I've seen tobaccos listed as "straight english" "aromatic" and "flavored english" Whats the difference?
Aromatic VS Flavored
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I'm no expert, and there are no set rules as to how a blender labels their tobacco. But in my mind the difference between an aromatic English and a straight English is the existence of Cavendish in the blend.
I'm not sure what a "flavored" English is, and have never heard the term. But I suppose one might consider Two Friends English Chocolate to be a flavored English (VA + Latakia + chocolate flavoring agent).
I'm not sure what a "flavored" English is, and have never heard the term. But I suppose one might consider Two Friends English Chocolate to be a flavored English (VA + Latakia + chocolate flavoring agent).
Believe me when I say that most Blends have some sort of topping. It is rare that they do not. My C&D Captain Bob's Blend is described by C&D as "A blend of Virginias and Burleys with just a dash of Latakia and Perique and finished with a refreshing flavor". I'll be more specific for Forum Members. The flavor topping is Vanilla, Orange, Black Walnut, Maple, Caramel and Grape. The difference is that not all manufacturer's care to describe their blends in specific terms. Let the Buyer beware. C&D is pretty good about their descriptions.
My blend is available from www.pipesandcigars.com and www.smokingpipes.com. I find that pipesandcigars are cheaper. Smokingpipes also offers an 8 ounce tin. Both offer "bulk" by the ounce. I receive absolutely no remuneration whatsoever for the sale of Captain Bob's Blend created by me and my dear friend, the late, Craig Tarler. My Blend is considered an Aromatic Blend containing Latakia. It is a very light English style.
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My blend is available from www.pipesandcigars.com and www.smokingpipes.com. I find that pipesandcigars are cheaper. Smokingpipes also offers an 8 ounce tin. Both offer "bulk" by the ounce. I receive absolutely no remuneration whatsoever for the sale of Captain Bob's Blend created by me and my dear friend, the late, Craig Tarler. My Blend is considered an Aromatic Blend containing Latakia. It is a very light English style.
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I just had some of your blend yesterday Capt. Bob 
My buddy does not smoke so when I use his shop I'll smoke your blend there because he likes the smell it over other tobaccos.
My buddy does not smoke so when I use his shop I'll smoke your blend there because he likes the smell it over other tobaccos.
Many times it just seems to be a crapshoot.
English: Latakia+ whatever. Natural tobacco flavor.
Aromatic: Cased whatever, subdued or even eliminated natural tobacco flavor, usually the flavor is specified.
Flvored: Natural tobacco flavor enhanced(hopefully) and/or modified by non-tobacco elements.
But I could be wrong.
English: Latakia+ whatever. Natural tobacco flavor.
Aromatic: Cased whatever, subdued or even eliminated natural tobacco flavor, usually the flavor is specified.
Flvored: Natural tobacco flavor enhanced(hopefully) and/or modified by non-tobacco elements.
But I could be wrong.
I've never heard of a "flavored English" blend, per se.
There are English "aromatics," though, in which some flavor like vanilla or cocoa has been added to a blend that is otherwise English in character. Samuel Gawith's Perfection and Gawith & Hoggarth's Bob's Chocolate Flake come to mind.
And then there are the blends that are described as "scented." "Scented" is typically reserved for the so-called Lakeland-style blends that highlight the flavor of the tonquin bean, which gives them a strong rose-perfume quality.
Bob
There are English "aromatics," though, in which some flavor like vanilla or cocoa has been added to a blend that is otherwise English in character. Samuel Gawith's Perfection and Gawith & Hoggarth's Bob's Chocolate Flake come to mind.
And then there are the blends that are described as "scented." "Scented" is typically reserved for the so-called Lakeland-style blends that highlight the flavor of the tonquin bean, which gives them a strong rose-perfume quality.
Bob
I've heard this from more than one blender. I've gotta believe it. Even Mac Baren Virginia #1, an all Va blend, is sweetened. I've gotta chuckle when I read a review by a condescending, self professed tobacco purist who writes, "Yuk! another artificially flavored tobacco."
Without trying to pick out heroes and villains, I have to say there are big differences between various blends
in how artfully non-tobacco flavors are integrated. The best offer a pleasing undertone of recognizable
flavor that enhances the taste of the tobacco instead of masking it. When this is done well, it just washes
over a pipe smoker with the first puff or three.
in how artfully non-tobacco flavors are integrated. The best offer a pleasing undertone of recognizable
flavor that enhances the taste of the tobacco instead of masking it. When this is done well, it just washes
over a pipe smoker with the first puff or three.
