A tobacco journey ...

[Ray Popp]

I have been absent for a few weeks during which I have had a journey through some tobaccos. Based on comments in this forum, I tried a couple of codger tobaccos. SWR and Half&Half specifically. I found that I do not like straight burley (SWR), your mileage may differ, and that is fine. My father used to smoke Half&Half a long time ago. For me the pouch aroma was very nice. I liked the freshness of the citrus that came from the Bright Virginias. And it was also present in the room note. So, I bought a 7oz tin. I would keep some of it in a roll up pouch and store the tin inside another sealed tobacco jar. Unfortunately, after about 3oz into the tin, the citrus faded and all it left was the sweetness from the Bright Virginias ... it became boring.

I decided to return to my "roots" and picked up a number of different British and Balkan blends, looking for something not boring. I jarred a pound of 4th Gen Afternoon Melange and have smoked 4 oz of it. It is more or less a mild staple British blend. Sort of a benchmark, I guess. I still have 6 jars remaining of it while I explore other tobaccos.

I just finished a tin of Presbyterian (Father Forgive Me for I have Sinned - I'm Catholic). I am thankful that I have more of it. This was smoked next to the Afternoon Melange. Presbyterian is another mild English blend, but I find it to be sweeter than Afternoon Melange with a very intriguing note both in room and in flavor. Perhaps it is the use of Latakia leaf tips ... whatever it is, it is a very pleasant smoke.

I am looking for more of surprises in my tobacco. And I have many to select ... some from GLP, Peterson MM 965, White Knight, Quiet Nights, and others ...

I would appreciate suggestions ... I need to open a new tin ...

 

[Ray Popp]

While waiting for a potential response, I packed away 2 x 4oz jars of Arango Balkan Supreme. There was a couple of bowls of tobacco that would not fit. So ... I smoked it ... I admit, I bought the 4 oz (BTW, it was a generous 4 oz) as a learning experience. What is it that Orientals brings to a blend ... There doesn't seem to be a lot of Latakia in the blend, it seems to be mostly Turkish/Oriental tobacco.

It is a dry smoke. No sugar ... and no zing. It is pure tobacco. Somewhat reminiscent of an old tobacco barn ... in Tennessee. I was a kid back when those were around, I don't know what sort of tobacco was being grown in Tennessee at the time.

For me, Orientals are a good replacement for burley in a blend. I do not like burley. Orientals have more flavor and for me, a more pleasant note. I have some bulk Sweet Virginia and some bulk Bright Virginia and I will probably try blending this Balkan Supreme with them. I may also get some Black Cavendish to ass to the mix to round it out to a British Blend. But, I do not see me smoking Arango Supreme alone.

BTW, I smoked it in an old Jobey 200 Bent Bulldog and a relatively new Savinelli 320 KS ... just to give it a chance in different types of bowls. It smoked nicely, dry, stays lit well. And if you are into an unadulterated tobacco smoke, you might want to try this.

 

[Lumbridge]

Just wanted to pop in and say that I wouldn't base my opinion of burleys solely on Sir Walter. I am a big fan of burleys and don't care much for the taste of SWR. I like the cut, however.
And speaking of balkans/orientals, I have smoked several bowls of some Match Balkan Sobranie that I've had jarred for about three years, and I've been enjoying it a lot. Much lighter on the latakia than I was expecting, but a pretty nice blend nonetheless! I've been told that it's the same as H&H White Knight.

 

[judcole]

I gotta agree with Lumbridge; if you are dismissing burley blends because you don't like SWR, you are doing yourself a disservice.
Burley blends, Virginia blends, Va/burley blends - these are a whole different world from lat blends. You have more subtle flavors than are found in the various latakia blends.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Yeh, there are lots of different burleys, just like there are many different Virginias. It sounds like you are still exploring blends, so just keep an open mind. Even seasoned pipe smokers will turn on and off their likes and dislikes after years of smoking.
My tastes seem to change with the seasons, and sometimes you just have to wait for the right combination of things to come along.

