What Is That Smell/Taste?

[badbeard]

WOW...you used bleach to sanitize your beer bottles?...I'll bet your homebrew beer was well popular [8O]

Believe it or not, it was(and sometimes still is) actually a common practice to use diluted bleach, before chemicals like Star-san and Iodophor became widely available. Even chlorine in chlorinated water will bond with yeast produced phenols to produce that yummy band-aid chlorophenol taste. Iodophor, which is actually really common commercially, is also a member of the Halogen family and can react similarly with yeast phenols. And yes, my beer was extremely popular, after I realized that I needed to rinse everything in hot water after using bleach.

 

[mackeson]

I often get a creosote smell and taste from Latakia.

THIS. Tobacco and potables are very different.
BTW. I used to teach beer brewing and even ran a home-brew shop for a while. Don't use bleach. It serves for a time, but leaves a residue which will build up. Use an acid sanitizer like Five Star, or something else that uses Benzenesulfonic acid. That is an amazing sanitizer used by the brewing and dairy industries.

 

[loadclear]

I just tried a bowl after letting it sit in the pipe for a few hours. It tasted fine, but perhaps a little hotter? I think I'm just going to try to get over my mental block to this smell.
Yes, I used to sanitize with bleach before I knew better. I've since switched over to a powder I bought from a brew store.

 

[krizzose]

Taste is subjective, and you like what you like. After giving a few Latakia blends, Old Dublin among them, in my first few months of piping I knew that Latakia is not for me. Looking back, knowing what I didn't like made it a little faster and cheaper to find what I did. Keep experimenting with other types of blends, find what you like and smoke that. Don't worry about all those tins you bought, because lots of people love Latakia and this forum is a good place to find someone to trade with.
Try some Latakia blends again in a year or two and see what you think then.

 

[lazar]

Kinda bums me out since I was really excited to have a REALLY strong tobacco to smoke instead of the light aros I've had recently. I hoped I would like a really strong tobacco.

Latakia is not a strong tobacco nicotine-wise. That's one of the many reasons I like it- strong, heavy, intense flavors and lighter nic. If you want stronger nic, head for Gawith Hoggarth flakes, ropes and suchlike. Burley, VAs, and Perique all have more nicotine than Latakia, and GH and others use some of the strongest varieties.

 

[loadclear]

I'll look at those, thanks.

 

[loadclear]

Thread revival... I want to thank you all for your suggestions.
I’ve since learned a Lot more, and decided to post an update. As a slowly recovering cigarette smoker, I tried some Nic heavy VaPers, and VaBurs. In the end, I’ve really grown to like to Latakia blends.
Right now, my favorite blend by a mile is Black Frigate by C&D. A close second is Carter Hall mixed 50/50 with Pirate Kake. Closing out the top three is Frog Morton.
I know, I know, I’m pretty far away from what I posted a few months ago, but I like what I like.
I’ve got about 40 other blends in my cellar to try eventually... I think this is going to get expensive.

 

[loadclear]

I just read through the whole thread again...
You experienced folks must look at this like a kid learning to walk or drive... you know where it going to end up, but you just have to smile and shake your head at the learning process...

 

[Chasing Embers]

Right now, my favorite blend by a mile is Black Frigate by C&D.

You may also like GL Pease "Sextant". Very similar profile.

 

[jaytex1969]

The ice on the inlet had just thawed a bit.

The Cap'n and crew were anxious to split.

The Frigate had idled through a long winter storm

The rum was depleted, the air finally warm.
"Hoist up the sails and tie off the spurs!

Weigh the damned anchor, you scofflaw-in' curs.

There's wenches and treasures beyond this calm wake

And maybe a tin of the precious black cake.
We went to the pier to get the last barrel

Of smoke to the hold before we set sail

When we saw a form sitting square on the top

Clutching a briar and a bag full of cobs.
"Who be that varmint 'tween us and the Frigate?"

I shouted while raising me blade for a big hit.

"Loadclear's the name," as he puffed out a cloud

"I'm diggin' yer leaf," and he leaped down and bowed.
I peered at the coxswain and halted me hilt

And steadied me stance lest the grog cup be spilt.

"What can you offer this vessel o' freaks?

Can you patch the sails or the hull when she leaks?"
"I can make beer, tho it might taste of bleach :mrgreen:

or help you drag treasure from off of the beach.

I won't eat your eggs or tomatoes at all

I got me own pipes and I know how to brawl.
We ran up the gangway and climbed the port rail

And sought out the Captain preparing to sail

He fired up a yachtsman and eyeballed the man.

"Well, what'll it be, boy? The ship or the land?"

 

[saltedplug]

When I started the number and variety of blends and the many, many pipes about which people talked; the shapes and finishes! But within 3-6 months I was hooked. I read and read and asks question after question; I became known on a forum for asking the best questions. My point is that it can take time to sort through all of that and get the experience that will allow you to form your own opinions. Opinions change the most at the beginning as they are in the process of being formed. This takes time.

 

[renfield]

It’s amazing how much a person’s tobacco palate usually changes over time. I recall my very early visits to my B&M, sniffing the jars of blends they had. The Latakia blends always made me think “tire fire”. Now I very much enjoy Latakia in all its manifestations.
Speaking from experience I would say to be careful not to bury yourself in too many blends while you lock on to what you really like. Easier said than done.
Welcome to the warm embrace of briar and leaf.