D&R European Blends - Ryback, Ryback Gold, Three Sails

[db]

Discussion topic for D&R's European Blends - Premium Tobaccos, Extra-fine Cut & Organic Casing.

• Ryback
  Developed for the smoker who has acquired a taste for the European or Dutch style of extra fine cut, fire- cured tobacco. The highest grades of dark fired tobacco, from specific growth areas have been selected to provide a superior taste and aroma. Special attention was then given to the methods of blending and cutting the tobaccos to ensure that a unique Premium Dutch Blend was achieved.
  
  
• Ryback Gold
  An extraordinary blend of European or Dutch style extra fine cut and British style flue-cured tobaccos. Particular attention to leaf selection, curing, blending and cutting enabled D & R to produce a distinctive yet restrained dark-fired tobacco experience. Ryback Gold is an enjoyable and balanced blend which combines European heritage with American influence.
  
  
• Three Sails
  A light bodied, British style Virginia Blend. Special leaf selection and processing, and an extra fine cut give this exceptional blend its unique character and elegance. An impressive presentation of color and appearance, and satisfying flavor and aroma makes Three Sails an unforgettable blend. Contains 100% flue-cured Gold Leaf tobaccos with natural preservatives added.

Also see this topic in European & Exotic Brands Ryback from D&R vs Imported Dutch Halfzwares

[frazzledglispa]

I tried both Ryback and Bali Shag for the first time this weekend.

I like them both quite a bit - with one reservation.

They both smell like a campfire out of the package. They both are dark, deep powerful smokes, with a nice sweetness on the exhale (the Bali Shag more than the Ryback)

They both pack a wallop in the nicotine department.

And they both make my lungs hurt if I smoke more than 1 or 2 in a day.

That makes me sad because they taste so good.

I have some Ryback Gold that I still need to try. I am hoping that will give me some tasty flavor without the scraped out lung feeling.

I also ordered a sample of Bali Shag Light (I couldn't find any locally) so I can give that a try as well

[dz]

Three Sails is a very bright yellow shag cut, easy to stuff right out the bag. This is the brightest colored Virginia Ive ever seen. Full flavored medium strength Virginia in the same vein as Windsail Platinum and Danish Export.

While similar in strength and flavor to Windsail Platinum, I find its a little less spicy and a bit on the sweeter side in comparison. Perhaps a little closer to PS's Danish Export, but a little bolder. Certainly one of the best Virginia blends I ve ever had.

If your looking for the best in Brights, I think you owe it to yourself to try Three Sails. An extremely smooth and satisfying smoke. I highly recommend this one. YMMV

[Nicotiana]

Being a new SYO convert, I've only just started sampling tobaccos to discover what type will be my standard. Got a D&R variety pack: Windsail, Vengeur, Rowland & Ryback.

The Ryback really does smell awful out of the bag, not a campfire smell to me though (which would be pleasant) more like a sheep yard!
It tastes only a little better than it smells, but I'm still trying to get the right one to blend it with to tone it down.

Over all I'm unimpressed with this lot (too much sting/after-burn) - Windsail is fairly mild but no real flavour; Rowland is reasonable, but smells better than it tastes; Vengeur is 'meh'.

I've ordered Custom Blends chocolate flavoured one I sampled before and liked (as did my non smoking family) to salvage what I can of these by blending.

I think I'll have to try the Three Sails you recommend, Dave - sounds good

[dz]

Nicotiana says:

- Windsail is fairly mild but no real flavour; Rowland is reasonable, but smells better than it tastes; Vengeur is 'meh'.

I wonder if you might like Stokkebyes London Export then, as Three Sails is also a very mild Virginia. Windsail Platinum is arguably a little stronger than Three Sails, which has been likened to Three Castles, so maybe youd find it too bland as well. (did you get the WIndsail, or Windsail Platinum?)

Nicotiana also says:

The Ryback really does smell awful out of the bag, not a campfire smell to me though (which would be pleasant) more like a sheep yard

Hmm, thats one of my favorites...a herd of sheep eh? Well, Rybacks not for everyone, but I think its one of the smoothest halfzwares around, with that nutty sweetness to it. Of course blending it with Windsail will tone it down considerably making it into a milder Dutch Blend. Sorry to hear you didnt care for these blends, I wonder if Stokkebyes might be better suited to your tastes? Good luck! YMMV

[Nicotiana]

I wonder if you might like Stokkebyes London Export then, as Three Sails is also a very mild Virginia.

I guess I'll have to try it and see

Windsail Platinum is arguably a little stronger than Three Sails, which has been likened to Three Castles, so maybe youd find it too bland as well. (did you get the WIndsail, or Windsail Platinum?)

It was just Windsail 'American Gold' (didn't see samples of other variations - but could have missed them).

Hmm, thats one of my favorites...a herd of sheep eh? Well, Rybacks not for everyone, but I think its one of the smoothest halfzwares around, with that nutty sweetness to it.

Yep, (just had another sniff) definitely a mob of smelly sheep in a well fertalized sheep pen - I grew up on sheep farms, very familiar smell - sorry about that
But you are right that it is quite smooth, just hard to get past that weird stink - I need a pleasant aroma around my non smoking family members (it packs a wallop too)

Thanks for the suggestions, I really appreciate all the tips and leads I can get

[dz]

Im not sure if youre looking for a tastier straight Virginia Blend or just looking for any type that grabs you, as I see youve ventured into the Rowland and Vengeur Blends as well which are American and US styles. BTW, it sounds like you tried the regular Windsail, Ive only smoked the Silver and the Platinum so cant comment.

If its a Virginia tasting Blend youre looking for, besides the London Export which is a somewhat stronger Virginia Blend, theres always Bali Red and Samson Mild. All of these use either stronger Virginia's and or Orientals and mild Burleys to add a little extra something.

Some others that use more varied types of tobacco are Norwegian Shag by Stokkebyes and, for a bit more kick, Stockholm Blend. Stockholm is very smooth but much stronger than any of the rest of these. Some others you might like by D&R would be Vengeur Platinum (similar to Norwegian)
and Ramback Gold.

I remember you said you wanted very smooth tobaccos and all these fit the bill, but these ones are, imo, much more flavorful than the ones you just tried, except of course for the Ryback, (the Stockholm isnt really milder than Ryback though). These are just my opinions and youre tastes may vary quite a bit from mine, but Ive found all of these to be excellent tobaccos. Good luck with your experiments!

[dz]

In a previous post I stated that Three Sails is a little sweeter than Windsail Platinum, but the last few bags haven't been. It seems that there are slight differences from bag to bag of both of these blends, and lately I'd have to say its the other way around and the Windsail Plat has been sweeter. Could just be me, they're both still favorites of mine, but lately the Three Sails seems to be a bit less sweet and a little stronger smoke in comparison. YMMV.

[Steve]

I just rolled one and burnt it Dave. I agree with you on the sweetness. Lately I have been blending the Three Sails and Ryback 50/50. Not a bad smoke at all. I got so much bacca around here right now I don't know what to smoke.

[db cooper]

Not enough love for the Three Sails in here. Not as bright as the Windsail Platinum, more round and earthy, but not to excess. Clean and smooth on the inhale but still rich and flavorful on the exhale, with nice subtleties that should keep Three Sails in your regular rotation to continue exploring. This is one that I prefer to smoke alone, without blending. I prefer this to the P.S. London Export.