Longtime Northwoods Smokers: Has the Blend Changed Over the Years?

[AroEnglish]

Up until recently, the last time I smoked Northwoods was about 10 years ago. I remember it having a creamy, woodsy, somewhat plastic-y, sweet taste, smoked cool, and smelled amazing. I recently got a 2oz pack again from Boswells and while it’s retained most of its smell but it seems to have lost that special flavor. Now, it seems more like a straight English rather than the lovable aro-English I remember.

Is it just or did the blend actually change over the years?

 

[boston]

I'd call Boswell. Possible they used to use McClelland for some or all ingredients back then.

 

[warren]

Blends change with the harvests and production. Palates change over the years. Both or take your pick. Nothing stays the same. And, more importantly, memories morph over time.

 

[SBC]

I've smoked it for a decade or better. I do think it's slightly higher in latakia and slightly lower in ... vanilla? ... than it used to be.

Still delicious. But I hope you do call Boswell to find out. If you get an answer, I'm extremely interested to hear. So let us know.

Have you tried "Whiskey Biscuit Gravy" from Just For Him? It's sort of in the ballpark of Northwoods but with the scale tipped significantly towards vanilla cavendish, and the latakia brought down to condimental (but still noticeable).

I've been mixing about 1/4 (maybe even 1/3) WBG with NW to make it more like I remember it.

 

[kcghost]

Your tastes could have changed as well.

 

[AroEnglish]

Good thoughts on calling Boswell’s and that my palette may have changed. I’ll report back on what I find.

I've smoked it for a decade or better. I do think it's slightly higher in latakia and slightly lower in ... vanilla? ... than it used to be.

Still delicious. But I hope you do call Boswell to find out. If you get an answer, I'm extremely interested to hear. So let us know.

Have you tried "Whiskey Biscuit Gravy" from Just For Him? It's sort of in the ballpark of Northwoods but with the scale tipped significantly towards vanilla cavendish, and the latakia brought down to condimental (but still noticeable).

I've been mixing about 1/4 (maybe even 1/3) WBG with NW to make it more like I remember it.

That’s helpful to hear that I’m not the only one who’s remembering it differently. I haven't tried WBG but I'll give it a shot straight and also mixing it in with NW.