| Author | Message | ||
     Mark Combs Member Username: Jazzmoose Post Number: 4 Registered: 04-2009 |
After returning to the fold three months ago after thirty years away from pipes, I've been having a blast sampling various VaPers, but decided it was time to try the English varieties. I'm working my way through my first tin of Squadron Leader and, now that the new pipe I chose is finally breaking in, I'm convinced that English blends are definitely something I want to keep exploring. Now, I know that S.L. is comprised of Virginias, Turkish and Latakia tobaccos, but I'm too ignorant to know which is which. My question is this: what is the tobacco that gives off that occasional taste and smell that reminds me of incense? I hope that makes sense; I currently have a very uneducated palate. I've never noticed any "fig notes" or "hints of raisins" or whatever in any tobacco, but incense is what it reminds me of. I don't think I'd want to smoke a bowlful of whatever it is straight, but what an addition to a mix! If this post makes any sense at all, can anyone help? | ||
| Todd Bannard Member Username: Sasquatch Post Number: 675 Registered: 05-2006 |
Mark I know the taste you are talking about, and it could be one of two things, and I think the latter. First, it could be a presentation of some of the oriental tobaccos in that blend. Certain orientals have really fine scents/tastes that sort of come and go in a smoke. But I usually find orientals to be more.. tealike, I guess, than incense-like. Second possibility, and this is my personal belief about Squadron Leader, is that you are tasting a very faint dash of the so-called "lakeland essence". The more SL I smoke, the more often I get a hint of that almost rose-water sort of taste. I didn't expect it, and when I realized that's what I was tasting, I started to look for it. If I'm right, then you are a lakeland man, and should enjoy a tin of Grousemoor very much. Another tobacco I find somewhat incense-like on occassion is Presbyterian Mixture. It's another oriental fest, and there is argument about whether it has latakia in it, and there is argument about whether it is a topped tobacco. I find it offers an interesting plummy/leathery smoke, a little less floral than the Squadron Leader. | ||
| Harvey Click Member Username: Fafhrd Post Number: 1470 Registered: 03-2006 |
--"My question is this: what is the tobacco that gives off that occasional taste and smell that reminds me of incense?" That is Latakia or possibly another Oriental. | ||
| Melvin S. Schwartz Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 4330 Registered: 02-2002 |
Latakia is a process made from an Oriental leaf. | ||
| MASSIMOAIELLO Member Username: Thebloozboy Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2009 |
Do you mean a smoky smell that remind you peat (like malt taste of Scotch whisky) and leather ? if aswer is yes the tobacco you smell is definitely latakia, look for any english with latakia !! | ||
| LEROY KINGMAN Member Username: Oldguy Post Number: 81 Registered: 11-2007 |
"look for any english with latakia !!" - and G.L. Pease's "Odyssey" is a good place to start! |