Tobacco Taste

[chopper]

This is becoming apparent to me with every bowl. I just don’t know where to jump to next. Any recommendations for a complete newb who likes a bit of sweetness with some savory flavors as well?

4noggins Jesses Own is one of my favourite non-aros. Mild but real tasty.
Sutliff Early Morning Pipe Match.
Count Pulaski - a semi-aro with a touch of Latakia.

Aj's Vaper - fresh I did not like as the Red Virginia is way too tangy. But, once it's got a bit of age on it the tangyness settles allowing other flavours to come through.

For a change of pace I mix an English blend with an aromatic.

 

[chopper]

I am already following that advice. I’m viewing this kind of like cigars. I like trying them and circling back from time to time to see if I still do or do not like them. I also keep notes to help from misremembering. I do my best to buy small samples as I usually only smoke a a bowl a day so even multiple small samples lasts a while. I’m sure I will miss some finer points because I don’t age to tobacco but ?‍. Gotta start somewhere.

To add to what Robbie said; don't ever ditch tobacco.
Tastes do change.
What you might not like today you may well like down the road.

Some smokers suffer palate fatigue from smoking too much of the same genre.

 

[Old_Newby]

I’m not sure why, but I really want to try Half and Half as well as Sir Walter Raleigh. Not sure why but Prince Andrew just doesn’t sound appealing………. But serious about first two.

I tried Edgeworth, Carter Hall, Half & Half, SWR. I could choose any at anytime but kinda rank them as listed. Each is slightly different in the burley vs anise vs molasses flavoring.

I like knowing how words and terms come about and I may be wrong, but believe the phrase “all day blend” is not just a casual phrase to mean simple or low cost. I think it also meant these could me smoked while doing physical labor, breathing hard, puffing harder. The after dinner evening blends were likely the ones they sat on the porch and sipped.

I remember being 5 or 6 (1970ish) visiting my grandparents farm and seeing my grandad outside tilling his garden with pipe in his mouth. I doubt very much that was a tongue biting blend he was smoking.

 

[robbie]

To add to what Robbie said; don't ever ditch tobacco.
Tastes do change.
What you might not like today you may well like down the road.

Some smokers suffer palate fatigue from smoking too much of the same genre.

Good point, I might go back and try some of the ones I ditched

 

[chopper]

Good point, I might go back and try some of the ones I ditched

Tobacco is ludicrously expensive here so nothing goes to waste.
There's not been a blend yet that I was not able to adjust to suit my tastes.

A couple of my first few orders when I discovered U.S. tobacconists was Mark Twain and London Squire.
The MT is too sweet and the LS, an English blend, was a bit too astringent.
When I mixed the two together I had a rather tasty 'crossover'.

Having a few blending tobaccos comes in handy.
Adding just 10% of Virginia to a Burley blend or 10% Burley to a straight Virginia for instance, can make a huge difference 'balancing' out a blend.

Experiment by mixing a few bowls worth first.

 

[Swampfox]

Tobacco is ludicrously expensive here so nothing goes to waste.
There's not been a blend yet that I was not able to adjust to suit my tastes.

A couple of my first few orders when I discovered U.S. tobacconists was Mark Twain and London Squire.
The MT is too sweet and the LS, an English blend, was a bit too astringent.
When I mixed the two together I had a rather tasty 'crossover'.

Having a few blending tobaccos comes in handy.
Adding just 10% of Virginia to a Burley blend or 10% Burley to a straight Virginia for instance, can make a huge difference 'balancing' out a blend.

Experiment by mixing a few bowls worth first.

Interesting point. I was wondering about blending tobacco at home. I think I will try this in the future after I figure out what tobaccos I like

 

[chopper]

Interesting point. I was wondering about blending tobacco at home. I think I will try this in the future after I figure out what tobaccos I like

You can't go wrong with a good blending Black Cavendish. [I'm sure other members would be able to recommend the better ones]
Just order a couple of ounces with your next purchase.
It's great for mellowing a blend and I even like smoking it straight when the mood strikes.

 

[JSPiper71]

Smoking it as I type. Similar to bullseye and c&d bayou morning but different. It’s got a nice pepper taste without the nose tingle (maybe the alcohol flavoring). Also breadier to me than the others. I really like all three. Look forward to trying over time to see if a clear winner emerges.

I keep trying to find a clear winner, but my net has grown so wide now in my exuberance that I don’t think it’s possible. Too many amazing blends, different environments, time of day, drink in hand, etc situations that I’m just hoping to narrow it all down to maybe 10 blends that I will stock up on to cellar. What a journey!

 

[Old_Newby]

I keep trying to find a clear winner, but my net has grown so wide now in my exuberance that I don’t think it’s possible. Too many amazing blends, different environments, time of day, drink in hand, etc situations that I’m just hoping to narrow it all down to maybe 10 blends that I will stock up on to cellar. What a journey!

I agree and I have not scratched the surface. My current plan is to find me 1 Virginia, 1 Burley, 1 VaPer, 1 English, 1 Kentucky, and 1 everything (Plum Pudding or other), yet that’s not possible because there are mixtures such as VaBur, VaPer+, and some with Kentucky, some Orientals. Etc.

I am hoping I know it when it happens. For example the YouTube smoker PeacePipeMan absolutely knows his #1 is EMP and it’s no debate. He has a few of others. I hope I get there..

 

[Swampfox]

Just to clarify, by winner I meant family/type of tobacco. I just need to figure out if I like burley, Latakia, Perique, Virginia, etc. I see the beauty of this in the hunt. Plus as others have mentioned, I’m sure what I like will change over the years. I know my palate in general has over time. After I narrow it down I hope to find enough blends I like to have a rotation. I plan to smoke what I like, whatever that may be.

 

[Swampfox]

I am hoping I know it when it happens.

I pretty sure you will ?

 

[Dudditz]

And...are you having fun along the way during the discovery??? Because having fun, well that's half the fun of it... ?

 

[Swampfox]

And...are you having fun along the way during the discovery??? Because having fun, well that's half the fun of it... ?

60% of the time, I have fun every time.