Aromatics Help: Not Just Something that Smells Nice

[kschatey]

@Milleniumsmoker ... Hope these ideas help. Enjoy!

What I have liked:

• Berry - Dan Tobacco Devil's Holiday
• Cherry - KBV Dark Fired Cherry, Story Teller's Pipe Sweet Galenas
• Cocoa - Two Friends English Chocolate and GH&Co Bob's Chocolate (now just CH) Flake
• Fruit/Nut - Peretti Thanksgiving Day, but must have 1+ year of age otherwise it is just bland and boring
• Honey - C&D Sun Bear (Black Locust version seems to be even moreso with a touch of cream, too)
• Lakeland-ish/Floral - WCC Elf's Dandruff (get some before it's gone!)
• Vanilla - Dan Tobacco Sweet Vanilla Honeydew and MacBaren Vanilla Flake/Ready Rub/Roll Cake

Honorable mentions since they are no longer available:

• KBV Sakura
• Lane Wild Hare

Just meh:

• Dan Tobacco Blue Note - berry
• Dan Tobacco Milonga - caramel/vanilla
• Story Teller's Pipe M/M Log Cabin - maple (definitely more subtle than Autumn Evening!); needs revisited though

Non-aromatics of note (seem to have aromatic qualities and are all damn good):

• Newminster 400 - golden grahams
• Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake - coconut-ish, but not really
• St. Bruno - Subtle and easy, yet complex satisfying

What was disappointing:

• C&D Autumn Evening - This one is great if you want maple and waffles, but is one dimensional and becomes overwhelming
• Blood Red Moon (and most other cherry blends, especially Boswell's Cherry Smash) - fake/chemically
• GH&Co. Kendall Black Cherry - boring
• Lane Hazelnut - missing flavor
• Rattray's Exotic Passion - fake/chemically
• SG Chocolate Flake - don't let the name fool you!
• SG Firedance - couldn't find the berry/currant
• Savinelli Brunello - boring
• Solani Mango - chemically
• Sutliff Molten Dulche - over the top

In the cellar and looking forward to trying:

• Chacom Purple - Plum, I believe
• John Alesbury Copenhagen - Nuts
• John Alesbury Dragon Flake - Caramel/Vanilla
• GH&Co. Cherry Vanilla
• GH&Co. Ennerdale - Lakeland, or maybe more fruit/nut/unknown
• Erinmore - Pineapple, or so I've heard
• SG Bothy Flake
• SG Grousmoor - Lemongrass?
• Vauen Oriental #2 - Coriander?

Ones I don't have, but have always been curious about:

• C&D Apricots & Cream - am I crazy?
• John Alesbury (was Sillem) Black
• Wilke Chocolate
• Wilke PB & Chocolate

 

[briarbuda48]

Blackberry Winter from Ted’s Pipe Shoppe in Tulsa Ok. The best berry aromatic I’ve ever smoked. Great hands on service, no web presence to speak of, so call them.

Old Toby from The Country Squire. I just discovered this and really like it.
Rum and Maple from Wilke is a go to aromatic, just slow your puffing cadence a bit.
Killarney from Ted’s is great as well.
KBV’s Burley Morning Pipe is another great aromatic.

 

[PaulTheScandinavian]

Better keep it simple, Amphora Red Full, Special reserve nro 8 Black, and yet, Erinmore Flake

 

[Dudditz]

So many options have been given. Good luck in your journey to find something you really enjoy!

 

[JKoD]

Wilke Peanut Butter & Chocolate ?

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

@Milleniumsmoker ... Hope these ideas help. Enjoy!

What I have liked:

• Berry - Dan Tobacco Devil's Holiday
• Cherry - KBV Dark Fired Cherry, Story Teller's Pipe Sweet Galenas
• Cocoa - Two Friends English Chocolate and GH&Co Bob's Chocolate (now just CH) Flake
• Fruit/Nut - Peretti Thanksgiving Day, but must have 1+ year of age otherwise it is just bland and boring
• Honey - C&D Sun Bear (Black Locust version seems to be even moreso with a touch of cream, too)
• Lakeland-ish/Floral - WCC Elf's Dandruff (get some before it's gone!)
• Vanilla - Dan Tobacco Sweet Vanilla Honeydew and MacBaren Vanilla Flake/Ready Rub/Roll Cake

Honorable mentions since they are no longer available:

• KBV Sakura
• Lane Wild Hare

Just meh:

• Dan Tobacco Blue Note - berry
• Dan Tobacco Milonga - caramel/vanilla
• Story Teller's Pipe M/M Log Cabin - maple (definitely more subtle than Autumn Evening!); needs revisited though

Non-aromatics of note (seem to have aromatic qualities and are all damn good):

• Newminster 400 - golden grahams
• Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake - coconut-ish, but not really
• St. Bruno - Subtle and easy, yet complex satisfying

What was disappointing:

• C&D Autumn Evening - This one is great if you want maple and waffles, but is one dimensional and becomes overwhelming
• Blood Red Moon (and most other cherry blends, especially Boswell's Cherry Smash) - fake/chemically
• GH&Co. Kendall Black Cherry - boring
• Lane Hazelnut - missing flavor
• Rattray's Exotic Passion - fake/chemically
• SG Chocolate Flake - don't let the name fool you!
• SG Firedance - couldn't find the berry/currant
• Savinelli Brunello - boring
• Solani Mango - chemically
• Sutliff Molten Dulche - over the top

In the cellar and looking forward to trying:

• Chacom Purple - Plum, I believe
• John Alesbury Copenhagen - Nuts
• John Alesbury Dragon Flake - Caramel/Vanilla
• GH&Co. Cherry Vanilla
• GH&Co. Ennerdale - Lakeland, or maybe more fruit/nut/unknown
• Erinmore - Pineapple, or so I've heard
• SG Bothy Flake
• SG Grousmoor - Lemongrass?
• Vauen Oriental #2 - Coriander?

