Digital BW, The Print

Hello folks, it's been a while since I've posted on here.

I'm a b&w fine art photographer looking for a new matte paper to use
as an alternative to Epson Velvet Fine Art.  I've been using Epson VFA
almost exclusivity to make my own prints on my 3800.  It's a excellent
paper with good dmax but its textured surface is appropriate for some
images, but not all images.

A friend of mine in the U.K. recommended I try Somerset Enhanced
Velvet. He suggested that it was essentially the same paper but with
less texture and that the paper is manufactured exclusively for Epson
by St. Cuthberts Mill. So I purchased a package of Somerset EV by
Legion but was disappointed with the results.

After a few test prints I discovered the Somerset blacks are not as
deep as VFA blacks.  Somerset is a warmer and creamier colour paper
and  when I printed the same image on both papers and placed side
by side the Somerset Velvet dmax paled in comparison to Epson VFA.

Can someone recommend another matte paper more comparable to Epson
VFA. I would appreciated hearing your suggestions and ideas.