Really sticky Black Cavendish

[scloyd]

I stopped at a local B&M and bought a couple of ounces of one of their house blends called Charlotte's Web. I purchased it strictly by it's smell in the jar. I was told it is a black cavendish unflavored. Never smoked just a black cavendish before by itself.
It's very sticky. I decide that I'm going to let some dry out overnight and smoke it the next day. I set a small bowl of the tobacco out on the counter at 11:00pm. The next day at 1:00pm (14 hours later) it's still a sticky mess.
I smoked it and it smoked well. It stayed lit and gurgle just a bit near the bottom of the bowl. I enjoyed it very much.
I would like to try some other black cavendishes and my question is...Are black cavendishes (unflavored) always that sticky? Not sure if a photo is needed.

 

[Chasing Embers]

Unflavored black Cavendish has always been dry from the blending components I have ordered. Does that one smell like vanilla? If so, it's flavored.

 

[scloyd]

It smells sweet. I can't quite figure it out. I think it's flavored with something.
I read somewhere that they spray black cavendish with sugar water. I thought maybe that is why it's sticky. I am definitely going to purchase some unflavored black cavendish in the near future and compare the two.
Can you recommend an unflavored...in a tin?

 

[crashthegrey]

If it is still sticky and wet after that long, it is probably loaded with propylene glycol (PG). Meh. It may still be unflavored, but it is not undoctored.

 

[scloyd]

@crash Makes sense. I'm going to look into other black cavendishes. I don't want to wait a day and a half for something to dry out. :D
Thanks

 

[olkofri]

PG was my first thought. That thing looks like the Lane BCA I bought at my local B&M. Maybe that's what it is; some tobacconists just rename commercial blends and sell them as 'house blends'. I know mine does that. OTOH, it might not be BCA. Go figure.
I've tried unflavoured black cavendish only once, but not as a sole component: C&D's Sam's Blend has unsweetened black cavendish as one of its components (the other ones being latakia and perique).

 

[crashthegrey]

I tried some black cavendish and english cavendish straight, unflavored. There is a reason it is not easy to find. They are much better component tobaccos. I actually like the sweetening that naturally happens with the steaming of a cavendish tobacco, but it is difficult to find it used in a way that isn't just goopy flavoring.

 

[Chasing Embers]

I like unsweetened cavendish sometimes. Woodsy and slightly sweet.

 

[crashthegrey]

It's strongest appearance is probably in so-called "Scottish blends" lately.

 

[scloyd]

Thanks everyone. I don't think I'll be smoking it by itself again. Maybe I'll mix it in with something...perhaps some Prince Albert.

 

[pepesdad1]

This thread prompted me to crack open a jar of black cavendish that had been jarred since 2013. It had no smell or taste at the time of jarring...and today...still no smell or taste, like smoking air (smoking it in a cob). Dry not sticky...but...nothing. I'll put some together with Butternut Burley and see if there is any improvement or regression. BB is pretty good by itself.

 

[ekert]

Try zapping it in the microwave for 10 seconds.

 

[bnichols23]

The damper stuff will usually dry best if you spread it out on a paper towel. Just do enough for a few bowls.

 

[scloyd]

Thanks again everyone!

 

[owen]

Rattray Dark Fragrant is black sticky and very tasty. It also looks exactly like your picture.

 

[mso489]

I'd dry the whole batch in a bowl or on a cookie sheet, to let it lose some of that moisture, and while it is still a little moist, I'd jar it back up and use it to mix with other blends or single leaf. Cavendish gives smoke increased volume and a bit of sweetness and sometimes lends an even burn. I'm not happy that you were sold a tobacco as unflavored that seems to have a distinct (vanilla?) flavor. Tobacconists are usually trusted by customers to offer their knowledge and expertise. Give the person another chance, but consider that he has a strike on him so far.

 

[scloyd]

@mso. Thanks for the tips. I've been to this B&M a few times and the owner seems very knowledgeable and always makes me feel welcome (not intimidating...very helpful). The person giving me the "unflavored" information was an employee. Anyway, I am going to dry all off it on a cookie sheet. Thanks again.