Why smoke Burley?

[canucklehead]

At this point, readers can make up their own minds, or read those books I posted above. I wouldn’t just rely on marketing copywork posted by a company, because their goal is merely to sell their product. A product I like, but marketing nonetheless.

Not relying just on marketing copywork, I was under the impression from all historical sources that I've read that Nicotiana Tabacum was introduced to North America in Virginia, was first farmed as a cash crop in Virginia, and Virginia was the largest tobacco producer in the United States up until the late 1800s when burley production became more popular.

Tobacco Seed | Historic Jamestowne

Visit the real thing at Historic Jamestowne, explore the actual location and active archaeological dig, Jamestown Rediscovery, home of the first successful English settlement.

historicjamestowne.org

"Burley tobacco revolutionized the industry in east Tennessee and western North Carolina. What started from two farmers planting white burley in Greeneville ignited an agricultural revolution and significantly changed crops, production and quality. Burley transformed the tobacco industry with new cultivation techniques and a shift from dark and flue-cured tobacco."

A History of Burley Tobacco in East Tennessee & Western North Carolina

Burley tobacco revolutionized the industry in east Tennessee and western North Carolina. What started from two farmers planting white burley in Greeneville ignited an agricultural revolution and significantly changed crops, production and quality. Burley transformed the tobacco industry with new...

www.easttnhistory.org

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Nicotiana Tabacum is burley. It is a derivative of rustica. These were both the first commercial crop of the colonies. The term “virginia” tobacco is merely a pipe industry marketing term. When you talk with farmers and the processors they use totally different jargons that what we pipe hobbyist use. Bright leaf is the term for the starchy thin leafed plants that react with heat cures well, turning the starch to sugars. But, they are genetically the same as burley. What makes a Virginia a thing is the process, flue cured. But, on the ag side, it is merely a bright leaf or flue cured.

It’s confusing, I know, because I went into growing, talking with other farmers and processors, and getting weird looks at my pipe smiking jargon.

Seed stock used in the commercial production of flue cured is mostly VAGold25, but there are dozens of other seed stocks. These are trade names, but genetically, they are virtually burley or derived from burley.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Believe it or not, a chihuahua is the same genetically as a German sheppherd. Both are Canis lupus familiaris.

 

[canucklehead]

Nicotiana Tabacum is burley. It is a derivative of rustica. These were both the first commercial crop of the colonies. The term “virginia” tobacco is merely a pipe industry marketing term. When you talk with farmers and the processors they use totally different jargons that what we pipe hobbyist use. Bright leaf is the term for the starchy thin leafed plants that react with heat cures well, turning the starch to sugars. But, they are genetically the same as burley. What makes a Virginia a thing is the process, flue cured. But, on the ag side, it is merely a bright leaf or flue cured.

It’s confusing, I know, because I went into growing, talking with other farmers and processors, and getting weird looks at my pipe smiking jargon.

Seed stock used in the commercial production of flue cured is mostly VAGold25, but there are dozens of other seed stocks. These are trade names, but genetically, they are virtually burley or derived from burley.

Our cigarettes up here in Canada are Virginia tobacco, and the the crops grown are referred to as Virginia tobaccos, and sold as Virginias on the global market for non-pipe purposes. Cigarette packaging has said "100% Virginia" for longer than I've been alive.

 

[Scottmi]

Straight Burleys I smoke regularly include:

C&D Dark Burley
G&H Kendal Kentucky (Straight Dark Fired)
Tabac Manil Semois (Réserve du Patron)

C&D Burley Blends:

Big n' Burley (has a little subtle oriental and Latakia in it)
Pegasus (has Virginia and Cavendish but is very Burley forward)
Three Friars (Burley, Perique and Virginia — toasty and sweet)
Old Joe Krantz (more heavy on the Perique)
Old Joe Krantz Blue Label (I've heard good things)
Morley's best (Latakia heavy Burley blend)
The Burley flakes.

Of the above mentioned tobaccos, the only ones not available in bulk are Semois and the C&D Burley flakes.

The Morley’s sounds most intriguing!

