Discerning tobacco flavours

[drsquat]

First post so bear with me; been an infrequent pipe smoker for many years but in the past 12 months I have expanded my pipe collection and ventured out into the world of various tobacco blends by on-line suppliers (4noggins) and tinned varieties such as Three Nuns, Dunhill EMP and GLP Odyssey. I always read the tobacco reviews and marvel at some of the comments describing the subtle flavours and tastes of these blends. Sure I get the sweetness, spice and smokiness (Latakia) of most but I don't seem to experience the depth as often described. Nor do I get the changes throughout the bowl that some reviews suggest. My question is whether this is a skill acquired or simply just possessed by some and not others. Don't get me wrong I very much enjoy what I enjoy but wonder if there is something I'm missing. Looking forward to everyone's pearls of wisdom.

 

[bulletsnbriars]

Hello Dr Squat, welcome to the forum! Everyone's real nice and informative 'round here.
Some people are better than others, but to me, it comes from experience. The more you often you smoke, and the more blends you try, the better you will get at it. It will take quite a few bowl fulls, sipped slowly and gently, to experience all the flavors a blend has to offer. I also say you'd have to repeatedly smoke the same blend in the same pipe without any other blends in between to get a consistant smoke and help train you in discovering the full taste.
Happy piping!

 

[cortezattic]

Welcome to the forums! :clap:

This article by G L Pease is a good place to start: Don't Think Of A Purple Giraffe.

 

[Strike Anywhere]

Before you concern yourself with that, I would ask myself why am I smoking? Is your goal to write flowery reviews pointing out nuances of each blend, or are you looking to relax, unwind, and allow your troubles and stress of the day to float away with each wisp of smoke?
For me, I started smoking for the latter but felt I needed to be proficient in the former to be a "real" pipe smoker (I picked up the pipe around 18-19 years old -- this was about 10-12 years ago before we really started to see this resurgence of younger pipe smokers, so I was probably dealing with some subconscious image issues). Anyway, after a couple years I realized that, for me, the ability or lack thereof to dismantle the flavor profile of each blend with the accuracy of a high-pressure liquid chromatography system neither added nor detracted from the experience. If I'm trying to describe a blend to someone, I'll try a little harder than "it's good/bad", but I don't try to pretend like I'm writing for Wine Spectator or Whisky Advocate. I want to relax and enjoy the moment -- savor the opportunity to get lost and zoned out.

 

[cmdrmcbragg]

I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you want to be some sort of smoking lounge tobacco sommelier. Try to enjoy it.

 

[ruger414]

Welcome to the forums! As a few others here have posted, it just comes from experience. The wider variety of tobaccos that you smoke, the more you can discern nuances between them. And remember, the point of smoking is to enjoy it. Often I find that nitpicking and deconstructing everything just takes the fun out of it.

 

[kanaka95]

Agreed with ruger414 time and experience will tell.It will come jut have to keep at it.I try to work thru the tin of tobacco then move on to another one.keep puffin on bro.

 

[derfargin]

I've said before, it's all comes down to "Do I like this blend, or don't I?" The problem comes when trying to describe to others what the experience is to you.
Right now, stick with the "like or dislike" option. It's really all that maters.
As you progress as a pipe smoker you'll eventually get to times when you pick up things in tobacco blends that you haven't before. However, so many things play into when that happens, (i.e. type of pipe, smoking cadence, blend) it can make your head spin.
Just have fun and smoke what you like the taste of.

 

[rmbittner]

I spent a good 20 years poking along in the "like it/don't like it" phase before I really started paying attention. I wish I'd done it much sooner! I think the rewards are many and the drawbacks. . . well, there aren't any drawbacks.
There has been much said here and elsewhere online about what constituent leaf typically tastes/smells like in the bowl, as well as the tobacco blends that highlight a range of particular leaf. If you really want to dive in, I'd strongly suggest smoking through complete tins of those blends considered hallmarks of their particular style. Only after you do that will you understand what makes a Balkan different from an English or the range of flavors that can come from different straight-Virginia flakes. And I think this will all be for naught if you don't also take the time to take notes on what you're smoking and how you're perceiving it. I call this "smoking intentionally," and not everyone here likes doing it. I do, and it helps me get much more out of pipe smoking than I'd realize if I were just kicking back and enjoying a blend without giving it any thought.
That said, I'm not one of those guys who smokes pipe tobacco and then starts writing purple prose about it. Some folks go way overboard in that regard, IMO. But I think you'll come up with your own comparisons and similes once you start really focusing on what's happening in the bowl.
Of course, you need to smoke slowly to get everything a blend can offer. And you need to smoke multiple bowls in the same pipe. And you need to thoroughly clean your pipes regularly.
Bob

 

[lordofthepiperings]

If you're looking to get more of the flavors from a blend I' d suggest the following:
1.) Make sure you're hydrated to start with. Also, periodically sip on something throughout the bowl. Water is a good one if you're just experiencing a blend because it doesn't impart any flavor.
2.) Chew on the smoke, as Greg Pease says. Basically it's kind of like wine tasting. Take a puff and then swirl the smoke around in your mouth for a few seconds before exhaling. Even move your tongue around a bit to let the smoke hit the underside of it. This will help the flavors reach more taste buds and bring out more pronounced flavors.
3.) Only smoke that blend until the tin or sample is gone. This will help you stay fresh on just that tobacco and smoking just that blend till it's gone will also have you smoking at different times of the day which can also change up the flavors your picking up on.
4.) I'd also say if you have four or five bowls of the blend in a bigger pipe and nothing is really singing for you about the blend then try the next four or five in a smaller pipe. Changing up the bowl size/shape has been known to make a world of a difference for some people.
I'd also keep in mind that not all of us have a golden palate like Greg Pease lol. The main thing about pipe smoking is relaxing and as SilverShadow ends his YouTube videos, "Take a moment to stay in the now.".

