Blending Experiment

[NeverBend]

Hi Matt (@Lostmason),

What does "Ikke snakk med mindre du kan forbedre stillheten." - Spansk ordtak mean?

I've tried Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish translators and they partially translate (if at all) and are contradictory?

Which version of Autumn Breakfast do your comments refer to?

Thanks,

Pete

[Lostmason]

Hi Matt (@Lostmason),

What does "Ikke snakk med mindre du kan forbedre stillheten." - Spansk ordtak mean?

I've tried Swedish, Danish, Norwegian and Finnish translators and they partially translate (if at all) and are contradictory?

Which version of Autumn Breakfast do your comments refer to?

Thanks,

Pete

"Do not speak unless you can improve the silence." - Spanish proverb

My comments are on the mix you made for me, the mix with your interpretation is a bit different in that I can taste the spice more so I've
got it in a jar to age for a bit.

On sample "D", I'll have to agree with Chris's description, although I didn't have any problems with keeping it lit. It had a spicier feel,made my tongue
numb,and the bitter was present. But considering I smoked it while soaking and bad knee, it was very relaxing and just what the doctor ordered.
Thank you, I know this is kind of mixing forums as well as mixing threads but, Even if nicotene is a stimulant,the very act of smoking a pipe is
relaxing and medicinal.

[NeverBend]

Blending notes:

I've added Stokkebye Perique, Stokkebye Latakia, Eastern Carolina Ribbon with Stokkebye Kentucky Dark Fired on backorder.

Taste:
When we refer to sweet, in tobacco or foods, are we saying sweet, like sugar, or sweet like squash? Similarly is a food spicy like chili, cardamom or thyme? Each class of tobacco, Virginia, Orientals, Burleys, etc., may have these characteristics in similarly different ways. Virginia can range from sugar to molasses or even squash like sweetness. Orientals range from brightly to subtly spiced. Perhaps a good topic to examine in this thread as we go forward.

General notes about Varietals versus Blends:
This equates very closely to wines where one may be a combination of grape types while another use a single specific grape. A varietal is a single type of leaf. A blend a combination leaf of similar type. In general I buy and use varietals. If they're good, their characteristics are more tractable and they impart specific qualities to a blend. Blends contain a range of quality that becomes an average. If there are bad crops then the blend may be better but as long as the quality of the varietals are good I tend to prefer them but I do use some blends.

General notes on Stokkebye:
You're familiar with this manufacturer, prevalent in the industry. Their flakes are good value but my blending interest is in their mixtures (ribbon cut tobaccos) that I feel have too fine a cut for my tastes and desires. Their blending components are also a fine ribbon cut (compared to C&D Red Ribbon Virginia for example) but when selected for purpose the quality of their tobacco, that I've received, has bee good.

Stokkebye Macedonian:
I was surprised by the potency of this varietal. It's useful in small quantities to increase body, spice and a sour/bitter nuance. Too much will take over a mixture and it will become aggressive. The quality of the leaf is good. This tobacco highlights the differences between suppliers and perhaps the mislabeling of some components as other Macedonians (at any price) haven't been similar in quality or characteristics and none as potent.

Stokkebye Perique:
I've had it a short time but it's the best Perique that I've found (see notes above about lack of consistency across suppliers). Short story is that the original St. James Perique is no longer made. St. James was far more potent and, in my opinion, far superior. C&D Exclusive claims to use 50% Perique, an amount that would have been unsmokable for almost anyone if it had been made with the original St. James. Classic Perique mixtures, like Rattray's Red Rapparee were made with less than 10% St. James. Perique was noted for bringing a rich fruity sweetness with a lot of spice but that's diminished with what's available today. I've used the Stokkebye Perique up to 20% in test mixtures but it seems best in a supporting role at 10% or a little less where it enhances and spices but isn't forward.

Stokkebye Latakia:
Doesn't smell or smoke like it was processed with tar. Thinner cut and not as smokey as other Latakia that we use. I don't have experience with this component yet but in a couple of test mixtures it's a bit harder to mix but more evenly distributes with less settling. More as I use it.

Stokkebye Kentucky Dark Fired:
I like our Dark Fired that's a string cut (very thin) and I suspect that it's made by Stokkebye. If it is then we have more and if not it may present an alternative. The other Stokkebye blenders have been good quality.

Eastern Carolina Ribbon:
There was a time when Carolina was the king of tobacco, richer and more deeply sweet than Virginia. 35 years ago Carolina was defined as New, Middle and Old Belt. This Eastern Carolina (New Belt?) is very light and inoffensive but too bland to be more than a filler or diluting component. Wish I'd have ordered an ounce to try it but I was excited to try one of today's Carolinas.

[Lostmason]

Pete (@Neverbend)

When I mention "spice" I am talking more of the feel than the taste.In sample"D" it is like white pepper,a pleasant burning that excites the palate.
The bitter is a subtle undertone that adds depth to the experience.I didn't pick up on a flowery or citrus taste,but a fruit flavor was just at the back.
Kind of like a shadow that you keep chasing.

This is why I feel undeserving, I'm not well endowed with the ability to define what I taste,but can easily identify how I feel. This sample is one
that takes my mind off the world and my own issues by capturing my attention like a good book.It is relaxing and enjoyable,the flavors are such
that they don't overpower or overwhelm, they soothe and comfort.The room note is pleasant and reminds me of fun times at a cigar/pipe lounge.
So with all that said I'll go pack a bowl of sample "B",and chase a few more shadows.

