Years ago I wouldn't touch an aromatic, and looked down my nose both literally and figuratively at anyone who smoked them. I came from a school that said “if the tobacco is no good, adding flavoring to it won't help, and if the tobacco is good, and good tobaccos is all the flavoring that is required.” I think I've modified my views somewhat, and while I agree with uncle Arthur who said that aros come in three types: the good, the bad and the ugly, the same can be said of non-aromatics, of which I've tasted more than my share and found some to be rather poorly selected and blended. I was particularly impressed with the video tour of the Mac Baren plant, watching all the loving care that went into blending their fine tobaccos. After watching the video, I went out and acquired some Mac Barens, and frankly I'm impressed. Of course, the bottom line resides in the old Latin saying de gustibus non est disputandum. One can find tobaccos in either category, in sufficient quantity to please any palate, and as for quality, that really is a matter of personal taste. One should not say to someone who smokes aromatics: “that's a poor quality tobacco you're smoking, one that uses flavoring agents to mask the taste of an inferior grade tobacco. You should switch to a nonaromatic if you aspire to being a true pipe smoker.” Reminds me of something that happened to me some years ago when I was smoking my longtime favorite, Balkan Sobranie, of blessed memory, when someone nearby wrinkled his nose and said: “who are you trying to impress with that stuff?” My simple, one-word response: “me.”
