What constitutes an aromatic?

[lordofthepiperings]

Having your own definition of something like a term used when talking about tobacco is like making up your own definition of the period when talking about grammar. It will get confusing as heck.

It's not like the world of blend definition is clear cut as it is.
To some people an "English Blend", is simply a blend made in England. That would lump the Lakeland blends like Ennerdale Flake in along with Lat bombs like Nightcap. To others it's simply a blend where Latakia is the star.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Clear as a bell. I'm not sure how it could be any clearer. Did you read above? If it has a topping of any sort, it is an aromatic, whether you can taste the topping or not. Casings are not considered topping. I mean, yes, it is difficult to just look at a tobacco or smell it and determine whether it is an aromatic, but if you look the blend up, it's rather easy peasy. :wink:
Don't blame me that the idiot tobacconist out there make blends that are hard to detect. Even Greg Pease is going back on his promises and making hard to identify blends now.
But, all in all, my post that you refer to is tongue in cheek.

 

[warren]

I prefer "trade" definitions as opposed to the ever evolving ones which we make up as we go along. It is either topped or cased. Aro or not! Everyone on the same page knowing what an aromatic is. Having one, true definition means we all understand what is being discussed. That said, people being people confusion reigns supreme when discussing shapes, blends and technique.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Look at you, Warren... being all "reasonable." Ha ha!!
I think that the reason why we have blends that are aromatics that don't have the qualities of aromatics is to keep people from making blanket statements. Maybe, maybe not?
Smoke what you like. Like what you smoke. ::

 

[blendtobac]

Most Virginias and Burleys are cased. The casing is applied toward the beginning of processing, and the casing are usually water-based. The tobacco is then sent through a drying chamber to get it back to a decent humidity level. Even when used in non-aromatic blends, those two types of leaf are almost always cased to mitigate some of the negative properties inherent in them. Top dressings are applied at the end and usually contain alcohol so they can dry due to evaporation, so the tobacco doesn't need to get heated again. Top dressings affect the aroma more than anything else, hence the term aromatic.

Also, when I started working in the business, around 1976, the definition of an English blend was one that had minimal added flavorings, and even then, they were from a list approved by the British government. Certain things, like liquors, were okay. Since Latakia blends usually meet the definition, they eventually became synonymous with English blends.
Russ

 

[chuckp]

http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that-in-your-pipe/a-tale-of-two-syrups-casings-and-top-dressings/
This explains it very well.....I learned that many non-aromatics are cased with a water-based sugar mixture and that a tobacco is not really an aromatic until it has received a top dressing of flavoring.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

This explains it very well.....I learned that many non-aromatics are cased and that they are not really aromatics until they are top-dressed.

Bah ha ha, so after the posts above, you didn't understand that until you read that article? Ha ha ha, good, good. You finally understand it. Now, on to something completely different...

 

[chuckp]

http://pipesmagazine.com/blog/put-that-in-your-pipe/a-tale-of-two-syrups-casings-and-top-dressings/
I messed up my previous post, here's the article.

 

[chuckp]

What's up with you man, I'm just giving the OP a source of information that recently found myself.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

It's just that we've already pretty much posted that whole article in the thread. Even the writer of that has chimed in.

I am guessing that you didn't read the thread.

That's ok. I just found it funny. Don't worry, I say things like this all the time, especially when I post before reading the thread.

::

 

[chuckp]

I read the first several posts and then checked to see if anyone provided a link that article and I didn't see one. So I provided it....I'm speed reading through my lunch break, so I obviously didn't see them all, sorry....

 

[jeffboyrd]

Hey Chuckp, I appreciate that you posted the article. I just returned to the site after a two-year hiatus and found the article to be helpful. I remember when Russ originally posted it and I've since forgot about it, so it was nice to see it again. Keep posting and no need to apologize.

 

[chuckp]

Cool...

 

[easterntraveler]

Funny I have yet to read anyone state they made up there own definition of anything. Also, everything I have read, no matter if is was your statement Cosmic or an article many perceives an aromatic differently even the top blenders. I would agree there is nothing set in stone. I certainly could care less. I smoke what I enjoy. I like my tobacco like I like my tea. I prefer a strong team flavor with subtle hints of flavoring as opposed to drink tea that reminds me of juice. Anyway that's what is great about being alive.I get to decide how I perceive things.

 

[perdurabo]

Just go with 5 star aromatics. Even those will be subject to your subjectivity.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I've just fired up some Firedance Flake. I have to slowly get my tongue use to a new aromatic, or else I get burned easily.

Eastern, take my words with a pinch of salt. I was being pretty tongue in cheek. I'm just glad to see someone enjoying the hobby. If we all smoked the same tobacco in the same pipe, we wouldn't have as much to banter about. Cigars are so different. Their forums don't stay active, because they all pretty much get the same experience, somewhat.

Generally we all agree that pipes rock! Ha ha! Merry Christmas!

 

[seacaptain]

I dumped all my aros except some Vanilla Flake and what's left of my Holiday Spirit.
I guess the stereotype is true, new pipe smokers start out with aros and then move on. Every time I tried smoking my other aros, I kept thinking - man, I'd really rather be smoking some Wessex Red Virginia or Dunhill 965.

 

[iamn8]

I've found that the primary difference between aromatics and not is that they're labeled "aromatic" on the page

 

[foggymountain]

It smells like an old lady with too much perfume.