I disagree. I never said I wouldn’t buy a particular blend if it had a certain category. If I like the tobacco it could be labeled horse shit for all I care.
Premium: A Quality to Ponder
- Thread starter cosmicfolklore
- Start date
- Status
To compare to "premium" cigars, it's not just about the flavoring but also the handmade/lack of machination in production.
Comparably, "premium" pipe tobacco should be unflavored, hand harvested, naturally fermented, hand cut, blended and packaged if that's the argument. There's probably not a blend on the market that fits that criteria.
Comparably, "premium" pipe tobacco should be unflavored, hand harvested, naturally fermented, hand cut, blended and packaged if that's the argument. There's probably not a blend on the market that fits that criteria.
The only interest I have in tobacco, be it cigarettes, cigars, chew, pipe blends is whether or not it pleases my palate. All the extraneous stuff, casings, toppings, how dried, etc? Simply doesn't matter. If I like it, I'll smoke or chew it.
Then you would probably enjoy Merde de Cheval. Don’t remember who produces it.
It is unflavored, he wouldn’t like it. It’s actually a decent burley blend.
You can have that one Cosmic. I prefer unflavored blends.
While I have enjoyed the discussion on this thread, I think we are getting hung up on the word "premium".
If you look at the actual definition of the word "premium" in this particular context (not an insurance premium), this is what you get from Merriam-Webster:
Noun - a sum over and above a regular or stated price
"customers are reluctant to pay a premium for organic fruit"
or
Adjective - of high quality, value, or price
"premium beers"
Both of these definitions have one thing in common. Price.
And the etymology of the word directly relates to prize or reward. Not quality.
In the alcohol industry, we use words like "Premium", "Super-Premium" & "Ultra-Premium" to categorize products. These categories are the industry standard and used by all of the ratings companies such as Nielsen's, IRI, etc., and these categories are based on one metric alone...Retail Price.
Each of these categories falls within a specific retail price range. Below "Premium" is "Value/Commodity" (think bottom shelf vodka like Skol).
So my perception of premium is directly related to what I have to pay for a specific blend. The more a blend costs, the more of a "premium" I have to pay in order to acquire it over and above the base price of a value brand.
If we're using the alcohol example above, then something like Lane 1-Q could technically be considered Premium based on it's price. And something like Smoker's Pride might be considered Value/Commodity.
Tins or higher priced bulk blends could technically be categorized as "Super-Premium" depending on the price and most of the tinned blends as well as higher-priced bulks on the market would probably fall into this category.
Ultra-Premium blends would be very few (if you exclude secondary pricing). The only one off the top of my head that I can think of at the moment would be that ridiculous blend put out by WO Larsen several years ago in a wooden humidor that retailed at $1,000.00. Maybe some to the Seattle Pipe Club Special Reserve/Barrel Aged stuff could fall into this category based on the retail prices.
I think descriptors such as "Craft" or "Artisan" might be more applicable in this scenario as those are more directly associated with "quality" or "handmade/handcrafted", which seems to be what the original question was trying to convey.
Just my thoughts. Of course, it could all just be Merde de Cheval.
If you look at the actual definition of the word "premium" in this particular context (not an insurance premium), this is what you get from Merriam-Webster:
Noun - a sum over and above a regular or stated price
"customers are reluctant to pay a premium for organic fruit"
or
Adjective - of high quality, value, or price
"premium beers"
Both of these definitions have one thing in common. Price.
And the etymology of the word directly relates to prize or reward. Not quality.
In the alcohol industry, we use words like "Premium", "Super-Premium" & "Ultra-Premium" to categorize products. These categories are the industry standard and used by all of the ratings companies such as Nielsen's, IRI, etc., and these categories are based on one metric alone...Retail Price.
Each of these categories falls within a specific retail price range. Below "Premium" is "Value/Commodity" (think bottom shelf vodka like Skol).
So my perception of premium is directly related to what I have to pay for a specific blend. The more a blend costs, the more of a "premium" I have to pay in order to acquire it over and above the base price of a value brand.
If we're using the alcohol example above, then something like Lane 1-Q could technically be considered Premium based on it's price. And something like Smoker's Pride might be considered Value/Commodity.
