Black Cavendish: What Does It Taste Like?

[mawnansmiff]

I have often read that Cavendish tobacco is commonly used in aromatic blends due to its capacity to absorb and retain the flavourings required to make that blend...fair enough, I get that.
However I was just reading up on Rattray's Marlin Flake and see it is a blend of Virginia, Perique and Black Cavendish leaves and contains no added flavourings. So my question is what does the Cavendish bring to this particular blend and would it be noticed if it were to be omitted.
I can't imagine it is used just as a filler to pad the whole blend out so therefore it must have something to bring to the table, the question is what?
I appreciate that Cavendish is not a type of leaf in itself, more a particular process but that is pretty much all I know.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It really depends on the cavendish. In Marlin Flake, I think it adds a coolness to the smoke, and maybe a tad more nicotine. But, this is just a guess.

Sometimes, it adds flavor, coolness, nicotine, a quality of smoke (as in a heaviness, mouthfeel of the smoke), and sometimes it adds a tinge of sweetness.

 

[owen]

I noticed a lot of blends I favour have it in and wonder if this is a factor.

 

[mso489]

Black Cavendish builds smoke volume and, to me, give a slightly sweet flavor. It's mild but can give a more lingering presence to other tobaccos.

 

[kanse]

I can taste Black Cavendish, and it's the reason I hate most of the BC blends.

Exceptions being the blends where it's balanced masterfully.

Blackhouse and Commodore Flake being fine examples.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

Unflavored Cavendish, in my mind, often adds an extra dimension to the smoke. Not necessarily another flavor dimension, but a certain softness in the mouth feel and more voluminous smoke.

I liken it to adding ice cubes to a coca cola.

Sure, you can drink it straight out of a can or bottle, but if you pour it in a glass over ice cubes you get something magical. A slight dilution that alters the overall experience without changing it drastically.
Maybe that's just me.

 

[mrbigglesworth]

I have smoked Lane BCA. Not sure if it has any type of flavoring but reviews say it has liquor, vanilla, and whiskey. For me, it tastes very light and sweet, like a buttercream icing on a cupcake, but without being too overly sweet. I smoke mostly english blends now, but use BCA to lighten up a blend now and again or smoke it plain just for that nice dessert flavor that it imparts.

 

[ltstone]

I kinda look at it like adding cornstarch to certain foods, it just spreads the flavor out, or one could say a thinkener. C&D's Mild english is a good use of BC.

 

[jvnshr]

Black Cavendish builds smoke volume and, to me, give a slightly sweet flavor.

That's what I wanted to say.

 

[stvalentine]

Mellowness and volume for sure. I got myself some blending tobaccos and tried them pure. Cavendish was quite nice even on its own.

 

[balkisobrains]

It does more to affect the characteristics of "the smoke" and to soften the flavors of the other tobaccos, I have found. The un-flavored stuff does have a flavor which I have not been able to describe yet, but personally don't like, so generally try to avoid. Worth deciding for yourself though, there are a lot of blends out there that I would try if not for the Cavendish.

::

 

[jvnshr]

Cavendish and Black Cavendish are not the same thing.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"Cavendish and Black Cavendish are not the same thing."
Aha! I did not know that Javan, are you able to elaborate?
I just assumed the Cavendish 'process' naturally produced a black end product :roll:
Regards,
Jay..

 

[jvnshr]

I just assumed the Cavendish 'process' naturally produced a black end product

Jay, I didn't know either until I started to create an excel file and filter the tobacco depending on their contents. As you can see, there are some blends which have both Cavendish and Black Cavendish.

Here is a nice article by Russ:
http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that-in-your-pipe/what-is-cavendish/

 

[jvnshr]

*filter the blends depending on their contents.
And here is another great post by forum member Cortez:
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/what-is-cavendish#post-61293

 

[mawnansmiff]

WOW, thanks for going to such trouble to answer my question!
I shall now read the links you included.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[jvnshr]

WOW, thanks for going to such trouble to answer my question!

If you are talking about the excel thing, I've started doing it since the autumn of 2015 I think. I just shared a screenshot with you.
Anyway, we are here to help each other, I am glad I was helpful.

 

[mawnansmiff]

That must be some serious research work to undertake such a task for (presumably) all your favoured blends 8O
What I have learned is that in the few cases where Cavendish is incorporated into the blends I smoke it is there to add sweetness to the mix. Not being an aromatic smoker is probably why I don't encounter it so often but thinking about what blends I do smoke that have it yes, there is a certain sweetness to be tasted. I notice this most in Brown Sugar Flake which must have a fair amount of Cavendish.
Many thanks for the info, it was very helpful indeed.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[jvnshr]

That must be some serious research work to undertake such a task for (presumably) all your favoured blends 8O

I mostly use tobaccoreviews.com as the reference point, then check few online retailers to see if the info is right or not. Everytime I buy a new blend I add it to my excel file, so next time while looking for what to smoke it gets easier to find something for my palate. Let's say I am looking for a Va/Per, I just set Virginia and Perique filters to Yes, and others to No. Here is what I get:

I can email you the file if you are willing to create your own list.

What I have learned is that in the few cases where Cavendish is incorporated into the blends I smoke it is there to add sweetness to the mix.

That's right. And there are also some who find Dutch Cavendish spicy for example.

 

[mawnansmiff]

"I can email you the file if you are willing to create your own list."
That is very kind of you Javan though I think your efforts would be wasted on me. Though I do have MS Office Suite I only ever use Word and even then only its most basic functions.
It does seem a clever resource however so good on you for creating it.
Regards,
Jay.