Tonquin/Tonkin bean flavour.

[mawnansmiff]

Would some kind soul please describe to me exactly what this 'Tonquin Essence' actually tastes like?
I have come across it lately as a descriptor of many Gawith/Gawith & Hoggarth blends but have no clue what it actually tastes like. It would be useful for me to know so as I might be able to differentiate one flavour from another in various blends.
Thanks in advance,
Regards,
Jay.

 

[pylorns]

Vanilliaish..

 

[perdurabo]

Vanilla, slightly powdery. You want a full blast? Get SG 1792 Flake. It's Dynamite.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Thanks for that chaps, so vanilla like it is then.
As it happens, SG 1792 Flake is already on my next shopping list!
Regards,
Jay.

 

[mso489]

I think tonquin is one of the flavorings that is guaranteed to ghost, so if you are sampling it, designating a pipe (perhaps a cob) is a good idea. Some people get hooked and want nothing else. Some like it now and then, and keep a pipe or two for that purpose. Others find it unpleasant and distracting, and wish they'd never encountered it. I once gifted a friend with this blend -- a very experienced smoker. He thanked me for the other blend I'd sent and never mentioned the 1792, so I know what he thought of it, and later realized my mistake. I feel sure he knew to smoke it in a designated pipe ... or give it away. I was meaning to give him something full-strength, since that's his preference. But oops. GH has other floral and soapy flavorings that also give problems, so do your research first. Some love these, many don't.

 

[papipeguy]

I smoked 1792 exclusively for several years. I never bothered dedicating a pipe to it. The ghosting didn't bother me as several bowls of my other latakia blends usually took care of that. Like others have said, it tends to be a love or hate kind of thing but Tonka bean is a traditional flavoring in British blends much like deer tongue was in American blends years ago.

 

[mawnansmiff]

I do hope that 1792 is not similar to Dark Flake (scented) as I found that pretty hard going once I had finally got it lit. This too is supposedly flavoured with tonquin bean. The aroma to me at least was one of incense sticks!
Pretty much blew my socks off did this blend, way too strong for this still learning piper.
Regards,
Jay.

 

[bigpond]

Mild sweet orange, medium vanilla with a medium to strong herbal character. An overall savory and pungent presentation.

 

[newbroom]

Along the lines of peculiar additives, I wonder what it is that gives Ennerdale its perfumey smell?

Or, Mixture 79?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

If Dark Flake was too strong, you may not like 1792 either.

Vanilla-ish is close, but don't expect a vanilla flavor. It really is a hard flavor to convey to someone, because there really is nothing really quite like it. Maybe if someone tried to make the same flavor as vanilla, but all they had to use was compost. Rotted vegetables all gathered and mixed to give you something similar to... the aroma of your shoes after walking through compost.
I like 1792, occasionally. I wouldn't smoke it on a daily rotation by any means, especially not during the middle of the day, when walking and thinking might be needed. But, when I want something strong at the end of the day, it might be one of several strong blends I would debate smoking, or just grab a strong cigar.

 

[bigpond]

Product lit for ennerdale:

A background flavor of Almond is enhanced with the addition of fruit, vanilla, and the special 'Lakeland style' flavors to give this tobacco its distinctive aroma and taste.
It strikes me as jordan almond's in a pipe.

 

[deathmetal]

Maybe if someone tried to make the same flavor as vanilla, but all they had to use was compost.

That's hysterical.

 

[newbroom]

the special 'Lakeland style' flavors

Yes?

 

[beastinview]

I do hope that 1792 is not similar to Dark Flake (scented) as I found that pretty hard going once I had finally got it lit. This too is supposedly flavoured with tonquin bean. The aroma to me at least was one of incense sticks!
Pretty much blew my socks off did this blend, way too strong for this still learning piper.
Regards,
Jay.

Topping wise, they aren't much alike. I can't detect any Tonquin in Dark Flake (though it may certainly be there in a small amount), it seems to be overwhelmingly Oil of Bergamot. The underlying tobacco in both is similar in that it is a rich, flavorful flake.
1792 and Dark Flake are quite close in strength--both are nicotine bombs in my book, though I like them because high nic doesn't bother me.
I'd say 1792 is less flavored than Dark Flake Scented. I didn't even notice the Tonquin at all while smoking: it was more a rich, beefy, savory flavor overall.
I know many people freak out over the tonquin, but I'm just posting my experience to provide some balance: not all palates find it to be a dominating taste. My palate certainly doesn't. I can only detect it in the tin note, but not in smoke, taste, or ghost of pipe.

 

[jacks6]

I feel like it's a bit of a tangy vanilla

 

[mawnansmiff]

Well my 1792 arrived this morning and am now enjoying my first bowl of it. I have to confess I never detected anything remotely like vanilla in the tin, slight whiff of cocoa perhaps?
Coniston Cut Plug was another in the package, gave me a serious bout of hiccups did that! Not 100% sure I like it but early days yet. I can say however I am enjoying the 1792 thus far, gorgeous flavours in the nose.
The Squadron Leader that they came with tastes rather like BO, very much like EMP & Nightcap but I will persevere with it.
My other 'new to me' blend is Cabbies Mixture which I will trial tomorrow but things don't look good as all I get from the tin is mild vinegar 8O
Onwards and upwards..still seeking out that tonquin bean flavour :?
Regards,
Jay.

 

[beastinview]

Yeah, it'd be difficult to relate it to vanilla, but I don't think there are many smells/aromas close to tonquin. You sound like me: I probably wouldn't have even noticed it at all except that it is mentioned so much in reviews and many people are apparently overpowered by the tonquin aroma. I think it's extremely subtle.
The way I was able to sort out what was the tonquin smell was after breaking up the flake, I washed my hands. I realized there was a strange, non-tobacco scent lingering on my hands. I assume that was the tonquin. It's a strange spicy/tangy aroma.
I also carried the tin in my bag for a while, and afterward the bag had a tonquin smell in it.
But I still can't really detect it in the smoke: the tobacco itself is so rich and flavorful that the tonquin takes a back seat.

 

[mawnansmiff]

Beastinview, I am rather inclined to agree with you regards the tonquin taking a back seat, 1792 is indeed a very robust blend. That said, I stll smelled nothing new to me in the tin which I find rather odd as so many folks claim it positively reeks of the stuff.
No matter really, I quite enjoyed the 1792 though couldn't smoke it all day.
Regards,
Jay.