I remember when I first started smoking pipes. I was trying to find my genre, blend, the thing that would "hook" me. I was coming from cigarettes, where you select a brand and stick with it. But, I've come to just taste all of the different types of blends. I may smoke 4 to 8 different genres of pipe blends in a day. Diversity is what keeps me interested... and their are thousands of blends out there to try.

 

[Indygrap]

While waiting for a potential response, I packed away 2 x 4oz jars of Arango Balkan Supreme. There was a couple of bowls of tobacco that would not fit. So ... I smoked it ... I admit, I bought the 4 oz (BTW, it was a generous 4 oz) as a learning experience. What is it that Orientals brings to a blend ... There doesn't seem to be a lot of Latakia in the blend, it seems to be mostly Turkish/Oriental tobacco.

It is a dry smoke. No sugar ... and no zing. It is pure tobacco. Somewhat reminiscent of an old tobacco barn ... in Tennessee. I was a kid back when those were around, I don't know what sort of tobacco was being grown in Tennessee at the time.

For me, Orientals are a good replacement for burley in a blend. I do not like burley. Orientals have more flavor and for me, a more pleasant note. I have some bulk Sweet Virginia and some bulk Bright Virginia and I will probably try blending this Balkan Supreme with them. I may also get some Black Cavendish to ass to the mix to round it out to a British Blend. But, I do not see me smoking Arango Supreme alone.

BTW, I smoked it in an old Jobey 200 Bent Bulldog and a relatively new Savinelli 320 KS ... just to give it a chance in different types of bowls. It smoked nicely, dry, stays lit well. And if you are into an unadulterated tobacco smoke, you might want to try this.

I too am discovering I’m not a fan of burley forward blends. I’m still giving them a day in court, but I find them harsh. Which is a little surprising as I’m a former cig smoker. Good to know that Orientals are a good substitute.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I too am discovering I’m not a fan of burley forward blends. I’m still giving them a day in court, but I find them harsh. Which is a little surprising as I’m a former cig smoker. Good to know that Orientals are a good substitute.

Burley isn't the main cigarette tobacco. Flu cured Virginias are too acidic for the nicotine to be absorbed through the small blood vessels of the mouth, whereas once inhaled, Virginias are readily absorbed. Most cigarettes are a blend of Virginias and Burleys, but many are straight Virginias. But really cigarettes are so heavily modified with casings that it doesn't matter. But, burley isn't a straight cigarette tobacco.

If you are getting an ashy taste from burley, it's from smoking with too hard a draw or too fast a pace.

 

[kcghost]

Some of us just dislike Burley blends and that's okay. And you are smoking what you like which is great.

 

[rmbittner]

I’m not a big fan of straight burley blends, as they often are too rich in nicotine for my tastes. (I prefer nic in the mild-to-just-under-medium range.) If my Apple Watch alerts me to a faster heartbeat “while apparently not exercising,” I know the blend might be too strong!

BUT: I’ve recently started smoking my way through a tin of MacBaren’s Burley: London Blend and would recommend trying it. The tin aroma is wonderful—dark chocolate, port—but I haven’t gotten any of that in the actual smoke, just burley. But it’s mild, as burleys go, and I could not get it to bite. It will never be a favorite of mine—there just isn’t much happening in the blend—but it is consistent down the bowl. (For the record, it’s a 2019 tin.)

If you enjoy Balkans, though, I’d highly recommend GLPease’s Caravan. Pease produces a wide range of Balkans—more than any other blender—but to me Caravan is the quintessential Balkan blend, rich in orientals and latakia that combine into a wonderful creaminess that, for me, typifies a fine Balkan. All balanced by a foundation of background Virginias. At the other ends of the Balkan spectrum, Charing Cross is a delicious blend that shifts the emphasis onto acrid orientals (so it may remind you a bit of Presbyterian, which is an oriental-forward blend) and Odyssey shifts the balance to the latakia. But I enjoy everything in this range.

And there is a whole range of Virginia/burley flakes—some flavored, some not—from Esoterica, the Gawith companies, and a number of other blenders.

