Blending Experiment

[droy1958]

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.

I have so much to learn about pipe tobacco..I'm still trying to learn to pack a bowl properly right now.....

[c.ortiz108]

Thanks Wayne.

What I'm finding on my end.
Mixture "C" is closest to settled. Mixture "B" is more evolved than "A" and "D" that I suspect will take the longest to arrive.

Yes, I have two "G" samples, the package just arrived...Pete I'll pm you my correct address. Good thing I live in a small town

Received Mixture G today - thanks, Wayne. There was also a sample of "No Idea." ???

[OnePyroTec]

You are welcome Chico.

There is no real name for that extra sample blend I sent. I mixed it up a while ago and next to the ingredients I scribbled no clue because I had no clue what to call it. Try it, hope ya like it.

[c.ortiz108]

You are welcome Chico.

There is no real name for that extra sample blend I sent. I mixed it up a while ago and next to the ingredients I scribbled no clue because I had no clue what to call it. Try it, hope ya like it.

Cool, thanks! Looking forward to trying it.

[GWBowman]

In the last week I've smoked three bowls of Ep in three different pipes. The jar note is light sweetness, and sometimes I thing a little dried fruit. As I smoke, the bowl always starts out just sweet. As it goes, it a pepper/spice starts early to maybe half way in. From time to time, a little dried fruit came through in the first two bowls, but not the last one. It ends with a combo of sweet, tangy, and spice. I want to say this tobacco is still changing a little. It is a very enjoyable blend.

[Alligator Gar]

Just a couple of quick observations here. I rolled A-D up tight and put it down for a nap a few weeks back. Today I did a little test run. Didn't do tasting notes, just recall some lasting impressions several hours later.

A Still not to my liking, never will be. Smells great in the bag. Smokes bright and sour like an underripe orange. Tongue burn and dry mouth. I would eventually like to know the blend so I can avoid it in the future.

B This one is starting to come around. Nutty with a little citrus, great tin note that carries into the burn. Fruit is in the next room, flavor darkens as the bowl progresses. Nice body, could easily be an all day smoke. Flavors are merging to good effect. Eminently smokable.

C I know this one is tasty so I'm hoarding it. Did not smoke today!

D Got to it tonight. I like what it tastes like. Interplay of light and dark tobacco going on here. Maybe a white burley and lemon VA and some unflavored VA Cavendish along with some dark fired Old Kentuck. Not a blend my palate is familiar with, lending a certain intrigue to the experience. I think this could be a good one to put in the rotation. I think I like it.

Seminole Red Now we're talking. Flavors are melded and I don't think it's done improving, either. Closer to what I envisioned: sweet, dark, smokey and fruity with an oriental tang. Not there yet, may never be there, but flavor is cohesive and it is harder to pick out the constituents. It's a smoke that any VA lover would jump on.

Outdoor Incense See tasting note for C above.

I'm going to put some D in the "try meer" and add as an edit tonight.

@NeverBend Think of the joy in the hearts of boys across the country every time they delve into another blend. You're doing God's work--keep it up if you can! PS, dropped the Barling and snapped the stem at the shank. My heart sunk. I'll try to extract and glue her tomorrow.

[GWBowman]

@NeverBend , the Latakia in the blend you made for me has stepped back a little and is in the right place, a supporting role. I was wondering if a little Bright Virginia would give it a slight lift in flavor, without making it burn too hot, giving opportunity to bite. Would like to hear your thoughts on that.


Saw a tin of Deerstalker online listed for $140. Looks like it sold quickly. That's quite a testimony to you craftsmanship.

[Lostmason]

Pete @NeverBend , After giving it a little time and smoking a few bowls,I'm thinking if we could cut the burley by 5gr and increase the Red Ribbon by 5gr it would give it more lasting flavor.Mahap,have to go to a 10gr switch to really bring out the taste though. As to the other blends,The Professor and Einstien, I really like the Einstien.The flavor and feel of the smoke is just what the doctor ordered for making the stress of the days go away,better than rum !

Matthew

[Alligator Gar]

[OnePyroTec]

@NeverBend , the Latakia in the blend you made for me has stepped back a little and is in the right place, a supporting role. I was wondering if a little Bright Virginia would give it a slight lift in flavor, without making it burn too hot, giving opportunity to bite. Would like to hear your thoughts on that.


Saw a tin of Deerstalker online listed for $140. Looks like it sold quickly. That's quite a testimony to you craftsmanship.

Hey George, if you like Virginias I can send you a taste of Deerstalker. LMK

- - - Updated - - -
@NeverBend Pete, as far as I'm concerned there is no need to make any changes to the special blend you sent. I like it just the way it is, thank you!