Morning all,
My first post (headed to the new member area after this to introduce myself). I haven't been smoking a pipe very long, only had about 8 bowls so far of a house aromatic blend from my local tobacconist.
I've been immersing myself in all things tobacco related lately trying to become more versed/knowledgeable in the various types and the roles they play in "blends"
On this forum (and the pipesmokers forum) I have noticed that most people break tobacco blends into 4 main categories:
Virginia
Burley
English
Aromatic
I guess a sub category off of the Virginia which also seems to be quite popular is VaPer.
Keep in mind, prior to me joining this forum I had practically ZERO knowledge that there even was different types of tobacco, let alone their names.
Ok, here come the questions:
I know that VaPer is Virginia with Perique, if the blend has anything else in it, is it no longer a VaPer? Is VaPer JUST VA and Perique with nothing else added to it? Is VA just a blend with only VA in it (same for Burley)?
Aromatic is just a blend with some type of flavor added correct? (cherry, vanilla, rum ect)
I was reading that English is just a blend with Latakia in it, which is where I started getting confused. After reading some more I learned that every English blend has Latakia in it, but not every blend with Latakia is English, there is also Scottish and Balkan. The only difference seems to be the amounts of tobaccos added to each blend.
English - Significant amount of VA backing up the LA with some Orientals for spice
Scottish - Similar to English but less LA, more VA and little to no Orientals
Balkan - Mostly Orientals and LA with a hint of VA
How can one tell the difference between these three if they are reading the description of the tobacco online or even the more detailed version on tobaccoreviews. If it says "Type of Tobacco: VA, LA and some other Orientals" how do you know if the combo of the three makes up is an English, Scottish or Balkan?
Sorry for all the questions and my rambling. I haven't bought any tobacco yet, just received a few samples from a member on another forum, which I also have not tried yet due to an allergy flare up, I've been "sick" for a little over a week .
It also seems that most people prefer English of VA, or VaPer and Burley but not really any Aromatics.
I want to start buying a few tins a week to build up a nice collection, but like I said I don't really know where to start. I received a few recommendations in my other thread, but all the tobaccos but 1 or 2 were sold out, and seem to be sold out more oft than not.
Can I get maybe, I don't know, trying to think of a good number help me start building up a cellar, 5 suggestions for each type (VA, VaPer, Burley, Aromatic, English, Scottish, Balkan, if there is another category I'm missing please fill me in). I guess I'm looking for your top 5 go to tobaccos in each category. Help me get my cellar going!
Thank you all so much,
Charles
My first post (headed to the new member area after this to introduce myself). I haven't been smoking a pipe very long, only had about 8 bowls so far of a house aromatic blend from my local tobacconist.
I've been immersing myself in all things tobacco related lately trying to become more versed/knowledgeable in the various types and the roles they play in "blends"
On this forum (and the pipesmokers forum) I have noticed that most people break tobacco blends into 4 main categories:
Virginia
Burley
English
Aromatic
I guess a sub category off of the Virginia which also seems to be quite popular is VaPer.
Keep in mind, prior to me joining this forum I had practically ZERO knowledge that there even was different types of tobacco, let alone their names.
Ok, here come the questions:
I know that VaPer is Virginia with Perique, if the blend has anything else in it, is it no longer a VaPer? Is VaPer JUST VA and Perique with nothing else added to it? Is VA just a blend with only VA in it (same for Burley)?
Aromatic is just a blend with some type of flavor added correct? (cherry, vanilla, rum ect)
I was reading that English is just a blend with Latakia in it, which is where I started getting confused. After reading some more I learned that every English blend has Latakia in it, but not every blend with Latakia is English, there is also Scottish and Balkan. The only difference seems to be the amounts of tobaccos added to each blend.
English - Significant amount of VA backing up the LA with some Orientals for spice
Scottish - Similar to English but less LA, more VA and little to no Orientals
Balkan - Mostly Orientals and LA with a hint of VA
How can one tell the difference between these three if they are reading the description of the tobacco online or even the more detailed version on tobaccoreviews. If it says "Type of Tobacco: VA, LA and some other Orientals" how do you know if the combo of the three makes up is an English, Scottish or Balkan?
Sorry for all the questions and my rambling. I haven't bought any tobacco yet, just received a few samples from a member on another forum, which I also have not tried yet due to an allergy flare up, I've been "sick" for a little over a week .
It also seems that most people prefer English of VA, or VaPer and Burley but not really any Aromatics.
I want to start buying a few tins a week to build up a nice collection, but like I said I don't really know where to start. I received a few recommendations in my other thread, but all the tobaccos but 1 or 2 were sold out, and seem to be sold out more oft than not.
Can I get maybe, I don't know, trying to think of a good number help me start building up a cellar, 5 suggestions for each type (VA, VaPer, Burley, Aromatic, English, Scottish, Balkan, if there is another category I'm missing please fill me in). I guess I'm looking for your top 5 go to tobaccos in each category. Help me get my cellar going!
Thank you all so much,
Charles
I really appreciate it!
