| Author | Message | ||
     Edward Martin Member Username: Old_wizard Post Number: 2 Registered: 08-2009 |
Hi all, I was thinking that a good way to familiarize myself with tobaccos and blends is to try some different tobaccos that are really exemplary of a particular kind of leaf, or even pure leaf. That said, I wonder if I can challenge you, my greatest resource to make some suggestions. What is an exemplary Burley? How about a definitive Virginia? What will show me what Perique is all about? I've heard a lot about Latakia, what should I smoke to get to know it? What would you advise for learning about Orientals? Ok flavours...what is the crown jewel of Cavendish? I am not in a huge hurry to burn through them all, and I plan on enjoying myself. I am not opposed to paying good money for good tobacco, so don't be afraid to suggest high end goods. I look forward to your recommendations! Thanks in advance! | ||
| Tom Mueller Member Username: Tommueller Post Number: 207 Registered: 04-2008 |
This is only a "quasi answer", but is a way to sample several blends from different categories. Most etailers offer sampler blends; many of them will let you pick and choose several blends. You'll get a decent sampling at a reasonable cost, won't be saddled with a large amount of a blend that does not suit your tastes, and save on shipping. Enjoy your adventure! Spilman's in a Savinelli | ||
| Brian Armstrong Member Username: Finnigan Post Number: 17 Registered: 01-2009 |
Excellent topic! I'd be interrested to know how to identify the tastes as well. I have been smoking some blends, and even though I can taste differences, I couldn't say what causes them. For example I really like Escudo, but I couldn't say "that's the perique!' or when smoking 965 and Durbar I notice a similar taste, but I don't know if it is latakia or the Orientals. | ||
| Nukesimi Member Username: Nukesimi Post Number: 42 Registered: 08-2005 |
I think this page will help you out quite a bit: http://www.nocturne.org/jason/aging/touchstones.php I also suggest buying small quantities of blending components at your B&M (Burley, Perique, Turkish, etc). Before messing around with making your own concoctions you might try taking a small amount of a single leaf and smoking it in your pipe, to get the flavor profile down. A decent example would be filling a small pipe halfway with straight Burley. Good luck! | ||
| Harvey Click Member Username: Fafhrd Post Number: 1491 Registered: 03-2006 |
--What is an exemplary Burley? Start with something plain and simple, such as Prince Albert or Sir Walter Raleigh. --How about a definitive Virginia? Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake. --What will show me what Perique is all about? Perique tastes different depending on what it's mixed with. SG St. James Flake is awfully good. --I've heard a lot about Latakia, what should I smoke to get to know it? SG Squadron Leader is a good place to start. | ||
| Edward Martin Member Username: Old_wizard Post Number: 4 Registered: 08-2009 |
WOW! Thanks to Nukesimi! That site is absolutely fantastic! So many answers and great info on Tobaccos, and especially cellaring tobacco. The gallery pictures are sure enough to make me SERIOUSLY envious. I wonder if folks on this site could post pics of their cellars. | ||
| Tom Mueller Member Username: Tommueller Post Number: 209 Registered: 04-2008 |
Nukesimi, that is a teriffic site. Thanks! | ||
| Jim McGoran Member Username: Ds_chief Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2008 |
Cellar Pic for Ed my small stash  | ||
| Old Wizard Member Username: Old_wizard Post Number: 7 Registered: 08-2009 |
That's fantastic Jim! Thanks for sharing. Looks like you have a few favourites! | ||
| Ken Jones Member Username: Krjones Post Number: 14 Registered: 09-2008 |
I might add two to the "Tobacco Touchstones" list. Under Oriental I would also include Rattray's Red Rapparee. I had wanted to get into Orientals for a while and found some of the McClelland Orientals not quite to my taste. Red Rapparee is everything that I thought an Oriental should be. Under Va/Per I would add Peter Stokkebye's Luxury Bull's-Eye Flake. I recently placed an order for three Va/Pers: SG St. James Flake, PS Lux. Bull's-Eye Flake, and A & C Petersen's Escudo. I must say that I prefer the PS to Escudo. This, however, was with no age on either blend. I cellared some of both away and eagerly anticipate the results. As for the St. James Flake, a stellar blend. | ||
| Todd L. Platek Member Username: Lawyersmoker Post Number: 48 Registered: 04-2008 |
Jim, quite a tobacco collection. But are those a few cans of tuna on the second shelf from the top? I've heard of smoked fish, but never tried them in my pipe. | ||
| Old Wizard Member Username: Old_wizard Post Number: 9 Registered: 08-2009 |
A big thanks to Harvey and Ken, I am compiling a list now that may take me a lifetime to work through! Thanks for your suggestions! | ||
| Jim McGoran Member Username: Ds_chief Post Number: 11 Registered: 02-2008 |
todd, The small tins on the right, with red & white labels are McCrannies Red Ribbon & Red Flake, the 3 8 oz in the middle are C&D Pennington Gap. The Big Blue one should be readable Edgeworth Ready Rubbed 14 oz. |