Burley Tasting Notes

[badbriar]

I'm moving into Burley territory as of late and am finding some really good blends with amazing flavors.
To my palate, Burleys seem to be somewhat nutty, like walnuts and occasionally have a very slight hint of something sweet like molasses - ? I also detect something akin to breadiness or cereal.
There also seems to be a slight bit of bitterness early on that fortunately fades further into the bowl.
Is this slight bitterness a usual thing with Burley blends?

 

[Bbailey324]

Nutty, grainy, molasses, chocolate are all common Burley flavor descriptors. Yes and the bitter notes.

 

[didimauw]

That is correct. I believe that's why it goes so well with black coffee.

 

[seanv]

Some of my favorite blends are burley based. The flavors mentioned are very common within the genre. What blends are you smoking?

 

[badbriar]

Some of my favorite blends are burley based. The flavors mentioned are very common within the genre. What blends are you smoking?

As noted, Pegasus is my first choice. Also tried Big-n-Burley and Redburn.

 

[sardonicus87]

If you like Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake... try some Mac Baren Navy Flake, it's somewhat similar but is burley-based as opposed to the Virginia basis of PSLNF.

Definitely on the list should also be Mac Baren HH Burley Flake, as well as both Haunted Bookshop and Old Joe Krantz from C&D. I'm personally not the biggest fan of Haunted Bookshop, I much prefer OJK (which I am a fan of), others prefer HB and still others like both of them equally.

Another good one to add to the list would be Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired to get your feet wet in the Kentucky/ODF type of burley.

Some of these are straighter burley blends, others are mixed leaf with burley as the main/basis leaf for the blend.

 

[newbroom]

Most of those flavors you taste with burley are enhanced with topping or casing. More typically topping.
Of these, the common ones are cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, allspice, anise, licorice, vanilla, cherry, many other fruits.

I think tobacco itself has its own 'flavor'. I'll call it umami.

 

[RookieGuy80]

[Snip]
Definitely on the list should also be Mac Baren HH Burley Flake, as well as both Haunted Bookshop and Old Joe Krantz from C&D. I'm personally not the biggest fan of Haunted Bookshop, I much prefer OJK (which I am a fan of), others prefer HB and still others like both of them equally.

[/snip]

For Haunted Bookshop, it is rough and harsh straight from the tin or bag. A couple months in a jar really smooth off the rougher edges. I agree that it should be on your list of burleys to try. But get it along with some you can try right away while HB is doing time. Your patience will be rewarded.

 

[dottlejockey]

Love the burleys. Great in the morning with coffee, as has been mentioned. Especially the lighter ones like Boswell's Premium Burley. (Broken record, but it's worth it!) I'll usually go with VAs and orientals during the later morning, early afternoon and switch back to a heartier burley in the evening after dinner - very satisfying. Perhaps, give one of C & D's Burley Flakes a try. I especially love #1, 3 and 5.

 

[seanv]

Good blends have been mentioned. I will add Macbaren Golden Extra and Amphora Burley as solid blends to try

 

[dottlejockey]

Good blends have been mentioned. I will add Macbaren Golden Extra and Amphora Burley as solid blends to try

In all these years i've never tried an Amphora, but just put some on an order last night. 2 pouches of burley to run through and no harm if i don't like it straight, cuz straight to the blending bowl it shall go. Hoping to find another go-to tho. Will be interesting!

 

[Sig]

As noted, Pegasus is my first choice. Also tried Big-n-Burley and Redburn.

I am currently smoking a pipe of Pegasus from 2018.
It truly is the epitome of Burley in my opinion.

 

[seanv]

In all these years i've never tried an Amphora, but just put some on an order last night. 2 pouches of burley to run through and no harm if i don't like it straight, cuz straight to the blending bowl it shall go. Hoping to find another go-to tho. Will be interesting!

Hope you like it. I find it steady and reliable. I dry it pretty dry and rub it up a bit more before packing.