Is This Tongue Bite?

[ClassicKehler]

I have two Virginia blends, Union Square and 4th Gen luxury twist flake. My issue is that, with these two blends, I get a burning sensation as soon as the tobacco is lit. It is not hot at all, but the feeling in my mouth is somewhat like hot sauce. And the burning lasts for a while after. The twist flake is worse. I'm doing my best to smoke slowly as I know that Virginia's burn hot, but I also can't keep it going if I slow down too much. Then my efforts to keep it going create more burning on top of the original burning and the whole thing is just not enjoyable. I have tried smoking it dry ( so that the flakes are brittle) and just as it is out of the tin. I usually rub it out. Any experience or thoughts? Is this tongue bite or an allergy?

 

[ThomasS]

Sensitivity amd allergy are different things. If you were allergic to nicotine, you probably wouldn’t be asking us.

Sensitivity takes many forms. I, for one, get blisters from bright Virginia. Mix it with things that counter the acidity and I’m fine. I can smoke anything burley all day long. Other people are exactly the opposite.

Find what works best for you and more importantly why, and you can fix anything. I can smoke the brightest Virginia ever with a pinch of white burley to neutralize it - everything can be fixed.

 

[mortonbriar]

Regardless of what you want to call it, smoke something else. In a year's time, pull those two jars back out and see if anything has changed...

 

[ClassicKehler]

Sensitivity amd allergy are different things. If you were allergic to nicotine, you probably wouldn’t be asking us.

Sensitivity takes many forms. I, for one, get blisters from bright Virginia. Mix it with things that counter the acidity and I’m fine. I can smoke anything burley all day long. Other people are exactly the opposite.

Find what works best for you and more importantly why, and you can fix anything. I can smoke the brightest Virginia ever with a pinch of white burley to neutralize it - everything can be fixed.

That's an interesting point. So I should maybe try a Virginia/ burley. Any recommendations?

 

[ClassicKehler]

Regardless of what you want to call it, smoke something else. In a year's time, pull those two jars back out and see if anything has changed...

I've been dabbling with these tobaccos for a bit to see if they are the cause of my discomfort but today the burn was quite obvious. Upon this conclusion I will take your advice and put them away. Smoking is for enjoyment not using up tobacco.

 

[ClassicKehler]

I am not well versed in the different varieties of tobaccos. What would be considered a bright Virginia vs a dark Virginia? Or a red Virginia?

 

[dottlejockey]

I used to get this a lot with VA in the beginning as well. Maybe try something like Pegasus, which has burley and va in the blend. Also Country Squire King's Highway, which is Kentucky and VA. GLP Sixpense is Va with Perique and Kentucky. There's a lot of them, but these are a few to try with the VA being tampered down by the other ingredients. Others might be able to suggest some more VA forward blends. Good luck!

 

[ClassicKehler]

Thanks I appreciate the suggestions! Did you end up getting used to the Virginia's?

I used to get this a lot with VA in the beginning as well. Maybe try something like Pegasus, which has burley and va in the blend. Also Country Squire King's Highway, which is Kentucky and VA. GLP Sixpense is Va with Perique and Kentucky. There's a lot of them, but these are a few to try with the VA being tampered down by the other ingredients. Others might be able to suggest some more VA forward blends. Good luck!

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

You can get heat, chemical or allergy tongue bite. Sounds like this may be allergy related. I've known people who love Virginia blends but couldn't smoke red virginias without a horrible reaction to their tongue and mouth. Try a Virginia like Wessex Gold Virginia.Flake which is a light Virginia blends. If that one is okay, experiment with some others. If it is an allergic reaction, smoking speed won't make any difference.

 

[PipeIT]

I have two Virginia blends, Union Square and 4th Gen luxury twist flake. My issue is that, with these two blends, I get a burning sensation as soon as the tobacco is lit. It is not hot at all, but the feeling in my mouth is somewhat like hot sauce. And the burning lasts for a while after. The twist flake is worse. I'm doing my best to smoke slowly as I know that Virginia's burn hot, but I also can't keep it going if I slow down too much. Then my efforts to keep it going create more burning on top of the original burning and the whole thing is just not enjoyable. I have tried smoking it dry ( so that the flakes are brittle) and just as it is out of the tin. I usually rub it out. Any experience or thoughts? Is this tongue bite or an allergy?

