An Odd Question About Virginias

[EvertonFC]

I've found that Virginia tobaccos, including those that aren't pure Virginias, but for which Virginias are a significant portion of the blend, sting my nostrils. It's not that I find their aroma unpleasant. It actually physically irritates me. I've never had this experience with Aromatics, Englishs, Burleys, Orientals, etc. Only Virginias. Am I the only one?

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

May be a chemical reaction. Not unusual for Virginia blends to cause a chemical reaction with the tongue. With you, it may be your nose. If you smoke more, it may hit your tongue as well.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

I smoke mostly Virginias and have experienced what you say at times, but it never lasts long with me. Just the odd smoke here and there.
I've not experienced it for months now. I put it down to myself not the tobacco.
Could be something I breathed in while I'm out and about.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Is it blends with red Virginias?

 

[EvertonFC]

I don't think it's specific to red Virginias, but I've also not paid close enough attention to which Virginias. I'll definitely look into that. ?

 

[kcghost]

Seems highly unusual to me.

 

[bullet08]

During retrohale? Or in general?

 

[cigrmaster]

Anytime you retro hale any type of smoke you will get t a stinging cessation. At least that has been my experience.

 

[anotherbob]

the nose is sensitive so not surprising. Also nicotine really stings the nose because it constricts the blood vessels. I remember back when nasal snuff still burnt.

 

[Grangerous]

Anytime you retro hale any type of smoke you will get t a stinging cessation. At least that has been my experience.

Never with Granger—I retro every puff. Mild as can be.

To the OP’s question, yes there are many blends that sting. If I can’t retro a blend, it’s not for me. — It’s not Virginia in my case. MacBarren Virginia #1 never bothered me.

Its blend by blend.

I have my favorites and they’re as mild as air, for me. We all differ.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I retro every puff.

Same, even with cigarettes. Never any stinging.

 

[F4RM3R]

What blends are you smoking?

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

Is it blends with red Virginias?

Ironically I've found Bright Virginia has the most bite, where Red Virginia is almost bite free.
Personal chemistry is weird thing.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Ironically I've found Bright Virginia has the most bite, where Red Virginia is almost bite free.
Personal chemistry is weird thing.

I get no bite from any of them, but have heard several members relate an allergic reaction to the reds.

 

[makhorkasmoker]

Virginias—red or bright— irritate my gums. This is one of the many reasons I smoke straight burley. There are exceptions. I get along with jackknife plug and dark Birdseye ok

 

[wayneteipen]

For me, it depends on the blend. I prefer red Va's because they seem the sweetest and most smooth for me. I imagine a ton of it has to do with individual chemistry and physiology.

 

[sablebrush52]

I've never experienced any sort of stinging sensation in my schnoz from retrohaling Virginias, nor any other type of tobacco. I have gone through periods when a type of Virginia would really sting, and other periods when that would just go away. For the most part, no tobacco variety causes me discomfort.

 

[Casual]

For me it’s the Perique.

 

[EvertonFC]

To answer some of the questions that have been asked:

• It has nothing to do with retrohaling. I get this sensation on exhale as well.
• It definitely has nothing to do with nicotine. I've smoked cigarettes, cigars and vaped. Never had this experience before with any of those, much higher, nicotine products.
• It also doesn't seem to matter which strain of Virginias. That said, I'm not certain of this bit. Does anyone have any insights into which Virginias I would need to smoke to execute this little experiment? Here's what's currently in my cellar:
  • Cornell & Diehl - Bayou Morning
    Cornell & Diehl - Sansepolcro (Small Batch)
    Gawith Hoggarth - Ennerdale Flake
    GL Pease - Haddo's Delight
    GL Pease - Windjammer
    Mac Baren - HH Rustica
    Mac Baren - Old Dark Fired
    Mac Baren - Pure Virginia
    Orlik - Golden Sliced
    Peterson - Elizabethan Mixture
    Peterson - University Flake
    STG - Escudo Navy De Luxe
    Sutliff - Crumble Kake Barrel Aged Series No.2 Limited Edition
    Warped - Until the End

 

[burleybreath]

As described, I'd bet that an additive of some kind, flavoring or otherwise, is the culprit. Does it happen with Union Square, the "plainest" Virginia I can think of at the moment?