Lane's BCA

[chuckp]

Well for my first tobacco to ever smoke I have ordered Lane BCA, a black cavendish.....has anyone ever smoked this tobacco? I don't know if it's a good beginner or not but I'll find out.

 

[mrbigglesworth]

It's very mild and sweet. But not flavored with cherry or peach or any of that crap. It's a good, smooth smoke with no bite, and a great room note. Lane's 1Q is also a good beginner, though many tend to burn it too hot and not get the flavors it has. 1Q also has black cavendish in it. I would think you would enjoy either.
BCA is one of those I like to have handy because its good for a number of reasons; new friends can smoke it easily, and it blends well with just about anything. If you pick up a new tobacco to try and it seems a little harsh, you can add some BCA to it and it will mellow it out.
Just a note, I like tea, Coke, and Pepsis a lot, but found that drinking those with aromatics to be very cloying and sticky tasting. So I prefer to drink water with aromatics as it cleanses the pallet. I'll often enjoy a sweet drink like Coke Pepsi or tea with my english tobaccos.
Welcome to the forum, and happy pipe smoking!

 

[seacaptain]

BCA is one of the few aros I still keep around. And it's way better than 1Q. I didn't like 1Q at all.

 

[chuckp]

Thanks....having never smoked, I've no need or desire to use high nicotine tobaccos, purely for aroma and I guess taste. Don't know where BCA falls in the nocotine category, but not real concerned at the moment. If I continue this, I just know the low nicotine variety is what I'd prefer.

 

[tightline55]

Speaking for myself, I started with these sweet tobaccos, but over time have graduated to the heartier English blends. There is nothing wrong with BCA or 1Q, but I think as you develop your palate by trying different tobaccos, it is very possible that you will find something you prefer other than Aromatics.Enjoy the journey, take your time.

 

[ray47]

BCA is great on its own, but I prefer to mix it 50/50 with 1Q for a great taste and everyone around you will love the aroma.

 

[skraps]

Don't know where BCA falls in the nocotine category, but not real concerned at the moment.

If I had to guess on a scale of 1-10, it would be about a 2. Very low nicotine, at least to me.
BCA is an interesting one. I tend to like tobacco with some serious tobacco taste. Heavy, hearty, good Burley blends... but BCA once in awhile is a nice little break for the palate. Hints of vanilla, an ever so slight floral tone.
I think you picked a great beginner tobacco. One suggestion, try drying it out a bit. The flavor is even better in my opinion, and it will burn coooooool.

 

[gtclark]

I smoked BCA almost exclusively for my first year or two. In fact, BCA was the tobacco that convinced me to keep piping, after a few bad experiences with cheap OTC blends. I still remember the first time I started tasting hints of coffee, cocoa, and brown sugar instead of the hot acrid steam I had been getting, and I was hooked.
Unfortunately, my tastes changed, and I found myself wanting more complex flavors. However, BCA still holds a special place in my memory, and I'll still smoke a half bowl now and then for old times sake.
In summary, great first choice! It's about the friendliest tobacco you can find (especially with a little drying time, as skrapsoftobacco mentioned)

 

[michiganlover]

BCA is delicious, as is 1Q. Both are good places to start, as are the classic OTCs like Carter Hall and Prince Albert.

 

[deathmetal]

and the delicious and underrated Five Brothers

 

[brudnod]

BCA is also good to be mixed with other tobaccos. It is fire-cured which may point you in the direction of other blends that may delight you.

 

[okiescout]

BCA is not a bad aromatic.
It is fire-cured which may point you in the direction of other blends that may delight you.

+1 Spencer.

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

You can't go wrong with BCA. I have more BCA than any other aromatic for a good reason... it's just that dang good! Answering your question, it's actually great for a beginner. It's very forgiving. Easy to pack, easy to light and keep lit. I do let mine sit out for a while, because it is a bit on the moist side. But once it dries out a bit, it's an easy smoke with no bite. I reach for it when I have a sweet tooth. It also leaves a pleasant room note. And as was said by others, it mixes wonderfully with other blends. Any time I feel the urge to sweeten up a blend, I mix in a little BCA. You made a good choice. Enjoy the heck out of it! :D