Why Do Aromatics Have a Bad Rap?

[mikethompson]

Compiling my list for Secret Santa, almost every participant this year has written 'no aromatics' as their preference. This is a random group of about 50 guys. Why the almost universal dislike?

Now as I consider it, I'm not sure I've ever had an aro, or what would be considered one.

So I guess my question is dual: what is an aro, and why are they so disliked?

 

[LeafErikson]

They’re the most purchased pipe tobaccos on the market if I’m not mistaken so lots of people like em. We’re just too snooty on this forum I guess haha. I reckon most pipe smokers aren’t on this forum, don’t smoke 50 million blends, and don’t have 50+ pipes like many on here.

For what it’s worth I prefer the fancy schmancy blends myself and almost exclusively smoke c&d blends. They’re easier on my palate and have more nicotine than the aromatics I’ve tried. It’s been a long time since I smoked an aro though and I 100% packed it too tight. I found 1Q and BCA to be a bit too saccharine for me.

 

[Buffalo]

Personally, I am very particular when it comes to smoking aromatics. I've had far too many that tasted like they were made in the storage room of the Christmas tree air freshener factory. Chemical, harsh, etc.

 

[LeafErikson]

Personally, I am very particular when it comes to smoking aromatics. I've had far too many that tasted like they were made in the storage room of the Christmas tree air freshener factory. Chemical, harsh, etc.

Ive heard that some of the KBV ones are pretty good but I’ve never tried them. Country squire sells some good ones I’ve heard as well. Again never tried em myself though. There are aromatics I’ve enjoyed just not the black cavendish-based goopy ones. Daughters and Ryan used to make ones I enjoyed but they’ve since been discontinued.

 

[username]

I dont mind a few aromatics its just am very picky when it comes to them so i didn't want my match to get me something i most likely will not like.

 

[The Amish Tyrant]

I am particular with aromatics and generally prefer a vanilla aromatic in the morning with black coffee. With other aromatics, it's a mood thing.

I think some frustration is when people can't get the same flavor as the tin note. The PG chemical taste or reputation for tounge bite can also be a factor.

However, I think a few of the more outspoken people are either joking or just oozing machismo while singing the Stones' Satisfaction ("he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't smoke the same cigarettes as me").

 

[Piping Abe]

I think that many people do not actually know how to smoke them. It takes a pro to smoke an aro.

Also, I count Englishes as aromatics. They are smoke flavored aromatics. It is very easy to smoke them, without thinking, and get a ton of flavor.

 

[Buffalo]

Ive heard that some of the KBV ones are pretty good but I’ve never tried them. Country squire sells some good ones I’ve heard as well. Again never tried em myself though. There are aromatics I’ve enjoyed just not the black cavendish-based goopy ones. Daughters and Ryan used to make ones I enjoyed but they’ve since been discontinued.

I've had aromatic blends from both. KBV's Chok Lit Pie and Sakura were excellent. The Country Squire's Middle Earth series were, meh for me but still better than 90% of the other aromatics on the market.

 

[Kobold]

I think they are disliked because they usually smell better than they taste and they usually have low nicotine content? At least that’s what I hear. I actually enjoy a lot of different aros

 

[ashdigger]

Instead of pretending, just admit we’re all snobs.

Hi, I’m Tim, I’m a snob and I also sneak back behind the dumpster to quick hit some aromatics.

Does it bother me that true pipe smokers might smell the subtle scent of vanilla, chocolate or cherry? Maybe. But it’s time to take a stand, this is 2023 and free expression should be not only allowed but honored.

My preferred pronouns are Cavendish/Ribbon Cut

 

[telescopes]

Actually, many of the snobs are smoking aromatics. They just don’t know it even as they wildly overspend on tobaccos like Esoterica and G&H blends.

Personally, I am low brow and love it. I have no issues with good smelling women and that goes double for good smelling tobacco.

 

[Auxsender]

Compiling my list for Secret Santa, almost every participant this year has written 'no aromatics' as their preference. This is a random group of about 50 guys. Why the almost universal dislike?

Now as I consider it, I'm not sure I've ever had an aro, or what would be considered one.

So I guess my question is dual: what is an aro, and why are they so disliked?

Aros are tobaccos that have lots of obvious added flavor.

Most pipe smokers aren’t on this forum.
The aro haters are a loud minority in the world of pipe smoking.

 

[Gimlet]

Personally, I am very particular when it comes to smoking aromatics. I've had far too many that tasted like they were made in the storage room of the Christmas tree air freshener factory. Chemical, harsh, etc.

That's my objection. I don't mind laced tobaccos as long as they don't taste artificial. If the tin smell is like children's sweets or vaping fluid I don't try it. And some flavours I just don't like anyway in tobacco, natural or artificial, like coconut and vanilla.
I'm smoking SG 1792 flake right now, which is most definitely an "English" but it no way an aro. Unless you count tonquin as an aromat which I don't.

 

[andrew]

Amphora black Cavendish is an aro I actually enjoyed. I dislike PG laden aros that never dry out. I also enjoy Lakeland aros

 

[mso489]

Many pipe smokers start out with aromatics so think of them as beginner tobaccos once they try some of the good non-aromatics.

Aromatics sustain the tobacco markets through sales, I think well over 90 percent of sales.

Some of the old time tobaccos that are thought of as non-aromatics are actual aromatic with distinct flavoring. Granger has molasses and anisette, I believe, on rough cut Kentucky burley.

Chasingembers has proposed that aromatics shouldn't be smoked by beginners but only when a pipe smoker has good technique after some years of smoking. I'm paraphrasing here, but I take his point.

 

[Servant King]

Lots of good answers above. Embers, in addition to what mso pointed out above me, has also explained multiple times what "constitutes" an aromatic. And that distinction is relative, not absolute.

I would only add this: a primary reason for the bad rap is the tendency for the added topping to be just so overwhelmingly over-the-top so as to more or less obliterate any vestige of tobacco taste. I'm hesitant to list any examples, however, purely due to how prevalent this strategy (for lack of a better word) is. Many pipe smokers are turned off by it, and understandably so.

There are several aromatics that are subtly sweet, not loaded with PG, and would be what has been referred to on here many times as "tobacco forward." I like those ones very much--Mac Baren Original Choice comes to mind, as does Ashton Winding Road, SWRA etc.

 

[RustiePyles CPG]

I certainly didn’t put no Aro’s on my list. I love aromatics especially aromatic flakes and any lane bulk with toasted cav like RLP-6, Tk-7, and HGL.

 

[Tate]

I'm a newer smoker and just really didn't dig the aros that I got at the local ship. They smelt great but just wasn't there for me when smoking. Could have been bad technique when starting out, I know my technique has gotten better and enjoy my other blends even more now.

 

[didimauw]

They burn hot and taste like crap

 

[bullet08]

Too many newbies burning their tongues on them aromatics. People with years of experience don't mind them too much, but by then they already have their favorite tobacco. This makes aromatics public enemy number 1.