Tobacco Experiments: Lakeland/ Perfumed

Log in

SmokingPipes.com Updates

Watch for Updates Twice a Week

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor

Status
Not open for further replies.

F4RM3R

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 28, 2019
567
2,517
39
Canada
Here's an attempt at a Lakeland /perfumed/condor style blend. Using some flavorings and essential oils. To be honest I've never tried a Lakeland, but read much about them and their contents. Closest I have tried is condor, which I understand is not a Lakeland, but I think it does use some of the same ingerdients in some of the lakeland blends.

-50% stoved(for about 3 hours) bright Virginia
-50% Kentucky
- vanilla extract(about a tbsp)
-maple syrup(1/2 tsp)
Essential oils:
-2 drops wintergreen oil
-2 drops bergamot oil
-2 drops benzoin oil

The batch size was around 1-1.5oz.

Heating the oven to 200F, putting the tobacco in a old tin, I warmed it up and applied half of the mixture. Put the lid and back in the oven to marinate for about 10 min. Then popped the lid, let it dry in the oven a bit so soak up the last half of the mixture and then applied it. Removed it from the oven, put on lid and let it sit for a day or two.

Then took off the lid and let it air out for a day or two until it was dry enough to let it sit long term. Takes a few days to settle down but is smokeable as soon as it's in case. Let it go too dry and as you probably know, it will lose those volatile aromas from the oils. So I didn't let it get too dry.

The result? Well pretty damn tasty. Actually resembles Condor quite a bit, with condor having a more citrus and fruity thing going on for the pouch note, with less wintergreen freshness in the taste. The vanilla taste isn't really there(I have added vanilla to blends before and it takes a few application sprays to get lots of vanilla flavour.

It's really enjoyable and the oils and flavours meld very well. It's not overly flavoured, with the tobacco taste still coming through and a nice strength and richness from the Kentucky. The scent as you smoke is wonderful, although the room note is not overbearing and still mostly smells of only tobacco.

My next batch will have some bourbon and almond extract and I will heavily apply the vanilla, bourbon and almond(drying in the oven between applications) before I apply the oils at the end, as they get lost with too much dry heat.

Previously I've tried an ennerdale copy with lavender almond, sherry, rum, vanilla which was pretty intense, but had a interesting scent which is burned in my memory. The flavoring of that one was overpowering the tobacco, so I went for something more subtle with this current recipe.

Keep in mind I haven't actually tried these Lakeland/ perfumed blends, but I do understand the "3D" flavours that they go for and thought I would try to do that myself. The results are definitely something I will continue to make, enjoy and refine.
20200408_150717.jpg
 

theloniousmonkfish

Part of the Furniture Now
Jan 1, 2017
943
505
Nice. I'm intrigued by the Condor style batch, this is modeled after the Irish stuff not Polish production, correct? Come up with a good and strong rose geranium plug and you have a customer right here.
 
  • Like
Reactions: lightmybriar

F4RM3R

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 28, 2019
567
2,517
39
Canada
Seems pretty interesting. I actually just smoked a Lakeland for the first time last night. I liked it pretty well. I think it's cool you blend your own tobacco. Do you grow as well?
I have grown for a few years. I didn't last year since I was travelling though. I got some seeds started for this year. It's definitely quite the process to get from seed to smoke, but its doable at home with minimal implements, lots of patience and probably a few mistakes. I also buy the whole leaves as well, which is what I have been using lately.
 

F4RM3R

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 28, 2019
567
2,517
39
Canada
Nice. I'm intrigued by the Condor style batch, this is modeled after the Irish stuff not Polish production, correct? Come up with a good and strong rose geranium plug and you have a customer right here.
Well it's not really a copy, but it does share some similarities. I can't say whether it's like the Irish condor as I've only tried it once and it was jarred for a good few years and may have lost some aroma. My batch does have a slight more aromatic quality than the polish condor, which I have a pouch of.

If I had some rose geranium I would really be getting into Lakeland territory, but I am just using what I have on hand. Eventually I would like to get some of that though as it's a classic and unique scent.
 

mso489

Lifer
Feb 21, 2013
41,211
60,666
You might want to consult with a professional blender or two to see if there are any seemingly likely flavorings that become toxic or allergenic when burned. Everything you mention seems to be familiar. Back in the briar shortage during WWII, some of the alternate woods tried were toxic if it was the wrong plant or the wrong part of some plants. I don't think it is a foremost concern, but it might be a sensible caution to have in mind.
 

F4RM3R

Part of the Furniture Now
Nov 28, 2019
567
2,517
39
Canada
I've smoked Condor on and off for over 45 years and always understood its main flavouring was Rose Geranium. I plan on getting some Rose Geranium essential oil to add to some of the local twist. I can't get Condor here in Argentina and my stock is running low.
I just got some rose geranium and man is it potent stuff! Only a very small amount is needed for a batch. It does indeed seem like it's in condor, but I think there are some other flavours to round it out like some kind of citrus(bergamot maybe) and some kind of fruit essence. Enjoy your experimenting and please post the results!!
 

Scottishgaucho

Part of the Furniture Now
Jan 22, 2020
671
7,188
Buenos Aires Province.
You might want to consult with a professional blender or two to see if there are any seemingly likely flavorings that become toxic or allergenic when burned. Everything you mention seems to be familiar. Back in the briar shortage during WWII, some of the alternate woods tried were toxic if it was the wrong plant or the wrong part of some plants. I don't think it is a foremost concern, but it might be a sensible caution to have in mind.

I agree it makes sense to know of what you're adding is safe. The food industry adds essential oils to flavour foods so definitely worth finding out if what you plan to use is food safe. That will of course depend on which country you buy it in....certain countries aren't very good at having that information on the label.

I just got some rose geranium and man is it potent stuff! Only a very small amount is needed for a batch. It does indeed seem like it's in condor, but I think there are some other flavours to round it out like some kind of citrus(bergamot maybe) and some kind of fruit essence. Enjoy your experimenting and please post the results!!

Good to know!! Yeah it's still a bit of a longshot without knowing exactly what else they add. Alcohol is one of them although that could be anything. I would try rum only because I like to drink it so if it doesn't work it won't be wasted. ;) Do keep us informed of your progress and I shall too as soon as I get around to doing it myself. Good luck!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: BROBS
Status
Not open for further replies.