First off you're going to have to use your brain when reading purposely vague and cryptic descriptions. The words we have to describe tobacco flavors still need some fine tuning.
And every definition will change from one smoker to another. You must choose to side with popular opinion or see another side of the die.
Despite the unclear rules and verbiage, there will always be a clear consensus that 1Q is an aromatic, and Penzance is an English blend.
Below are my interpretations of the descriptors mentioned.
I
Straight English - To me this means a blend that will be rich and Smokey. Usually consisting of latakia or other strongly Smokey or spicy leaves... of which there are many different kinds.
Aromatic - An aro can be looked at as a type of tobacco that is going to be sweet and of some flavor akin to the flavors found in candy. But if a tobacco leaf naturally tastes like a dark chocolate without a chocolate topping, or tastes like sugared raisins all by itself... are they too considered aromatic blends? No. The leaf must be DRAMATICALLY altered in some way to take on a different flavor.
Flavored English -To me this sounds like an aromatic blend that also possesses some Smokey leaves such as latakia or a variety of Orientals.
Now suppose you take a clearly basic English blend and light top with a rum flavor? A medium rum flavor? A heavy rum flavor? there are no clear lines. The only thing that is clear is what the blend says it has in it.
And every definition will change from one smoker to another. You must choose to side with popular opinion or see another side of the die.
Despite the unclear rules and verbiage, there will always be a clear consensus that 1Q is an aromatic, and Penzance is an English blend.
Below are my interpretations of the descriptors mentioned.
I
Straight English - To me this means a blend that will be rich and Smokey. Usually consisting of latakia or other strongly Smokey or spicy leaves... of which there are many different kinds.
Aromatic - An aro can be looked at as a type of tobacco that is going to be sweet and of some flavor akin to the flavors found in candy. But if a tobacco leaf naturally tastes like a dark chocolate without a chocolate topping, or tastes like sugared raisins all by itself... are they too considered aromatic blends? No. The leaf must be DRAMATICALLY altered in some way to take on a different flavor.
Flavored English -To me this sounds like an aromatic blend that also possesses some Smokey leaves such as latakia or a variety of Orientals.
Now suppose you take a clearly basic English blend and light top with a rum flavor? A medium rum flavor? A heavy rum flavor? there are no clear lines. The only thing that is clear is what the blend says it has in it.
I'll definitely be trying that captain bob... Sounds excellent.
So what I'm gathering is that not all tobaccos that have a flavor are aromatic, I'm I reading that right? So I guess Grey Havens and frog Morton cellar are good examples of that? Sorry I'm being so dense... I'm new to this crazy hobby of ours!
I'm also trying very hard to keep my aros in one pipe as not to affect the ones I use for my traditional blends, which is where all the questions come from!
So what I'm gathering is that not all tobaccos that have a flavor are aromatic, I'm I reading that right? So I guess Grey Havens and frog Morton cellar are good examples of that? Sorry I'm being so dense... I'm new to this crazy hobby of ours!
I'm also trying very hard to keep my aros in one pipe as not to affect the ones I use for my traditional blends, which is where all the questions come from!
Not dense at all.
Now let me hit you with this...
Say you really love a cherry blend. Now if you smoke it in the same pipe you use for all your aros you might also get other flavors from all the vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, pumpkin pie, etc. blends that you have had in that pipe.
Most ghosts will go away with a bowl or two and are hardly noticeable, but some might stick around for a very long time. I know GL Please wrote that he had a ghost that would only show up when he was near the bottom of the pipe for a while.
Its all just how crazy you want to get with it.
I have a small pipe and some cobs in which anything goes. Never really noticed any ghosts.
Then again I try to keep all my pipes very clean and very dry.
Now let me hit you with this...
Say you really love a cherry blend. Now if you smoke it in the same pipe you use for all your aros you might also get other flavors from all the vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon, pumpkin pie, etc. blends that you have had in that pipe.
Most ghosts will go away with a bowl or two and are hardly noticeable, but some might stick around for a very long time. I know GL Please wrote that he had a ghost that would only show up when he was near the bottom of the pipe for a while.
Its all just how crazy you want to get with it.
I have a small pipe and some cobs in which anything goes. Never really noticed any ghosts.
Then again I try to keep all my pipes very clean and very dry.
I consider an aromatic blend to be a blend with a very noticeable topping flavor regardless if you can identify what the flavor or combined flavors are.
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