Blending Experiment

[GWBowman]

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

That would be great, Wayne. Thanks you very much.

[c.ortiz108]

Pete, @NeverBend , just had my 3rd bowl of my version of Double Bass and what was initially really interesting and unique is now a little boring and uneventful. I don't know if it's just me, or if it's having an aeration period or what. There's also something sharp and almost sour going on, and I'm wondering if there's too much Smyrna. And there's something that I'm finding a little irritating to my sinuses, maybe the Kentucky. Or maybe one of the components that made your A blend kind of cigarette-like?

Anyway, I'm wondering if we decrease the Smyrna and remove the Kentucky altogether, and make up the balance with some Black Cavendish, maybe that'll smooth things out, reduce the sharpness, and add more depth? I'll smoke your version of the blend soon and see if I can make some more productive comparisons.

I actually went to smoke some this the other day and I couldn't believe how different it was..... until i realized I'd accidentally grabbed the jar of your C mixture instead!

[Alligator Gar]

Pete, @NeverBend , just had my 3rd bowl of my version of Double Bass and what was initially really interesting and unique is now a little boring and uneventful. I don't know if it's just me, or if it's having an aeration period or what. There's also something sharp and almost sour going on, and I'm wondering if there's too much Smyrna. And there's something that I'm finding a little irritating to my sinuses, maybe the Kentucky. Or maybe one of the components that made your A blend kind of cigarette-like?

Anyway, I'm wondering if we decrease the Smyrna and remove the Kentucky altogether, and make up the balance with some Black Cavendish, maybe that'll smooth things out, reduce the sharpness, and add more depth? I'll smoke your version of the blend soon and see if I can make some more productive comparisons.

I actually went to smoke some this the other day and I couldn't believe how different it was..... until i realized I'd accidentally grabbed the jar of your C mixture instead!

We need to start the marketing and packaging for C. I'll write copy if somebody can concentrate on the tin art.

[Emperor Zurg]

Regarding the blend(s) to be eventually known as English Springer…
I've let them rest a while to see where they would go. I'm still not sure which is 'my' formula and which one is Pete's take on it. I need to go back through my emails to find out. I actually have a hard time calling either of them 'my creation' because I really don't have much of a clue about tobacco blending and without Pete's help I'd be just as well off crumbling up oak leaves from the back yard.

But for now…

The unpressed sample (not in a baggie) has taken on a very nice citrus flavor that wasn't there much at first. The flavor to me reminds me of orange zest like you'd put in marmalade. It's also sweet - especially at first, although the sweetness does fade throughout the bowl. There's an enjoyable creaminess and smokiness as well and a fleeting toffee like flavor that comes thru in wisps occasionally. I don't pick up the toffee flavor in every bowl but it's there from time to time and I like it when I find it. There is just a bit of pepper coming through as the bowl burns down but not a lot.The flavor pretty much stays at what I'd describe as ‘creamy, smoky orange’ from start to finish with the only change being the gradual decrease in sweetness and a little increasing pepper. It's a little monochromatic in that regard but still very enjoyable and almost exactly what I was looking for.

The pressed sample (in the baggie) that was better at first has taken second place. It's not as citrusy as it was at first - which makes sense since there quite a bit less bright Virgina, percentage wise than in the previously mentioned sample. Actually, it's probably just as citrusy as it was, but the citrus has really come out in the other sample and hasn't in this one. There was a very nice, baking-spice-of-some-kind in this one at first but I can't find that at all now. (I can't identify this spice but it's there in a lot of English blends and I like it.) The flavor is still sweet, creamy and mildly smoky like the unpressed sample but the citrus is diluted in this one. Regardless, smoking this sample with a cup of coffee is very nice; it pairs very well.

[Lostmason]

Pete sends his regards and us tied up a bit.Remember him and his Mrs in our prayers.

[GWBowman]

Today, while squatted down in front of my tobacco cabinet, my eye is drawn to some jars, labeled with dates from fall 2015 and a letter of the alphabet. I've just lit a bowl of "D" in a Dr. Grabow. The jar note is exceptionally and naturally sweet. The smoke taste light and tangy with a coy sweetness. This is a very enjoyable tobacco that burns well and puts out a nice amount of smoke.

If anyone knows how @NeverBend is doing, or has knowledge of what tobaccos these actually are, it would be much appreciated. I hope Pete is doing well, and still enjoy reading some of his old post.

[BryGuySC]

I've been thinking about Pete a lot over the past couple months. Not wanting to push the bounds of decency, I have done some internet searching for him, but found nothing recent.
I'd also really like to know how he and his wife are doing.

[Lostmason]

I believe there is one of our boys here that has Pete's PN.I too would
like to hears some news. I miss his insight and instruction.

[Emperor Zurg]

I looked up his phone number once. It wasn't hard to find since I know his last name and the town he lives in. But there was no answer when I called. I sent emails and he hasn't replied to those either. IDK what gives.

[Branzig]

Add me to the many who have reached out to Pete in multiple ways with no reply.

It's unfortunate. I built a very strong relationship with the man.

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