Ones I don't have, but have always been curious about:

• C&D Apricots & Cream - am I crazy?
• John Alesbury (was Sillem) Black
• Wilke Chocolate
• Wilke PB & Chocolate

Thanks for the detailed list and breakdown! I am also interested in trying some of those "inbetween" blends, where it's not quite an aromatic but not quite an English or pure Virginia. I have found that sometimes those are some of the most complex blends. Thanks!

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

This is an amazing list, thanks everyone! There are some on here I wouldn't have considered, but after hearing more about them, I will give it a shot! I'm going to setup an order next week. I found out (thankfully not firsthand) that if you order too much tobacco in a short time, they will confiscate it at customs since it seems like you are going to sell it. Makes sense, and also gives me some time to shop and figure out what will be the best. I'm excited to try it out!

 

[Donb1972]

C & D's Visions of Celephais...if you like a nice grape scent and taste, this will be all you need.

 

[STP]

If you’re further interested in some of these recommendations, then I’d suggest going to SPC, or other tobacco review sites, for further research. Sometimes you have to just pick up a bend and try it yourself. I know that I’ve read good reviews, and then was disappointed … or coming back to them later with a change of heart. Aging can help, taste changes… there are a lot of variables. Sometimes experimenting with different blends, cuts, etc., can be enjoyable.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

If it were meant to be tasted on the tongue, they would be called something else. But, we taste mostly with our sense of smell, so it is easy to get confused.

 

[Milleniumsmoker]

If you’re further interested in some of these recommendations, then I’d suggest going to SPC, or other tobacco review sites, for further research. Sometimes you have to just pick up a bend and try it yourself. I know that I’ve read good reviews, and then was disappointed … or coming back to them later with a change of heart. Aging can help, taste changes… there are a lot of variables. Sometimes experimenting with different blends, cuts, etc., can be enjoyable.

This is very true, I totally agree. As an example, Solani Aged Burley flake was totally terrible to me the first time I tied it. I put it down for months and was running short on tobacco and picked it back up. Not only was it amazing, but I also smoked it first thing in the morning and got a huge nicotine hit from it. This was totally incredible. I love that blend so much now. I'm going to be picking up as much as a can when I find it again.

 

[FLDRD]

Hello again!

I'm looking for some help with aromatics, and I thought I could differentiate my post from others by specifically asking for something that not only smells nice, but tastes really good and discussing what I have personally had experience with. Notes I tend to look for are things like chocolate, caramel, or a strong "natural" fruit taste. I am excited to say I ordered some Kohlhase and Kopp Wintertime 2021 that should arrive at some point in the near future.

I'm looking to expand my aromatic library a bit though beyond that. I may be different in that, after trying OTC blends like Half and Half, Carter Hall, and a few light and unpraiseworthy aromatics from my local shop years ago, I jumped right into English blends and hardly ever looked back.

That being said, I really enjoyed Peterson Gold Flake and Peterson Luxury Blend, they just became harder to find in the USA back when I was there. I can order them now online from other outlets. Erinmore Flake is also a mainstay and I plan on getting some more of that as well. While not the strongest I do love whatever fruit concoction they put it that.

I'm wondering what people recommend for blends that have a strong, flavorful, and complex taste, not just a nice scent.

To illustrate, I ordered Cornell and Diel Autumn Evening, and was really unimpressed. The maple syrup was not very pronounced and I found it tasting a little ashy and lackluster towards the finish.

Anyone have thoughts on their favorite aromatics that fit the bill of tasting as well as smelling spectacular? I'm thinking of trying some of the Rattray's line since they hardly ever disappoint, just looking for some guidance before going through the hassle of customs and paying duties, etc. and finding I don't like the blend. Thanks!

Pennington Gap.
I opened one last weekend and my non-smoking wife smelled it from the tin and said it was like chocolate filled with cherry liquor.
Black cavendish, burley, perique in that order.
Read the reviews and see if you like.

 

[FLDRD]

View attachment 129147
If it were meant to be tasted on the tongue, they would be called something else. But, we taste mostly with our sense of smell, so it is easy to get confused.

And "air" is clearly pronounced within the word, so there's that...

 

[Ahi Ka]

Warhorse Green.

Ok, so “nice” may be subjective, but it tastes like it smells

 

[Chasing Embers]

View attachment 129147
If it were meant to be tasted on the tongue, they would be called something else. But, we taste mostly with our sense of smell, so it is easy to get confused.

"The Book of Pipes & Tobacco"

- Carl Ehwa Jr.

 

[Franco Pipenbeans]

Personally - I love Erinmore Flake, never found anything that tastes or smells like it. It does seem to have lost some of it’s fruity potency these days though, which is a shame.
If you have access to Ennerdale flake then you might enjoy that, especially if you like Erinmore - it smells fantastic and smokes beautifully though it is a different animal to Erinmore in scent and taste.

I’ve always found Sam Gawith’s Black Cherry Cavendish to be the best cherry blend, it doesn’t smell or taste synthetic and the room note is on song as well.

Alternatively, Rich Dark Honeydew (Rich Spring Dew I think it’s called now) by Gawith and Hoggarth is a really nice aromatic - honey notes and fruits; it reminds me of what Condor used to taste like in a lot of ways.

All of these recommendations will depend on their availability to you. Good luck with the hunt ??.