so I can really compare the two.

[db]

Well you been slacking is what your saying lol.. Only kidding, and still seems odd they haven't changed the website yet. And odd I did get one bag of Wingate Light, so is it old stock?

The D&R website hasn't been updated in a couple years, and doesn't include any information or pricing on the newer blends, which is part of the reason why I created the D&R Brands webpage on RYOrevolution.com, it's the only up to date list of D&R blends in the world, (compiled from information provided by and approved by Mark Ryan himself) and the only place you'll find a description of all 35 blends in one place. I doubt that the Wingate Light you received is old stock, more likely just an old label.

Seems odd to that they would change the front of the bags, and not change the menthol listings on the back. Still have all the lights listed on the back of the bag as lights, and no mention of the new silver designation for any of their stuff.

As I mentioned above, the front labels and rear labels are separate, I'm sure we will eventually see updated labels on the back of the bags to reflect the name changes, etc.

And I got a sample pack, that included a 3.5 0z of their Wingate FM, and wow, being a light menthol smoker, it is strong. Want to give the "Silver" a good testing out, then can't wait to play mad scientist, and see how it blends down with the infamous Venegur, then with the Windsail. Gimme a few days, and I'll start that lil adventure.

So far, I like the Wingate Silver, lil stronger menthol then the GHML I've been smoking, but has excellent flavor. To soon to tell, but initial impression is very good.

The Wingate FM is definitely to strong for me, rolled up 4 of them to try it, and it is very strong. But as they say the Windsail blends so well with menthol, will give it a try soon enough. And the Venegur yall talk about will be next, but I like to really get a feel for a tobacco, before I go messing around with it, so the "Silver" get 1st dibbs, then a jump back to my usual, so I can really compare the two.

If you like the Windsail blended with the Wingate, you might want to try the Wingate Gold next, it's 100% of the same top of the line flue-cured gold leaf "Virginia" that is in the Windsail platinum, no burley in the blend at all and really makes a smooth smoke. Although the menthol ends up with a slightly different taste than the other Wingates as I mentioned earlier, it's probably due to the 100% flue-cured blend, not a difference in the menthol crystals used.

[rizzo]

The Wingate Gold we have now is extremely mild, but as I mentioned elsewhere, I think it's a different Menthol than Wingate Light.[...] I wouldn't be surprised if it uses a little of the wintergreen flavor that is used for the Wintergold (which I found overwhelmingly minty and somewhat repulsive).

[later post]Although the menthol ends up with a slightly different taste than the other Wingates as I mentioned earlier, it's probably due to the 100% flue-cured blend, not a difference in the menthol crystals used.

Is there any WinterGold in the WingateGold? I am pretty sure my lungs would implode if I smoke evergreen oil or whatever...allergic to evergreens, Christmas trees, etc

[dz]

rizzo asks:

Is there any WinterGold in the WingateGold? I am pretty sure my lungs would implode if I smoke evergreen oil or whatever...allergic to evergreens, Christmas trees, etc

I don't think it does, sure doesn't taste like that at all to me. Afaik, the Gold just indicates a high percentage of Virginia in the D&R blends. I'm sure when you contact them, D&R will let you know for sure, they're surprisingly forthright with their blend info.

[admin]

Is there any WinterGold in the WingateGold? I am pretty sure my lungs would implode if I smoke evergreen oil or whatever...allergic to evergreens, Christmas trees, etc

Rizzo, please disregard the early speculation on my part about the wintergreen flavoring.

Wingate Gold is a mentholated version of Windsail Platinum. The strength of the menthol seems to vary from batch to batch, (the last bag we got has very little if any noticeable menthol flavor).