Well I'm having a bit of a struggle with HB and I'm wondering if anyone has a suggestion about mixing it with something else, like an aro, to lighten the bitter taste.
Haunted Bookshop Mix?
- Thread starter Ray in Bangkok
- Start date
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I would mix it with Sir Walter Raleigh. It’s a burley tobacco so it won’t ruin the flavor profile but it will certainly tone it down.
I've found the bitter taste can be from other factors. For me the key is to eat and ensure I am well hydrated - I drink almost a gallon a day of water. If I don't do these things I get off tastes from many tobaccos. I have no idea why but anecdotally this seems to work.
Though it's a broken flake, the Orientals in Sunday Pic Nic can keep those Bitey Brights in HB at Bay. Maybe stack them in different configurations parfait style and make sure to fully rub out and dry the Sunday Pic Nic equal to the HB for the best burn.
Blending HB with Black Cavendish can help mitigate the harshness or bitterness that some may experience with Burley forward blends, and I agree with the suggestions of SWR or SP as well.
Additionally, I would suggest trying Pegasus, which does contain a bit of Black Cav and has a deeper, but overall softer mouthfeel.
Additionally, I would suggest trying Pegasus, which does contain a bit of Black Cav and has a deeper, but overall softer mouthfeel.
Haunted Pirate Ship. (Haunted Bookshop + Pirate Kake)
I had a couple bowls of HB, but just could not abide the bitterness. Jarred it up and put it in the back of the cupboard. I'll try it again in a year or so. Old Joe Krantz was the same, to a lesser or greater extent (can't remember which way around). So far, my experiences with C&D blends have not been happy ones. Briar Fox was better, but not a blend I really reach for. Bayou Morning the same. Holding out hope for Pegasus.
I wish I had some advice for you. I smoke Haunted Bookshop like it's going out of style. I like it just the way it is.
To echo/add to one of the comments above, bit of unsweetened Virginia black cavendish oughta do the trick. Something like Sutliff 507-S.
I can't stand Haunted Bookshop so I'd say mix anything with it because it has to be better.
HB is a love it or hate it kinda blend. It's a burley and perique bomb where the virginias are condimental at best, so even sipped slowly, there is going to be some bitterness; you either like that you or do not. If you push it fast, it will get overly bitter. It's an entirely unflavored tobacco, so you really got to have a love for the naturally earthy, peppery, and nutty flavors in the burley and perique. Sipped at a moderate pace, it has an almost buttery texture, but is bold with just enough spice to make it interesting. But the bitterness is feature, not a bug.
That being said, as much as I love HB, it isn't for everyone. It's an all day smoke for me, but others just find it acrid. Instead of trying to fix it, I'd advise trying Pegasus instead. It's made by the same blender and uses much of the same tobaccos, but is more mellow and sweet. I think you'd like it if the only thing turning you off on HB is the bitterness. But if you are insistent on blending it with something, I'd advise some cavendish. Lumbridge's suggestion is a good one.
That being said, as much as I love HB, it isn't for everyone. It's an all day smoke for me, but others just find it acrid. Instead of trying to fix it, I'd advise trying Pegasus instead. It's made by the same blender and uses much of the same tobaccos, but is more mellow and sweet. I think you'd like it if the only thing turning you off on HB is the bitterness. But if you are insistent on blending it with something, I'd advise some cavendish. Lumbridge's suggestion is a good one.
my suggestion might be terrible. Drink extra bitter coffee before hand. Inoculation against the bitter.