Blending Experiment

[NeverBend]

A few months ago I asked for intrepid volunteers from the site to shell out some cash to participate in a tobacco blending experiment. They had faith in me that I hope has been warranted.

At first it was to sample some of my mixtures but a wrinkle was added where the participants conceived and then created their own custom formula.

It's a lot of work so the number of participants was limited. We've gone through two rounds of samples with another round anticipated.

@Chico.Ortiz108, @EmperorZurg, @BryGuySC , @GWBowman , @OnePyroTec , @AlligatorGar, @Lostmason are the primary participants and @JimInks and @cpmcdill have also been sent a few samples. Sorry that I can't accommodate any more.

This thread is for the discussion of this blending experiment.

I asked the guys to conceptualize and state what they would like. Everyone described their intentions and in most cases I blended their formula and then created my take on what they asked for so that there were 2 custom samples. Everyone names their mixtures and gets the blending formula. To those who have not yet received their custom mixtures, pardons, they will be forthcoming.

I've been attempting to recreate some of the old Elephant & Castle mixtures and a couple of semi-aromatics that I used to make many years ago but some new mixtures have presented themselves during the process.

My mixtures - samples sent:
Blood Meridian
Red Ronnett's Sonnett
Tomas Hariot
Brave New World (E&C New World)
Cromwell (E&C)
The Professor (semi-aromatic)
Einstein (semi-aromatic)

My mixtures still in development:
The Stout (E&C)
The Roanoke (E&C)

Your comments, questions and feedback are most appreciated.

Regards,

Pete

[Lostmason]

Well it looks as though I get to start, Pete, @NeverBend , Your skills are amazing.If I lived closer you'ld be kicking me out
so you could get work done.

Autumn Breakfast, the blend you made for me is everything I had expected and more. The toasted nut and light citrus twang with
just a hint of spice to keep it fresh are a wonderfull light smoke to start the day.The flavors carry and seem to enhance as the
burn gets deeper and makes for a delightful expierience.

Your version has a more full bodied flavor with the spice coming through more, I like it just as much but for a different time of day.
This would be a blend I would enjoy more after work when I need something stronger to cut thru the stress of the day.The burley
and virginias are a bit harder to distinguish with the izmur coming to the top.I've bottled it and will get some lemon waters/teas and
try it again after a few days.

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.

Thank you for this opportunity, I'm learning so much more than I ever would have on my own.

Matt

[AndyCAYP]

Sounds like Pete's work needs to be more widely available.

Just sayin'...

[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.

[c.ortiz108]

Tried both A and B today. I found that @Alligator Gar 's comments about D to be pretty relevant to A, actually. Otherwise, it gave off lots of smoke, which I like, but I found it to be almost cigarette-like. The smoke seemed dry somehow, like burning leaves (non-tobacco leaves) or paper. It seemed harsh to me, and though it didn't bite it kind of irritated my throat and sinuses. I don't know if that's Burley or the specific combination of ingredients or what. I'll give it some down time and try it again, but so far this one is not for me.

B on the other hand I found immensely enjoyable! Nice rich VA flavors, and it just seemed to get better and better, and more complex as I made my way down the bowl. A figgy fruitiness, a distinct floral quality about halfway through, and a surprising hint of mustard on occasion (or maybe I'm just weird). I'm guessing there's Perique in there because there's also some pepper. It smoked smooth and easy and left hardly any dottle. A very nice smoke.

Pete, will you reveal identities and basic components once everyone has weighed in?

Looking forward to progressing on to C and D!

[Alligator Gar]

Tried both A and B today. I found that @Alligator Gar 's comments about D to be pretty relevant to A, actually. Otherwise, it gave off lots of smoke, which I like, but I found it to be almost cigarette-like. The smoke seemed dry somehow, like burning leaves (non-tobacco leaves) or paper. It seemed harsh to me, and though it didn't bite it kind of irritated my throat and sinuses. I don't know if that's Burley or the specific combination of ingredients or what. I'll give it some down time and try it again, but so far this one is not for me.

B on the other hand I found immensely enjoyable! Nice rich VA flavors, and it just seemed to get better and better, and more complex as I made my way down the bowl. A figgy fruitiness, a distinct floral quality about halfway through, and a surprising hint of mustard on occasion (or maybe I'm just weird). I'm guessing there's Perique in there because there's also some pepper. It smoked smooth and easy and left hardly any dottle. A very nice smoke.

Pete, will you reveal identities and basic components once everyone has weighed in?

Looking forward to progressing on to C and D!

B had a bright, hay start with a little citrus. Might be a VaPer, might be a straight VA mix with maybe a little KY. Too lively for my tastes, but again, no bite and clean burn. Burns hot in the bowl, but it's pretty dry. Eminently smokeable.

[c.ortiz108]

B had a bright, hay start with a little citrus. Might be a VaPer, might be a straight VA mix with maybe a little KY. Too lively for my tastes, but again, no bite and clean burn. Burns hot in the bowl, but it's pretty dry. Eminently smokeable.

I did smoke it straight after A, so that might have made me miss things. I'll try it with a fresh palate next time.

[Lynn]

dang ya guy's just had to do that postin thing....now ya had me reddin an reddin ..whatca tryin to do keep me busy reddin...

[Alligator Gar]

I did smoke it straight after A, so that might have made me miss things. I'll try it with a fresh palate next time.

Try C tomorrow. She's pick of the litter. Enjoying a bowl right now.