 

[Indygrap]

Burley isn't the main cigarette tobacco. Flu cured Virginias are too acidic for the nicotine to be absorbed through the small blood vessels of the mouth, whereas once inhaled, Virginias are readily absorbed. Most cigarettes are a blend of Virginias and Burleys, but many are straight Virginias. But really cigarettes are so heavily modified with casings that it doesn't matter. But, burley isn't a straight cigarette tobacco.

If you are getting an ashy taste from burley, it's from smoking with too hard a draw or too fast a pace

Good to know! I’ll slow down a bit. I’m still learning & working out what I like & what I can pass on. I do like burley in smaller amounts & understand that it’s necessary to bring out or round out blends. Kinda like anchovies in a Cesar salad. I don’t like them on pizza, but they make the dressing on a salad.

 

[bobpnm]

Every pipe smoker finds their own way. It takes time. When it comes enjoying pipe and tobacco, time is the constant in a world of variables. Take advantage of it. Especially in this short attention span age, time is our most squandered resource. If you manage it wisely, you will be learning how to enjoy your pipe for the rest of your life. Relax and have fun!

 

[vosBghos]

I'm finally finding some blends to cellar deep and not wide with Presbyterian being one of them, highly recommend smoking it in a variety of bowl shapes for me a smaller Prince shape tastes much different from the Author you mentioned. If you have not explored Dark Fired Kentucky you might want to give it a try as it like Turkish/Orientals/Latakia/Perique has a very distinct flavor all its own.

 

[Ray Popp]

I’m not a big fan of straight burley blends, as they often are too rich in nicotine for my tastes. (I prefer nic in the mild-to-just-under-medium range.) If my Apple Watch alerts me to a faster heartbeat “while apparently not exercising,” I know the blend might be too strong!

BUT: I’ve recently started smoking my way through a tin of MacBaren’s Burley: London Blend and would recommend trying it. The tin aroma is wonderful—dark chocolate, port—but I haven’t gotten any of that in the actual smoke, just burley. But it’s mild, as burleys go, and I could not get it to bite. It will never be a favorite of mine—there just isn’t much happening in the blend—but it is consistent down the bowl. (For the record, it’s a 2019 tin.)

If you enjoy Balkans, though, I’d highly recommend GLPease’s Caravan. Pease produces a wide range of Balkans—more than any other blender—but to me Caravan is the quintessential Balkan blend, rich in orientals and latakia that combine into a wonderful creaminess that, for me, typifies a fine Balkan. All balanced by a foundation of background Virginias. At the other ends of the Balkan spectrum, Charing Cross is a delicious blend that shifts the emphasis onto acrid orientals (so it may remind you a bit of Presbyterian, which is an oriental-forward blend) and Odyssey shifts the balance to the latakia. But I enjoy everything in this range.

And there is a whole range of Virginia/burley flakes—some flavored, some not—from Esoterica, the Gawith companies, and a number of other blenders.

I have a number of GLP's English blends and will probably open one next. Am smoking a tin of MM965 at the moment. It is just a little stronger than Afternoon Melange with a touch sweeter room note and mouth. And some consider it a baseline English Blend.

 

[Ray Popp]

I'm finally finding some blends to cellar deep and not wide with Presbyterian being one of them, highly recommend smoking it in a variety of bowl shapes for me a smaller Prince shape tastes much different from the Author you mentioned. If you have not explored Dark Fired Kentucky you might want to give it a try as it like Turkish/Orientals/Latakia/Perique has a very distinct flavor all its own.

I found that a larger bowl was better for Presbyterian because it is not so well blended and had larger ribbons of leaf. Still not certain about that unique zip ... like a church lady's cheep perfume ... not unpleasant ... interesting. Looking for it in other blends, have not found it but I have a lot of things to try ...

 

[Ray Popp]

Just wanted to pop in and say that I wouldn't base my opinion of burleys solely on Sir Walter. I am a big fan of burleys and don't care much for the taste of SWR. I like the cut, however.
And speaking of balkans/orientals, I have smoked several bowls of some Match Balkan Sobranie that I've had jarred for about three years, and I've been enjoying it a lot. Much lighter on the latakia than I was expecting, but a pretty nice blend nonetheless! I've been told that it's the same as H&H White Knight.

