Biting, Burning Hell-Tobacco

[robwoodall]

As my technique improves, I find myself returning to blends that used to burn me, that now provide a cool, flavorful smoke. I also have some that I cannot smoke successfully, no matter how careful I am. I'm looking at you, Stanwell Fruit and Vanilla!
I understand that, with proper technique, at least in theory, any tobacco blend can be smoked successfully. In theory, not necessarily in practice.
Do any of you have a blend or blends that seem to just ALWAYS bite, no matter how careful you are?
Or is it just me, 'cause I suck?

 

[bonehed]

Many have stated bite has a lot to do with pH, the tobacco's and your body's. If that's the case, you don't suck, it's just how the cookie crumbles...
Edit: Some reading on the matter.

 

[sablebrush52]

Sip, don't suck. Some blends just bite. Mac Baren products are famous for that. Some of the bite can be reduced by letting the blend age for a couple of years. Smoking Virginias will school you in technique as they can incinerate a pipe in a nanosecond when smoked too quickly. But specific blends? Nope.

 

[drennan]

McB blends seem to bite me regardless of smoking pace, the HH range aren't a problem. I also find certain burley blends very rough at the back of my throat

 

[tarak]

Wessex BCDF! Just can't tame that one.

 

[greyfoxactual]

When trying out any new blend or one I cannot quite smoke successfully, I switch to one of my smaller pipes and after lighting, turn the lip of the pipe perpendicular to the front of my mouth and sip in air along with the smoke from the pipe.
I'm new to the hobby, so maybe this is old news/technique. It looks a bit goofy perhaps, but it's been extremely helpful to keep from choking down a mix that doesn't suit me or discovering new flavors from old favorites.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Anything made hy Borkum Riff or Paladin Black Cherry. Been trying to tame those beasts for a quarter of a century to no avail!

 

[framitz]

When smoking dung expect those results. Shel

 

[mso489]

Aromatics tend to have that effect on me, and I attribute it to the flavoring burning and creating non-tobacco chemicals, and the extra moisture that most aromatics carry. Aromatics attract new smokers because they are thought of as milder and they have familiar flavors that people like, vanilla and caramel, etc. So imagine my surprise when I tried a full-strength non-aromatic blend like Big'nBurley (C&D). It has full strength flavor, and full strength nicotine, but I find it gentler than many "beginner" aromatics over-all. Less bite, less harshness, less aftertaste. It seemed like a wild contradiction. At first, I thought it must be a beverage that was cutting the effect, or food I'd eaten before I smoked. But after a number of bowls, over time, I realized it was burning the flavorings that was causing some of the unpleasant side effects. I don't know if this is true for others, but certainly for me. I find this is true for most non-aromatics from Semois to Billy Budd to P&C Chestnut.

 

[mrenglish]

Anything by McClelland or Hearth and Home bites the heck out of me. Not sure why, especially since I used to smoke a lot of McClelland but there you go. The only Mac Baren blends that do not bite are their Navy Flake and HH Vintage series. Everything else they make I might as well take a knife to the tongue.

 

[homewaters]

For me, burley is the culprit. The only blends I have found I can smoke without getting burned are Solani Aged Burley Flake and C&D Burley Flake no.3. I still have some other burley blends in my cabinet but I have to be extra careful when I smoke them. I also have no problem smoking straight virginias so I guess the issue is very personal. Like some other have said on here, I believe it has to do with the PH of the smoke vs the PH of your own body. You might be getting burned because the tobacco you smoke is too humid. Before you give up, I would try experimenting with the humidity level...

 

[jarit]

McB blends seem to bite me regardless of smoking pace, the HH range aren't a problem. I also find certain burley blends very rough at the back of my throat

This is exactly my situation, too. Would like to smoke an occasional Plumcake or Scottish Blend bowl, but just can't. I can feel the MacBee sting from the very first puffs. HH blends give no trouble at all.

 

[pablohoney]

I've had outstanding luck with most Drew Estate blends, but for some reason, Harvest on the Hudson turns in to molten lava every time.
Even in a meerschaum pipe with a Vauen 9mm charcoal filter.

 

[fishfly]

Newminster (52) Ultimate English. I've even tried blending it with Prince Albert and Carter Hall, and it still bites me badly.
It's strange because Newminster (17) English Luxus is my all day, every day favorite.

 

[ray47]

Middleton's Cherry Blend burns my tongue and mouth every time I smoke it and Kentucky Club Mild isn't much better.

 

[blueeyedogre]

Three Nuns...... Maybe it the Kentucky cause I like Virginia but it gets me every time.

 

[mortonbriar]

Three nuns for me too. I gave up on it in the end, there are so many other blends to smoke.
isaac

 

[tennsmoker]

I stay far, far away from the McB's. They rip my mouth and tongue like a jackhammer. No matter how slowly I puff, it's the same old furnace.

 

[bcharles123]

Esoterica Dunbar. I have a bag that's probably 10yrs old or so. It is delicious except that it scorches my tongue every time. I'm thinking that the aging has produced more sugar which in turn is like coating your tongue in molten caramel.
But who knows?

 

[okiescout]

Mac Baren products are famous for that.
Amen, brush.
I could not wait to smoke of their Vanilla Cream after reading some reviews on it. Open mouth - insert flame thrower.
I cellard it with hopes it mellows. This has helped in the past on some aromatics that bit me bad when they were fresh, and a little drying time did not help.
It may be the PH thing, I will know for sure when I dig it out this fall and try it.