Tobacco Labelling...

[zeedoctorae]

So, I have recently gotten into Virginia's and have a question. Many descriptions on tobaccoreviews.com say that such and such a tobacco is a straight virginia blend but then go on to say that they are, say, citrus flavored. Is this flavoring a topping or just the notes this particular tobacco tastes of? Thanks for any help.
-The Doctor

 

[jazz]

That would be a flavouring added to the topping. If it has nothing added then in the flavouring section it will say none.

 

[sablebrush52]

Depends on the nature of the description. A blend like F&T Cut Virginia Plug has a citrus topping. In other instances it's a flavor note from the Virginia used, distinct from the topping.

 

[jazz]

Honestly, though, it's not always correct. An example of a Virgina that says no flavouring in Tobaccoreviews.com is Orlik Golden Sliced. To me, it has an obvious and bloody intrusive topping of bergamot and I absolutely bloody hate it.

 

[jazz]

Depends on the nature of the description. A blend like F&T Cut Virginia Plug has a citrus topping. In other instances it's a flavor note from the Virginia used, distinct from the topping.

#
I get the impression he is talking about the listing itself Jesse. Where it says: Blend Type, Contents, Flavouring, Cut etc. There it should specifically relate to any flavourings added but like I said it's not always correct.
Of course, if The Doctor is talking about the reviews people leave there then when they talk about the flavours they could be talking about the natural nuances of the tobacco or indeed the topping and one would have to deduce that for oneself.

 

[derekflint]

Citrus flavors from the Virginia's, I think...not topping.

 

[jazz]

zeedoctorae, are you talking about the listing or the reviews people leave?

 

[zeedoctorae]

Jazz, yes, I am really referring to the way tobaccoreviews lists things. They have blend type, which could be straight VA yet list some flavor under flavoring. I am just wondering if they intend to list a topping or just the flavor one might get from the tobacco itself.

 

[sablebrush52]

If it's in the heading, then any flavorings indicated are in the topping and in the description on the tin. Jazz is correct that a lot of flavorings aren't reported, either in the listing or in the description on the tin. Our blenders love to create mysteries around their blends.
If someone writes in the course of the reviews, "citrus, hay" etc then that may be either the topping, or the flavors inherent in the type of tobacco in the blend that the reviewer is tasting.

 

[cigrmaster]

doctor, Straight Virginia's have all kinds of nuanced flavors without any toppings. It all depends on how the leaves are cured and processed. Red Virginia's will taste a certain way as will Yellow or Orange. Since everyone has different tasted buds, people taste what they taste and not everyone is going to agree with each other. For example, Jesse tastes a citrus flavor in the Cut Virginia Plug he mentioned where as I get no citrus hints from it.
I am not a fan of fresh Orlik Golden, to me it tastes of grass and hey which I don't care for. I will say though once the Orlik ages a good 15 years it gets really tasty.

 

[zeedoctorae]

But how could a tobacco be listed as a straight virginia blend and have a topping? Wouldn't it then be considered an aromatic?

 

[jazz]

But how could a tobacco be listed as a straight virginia blend and have a topping? Wouldn't it then be considered an aromatic?

Haha, it's a minefield, isn't it? It's a straight Virginia because the only tobacco type used is Virginia and yes in my book a straight Virgina with a citrus topping is an aromatic. It's an aromatic straight Virginia if you like. I prefer to say flavoured instead of aromatic though as all tobacco is naturally aromatic in my book.

 

[cortezattic]

How anyone can be confused by TR's conventions is beyond me. Less than fully informative, yes. Confusing, no.

 

[derekflint]

I believe casings and toppings can be added and it's not considered an aro.....bit of a gray area here.

 

[jazz]

I believe casings and toppings can be added and it's not considered an aro.....bit of a gray area here

I think all tobacco is cased regardless. And I agree that some can be topped and not considered aro's even though they technically are. There are a few that spring to mind in that regard.

 

[zeedoctorae]

Cortez, just looking for some clarification. That, after all, is what forums are for, no? No greater resource than to have all of these wise men and women with years of experience to draw from.

 

[sablebrush52]

But how could a tobacco be listed as a straight virginia blend and have a topping? Wouldn't it then be considered an aromatic?

Well, that would depend on the strength of the topping. Almost all tobacco have some flavorings added to them. When tobaccoreviews lists a tobacco as a straight Virginia they're referring to the composition of the tobaccos used. All tobaccos are cased, not all are topped. Generally, when a blend is categorized as an aro, the flavors of the topping are major players along with the tobaccos.
Greg's FAQ is a good source for basic information:
http://www.glpease.com/FAQ.html

 

[woodsroad]

Almost all tobacco have some flavorings added to them.

When I first showed up here, a statement like that was considered heresy. Now, it's and accepted fact.

 

[loneredtree]

Not by me Wood. The blender I have used only cased with distilled water. His blends burn and taste different than the others. Although Greg's work is outstanding, I get a "glycerol" taste from some of GLP on first light.

 

[zeedoctorae]

How fascinating. Casing with distilled water? Now I am going to have to research the process of casing to figure out exactly what it entails. I always pictured casing to be a quick dip or soaking in some scented liquid and then left to dry. What would be the point of casing in water then?