[GWBowman]

A few days ago I had a bowl of blend C in a small meer. All I can remember about the jar note and taste is Latakia. It wasn't overwhelming, but I don't recall anything else about it. Revisited it tonight. The jar note is smoky Latakia and a tangy tobacco smell. I'm smoking it in a MM Cob Legend. Of course the Latakia is still there, but has calmed down some. I'm also getting a Virginia combo of sweet and tangy with hints of hay. Part of the way in I'm getting a little spice, mostly on the retrohale. I guessing a little Perique. While I may be completely wrong about the ingredients, I am sure that I like this.

The last shipment was very personalized. There were four blends. One of them was the one Pete made based on our correspondence. Two were named after me, G and Einstein #2. I apologize. Just couldn't help myself. Of course, I jest.

Really looking forward to these.

[Alligator Gar]

I think C is ready for the world. I'd like about 200 grams of this stuffed in Mason jars. I smoked some Seminole Red and Outdoor Incense after wrapping them tight and putting them down for a three week nap and both were improved. OI wasn't as intense, which is good, as it was a flavor bomb, and Red was creamier and sweeter, less bright than I originally remember it.

[NeverBend]

Pete (@Neverbend)

When I mention "spice" I am talking more of the feel than the taste.In sample"D" it is like white pepper,a pleasant burning that excites the palate.
The bitter is a subtle undertone that adds depth to the experience.I didn't pick up on a flowery or citrus taste,but a fruit flavor was just at the back.
Kind of like a shadow that you keep chasing.

This is why I feel undeserving, I'm not well endowed with the ability to define what I taste,but can easily identify how I feel. This sample is one
that takes my mind off the world and my own issues by capturing my attention like a good book.It is relaxing and enjoyable,the flavors are such
that they don't overpower or overwhelm, they soothe and comfort.The room note is pleasant and reminds me of fun times at a cigar/pipe lounge.
So with all that said I'll go pack a bowl of sample "B",and chase a few more shadows.

If you are undeserving then who is deserving? Are your taste buds inferior? Just as with food, you know what you like and even if you have difficulty in describing specific tastes, you know the flavors and how you react to them.

Undeserving = Inexperience in describing flavors. Put me in this category too and don't underestimate that we each react (taste) differently so we negotiate descriptions of flavor. Jim (@JimInks) has learned how to consistently describe specific flavors.

Palate = Ability to quickly discern and differentiate flavors. Yes, palate is a skill that's learned and refined and I prefer my definition to attempting to understand (or look at) this:

Your comments about Mixture "D" are consistent with what I've tasted. White Pepper is a good metaphor for the spice. The Virginia (Red especially) is lurking and not answering the door .

[NeverBend]

I think C is ready for the world. I'd like about 200 grams of this stuffed in Mason jars. I smoked some Seminole Red and Outdoor Incense after wrapping them tight and putting them down for a three week nap and both were improved. OI wasn't as intense, which is good, as it was a flavor bomb, and Red was creamier and sweeter, less bright than I originally remember it.

The Red Virginia from C&D is a good component with a broad ribbon cut but it takes it's time to marry. The Smyrna also takes time to establish it's 'cream'. These two components behave very well together and you'll know that they're integrated when you taste a lurking 'red sweetness' that's subtly sweet with deeper nuance than brighter Virginia and a (mild) spiced cream.

To clarify my flavor comments, (in general), bright Virginia have more acid that gives tang, a citrus note and distinct sweetness (sugary). Red Virginia have a deeper, richer but less sugary sweetness and some fruit. Smyrna won't be a dairy cream, more like spiced turnips with butter (I'll probably make that for Thanksgiving ).

[Lostmason]

I smoked a short bowl of sample "B" and noticed what I can only describe as a smoked fig taste.It was an underlying taste, not predominate or
overpowering.Still picked up some of the spice or pepper feel but it was very mild.

Pete @NeverBend

The main reasons for my feelings of inferiority are as stated I don't have the background that Jim does, and get frustrated
by not being able to pick out all the nuances of the blend. I'm not that articulate at describing what I can taste and quite
often just give up and enjoy the smoke without trying to seperate the flavors. I've enjoyed several different mixtures lately
and can honestly say that I like the aro's and burley blends the best, on those I can pick up on the cream and nut flavors.
That was what was so intense with the Einstien mixture you sent,a distinct creaminess and mellow vanilla that came thru.
Don't misunderstand my comments as being dispariging, just the level of my gratitude that you would place value on what
feedback I can provide.I feel extremely lucky to have come into contact with you,Jim,Tab,Tobias,and Bruck, The wealth of
knowledge that you all have shared here has given me a renewed love for my pipes and a hobby that my wife and I both
enjoy. Right now I have a small science experiment going and if it works out I'll share it with you for comments and advice.
If it turns sour, I will hide it under a rock and never talk about it,,,

[Lostmason]

Currently finishing a bowl of sample "B",still has a bit of the peppery tingle,and a kind of dry smoky taste.At the back I'm still piking up a fig taste and just a touch of bitterness.on the retro hale it's almost a woodsy taste/smell.Out of all four samples ,this one makes me hungry.Wish I had some cinnamon rolls.