Finally Starting To Understand Flavor Basics

[lithicus]

I decided to start a new thread rather than continue my old one as I'm far past 7 bowls at this point being 1-2 months in.

My first ever pipe tobacco purchase (a sampler of sorts) included mostly aromatics and burleys. No VaPers or anything like that as I was worried about them smoking too hot and/or tongue bite. Of the blends I did receive with my first purchase, I was able to taste the aromatics, obviously. And, I was also able to easily taste the campfire/smoky flavor of the latakia in the Balkan Supreme I tried (which I LOVED, btw). However, when trying to taste the nuances of Old Joe Krantz and Haunted Bookshop, I couldn't quite pick them out. Not to say I didn't enjoy them. Quite the opposite actually. I enjoyed them a lot! But, they kind of just tasted like tobacco to me? I didn't pick up any earthy, woody, spicy, or sweet notes although they were quite enjoyable smokes. The Mac Baren Old Dark Fired definitely had a taste, as well. But, I couldn't quite pin point it.

Fast forward to just a couple days ago. I received my second pipe tobacco purchase. Got 4oz of Balkan Supreme, Lane 1Q, Haunted Bookshop, and Old Joe Krantz. But, I also picked up 1oz of Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Evening Flake, Peter Stokkebye PS400 Luxury Navy Flake, and Peter Stokkebye PS402 Luxury Twist Flake. Mostly because I wanted to try some VaPers and blends that were more virginia forward.

For the first time ever, I think I was able to pick up on some nuances of flavor I read about in reviews. Both last night when I tried Evening Flake and this morning when I tried Luxury Navy Flake, bready notes were immediately obviously on the char and initial light. The bready notes seemed to stick around for the entire smoke. But, I also tasted some spice as the bowl went on. And even a little bit of sweetness at times that I can only assume came from the virginias.

I also think the VaPers really showed me how to take my breath technique / sipping to another level. I can smoke slower than ever now it seems. Was able to keep the VaPers pretty cool as a result and avoid any tongue bite. Being able to smoke slowly is also probably the reason I was able to pick out more flavor. I really enjoyed the VaPers I've tried so far and am looking forward to finishing what I have and trying more!

Unrelated. But for any newcomers to pipe smoking, one thing I would say is don't be afraid of flake. I was, at first, trying to only buy ribbon cut. I didn't fold and stuff my flake, but might try it at some point. I just rubbed 2/3 of the flake out and it packed just as easily as ribbon cut.

Anyway, that is all folks! Hope everyone is having a great day and that your weekend is splendid!!

 

[Gimlet]

I think with slow smoking you not only taste the flavours but you smell the scents coming out of the bowl. If you puff like a steam train you overload your senses (and overheat the tobacco) and lose the element of scent as well as taste. You need them both to get the full character of the tobacco.

 

[K.E. Powell]

Glad you're enjoying your smoking and that you're beginning to pick up on the nuances and pleasures of our favored vice.

I will say that Haunted Bookshop and Old Joe are two Bob Runowski blends and, if memory serves, are not cased or topped with anything whatsoever. That's fairly uncommon in pipe tobacco; even so-called "non-aromatics" or English blends will usually have some sort of mild topping or casing. So, when you say you are only tasting tobacco, well, that checks out. The tobaccos themselves will impart their own flavors that you will over time be able to better distinguish from one another. HB, for example, is a burley bomb with a lot of perique. Smoke slowly and, for lack of better term, "swish" the smoke in your mouth a bit; let it rest on your palette before expelling the smoke. Retrohaling can also help you pick up on flavors you normally wouldn't.

Everyone is different, though. To me, HB has a butter texture and flavor, with lots of earth and a bit of fig-like spice. Others just find it bitter and acrid. I've talked to others that swear they can taste hints of chocolate in it, but I find I cannot. Everyone is different.

 

[proteus]

Well on your way! Brilliant!

 

[lithicus]

I think with slow smoking you not only taste the flavours but you smell the scents coming out of the bowl. If you puff like a steam train you overload your senses (and overheat the tobacco) and lose the element of scent as well as taste. You need them both to get the full character of the tobacco.

