All the fuss about English blends

[shillelagh3]

Maybe I'm just a little hypersensitive since I'm pretty much an aromatic smoker, but it seems that, by the way many pipe smokers talk, a newbie pipe smoker's tobacco evolution should logically end up with English blends. In other words, if you start out with aromatics, as many of us do, one's goal should be to eventually "graduate" to English blends. Why is that? What's the big deal with English blends?

 

[collin]

You start your kids off with Gerber's Dutch Apple strained deserts and,....they eventually end up eating Ribeyes and baked potatos. Go figure! :mrgreen:

Just kidding.
When I read the title of the thread and your screen name I thought this was going to be about,.....well something that's close to my old Irish-American's heart.
I can't answer your question as to why, but I can answer the part about what's so great about English blends......as for myself, I can taste and enjoy the actual tobacco leaf more. The aromatics, (which I enjoy also), are more about the casings and not so much about the quality of the tobacco.
English blends are definately an aquired taste.

Kinda like drinking your coffee black instead of with cream and sugar.

 

[domd]

For me its hard to explain. There a class all there own. All are not equal though. I started with English because that what I remember I liked years ago. Some have an black licorice flavor to them and it's weird that I really like those blends because I used to hate that taste before.
I could say the same for aros I haven't had one in years and I have no idea how they taste anymore.

 

[hobie1dog]

I think alot of people get tired of the similar caramel/molasses/honey/sweet casings used on the aromatics. And when they try the English blends, it's like WOW, now they experience a rather intense, rich flavor of much deeper flavor complexity that changes as they go down the bowl. That's what happened to me.
Kinda like sex...the same ole missionary position is great for the first 10 years, and then you turned on to some kinky experiences...and then realize that your first 10 years was just boring.
Remember, it's only kinky the first time. :mrgreen:

 

[fred]

I admit my bias..., I'm not much of an Aromatic smoker. I know that the best

selling Pipe tobacco's in the world are Aromatics and that 3 out of 4 Pipe smokers

burn them. I agree with Gary Schrier (Confessions of a Pipeman), in his

assertion that new Pipe smokers should begin by smoking English blends. They

smoke dry, provide a good deal of flavor and are not as apt to cause 'bite'

as Aromatics. I started with Aromatics, like most guys. After a couple of years,

I smoked my first tin of Dunhill Early Morning Pipe and I never went back to

Aromatics. OK, so this issue has been debated for about 300 years. It's all

about personal preference, and Pipe smoking involves making choices. It's in

your best interest to know what the choices are.

 

[sparroa]

There's a time and place for everything. With pipe tobacco, we all dabble in flavoured aromatics for a while. Then one day you try a smoky, musty, yet sweet and intense English blend and in your heart you know that there is nothing around that could be added to rival the taste of the different tobacco leaves cured and blended for an English mixture. Simply, they are more complex. That's not to say they are better, but certainly they add more substance to the smoking experience.
Take it from me. Before last month, I had never known the difference between Latakia or Perique or anything else. Now, I'll never turn back. Many more smokers have had the same experience; you may have the same one, too. (Note: I refer moreso to all non-aromatic blends - though some individuals prefer English, myself I love VaPers even more)

 

[hessenland]

I personally think that there is no "evolution" in pipe smoking such as this. I think people like aromatics, while others like English blends. Its more of a coexistence. I know pipe smokers that have been smoking for 40 years and still stick to their aromatics. Many people probably had one or two bad aromatics and think they know them all, yet the varieties are simply endless. Personally, I do not believe the English blends to be the creme of the crop, it's simply another direction of flavor.

I am myself and avid Virginia smoker, yet I do appreciate aromatics just as much as english blends.

 

[unclearthur]

Smoke whatcha like. I enjoy "English " Blends and Lakeland English blends as well as several aromatics. All depends on my mood.

 

[fred]

There is a lot to this evolution concept. As we evolve, so do our tastes,

our Pipes and the blends we cellar. For me, variety has been the source of

pleasure as each blend I smoke provides counterpoint for the next blend.

Too much of the same thing is not my preference. As I grow older, these

Meerschaums grow wiser in the lessons taught by fire and tobacco. They

change with time and use, as do I. The English, Balkans, Scottish, Oriental,

Virginias, Virginia/Periques, and Virginia/Burley blends in the cellar continue

to evolve with time. Each smoking experience is a different event and joy.

The magic is in the moment..., the Pipe, the Fire and the Tobacco.

 

[pstlpkr]

I'm with Arthur on this on. The War Department doesn't like the room note of English blends, so I tend to smoke Aromatics in the house/mancave.... But, I sneak a Balkan or some other latakia blend in when I think she isn't breathing. :D
Then again I think Tommy hit upon a jewel when he stated that Aros are about casings and English are about the blends (or something to that effect).