I just picked up a tin of White Knight and will get to it in a few months to give it a try ...

 

[BarrelProof]

I just picked up a tin of White Knight and will get to it in a few months to give it a try ...

I swore off burley after trying MB HH Burley Flake thinking if that was what burley was like, I was out. I don’t think I touched it for a year. I’m back. I love burley.

Only you know what you like & don’t like. I’m just saying this to let you know that as you try different stuff, it always seems to shift a bit. Jar it, don’t pitch it. If you end up trying it a few times over the next year and hate it, I’m sure someone on here will trade with you or buy it from you.

Keep us posted - I like your write up.

 

[vosBghos]

I found that a larger bowl was better for Presbyterian because it is not so well blended and had larger ribbons of leaf. Still not certain about that unique zip ... like a church lady's cheep perfume ... not unpleasant ... interesting. Looking for it in other blends, have not found it but I have a lot of things to try ...

different strokes different folks when I smoke Presby in a wider bowl all I can taste is the Lat tips and miss out on the sour Orientals but my palate has been off for a while , so go figure

 

[Ray Popp]

I swore off burley after trying MB HH Burley Flake thinking if that was what burley was like, I was out. I don’t think I touched it for a year. I’m back. I love burley.

Only you know what you like & don’t like. I’m just saying this to let you know that as you try different stuff, it always seems to shift a bit. Jar it, don’t pitch it. If you end up trying it a few times over the next year and hate it, I’m sure someone on here will trade with you or buy it from you.

Keep us posted - I like your write up.

Thanks. That is why I tried SWR, it was not expensive and I even got it on sale. I do not mind it in Half & Half so much, but for me H & H must be smoked only from the pouch because it looses it citrus note too quickly. I'm exploring English blends now. That is what i started with ... but what I smoked way back then had more black cavendish in it. All from B&M tobacconists from their jars ... for the most part. So, I could give them a sniff before buying and smoking them. I did order some Davidoff tins about 20 to 30 years ago, but i probably found them not to my liking and dumped them into the bulk tobacco that I had. The cavendish covered up a lot of things I did not like.

 

[vosBghos]

I’m not a big fan of straight burley blends, as they often are too rich in nicotine for my tastes. (I prefer nic in the mild-to-just-under-medium range.) If my Apple Watch alerts me to a faster heartbeat “while apparently not exercising,” I know the blend might be too strong!

BUT: I’ve recently started smoking my way through a tin of MacBaren’s Burley: London Blend and would recommend trying it. The tin aroma is wonderful—dark chocolate, port—but I haven’t gotten any of that in the actual smoke, just burley. But it’s mild, as burleys go, and I could not get it to bite. It will never be a favorite of mine—there just isn’t much happening in the blend—but it is consistent down the bowl. (For the record, it’s a 2019 tin.)

If you enjoy Balkans, though, I’d highly recommend GLPease’s Caravan. Pease produces a wide range of Balkans—more than any other blender—but to me Caravan is the quintessential Balkan blend, rich in orientals and latakia that combine into a wonderful creaminess that, for me, typifies a fine Balkan. All balanced by a foundation of background Virginias. At the other ends of the Balkan spectrum, Charing Cross is a delicious blend that shifts the emphasis onto acrid orientals (so it may remind you a bit of Presbyterian, which is an oriental-forward blend) and Odyssey shifts the balance to the latakia. But I enjoy everything in this range.

And there is a whole range of Virginia/burley flakes—some flavored, some not—from Esoterica, the Gawith companies, and a number of other blenders.

I picked up a tin of Caravan excited to try it I think I bought it as a second choice I read so many reviews of Cairo and it was out of stock at the time. Have you smoked Cairo? if so how would you compare it to Caravan and other supposed Oriental forward blends?

 

[bullet08]

I smoke 'em. I'm an equal opportunity tobacco smoker.