I definitely agree with that. And, I think my lack of senses in my nose and taste in general probably makes it more difficult for me to pick out flavors. My wife is much better than me about picking out individual spices and what not when eating food.

Glad you're enjoying your smoking and that you're beginning to pick up on the nuances and pleasures of our favored vice.

I will say that Haunted Bookshop and Old Joe are two Bob Runowski blends and, if memory serves, are not cased or topped with anything whatsoever. That's fairly uncommon in pipe tobacco; even so-called "non-aromatics" or English blends will usually have some sort of mild topping or casing. So, when you say you are only tasting tobacco, well, that checks out. The tobaccos themselves will impart their own flavors that you will over time be able to better distinguish from one another. HB, for example, is a burley bomb with a lot of perique. Smoke slowly and, for lack of better term, "swish" the smoke in your mouth a bit; let it rest on your palette before expelling the smoke. Retrohaling can also help you pick up on flavors you normally wouldn't.

Everyone is different, though. To me, HB has a butter texture and flavor, with lots of earth and a bit of fig-like spice. Others just find it bitter and acrid. I've talked to others that swear they can taste hints of chocolate in it, but I find I cannot. Everyone is different.

It's reassuring to hear that HB and OJK are supposed to taste like tobacco and nothing more. My guess is that the spice from the perique is there in the HB, but it's blending into all that burley for me. I definitely don't find it bitter or acrid. But, I guess I find the Virginias more subtle. So, it's easier for me to pick the spice out of the perique in a VaPer.

Well on your way! Brilliant!

Thanks! It'll be an interesting ride

 

[bullet08]

Once you have smoked certain type of tobacco long enough, you won't easily forget. Sort of like food. At that point, you can play with cadence. Why play with cadence? Depends on how slow or fast you smoke, taste note changes. Also when the tobacco is too dry or wet, you can adjust your cadence to match the moisture level. It comes handy.

 

[Old Millwright]

B

I decided to start a new thread rather than continue my old one as I'm far past 7 bowls at this point being 1-2 months in.

My first ever pipe tobacco purchase (a sampler of sorts) included mostly aromatics and burleys. No VaPers or anything like that as I was worried about them smoking too hot and/or tongue bite. Of the blends I did receive with my first purchase, I was able to taste the aromatics, obviously. And, I was also able to easily taste the campfire/smoky flavor of the latakia in the Balkan Supreme I tried (which I LOVED, btw). However, when trying to taste the nuances of Old Joe Krantz and Haunted Bookshop, I couldn't quite pick them out. Not to say I didn't enjoy them. Quite the opposite actually. I enjoyed them a lot! But, they kind of just tasted like tobacco to me? I didn't pick up any earthy, woody, spicy, or sweet notes although they were quite enjoyable smokes. The Mac Baren Old Dark Fired definitely had a taste, as well. But, I couldn't quite pin point it.

Fast forward to just a couple days ago. I received my second pipe tobacco purchase. Got 4oz of Balkan Supreme, Lane 1Q, Haunted Bookshop, and Old Joe Krantz. But, I also picked up 1oz of Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation Evening Flake, Peter Stokkebye PS400 Luxury Navy Flake, and Peter Stokkebye PS402 Luxury Twist Flake. Mostly because I wanted to try some VaPers and blends that were more virginia forward.

For the first time ever, I think I was able to pick up on some nuances of flavor I read about in reviews. Both last night when I tried Evening Flake and this morning when I tried Luxury Navy Flake, bready notes were immediately obviously on the char and initial light. The bready notes seemed to stick around for the entire smoke. But, I also tasted some spice as the bowl went on. And even a little bit of sweetness at times that I can only assume came from the virginias.

I also think the VaPers really showed me how to take my breath technique / sipping to another level. I can smoke slower than ever now it seems. Was able to keep the VaPers pretty cool as a result and avoid any tongue bite. Being able to smoke slowly is also probably the reason I was able to pick out more flavor. I really enjoyed the VaPers I've tried so far and am looking forward to finishing what I have and trying more!

Unrelated. But for any newcomers to pipe smoking, one thing I would say is don't be afraid of flake. I was, at first, trying to only buy ribbon cut. I didn't fold and stuff my flake, but might try it at some point. I just rubbed 2/3 of the flake out and it packed just as easily as ribbon cut.

