I read what you wrote again, and something clicked for me. Nic-Hit + Flavor Strength = STRENGTH. Is that what I have been missing?
Tobacco “Strength” -What is It?
- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
Let me post another couple of quotes from reviews posted on tobaccoreviews.com
The strength and nic-hit are a couple of notches past the center of medium to strong. The taste level just edges past that level. (JimInks review for Ken Byron Ventures English on TR)
Maybe this one spells out the best. He mentions strength and nic-hit as two different things. That is clear. It is strength AND nic-hit. If they were the same thing you wouldn't say it twice. The next sentence mentions the taste as being at a different level than the strength and nic-hit. Perhaps my comprehension skills aren't what I think they are, but this seems to be talking about three different things. Taste, nic-hit, and strength are mentioned separately.
The strength is just past the center of mild to medium, and the taste just hits the medium level. The nic-hit is a step past the mild mark. (JimInks review Georgetown Hastings on TR)
Again, seems to be three different things. I hope these, in addition to the two i already posted above, will illustrate my question better.
The strength and nic-hit are a couple of notches past the center of medium to strong. The taste level just edges past that level. (JimInks review for Ken Byron Ventures English on TR)
Maybe this one spells out the best. He mentions strength and nic-hit as two different things. That is clear. It is strength AND nic-hit. If they were the same thing you wouldn't say it twice. The next sentence mentions the taste as being at a different level than the strength and nic-hit. Perhaps my comprehension skills aren't what I think they are, but this seems to be talking about three different things. Taste, nic-hit, and strength are mentioned separately.
The strength is just past the center of mild to medium, and the taste just hits the medium level. The nic-hit is a step past the mild mark. (JimInks review Georgetown Hastings on TR)
Again, seems to be three different things. I hope these, in addition to the two i already posted above, will illustrate my question better.
I can almost feel the OP’s frustration.
I get your question. There are three things referred to, nicotine content, taste, and strength.
The question is what is “strength” if it is not either or a combination of nicotine and taste.
I get your question. There are three things referred to, nicotine content, taste, and strength.
The question is what is “strength” if it is not either or a combination of nicotine and taste.
I believe that "strength" is combined impression of the blend. There's nic, then flavor/taste, and strength which is combined overall impression of the blend.
I'm watching this thread because I really hope to get an answer to this as well. I've also been a little confused by some of these reviews... It's not just you @Ryan ?
My understanding is:
"Strength" = "Nicotine"
"Fullness" = "Flavor"
If people do refer to "Falvor" as "Strength" then there is usually some context to clarify, but I will take any statements about "Strength" without context as only referring to Nicotine.
Fullness? Now you’ve opened yet another can of worms. I don’t care for blends that are wispy and light in body. I prefer the fullness and mouthfeel of a creamy smoke. For me a blend has to have some bass notes as well as high notes. Fullness has nothing to do with nicotine strength or flavor strength. It’s something else.
Oh dear, in that case I have no idea how anyone describes flavor in pipe tobacco.
Simplest thing is just to ignore that part of the review.
Agreed. There's way too much extra thought going into this than necessary.
It's a question well worth asking. Based on what I'm reading, I also wonder if Strength is measure of the overall sensory experience, which incorporates degree of nicotine hit, amount of flavor, degree of harshness of taste, and other qualities such as 'bite' and 'tingle'. If so, I might rate something like G&H Kendal Kentucky as Strong, even though it smokes without bite.
It’s not like I won’t smoke my pipe until I have an answer, just trying to satisfy my curiosity. I read a lot of tobacco reviews, and I’d like to fully understand them. I’m not forcing anyone to think about this.
To the contrary, it’s a great thread. Something to be explored and discussed further.
I use the term “strength” as an overall description for nicotine, depth of body, and potency. I always list the nic-hit separately because a lot of people seem to care more about that particular aspect than the other part of the strength description. Of course, taste refers to the strength of the flavor of the blend itself, and can be considered as an aspect of the catch-all strength outline.