Subtle but Flavorful Aros

[Verdant]

Hi all,

I'm a devoted Balkan/English and VaPer smoker - I bounce back and forth as the mood strikes me, but on the very rare occasion an aro sounds kind of nice. Trouble is, I don't want to go through tins on tins of aros that are overly sweet and flavored to find a more subtle aro. An aro that, to a Balkan smoker tastes like an aro because of the presence of some flavoring, but not so much that you attract a flock of non-smokers.

Thoughts on some of the better ones out there to try? I know almost nothing about aros other than the disgusting "Cherry x," "Vanilla x" someone would pass around in college that I tried and fled from.

Two guesses that I had were maybe Connoisseur's Choice? Royal Yacht? If you suggest anything with Ice Cream or Vanilla in the title please substantiate why I shouldn't dismiss the thought .

 

[OlJawBone]

I would go with a light virginia flake aromatic like PS Luxury Twist Flake or Glengarry flake from GH. I enjoy Virginia based aromatics much more than the classic American goopy ones where the syrup is laid on burley.

 

[Tar Wheel]

Sillem’s Black. Should be right up your alley if you prefer Balkan/ English blends, as it has Latakia. I get vanilla, cherry and honey.
Very flavorful and mellow.

And it just went on sale at SPC 15% off.

 

[kschatey]

Of the aromatics I have tried, the following are the most subtle and may be good crossover blends for you:

• Dan Tobacco - Sweet Vanilla Honeydew - The creamy vanilla compliments the Virginias nicely and doesn't dominate; a great blend during the hot Summer
• Two Friends - English Chocolate - The chocolate is more like a dry dark cocoa and doesn't dominate; pairs with the Latakia nicely

 

[MarcosEZLN]

I agree on the Luxury Twist Flake. Though some contend it doesn't have added flavoring most people pick up a sweet caramel or coconut flavor. Plus, it's cheap and readily available. My other suggestion might be controversial, but I'm a big fan of Samuel Gawith's Firedance Flake. It's their Best Brown Flake (fantastic Virginia) with blackberry/brandy/vanilla flavor. It's not at all a goopy, syrupy aromatic but the flavor might be more forward than you're looking for. I don't think it tastes artificial the way many aromatics do, I pick up more the way blackberry vines with ripe berries smell on a hot summer day. The base tobacco is one of my favorites and its flavor still shines through despite the added flavors. It won't be as cheap or as easy to find as LTF, but of the Samuel Gawith blends it tends to stay in stock longer than most others.

 

[Morrison Jeremiah]

Connoisseurs choice is the only tobacco I've ever thrown in the trash.
Couldn't even finish one bowl, can't get rid of that ghost no matter what I do.
Ghastly sickly stuff IMO.

 

[shanez]

There are probably lots of options, the DT Sweet Vanilla Honeydew mentioned above being at least one of them, but what I would consider to be the best is Capstan Gold Flake.

 

[ofafeather]

Edward G Robinson-has Latakia, not much, and is slightly aromatic-Delicious and easy smoking, Wilke Blood Red English or VA (both are great) - great blood orange topping, Samuel Gawith Perfection (English with a hint of vanilla), Ken Byron Dark Fired Cherry - I love this blend. Very unconventional and not overly flavored. The Cherry compliments the sour notes of the orientals.

Flakes such as University Flake, St Bruno, Firedance Flake, Erinmore Flake, Orlik Golden Slices, Bengal Slices and others have toppings to various degrees.

More traditional aromatics:
Rattray Exotic Passion, Bagpipers Dream and Sir William

And so on

 

[kschatey]

Ken Byron Dark Fired Cherry - I love this blend. Very unconventional and not overly flavored. The Cherry compliments the sour notes of the orientals.

Yes, I agree. @Verdant, add KBV Dark Fired Cherry to the list of crossover blends! I was also going to recommend KBV Sakura, but I don't think it's available any more.

 

[saltedplug]

Reiner's Professional always gets high marks.

 

[Mr.Mike]

Macbarren vanilla flake and Sir Walter Raleigh aromatic

 

[fireground_piper]

KBV aros are pretty heavy in the aromatic department for me and I smoke plenty of aromatics. They seem to get wetter the longer they sit in the jar somehow.

If you like Balkan/English, I’d suggest Boswell Northwoods which has kind of a sweet vanilla like topping on what is otherwise a Balkan/English base blend.

Also a second nomination for English Chocolate but I think it really shines about 2 years in. It’s one of my favorites and I’m finishing a tin right now from 2019.

 

[Grangerous]

Peterson University Flake has a detectable berry note to it. Quite pleasant.

Royal Yacht is another winner. Oddly almost Granger-like in its retro. Very mild and tasty.

If you like more than a hint of cocoa and can get some, try Burley London Blend.

 

[workman]

Peterson University Flake has a detectable berry note to it. Quite pleasant.

Royal Yacht is another winner. Oddly almost Granger-like in its retro. Very mild and tasty.

If you like more than a hint of cocoa and can get some, try Burley London Blend.

I find it very charming that you find Royal Yacht very mild and tasty. I do agree that it is tasty.

 

[Grangerous]

I find it very charming that you find Royal Yacht very mild and tasty. I do agree that it is tasty.

I retro most every puff. Granger is thee mildest tobacco I’ve ever enjoyed. Royal Yacht smokes the same. Now C&D Burleys? They border from peppery nose tingle to outright discomfort. — if you’re referring to the nicotine in Royal Yacht? I don’t find it approached medium.

 

[workman]

There are some blends that are like Schrödinger's aromatics. They are and are not aromatics at the same time. The Capstan blends, Orlik Golden Sliced, the Fribourg&Treyer flakes, Royal Yacht.
They vary in flavor profile and strength but are all seriously good!
St Bruno is a staple for me, and for when I'm in a burley mood it's Amphora Full Aroma.
All these are very good.

 

[workman]

I retro most every puff. Granger is thee mildest tobacco I’ve ever enjoyed. Royal Yacht smokes the same. Now C&D Burleys? They border from peppery nose tingle to outright discomfort. — if you’re referring to the nicotine in Royal Yacht? I don’t find it approached medium.

Funny how experiences differ. I find Royal Yacht to be quite strong. Below 1792 Flake, which is as strong as I care to smoke, but way stronger than my regular fare which is stuff like Capstan and St Bruno.

 

[ofafeather]

There are some blends that are like Schrödinger's aromatics. They are and are not aromatics at the same time.

?

 

[Grangerous]

Funny how experiences differ. I find Royal Yacht to be quite strong. Below 1792 Flake, which is as strong as I care to smoke, but way stronger than my regular fare which is stuff like Capstan and St Bruno.

I hear others describe Granger as a tasty mouthful of wasps and I scratch my head in wonder. So so mild to me. We all react differently.

— In the cigar world I used to smoke La Glorias to the fingers yet I find the reputably-mild Macanudo to be the harsher cigar.

 

[workman]

I hear others describe Granger as a tasty mouthful of wasps and I scratch my head in wonder. So so mild to me. We all react differently.

— In the cigar world I used to smoke La Glorias to the fingers yet I find the reputably-mild Macanudo to be the harsher cigar.

I would love to try Granger. It isn't an option where I live. That's just how it is.
My preferred rating of strength is this: Is it good without booze=daily smoke
Is it good with booze=strong.