Anyway, that is all folks! Hope everyone is having a great day and that your weekend is splendid!!

Being a new pipe smoker too, I noticed the difference once I got the hang of not smoking too fast and being able to actually taste the different tobaccos in a certain blend. Neat experience when it happens

 

[Gimlet]

B

Being a new pipe smoker too, I noticed the difference once I got the hang of not smoking too fast and being able to actually taste the different tobaccos in a certain blend. Neat experience when it happens

I guess it's a bit like learning to play the guitar. At first you're battling to get your brain and your fingers to accept the instrument and whatever you play is just a technical exercise. Once you get the technique nailed and can play without having to think about, you start hearing the music.

 

[RookieGuy80]

You were right on with Haunted Bookshop. That is tobacco flavored with more tobacco.

 

[lithicus]

Once you have smoked certain type of tobacco long enough, you won't easily forget. Sort of like food. At that point, you can play with cadence. Why play with cadence? Depends on how slow or fast you smoke, taste note changes. Also when the tobacco is too dry or wet, you can adjust your cadence to match the moisture level. It comes handy.

This is really interesting! I'm definitely trying to focus on smoking slow right now. But, it's good to know that once I get a better grasp of it that playing around with cadence will change the taste and accommodate the tobacco moisture level!

Being a new pipe smoker too, I noticed the difference once I got the hang of not smoking too fast and being able to actually taste the different tobaccos in a certain blend. Neat experience when it happens

I think I'm getting there!

I guess it's a bit like learning to play the guitar. At first you're battling to get your brain and your fingers to accept the instrument and whatever you play is just a technical exercise. Once you get the technique nailed and can play without having to think about, you start hearing the music.

Being a guitar player I can completely relate to this. It used to take so much concentration to just hit the right string with my finger on the right fret. I don't have to think about any of that anymore. Just play the thing I want to play!

You were right on with Haunted Bookshop. That is tobacco flavored with more tobacco.

I'm glad I was spot on with that! Again, nothing wrong with it. I think there's something special about not dressing the tobacco and letting the natural flavors come through! I got 4oz of HB and OJK. So, I definitely liked them both! But being a cigarette smoker, I think that's part of why I identified it as "tobacco flavored"

 

[RookieGuy80]

[Snip]

I'm glad I was spot on with that! Again, nothing wrong with it. I think there's something special about not dressing the tobacco and letting the natural flavors come through! I got 4oz of HB and OJK. So, I definitely liked them both! But being a cigarette smoker, I think that's part of why I identified it as "tobacco flavored"

I started smoking pipes to help transition away from cigarettes. Haunted Bookshop was one of my first favs too. There's something about that tobacco that just speaks to cigarette smokers.

Check out Five Bros or Semois for your next order. Both are that heavy burley like in HB. Both have a nicotine hit that a cigarette smoker would notice. Both are shag cut, you'll pack them a bit different but they smoke beautifully.

 

[lithicus]

I started smoking pipes to help transition away from cigarettes. Haunted Bookshop was one of my first favs too. There's something about that tobacco that just speaks to cigarette smokers.

Check out Five Bros or Semois for your next order. Both are that heavy burley like in HB. Both have a nicotine hit that a cigarette smoker would notice. Both are shag cut, you'll pack them a bit different but they smoke beautifully.

I would definitely agree with it speaking to cigarette smokers and I think that's why I labeled it as "just tobacco flavored". Because, it seemed so familiar to me. Nothing in particular stood out, but it had a very pleasant and comfortable taste.

I'll definitely have to put those two on my wishlist. Much appreciate the recommendations!


I smoked a bowl of Peter Stokkebye PS402 Luxury Twist Flake last night, which as I understand it isn't a VaPer but a straight virginia. I felt it still had very bready notes, but picked up some smoky/woody accents as well and noticed it was sweeter than the other two VaPers I tried from earlier in this thread. Didn't pick up on any real spice which I guess would make since if it lacks the perique from the other blends I tried. Definitely think I'm getting better at pulling out some of those notes as it seems others noticed similar things when I looked it up on tobacco reviews.