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Our cigarettes up here in Canada are Virginia tobacco, and the the crops grown are referred to as Virginia tobaccos, and sold as Virginias on the global market for non-pipe purposes. Cigarette packaging has said "100% Virginia" for longer than I've been alive.

View attachment 176661

Very good. I’m not sure how that plays into the conversation. But, it was not till the 1860’s that we had Virginias. Virginias are flue cured.

 

[bullet08]

Because it's tobacco.

Best answer so far.

 

[Winnipeger]

The Morley’s sounds most intriguing!

It's intense. Billy Budd is a good one to check out too.

 

[canucklehead]

Very good. I’m not sure how that plays into the conversation. But, it was not till the 1860’s that we had Virginias. Virginias are flue cured.

It's all Virginias.

Tobacco in Colonial Virginia - Encyclopedia Virginia

Introduction of Tobacco to Virginia Tobacco Pipe In 1611 Rolfe, known as “an ardent smoker,” decided to experiment with cultivating tobacco in Jamestown. The plant had first been brought to England in 1565, perhaps from Florida by Sir John Hawkins, and by the 1610s there was a ready market in...

encyclopediavirginia.org

 

[Scottmi]

I am not too big on LJ Peretti’s Burley blends either save their old version of No. 8 Slices, most of their blends just didn’t do much for me, they were all too mild for my tastes. Definitely try Burley blends from different houses before making up your mind.

Sage advice! I’m working my way through the samples, and am smoking the 333 right now. Quite smooth, nice taste, and quite strong nic-wise to my palate.

 

[Scottmi]

Nicotiana Tabacum is burley. It is a derivative of rustica. These were both the first commercial crop of the colonies. The term “virginia” tobacco is merely a pipe industry marketing term. When you talk with farmers and the processors they use totally different jargons that what we pipe hobbyist use. Bright leaf is the term for the starchy thin leafed plants that react with heat cures well, turning the starch to sugars. But, they are genetically the same as burley. What makes a Virginia a thing is the process, flue cured. But, on the ag side, it is merely a bright leaf or flue cured.

It’s confusing, I know, because I went into growing, talking with other farmers and processors, and getting weird looks at my pipe smiking jargon.

Seed stock used in the commercial production of flue cured is mostly VAGold25, but there are dozens of other seed stocks. These are trade names, but genetically, they are virtually burley or derived from burley.

Will different seed stocks produce noticeably different tobaccos once cured/processed?

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Will different seed stocks produce noticeably different tobaccos once cured/processed?

Yes. And no. a farmer might choose to grow one variety or other of tomatoes, but once they’re all cooked and canned, many cant tell.
But, there are (were) specific graded with qualities of tobacco in specific categories for auction on the commercial level. You try grow a crop that will fit the market you’re shooting for in those categories. But, there are differences between some that come up.

The forum member that could better explain grading and categories was jitterbugdude. He had posted links to all of this. Too bad he is no longer here.

But, over time, some seedstock became better grown here or there. We have a 400+ years if people growing small crops all across the US. Local farmers would produce local plugs and twists. There are still markets for boutique seedstocks. I like a variety called Cherry Red. It has a fruity acidity and it color cured well.

 

[Egg Shen]

Reading Going Down Tobacco Road right now! Gene Hoots has a substack newsletter I would recommend as well. I have actually spoken with him and he is a great guy with a lot of insider knowledge to share.

Gene Hoots | Substack

Investment Professional at R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company (1965–1986). Author of “Going Down Tobacco Road,” a history of tobacco and R. J. Reynolds and its expansion. Worked in investments for almost sixty years.

substack.com

I would add that Going Down Tobacco Road is an interesting read with good information beyond the scope of your gentlemanly debate.

Why smoke burley? It is a great cutting agent on your wetter and strong-flavored aromatics. It will help them burn quicker while injecting some “real tobacco taste” while still allowing the taste of the Apricots & Cream, for instance, to not be lost.

I also like burley alone. Sometimes it’s nice to smoke something that you don’t need to focus on…both from a minimal number (0 usually) of relights and from the fact that it’s flavors are rather understated, not requiring much effort to process what I’m tasting.