One of my resolutions for this year is to try more aromatics. After getting a number of suggestions from aro fans here, I stocked up on six or so blends.
To be honest, most of the recommended blends so far have just been "okay." They're generically "aromatic" and pleasant, but offer virtually no flavor and nothing distinctive. They've simply underscored why I so rarely smoke aromatics.
Then I opened McClelland's Erik Nording's Hunters Blend: Labrador. The tin claims hazelnut and caramel. And the minute you pop the tin, you realize that they aren't lying. This stuff smells fantastic. But it gets better. Because that flavor not only translates to the smoke, it translates to the smoker, filling the mouth with hazelnut and caramel and a moderate amount of sweetness.
To be fair, there is a slight chemical-like tang to some of the puffs if you push this one. And you will want to push this one, because it's so remarkably flavorful. But if you can manage to smoke slowly, the "chemical" quality disappears and you're left with an utterly enjoyable smoke. Assuming you enjoy hazelnut and caramel.
Bob
To be honest, most of the recommended blends so far have just been "okay." They're generically "aromatic" and pleasant, but offer virtually no flavor and nothing distinctive. They've simply underscored why I so rarely smoke aromatics.
Then I opened McClelland's Erik Nording's Hunters Blend: Labrador. The tin claims hazelnut and caramel. And the minute you pop the tin, you realize that they aren't lying. This stuff smells fantastic. But it gets better. Because that flavor not only translates to the smoke, it translates to the smoker, filling the mouth with hazelnut and caramel and a moderate amount of sweetness.
To be fair, there is a slight chemical-like tang to some of the puffs if you push this one. And you will want to push this one, because it's so remarkably flavorful. But if you can manage to smoke slowly, the "chemical" quality disappears and you're left with an utterly enjoyable smoke. Assuming you enjoy hazelnut and caramel.
Bob