Tins or higher priced bulk blends could technically be categorized as "Super-Premium" depending on the price and most of the tinned blends as well as higher-priced bulks on the market would probably fall into this category.
Ultra-Premium blends would be very few (if you exclude secondary pricing). The only one off the top of my head that I can think of at the moment would be that ridiculous blend put out by WO Larsen several years ago in a wooden humidor that retailed at $1,000.00. Maybe some to the Seattle Pipe Club Special Reserve/Barrel Aged stuff could fall into this category based on the retail prices.
I think descriptors such as "Craft" or "Artisan" might be more applicable in this scenario as those are more directly associated with "quality" or "handmade/handcrafted", which seems to be what the original question was trying to convey.
Just my thoughts. Of course, it could all just be Merde de Cheval.
I tend to support the definition you just gave. I don‘t think toppings impact the definition in the world of pipe tobacco.
I was thinking “premium” in terms of $100 tins. Yeh, most guys from here won’t want to buy them. But, maybe “Uncased” or “pure” would be better labels, since the term “premium” seems to yank a knot in some guys’ craw, and they can’t get past that.
You are just being an argumentative jerk. I’ve said over and over that flavors do not make a blend “lesser.” However, like a jackass you keep arguing that point as if I have made it somewhere in this thread. You may smoke whatever you like. However, you keep making stupid points. Like “you don’t like added flavors” in response to Sable’s post, just after I said that it didn’t have any. You obviously are not reading the posts, just making asinine post after post that don’t have anything to do with the thread.
I will add, one of my vehicles demands premium. Higher octane equals higher cost but, meets the needs of the engine. Ergo, for me anyway, better mileage. Premium blends do not appear to result in longer lasting bowls.
You seem to also speak of the world of pipe tobacco as if you speak for everyone. When I first git on this forum, it was whether one could taste a casing or topping that spelled whether the majority on here would like or hate it. Of course we are not a representative of the larger pipe world, but we were all pipe hobbyist of a certain taste. Greg was telling is that tobacco could be great without the spewed casings. Mark Ryan was saying the same. And it was so.
It was most shocking when Greg turned to adding Lakeland scents.
I don’t think the majority of pipe smokers are preferential to “pure” tobaccos. But, also most wine drinkers favor less than $20 bottles of wine full of chemicals that help control the fermentation and back sweetened with juices. But, there is still a smaller market willing to pay over $100 per bottle for “premium” or naturally fermented wines without blending or back sweetening. So…
If you don‘t like my comments, don‘t respond to them. it is clear I am responding to the article about cigars and flavoring. Also, as someone who teaches debate, i wonder why you feel the need to name call when you dont like a point that clearly has been brought up by others. You don’t own the forum, you aren‘t a mod, and it is clear i haven't been trying to pick a fight with you although the thread shows you clearly have been. I am disappointed in you.
I didn’t call you a name, but responded to your behavior. As someone who teaches middle schoolers, you lack a grasp of the language. I too am disappointed in you.
I think that is how I’ve interpreted premium as well. Cost of materials and labor to produce a better product. But as you suggested, is premium aleays better.
If your students can turn to their opponents and say “you are being an argumentative jerk…” during a debate, teach away.
It happens quite often… “my opponent is obviously being a jerk by disregarding the loss of human life that would happen if… blah blah blah… “
You’ve outright called me an asshole in other threads. I’m sorry of the word “jerk” has offended you. I merely thought that a man that makes so many personal attacks on here could take it.
IBTL.
I'm getting "ketchup on a wagyu filet" vibes.
Or better yet, "demi-glace on chicken fingers" vibes.
Premium starts at the leaf, bottom line. Well, at least that's my .02
I'm getting "ketchup on a wagyu filet" vibes.
Or better yet, "demi-glace on chicken fingers" vibes.
Premium starts at the leaf, bottom line. Well, at least that's my .02
I recall saying you were acting like one. I am not positive I used any form of the infinitive of to be. I understand your loafers might be too heavy for you. But that isn‘t a reason to be so gruffy.
i would have accepted acting like…
- Status