Blending Experiment

[Alligator Gar]

I have smoked all four samples. I am now on my second pass of C and D samples.
I like C very much and would reach for it as part of my rotation. It smells great in the bag. Has lots of VA and a darker tasting tobacco, maybe a Perique and a pinch of Lat. Balanced and transitional, moving from a bright citrus twang to a lower thrum as the bowl progresses. Hallmark of Pete's tobacco is the clean, dry burn. I really like the cut of the leaves, much like my signature blends. A little chunky, leaf is distinct and I believe that aids the flavor bumps I crave.

Blend D is a bit of a mystery to me. It may be a VaBur and might have some Kentucky. Or not. It tastes "tobacco-y" which is a hallmark of Burley, in my limited experience. It has a little kick and a more sour note. It goes out a couple times, which is rare in my case since I'm a fast smoker. The retrohale is pungent and not super enjoyable. No bite, another hallmark of Pete's work. Tastes the same going in as going out, would be okay if you were working and didn't want to be distracted. I'd rather be distracted.

So far, I'd love a tin of C with about a year on it. The only better blend so far is my Outdoor Incense, which is an Oriental forward bombshell. That stuff is money!

[NeverBend]

Sample "A" has a wonderful pouch note, but the smoke seemed airy and flavorless, hence the thread on dampened palette. So before
I go further I will be first trying to correct my issue with a little time and some lemon teas.

Hi Matt,

Tobacco mixtures or cigars can taste fine when first blended but then lose flavor for a while, so it may not be you. Mixture A is on the subtle side anyway so it might be more distinct in a briar rather than a cob. Please give it a try in a few days and, beating the dead horse, mix it up.

I have smoked all four samples. I am now on my second pass of C and D samples.
I like C very much and would reach for it as part of my rotation. It smells great in the bag. Has lots of VA and a darker tasting tobacco, maybe a Perique and a pinch of Lat. Balanced and transitional, moving from a bright citrus twang to a lower thrum as the bowl progresses. Hallmark of Pete's tobacco is the clean, dry burn. I really like the cut of the leaves, much like my signature blends. A little chunky, leaf is distinct and I believe that aids the flavor bumps I crave.

Blend D is a bit of a mystery to me. It may be a VaBur and might have some Kentucky. Or not. It tastes "tobacco-y" which is a hallmark of Burley, in my limited experience. It has a little kick and a more sour note. It goes out a couple times, which is rare in my case since I'm a fast smoker. The retrohale is pungent and not super enjoyable. No bite, another hallmark of Pete's work. Tastes the same going in as going out, would be okay if you were working and didn't want to be distracted. I'd rather be distracted.

So far, I'd love a tin of C with about a year on it. The only better blend so far is my Outdoor Incense, which is an Oriental forward bombshell. That stuff is money!

Mixture C is a finished blend (final version).

Mixture D may have some of the effect that I mentioned to Matt above and both A & D (not the ointment) could use some time as they share some similar components. I've tried A with age and it's much better but haven't had aged D.

Glad that you like the Outdoor Incense. I blend with smyrna, izmir and macedonian (not always together) and I'm getting the feel of balancing them. The macedonian looks tiny (leaves) and harmless but it's the most potent of the three.