So I've had a few bowls of each, and my first impressions is that they're both plenty enjoyable, but not must-haves for me.
Missouri Pride - burley/VA - was the more pedestrian of the two. It was quite mild, semi-sweet, a bit nutty, and sort of biscuity. Now...I'm not one to smoke a whole heck of a lot of burley forward blends (unless it's of the dark fired variety), so it very well appear to others. I will say though, that I would likely prefer it to most of the other burley, non-perique blends I've had in recent memory.
Country Gentleman - VaPer - was a nice little smoke. Not as perique-y as I might like, but quite nice. The VA runs more to the tangy/sour (in a good way) side than the sweet VA I usually prefer, but it still works well enough. Nothing really overpowering, but it lights easily, stays lit, provides a decent smoke and flavor with little-to-no-fuss. I think if I wanted a VaPer to sit down and really dig into, this isn't it...but if I'm looking for a well rounded, user-friendly all day kinda smoke, this works as well as anything else I've had.
Two big pluses to both:
1. Inexpensive. Sold at (roughly) OTC pouch prices, but definitely higher quality.
2. Great moisture, right from the pouch. Not dried out, not a goopy, PG-laden mess. I opened it, packed it, lit it, and was off and running. Minimal relights, smoked all the way to the bottom of the bowl w/o hitting "the sog."
I won't likely get more of the Burley, but that's a personal taste thing. I expected that going in, tbh. Very good chance I'll toss the VaPer in with my P&C orders, though...not something I'd buy and try to age, but I expect to turn to it when I don't have a VaPer open and nothing particular suits my fancy.
Just my $.02.