The PH balance in VAs is the issue, of course bad smoking techniques also don’t help.

And being sensitive or allergies certainly doesn’t help either.

Scroll to the bottom of this link if interested, I found a lot of good information online.

Any Advice? Killer Tongue Bite :: Pipe Smoking Basics & Beginner Questions

Roll up your driver's window but leave a just crack for ventilation. If you're filling up the cabin with smoke you're puffing too fast anyway but the draft from highway driving can be like a supercharger for a pipe

pipesmagazine.com

 

[elvishrunes]

I don’t think TB is overly clear when people talk about it.

Some people mean yes the mild burning sensation when smoking, especially too fast, yes like hot sauce. This stops as soon as I stop puffing and doesn’t last. This doesn’t bother me at all. I believe it is chemical burn.

What used to happen maybe 10 years ago, was a rash that would last maybe two three days after, this is not good. I would stop smoking for the time, then re-start, fortunately I don’t get this anymore and have a tolerance, and yes one VaPer was really bad for this. Salt water gargle helps.

 

[dottlejockey]

Thanks I appreciate the suggestions! Did you end up getting used to the Virginia's?

Absolutely. I smoke them all the time! Amongst my favorites for years now. Currently smoking Mac Baren's Pure Va Flake as i type this, actually.



Give it some time smoking blends with VA and revisit the straight VAs once in a while till it clicks. You'll get there. On your pipe journey there will always be new realms of flavor to explore and pipe art to appreciate. One of the greatest joys of the hobby, like knowledge, the trip never ends!

 

[FLDRD]

I don't know which type of "burn" or "bite" to call it, but it took me quite a while to enjoy Virginias. Try other genres and continue to mix it up. Many take a circuitous path to the point of being able to enjoy most any varietal. At this point Virginias and I play far better together than when we began.

 

[ThermionicScott]

I think even if pH isn't the whole story, it's a good hook for dealing with what's going on. Food or drink that's too acidic (or basic) can irritate your system, so buffering it or diluting it or spreading its impact around are key to enjoying it. Have a glass of water handy, and take sips before (re)lighting the pipe. Try to point the smoke stream at different parts of your mouth each time.

 

[ThomasS]

That's an interesting point. So I should maybe try a Virginia/ burley. Any recommendations

Cornell and Diehl "Briar Fox" is still my favorite

 

[Choatecav]

Absolutely. I smoke them all the time! Amongst my favorites for years now. Currently smoking Mac Baren's Pure Va Flake as i type this, actually.

View attachment 315420

Give it some time smoking blends with VA and revisit the straight VAs once in a while till it clicks. You'll get there. On your pipe journey there will always be new realms of flavor to explore and pipe art to appreciate. One of the greatest joys of the hobby, like knowledge, the trip never ends!

I sure hope you are able to get to where you can enjoy Virginia's and VaPer's. I believe if I found I had an allergy to Virginia's and could not enjoy that hay/grass/sweetness,........ I'd just break down and cry!

 

[Sig]

Others had great advice, but to answer your question .........yes, that's tongue bite.

 

[kcghost]

I have no idea what the matter is. Sometimes bad things happen to good people.

 

[ClassicKehler]

I sure hope you are able to get to where you can enjoy Virginia's and VaPer's. I believe if I found I had an allergy to Virginia's and could not enjoy that hay/grass/sweetness,........ I'd just break down and cry!

I know! I love the flavour. But even now a day later I can still feel the irritation in my mouth after smoking it.

 

[ClassicKehler]

Thanks for all the great input. I guess I thought tongue bite would be more like something reaching out and chomping on my tongue based on the name and all. not this annoying burning irritated feeling.