 

[saltedplug]

I used to write reviews, and feel that there is no doubt that my palate was sharper during this time. Certainly I taste tobacco, but I miss many nuanced understandings of its character since I stopped paying attention. Mr. Pease "Giraffe" article is so very well done, as usual. I've been wanting to resume being more analytical about a smoke, and this thread is pointing me back in that direction. Thank you!

 

[cortezattic]

I read and write a lot of reviews, and I generally dislike elaborate metaphors -- like comparing the experience, in detail,

to a symphony or a hike in the woods. But I often find that comparisons and likenesses are useful to communicate properties

like flavor, that are the only examples of their kind (sui generis).
When I write a review, I try to fill the information gap in the mind of someone who has no idea what is inside the tin.

Overall, my objective is to prevent the reader from being blindsided by something totally unexpected. (If you've ever

purchased Fox Dorisco Mixture because the tin description said it was a VaPer, then you know where I'm coming from.)
The scheme I use follows a paradigm involving: the appearance; the tin aroma; the presentation; the burn; and tastes or

other details that seem to impress me. My likes and dislikes seldom enter into the description. For example, I'll say

something tastes like licorice and leave it at that -- even though I don't like licorice. If a blend loses rating points

because of a personal preference, I try to make that clear, and add my impression of the product's quality.
For me, it's all about trying to be informative. If you have already tasted the blend, you needn't read my review.

 

[maxima]

I started couple of weeks ago myself. what I did - bought bunch of samples (30+) and am smoking 1 or 2 a day. bough 1 pipe than another than another. I noted that smoke depends on many things not just tobacco. a) pipe b) my physical condition c) packing the pipe.. At the moment I am giving 1-5 mark to each smoke and selecting preferred blends and brands.. then that's done I will drill deeper and (I hope) in the end I'd have 2-3-4 tobaccos I want to smoke daily and may be 1-2-3 for special occasions / moods.

 

[condorlover1]

I cannot taste anything due to 30+ years of Condor and different ropes. I am lucky if I can taste a decent curry these days! I have also noticed a complete absence of a sense smell which at times has certain advantages!

 

[drsquat]

Much obliged to all the responders. I like the idea of sticking to a blend for the whole tin and smoking in various pipes, times etc. Guess I'll just have to have an extra bowl or two each day. Oh well ……………….

 

[swmalone]

This is good information for a new pipe smoker. I live out in the middle of nowhere and it is a 20-30 minute drive to the nearest tobacco shop. They have a limited supply of pipe tobacco but they have been nice enough to offer me small samples of the bulk tobacco for free. I guess what I'm wondering is how reliable my untrained palette is at selecting which blend I want to stick with if I am bouncing back and forth between all of these blends.
I think I might take a chance and order some blend online. The owner of the tobacco shop has me all paranoid about the Utah state tax commission breaking my doors down if I order tobacco from the internet, but it seems like since Utah isn't a restricted state I don't see why it would be a problem. If I order blends it seems like from the feedback on here it might be a good idea to smoke the entire tin before trying one of the different blends.
Very glad I stumbled across these forums.

 

[settersbrace]

You mentioned that you have some EMP. Stick with that for a time and really try to pick up on the subtle changes that occur as you work through a bowl. I'm being biased here of course since I smoke more of that mixture than any other but I will tell you that it's an easy one to smoke several times a day and it has substance, quite a bit in fact. Take reviews with a grain of salt as well but try to single out a few of the plainer speaking ones that share your experiences and tasting on a given blend or three. Then you can establish some trust in that reviewer to have similar tastes to yours. There are some excellent reviews on this forum that I personally put more stock in than the others out on the web.

 

[drsquat]

I read somewhere in these forums (might have been a GLP article) about trying the same smoke in different pipes, times etc. My first go at EMP left me with less than favourable opinion - tasted like a dirty cigarette and I felt sick. 4 bowls later and I love the stuff. I am able to definitely discerning the changing flavours as each bowl progresses and event relate some of those flavours to others like savoury foods etc. So I guess my advice for fellow newbies would be to follow the advice of the experts - stick with a blend and try it in varying pipes, times of day even locations. By concentrating on one blend at a time (rather than half a dozen as I was) you get to "know" it. Not saying you'll like it but at least you can tick it on or off the list for your next order!

 

[rangerearthpig]

When I really want to taste something special, I put a piece of raw bacon in the bowl with my tobacco. :lol:

Ok, I'll shut up now.