He who controls the Spice, controls the Universe

[The Hermit]

Gentlemen (and Lady) all:

I've been pipe smoking for three years, have watched and enjoyed countless hours of video tobacco reviews and pipe smoking content, and read well into the night in pursuit of the hobby and self-education, and you often hear "spice" used as a descriptor.

"The spice comes out part way through the bowl", or "it's a spicey blend", or "the Perique is spicey".

Now, sometimes I think refers to the so-called "warming spices", clove, nutmeg, all-spice, etc., but other times I get the impression it refers to the slight heat of black peppercorn on the tongue.

Is there a last word on what "spice" refers to?

Thanks for your time and thoughts.

 

[khiddy]

Last word? HAH! Fat chance around here!

But I interpret "spice" as that peppery tingle. If it's a specific spice I'm getting, I'd call it out (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc.), rather than just "spicy."

 

[The Hermit]

Hahaha! Thanks for your reply. I figured it's one of those terms which takes on different meanings to different people. It's helpful to know it might be referring to the spicey heat of black pepper. I've definitely heard that in reference to Perique and encountered a (black) peppery retrohale myself.

 

[Auxsender]

I think it’s both.
Often people will reference “baking spices” (cinnamon, nutmeg) and/or white or black pepper spice.
Sometimes one or the other. Sometimes both within the same bowl.

I appreciate and totally understand the delineation between “baking” and “pepper” and I have experienced both and appreciate both.

 

[TakeThisCobAndStuffIt]

Define spice...
They tried and failed?

 

[The Hermit]

I guess my beef is when it is used and there is no clarification as to which (or both!) it is referring to. Sometimes, I think I'd like to try a blend, but am hesitant because of the non-specific spice reference In a review. I much prefer the baking spices to black pepper, at least where my tobacco is concerned.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I see more often, reviewers saying that the perique is peppery in a heavy handed VAPER, because just the slightest bit of perique can draw out hints of cinnamon or a baked bread like aroma. Like, cinnamon, a dash makes for a sweeter flavor in a pastry, a ton can make for a peppery pastry.

A reviewer just saying “spice” or “spicy” would mean nothing to me.

 

[sardonicus87]

I've never used "spicy" as a descriptor because it's meaningless. Spicy, unqualified, to me, with regard to food, means capsaicin "heat" like jalapeños or something and that's the only time I would use "spicy" as a description in flavor, and so no tobacco is "spicy".

If there's a spice flavor, I call it by the type of spice... like I'll say "peppery" or "cinnamon", etc. If I see "spicy" unqualified, I usually take it to mean "peppery".

 

[The Hermit]

Thanks, that's interesting. (Black) pepper and cinammon are very differnet and yes, it does irk me when a reviewer just says spice or spicey. Well, which is it? Would it have killed you to add some context?

I acquired some of C&D's 2025 batch of Sansepolcro, in an effort to try new blends and specifically to experience some new flavors or varietals I might not gravitate to in my rotation. On the jar note, I definitely get a soft note of clove. So that would be baking spicey.

 

[BriaronBoerum]

What, no love for these spices?

https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y...ZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/5pWMO2Uikc1UxcBwna/giphy.gif

 

[The Hermit]

What, no love for these spices?

https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y...ZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/5pWMO2Uikc1UxcBwna/giphy.gif

Now if they come with a tobacco, I ain't complainin'!

 

[khiddy]

What, no love for these spices?

https://media2.giphy.com/media/v1.Y...ZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/5pWMO2Uikc1UxcBwna/giphy.gif

I'll tell you what I want, what I really, really want!

 

[bootlegpipes]

Lisan al-Gaib!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I wonder if the term is regional. Down South, I have never heard peppery referred to as spicy. Peppers aren’t even a spice. They are a vegetable, in my mind.

 

[OzPiper]

I wonder if the term is regional. Down South, I have never heard peppery referred to as spicy. Peppers aren’t even a spice. They are a vegetable, in my mind.

There are peppercorns and then there are chillies/capsicums

Quite a difference in flavour between white, black and green peppercorns

Just as there is between chillies - sweet or bumburners.
And capsicums - red, green or yellow

The use of descriptors should be more precise

 

[bullet08]

Actually, it's cilantro.

 

[Waning Embers]

 

[mortonbriar]

Variety is the spice of opinions on that question...


For me, I am referring to the flavour genre found in orientals usually, but maybe also the cinammon found in cigars...and I expect it to mean pepper if people are smoking perique.

 

[The Hermit]

Variety is the spice of opinions on that question...


For me, I am referring to the flavour genre found in orientals usually, but maybe also the cinammon found in cigars...and I expect it to mean pepper if people are smoking perique.

Yes, definitely. For me, I relate spice to the complex profile of Orientals and Latakia; the earthy, floral, herbal, allspice, clove, cedar, and frankincense qualities. Most notable on a good retrohale with some Englishes.