No taste to the Aeromatics

[saltedplug]

I was trained to mostly avoid aromatics but have found that I do enjoy some of them nonetheless, especially Condor, which is in all respects utterly brilliant; not that I'm biased. But some experienced smokers like them just the same. In any event I'd steer clear of them and smoke blends made from high-quality tobaccos. Spending more on tobacco will not necessarily get you better tobacco, but if you give the manufacturer the money to spend more on the blend and make a profit, you are liable to get higher quality goods. I don't like buying tins, because I can get quality bulk tobacco for half the price. But there is a good deal of tinned tobacco that you can't get in bulk that is stellar: Escudo and Robert McConnell Scottish Cake to name two. I don't like buying Condor as it's roughly twice the price of tins. But for me these tobaccos are so good that I pay the price.

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Make sure you keep your palate moist. Sip on some water while you're having a bowl. Also, chew on the smoke, by that I mean swirl it around in your mouth a bit before blowing it out. This lets the flavors hit more receptors and become more pronounced.
As for blends I'd suggest Lane Limited's 1Q. The vanilla top dressing comes through noticeably and at an even pace with the tobacco flavors. It leaves a wonderful room note. Mac Baren's Vanilla Cream Flake is another vanilla aromatic like 1Q. Lane's RLP6 is a great chocolate and vanilla blend where the smell comes through in the taste as well.
As for a cherry blend I'd suggest Lane Limited's TK6 or Very Cherry, Mac Baren's 7 Seas Red, Peter Stokkebye's Cherry Bon Bon, and I've heard good things about Newminster's Very Cherry.
I'd also suggest trying different blending styles just to see if you like them. You may end up loving VaPers or English blends or Balkan blends. I will say from being on this forum for about five years now I've noticed many guys who come to the pipe from cigarettes or cigars typically tend to have a taste for Vriginias, VaPers, English, or Balkans. Usually they aren't much of a fan of aromatics.

 

[pipebaum81]

I am pretty surprised at the responses here. Perhaps the responses explain why Aros are so unpopular on the forum floor. The most important advice I have to offer is not originally mine to offer but has since become a staple; that is the process of snorking or french inhaling. Before finding my way to the PM forum I found little connection between the tin note and the actual flavor of the Aros I was smoking. Low and behold, Sablebrush came to the rescue and told me about snorking and to exhale through the nose. The aros I was smoking exploded in flavor. What was once hints of the aroma became specific essences into my senses. It is my opinion that this is the best way to smoke Aros and I think of Jesse every time I enjoy my favorite blend and I am grateful.
I pull smoke from the pipe slowly to the back of my mouth/beginning of my throat. I then exhale through the nose and mouth probably somewhere at the 40% nose, 60% mouth ratio. I smoke with water on the ready to reset my palate as I go. Occasionally I will draw with a purposely poor seal between the button and my mouth drawing in some ambient air a I go. For me this added air to the mix enhances flavor with Aros. Heat of the burn is crucial to flavor profile. If one is careful you can taste the flavor disappear as you over heat your tobacco. As you let it cool you can sense the flavor’s return. I find there is a certain “happy zone” for aros to burn at and it is unique to the bowl you happen to be smoking that moment.
I hope what I have offered is helpful not for my sake but because aros can be great and are without a doubt a very important part of the pipe smoking community.
j/B

 

[cobguy]

My issue is all I taste with my aeros is the tobacco

I had to re-read your responses a couple of times and that last statement really stood out.
You want to smoke "something" but you want it to taste only like a dessert and no tobacco flavors?
To me, aro's are a complete waste of my time because of the LACK of tobacco flavor.
If you are finding too much tobacco flavor in aro's ... go back to the liquid smokes.
At least with those things you can set your nic levels and get what you need to keep you

away from the cancer sticks ... anything is better than those.
Good luck! ::