I've been an aro smoker for all of my adult life. Recently, I kept getting a hankering for a little more tobacco flavor. After much reading of reviews, I ordered a pouch of Carter Hall. Although there seemed to be much discussion of Burley Bite, the reviews of CH made it sound quite mild and palatable. And, upon receipt, I found that to be true. Although dry as straw, it lit well, burned cleanly, had a wonderful nutty-cocoa aroma, and I just couldn't get enough of it. I went through a pouch in a week..although I shared some with my younger, smarter brother, who also loved it. Neither of us could quite figure out any of the negative reviews, other than the fact that it was pretty mild.
On the strength of that little test, I ordered a tub, which arrived yesterday. The first thing I noticed was the moisture. It was fairly damp. However, it could still be lit easily enough. The cut seemed to be different, also...not as ribbon-y, with what looked like a few more flakes and cubes than I remember from the pouch. The tub note was amazing, and I was really looking forward to sitting down over morning coffee with it. Then, came the magic moment - smoking it. There are only a few words I can use: harsh, bitter, bitey. I couldn't finish the bowl.
I've put out half an ounce to dry...maybe for a while...maybe for a long while....to hopefully get back to that straw feel of the pouch contents, in hopes that I rediscover the nutty-cocoa aroma. But, in the meantime, I'm really disappointed, and looking for some advice here. Will drying do what I want? Or, is it possible that Middleton packs something different in the pouch, than the tub?
I've read many reviews where the differences between pouch contents and tub contents were mentioned....but usually a "plus" for the tub. This was decidedly not the experience I had with the CH tub. Any thoughts? Or, does this go into the "give away....quickly" cabinet?
On the strength of that little test, I ordered a tub, which arrived yesterday. The first thing I noticed was the moisture. It was fairly damp. However, it could still be lit easily enough. The cut seemed to be different, also...not as ribbon-y, with what looked like a few more flakes and cubes than I remember from the pouch. The tub note was amazing, and I was really looking forward to sitting down over morning coffee with it. Then, came the magic moment - smoking it. There are only a few words I can use: harsh, bitter, bitey. I couldn't finish the bowl.
I've put out half an ounce to dry...maybe for a while...maybe for a long while....to hopefully get back to that straw feel of the pouch contents, in hopes that I rediscover the nutty-cocoa aroma. But, in the meantime, I'm really disappointed, and looking for some advice here. Will drying do what I want? Or, is it possible that Middleton packs something different in the pouch, than the tub?
I've read many reviews where the differences between pouch contents and tub contents were mentioned....but usually a "plus" for the tub. This was decidedly not the experience I had with the CH tub. Any thoughts? Or, does this go into the "give away....quickly" cabinet?
