Orlik - Golden Sliced

[cosmicfolklore]

I do know that all Virginias available commercially come from two seed varieties, Virginia Gold and Dark Virginia (which is the strain that gives us the heavy hitters like the African Virginias). That means that out of all of the Virginia pipe blends and cigarettes, the major factors in the variety is environment, the cure, and the casing. Even red Virginias come from the VA Gold seed stock, being that 20 extra degrees during the cure gives us a more caramelized (for lack of a better word) flavor and red color.
But, even cigarettes that use real tobacco are cased. Even those that tout being all natural. The casing is usually a carbohydrate of some sort, honey, molasses, licorice, or some such mixture. It can be added from microscopic amounts to cavendish proportions. OGS is about in the middle.
This is why I like to dry mine to crunchy. It reduces the amount of case in the leaf by evaporation, and it reduces the steam in an already stingy yellow blend. The steam just adds to the pain of smoking it. And, I suspect when people say that drying the leaf or flake before smoking reduces the flavor, I assume they mean the case. Personally, I just want the tobacco. But, to each his/her own.
But, Virginia Gold flue cured to a bright (or golden yellow) has a very natural citrusy flavor. My kitchen had a very distinct citrusy tobacco smell when I dragged this years crop to my kitchen table to prep it for twists. It is a lemony, hay-like, grassy smell. And, as it ages or is pressed or treated, the flavors become deeper. OGS can be a little like listening to music with pure treble turned up and mid-range and bass turned off. But, every now and then, it is a nice variety, like a lemon drop or cool glass of lemonade in the summer.

But, no, this one would never be an all day smoke or even in my full rotation. It is just to bright for my tastes.

My $0.02, YMMV

 

[deathmetal]

As for those that claim there is no casing or for that matter like to think they are smoking "pure" tobacco

That one's a false dichotomy, since no one here has been talking about absolute purity versus pollution, only degrees of taste.

The casing is usually a carbohydrate of some sort, honey, molasses, licorice, or some such mixture. It can be added from microscopic amounts to cavendish proportions.

I think the questions are of (1) intent and (2) balance. Casings or top flavorings that enhance and complement flavors seem positive; those that conceal and supplant make me wonder why people who like them are smoking tobacco at all. If the flavoring balances the underlying tobacco, or adds an internal contrast that works with the natural flavors, it seems an improvement; if it wings in from left field as if trying to distract you from how boring the underlying flavor is, then this seems to be another version of the concealment.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

those that conceal and supplant make me wonder why people who like them are smoking tobacco at all.

We are the tiny minority of pipe smokers, which is small already. Except for a handful of us lounge lizards of the B&M, the thing that is certain every time I hear the door open and the Tobacconist greet the customer, is that they are going to want an aromatic. It is actually so rare that someone will come in and buy something that is not an aromatic, that when I hear someone ask for something non-aro, I jump up to see who it is, and I don't get up often when smoking, ha ha. All of those pipes being bought, burning those aromatics, it makes me kind of tear up a little.

Things so heavily cased that it makes my gut mix want to puke, like Dan's Liberty or MacB's vomit Modern Virginia swill. I think those are designed for aromatic smokers to pretend that they are smoking a real tobacco. But, I am an outspoken ass sometimes, ha ha!! So, excuse me.

 

[deathmetal]

Things so heavily cased that it makes my gut mix want to puke, like Dan's Liberty or MacB's vomit Modern Virginia swill. I think those are designed for aromatic smokers to pretend that they are smoking a real tobacco.

I'm in the same boat entirely. I have known some well-behaved aros however. To my mind, it is the difference between adding sugar to a food, and having food that is tastes like sugar with a faint hint of whatever it was applied to. I also like the rise in blends like "Jesse's Own" (4noggins) that are sweet, flavorful naturals for those looking for more out of life than the McGoop style aros.

 

[jitterbugdude]

That one's a false dichotomy, since no one here has been talking about absolute purity versus pollution, only degrees of taste.

Although it is true that no one has been talking about absolute purity my point is still valid. Unless someone has smoked pure, unadulterated tobacco they are not in a position to say whether it has a casing/topping or not as many have already conjectured.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I have to agree with Jitterbug, since growing my own and getting into the homegrown tobacco culture a little, my eyes are open to quite a few things that I was misunderstanding about tobacco. Once you get into that side of things, a lot of the presumptions and myths that circulate will start to grate on you. But, I just try to shake it off. We can't fix everyone, and most just wouldn't understand anyways.

 

[deathmetal]

Unless someone has smoked pure, unadulterated tobacco they are not in a position to say whether it has a casing/topping or not as many have already conjectured.

Another dichotomy: they can assess degree relative to a baseline. It's not a binary.

 

[jitterbugdude]

Another dichotomy: they can assess degree relative to a baseline. It's not a binary.

And what baseline would that be? If you are claiming that a tobacco has a casing or does not you would need to smoke pure tobacco (as your baseline) to make an assessment.
BTW, my statement is not a dichotomy, neither have my previous one's.

 

[leonardw]

I'm 99% sure there's no top flavor on OGS. It certainly has casing.
For what it's worth (and there are exceptions/variations)... I think of casing as a process to condition and hydrate tobacco. There is typically some sort of sugar involved, and/or liqurice, cocoa, etc. These would not typically be detectable as a flavor per se. Casing often also contains some sort of humidifying agent - glycols, corn syrup.
Top flavor is typically a different step in the process, where detecable flavors are added.

 

[deathmetal]

Thanks, Leonard, for the definitions and information. I really enjoyed a recent interview with you I read regarding Lane "Crown Achievement."

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Ha ha, and there we go. The experts in natural tobaccos has spoken.

Sorry, I just couldn't resist. ::

...of course I know that you guys probably know a thing or two about casings and toppings.

 

[deathmetal]

As a means of figuring this dilemma out, I went back and smoked another bowl -- retrieving the can from under old Atari computers and boots and fishing rods at the back of the closet -- and found the taste still there. Whether it is a casing, topping, or other introduction, there is a strong and unpleasant citrus-apricot spectrum flavor to this tobacco. Perhaps some odd organisms got into the Perique fermentation, or (my favorite theory) al-Qaeda terrorists sneak in at night and dump lemon pie filling into the mixture. Whichever the case, the review stands -- but I'd check those security tapes.

 

[instymp]

I don't understand anything that was written above, but it is my favorite VaPer, if it is one, have about 10 tins downstairs & one in a jar next to my recliner & it is my Sunday baccy of choice in my one & only DH, like it a lot.