Soooooo recently there was a post of a member receiving an aged sample of the famed "Balkan Sobranie" and after reading it, I started thinking.
*Disclaimer: I'm was referring to a recent post by Shantiques, regarding a 30 year old sample of Balkan Sobranie given to him by Condor. Please gentlemen, I'm not trying to belittle the gesture by any means. I'm very happy a rare experience was shared amongst true gentlemen in our hobby. Quite honestly, in all of Shantique's efforts to grow this hobby and get pipes to newcomers the way he has, the gesture by Condor couldn't have gone to a more deserving person. Also, a huge nod to Condor for doing so, but it seems he's no stranger to great acts of giving by going out of his way to obtain hard to find tobacco's for US folk when traveling overseas.*
Anyway..on to my point.
I approach lots of things with science in mind, and I value objective opinions. I'd be curious to what the outcome would be if the same scenario was played out, with one exception. The individual receiving said sample of tobacco wasn't informed it was a "THE" 30 year old Balkan Sobranie. Just an "oh btw I sent you a sample of some some tobacco I've had cellared for a while, give it a shot and tell me what you think." It would be interesting how the review of the tobacco would be not knowing of the fabled value. Just the tobacco speaking on it's own merit, and the perceived status being taken out of the question.
There has been numerous studies done, and the power the mind has on perceived things is very, well.....persuasive.
It's the cornerstone of "branding" in marketing, and it is so, because it works.
Would someone dare say that they've knowingly tried a "hallowed" tobacco and didn't care for it?
I would ask this question about any aged tobacco that has had a reputation of being "top of the mountain" like. I'm a huge fan of blind taste tests when it comes to consumer products. Take the name brand off it, and see how it stacks up to "Jim-Bobs Garage 2-backee blends"
That is when you can truly pit tobacco against tobacco. Not tobacco against marketing, or word of mouth.
What say you?
*Disclaimer: I'm was referring to a recent post by Shantiques, regarding a 30 year old sample of Balkan Sobranie given to him by Condor. Please gentlemen, I'm not trying to belittle the gesture by any means. I'm very happy a rare experience was shared amongst true gentlemen in our hobby. Quite honestly, in all of Shantique's efforts to grow this hobby and get pipes to newcomers the way he has, the gesture by Condor couldn't have gone to a more deserving person. Also, a huge nod to Condor for doing so, but it seems he's no stranger to great acts of giving by going out of his way to obtain hard to find tobacco's for US folk when traveling overseas.*
Anyway..on to my point.
I approach lots of things with science in mind, and I value objective opinions. I'd be curious to what the outcome would be if the same scenario was played out, with one exception. The individual receiving said sample of tobacco wasn't informed it was a "THE" 30 year old Balkan Sobranie. Just an "oh btw I sent you a sample of some some tobacco I've had cellared for a while, give it a shot and tell me what you think." It would be interesting how the review of the tobacco would be not knowing of the fabled value. Just the tobacco speaking on it's own merit, and the perceived status being taken out of the question.
There has been numerous studies done, and the power the mind has on perceived things is very, well.....persuasive.
It's the cornerstone of "branding" in marketing, and it is so, because it works.
Would someone dare say that they've knowingly tried a "hallowed" tobacco and didn't care for it?
I would ask this question about any aged tobacco that has had a reputation of being "top of the mountain" like. I'm a huge fan of blind taste tests when it comes to consumer products. Take the name brand off it, and see how it stacks up to "Jim-Bobs Garage 2-backee blends"
That is when you can truly pit tobacco against tobacco. Not tobacco against marketing, or word of mouth.
What say you?