The subtleties and nuances of a good English blend is where the enjoyment arises. IMHO.

Of course there is something to be said for a good cherry, maple, vanilla, or apple blend too.

 

[hilojohnny]

While there is "bias" towards english blends on some forums....I don't think that is true here....

That being said...some folks think a "mature" pipe smoker prefers english blends and avoids aromatics....I disagree completely...

I think the "compleat" smoker can enjoy all kinds of good pipe tobacco and that includes english and aromatics.... ::

 

[sparroa]

Lawrence & hilojohnny, you both have very valid points.
Aromatics can be very enjoyable on occasion but to me there is more to be said for the blending art of the other tobacco styles: namely the English, Scottish, Balkan, Oriental, Virginia, Virginia/Perique and Virginia/Burleys as Fred mentioned. The focus is placed entirely upon the taste and performance of the tobacco, as opposed to the additives and extraneous substances used to make an attractive aromatic. I started out with aromatics and still enjoy some of them; others are PG soaked messes that I've lost my affection for. But I can safely say that all these other natural blends really speak to me in ways that heavily cased tobaccos did not - sometimes they tasted like hot air and offered nothing by way of an enjoyable experience. I'm solidly with the evolutionary camp, though I respect Hessenland's conclusions I don't buy into the whole argument. (While some pipe smokers may be devoted to aromatics, I would argue that on the whole they haven't given other styles a fair chance for various reasons)

 

[igloo]

Most ARO mixes are one dimensional ,burly ,sugar add foo foo .That was most not all . Most English blends are more complex often including many differant types of tobacco .That gives the smoker a Smörgåsbord of flavors or nuances . Some will say ARO blends are a good way to unload substandard tobacco . As for me I like to smoke both .

 

[sparroa]

As I said, there's a time and place for everything. I enjoy both at times. A well done aro can hit the spot in a way that nothing else can when you're craving a sweet fix or a dessert smoke - I'd almost venture to say that feeling is universal. But there are some who would prefer it most of the time; I think that's fine, but you may be missing out a bit.

 

[bubbadreier]

I will add my 2 cents here and lets hope it is short...
I smoke both and I enjoy both! I can honestly say that I am primarily an Aro smoker and that I have tried my fair share of english blends. For me, and only me, I can smoke an Aro all day and not think about it once... I can read a book, be on the computer, work outside and I can enjoy the hell out of an Aro... Not true with a English. For me to really enjoy an English, I have to be sitting down and smoke s-l-o-w and really concentrate on the flavors and tastes that come through! Now don't get me wrong I can still somewhat enjoy an english while moving around and doing other things, but if I am going to be running around or concentrating on other things, I would rather smoke an Aro.
Sorry for my bad english, it was my first language... :P

 

[hauntedmyst]

It took me 15 to 20 years of smoking aromatics before I finally found out I loved English tobaccos. The change was quite sudden. I had tried them several times before but couldn't understand the fuss because smoking them repulsed me. Then one day after not smoking any for like 5 years, I tried some 965 and for whatever reason, my taste buds took off on it and I was hooked. For me they were more of an acquired taste but I wouldn't say I graduated to them. I'm still content to smoke good aros but to me sticking with one when you enjoy both is like taking one item off the buffet and thats it. I've been smoking for 30+ years now and still don't like VA's. I'd like to see what others see in the but I don't. I also wish I liked sea food, but I don't. I won't lose sleep over not liking that either.

 

[expatpipe]

I smoke a little more Va-pers than aromatics, I only know this cause the tins empty faster. There are plenty of aromatics out there that have high quality tobacco. Without the aromatics I dont think half the English blends would even exist. The tobacco companies make most profits on aros. I just woke up, drinking vanilla flavored tea, eating vanilla pudding, and soon will pack a bowl of Larsen 2011 which has a soft vanilla scent/taste. yummy

 

[fatman]

Simple, really. BECAUSE REAL MEN SMOKE LATAKIA!
All kidding aside, before this bacame a 'hobby', it was a habit and the ONLY thing I smoked in ONLY 3 pipes was 1Q. Not too many years ago I spied a tin of Squadran Leader, it looked sorta cool and the name struck me. That was all she worte. That however was the first and last tin of LEADER I had smoked, I liked the Lat weed in it, but craved more.
SLAINTE

 

[menckenite]

It's difficult to add anything of use after what's already been posted so I'll take this moment to say "yada, yada, yada" and that's why you should like English blends. :D

 

[papipeguy]

After reading all of these comments I can see why there are more "crossover" blends coming to market. I don't know about the rest of you but, to me, it seems that there are more and more blends being developed that incorporate latakia and orientals with aromatic bases or vice versa. I guess these points have not been lost on blenders.

Overall, I'm happy about it. Lots of new and interesting things coming of late.