Hi Shawn,
I absolutely agree...
There is nearly no sound-library left that I haven't bought yet. A few years ago I had the opportunity to fool around with the VSL but I didn't like the dry sound.
Now that I own Mir Pro I must say it is the best in my stack when it comes to realistic soundfiles. While other libraries most commonly have some lacks here and there the VSL library is very constant in quality.
Okay, there are some sounds I don't like ie. the trumpets. But this is not a matter of quality but a matter of taste. The trumpets follow the vienna philosophy which means a very narrow sound while I prefer the Berlin philisophy with a rich and wide sound. To understand what I mean compare the sound of Marsalis or Blanchard with the sound of Güttler.
Again, this is not about the quality but my taste like popping into a music store and buying a new trumpet, - Schilke or Monette? Well, for me it would always be a Monette 
In my experience it depends on the customers. Realism - VSL for sure. Jazzy - Broadway Bigband.
For drums I commonly use Stormdrum, Goliath or Fab Four. But I will give the VSL drums a go.
Timpani will always be VIR2, - also my taste.
The VSL is the first library which allows me to create a maximum realistic concertband. Thanks to Andreas for his help as well as the whole support-team.
Don't worry about adding articulations. Quite easy to do and you will get your routine. No magic about it.
Take care
Andy