recommendations please

[kitobi]

Hi all

well I have been reading an awful lot and ordered so many samplers its just unreal, I'm still looking for that special "holy grail", in a tobacco blend that is to be my aromatic go to.

currently I have taken some bland vanilla tobacco and added my own toppings of specialist flavour oils in dark double choc and mint that produces a rich divine smoke that is flavourful, although its not strong I can detect the dark chocolate instantly, the mint is like a steam train through your sinuses, but it does become more subdued near the end, but never really disappears.

so far anything shop bought just isn't hitting that mark or any mark TBH, there are some really nice tobacco blends out there that I have tried that are unflavoured and some of those ill revisit again in regular rotation, but not a single aromatic that has come close.

every tobacco states " a light topping" that half the time no one can detect let alone identify. but they are charging an extra whack for flavour that is totally invisible to the smoker, I close my eyes when trying a new blend and think if I was blindfolded could I identify the topping or flavor profile, only one came a bit close and that was Mc Baren cube silver.

I know you gentlemen and ladies have tried more blends than I could shake a large stick at, so can you guys recommend a well flavoured/topped tobacco that actually tastes of what is advertised? not a vague hint or a mild suggestion be that grape (staying topical lol), fruit toppings/rum/ whisky/cherry or anything really

andy

 

[Brewdude]

Check this thread out. It's a sticky near the top of this forum-

http://brothersofbriar.forumotion.com/t31593-the-great-best-of-the-best-of-the-best-aromatic-project


You're welcome!




Cheers,

RR

 

[kitobi]

lol I did read that sticky a few weeks ago, and revisited it again now, it demonstrates my question perfectly

there are lots of quotes throughout also used such as Very mild aroma in the bag. Very mild flavors on lighting, topped with a subtle vanilla flavor, mild cocoa aromas from it...but that could be the vanilla and spice mix etc etc. so its telling me which ones to avoid.

even your good self said on one Lane RLP-6. It has a really excellent pouch aroma. I wish that carried over more into the smoke, this is what I'm asking recommendations for which ones do?

I don't want mild flavour that may/may not be from the tobacco or the topping I want flavour that smacks you so hard in the face your needing a plastic surgeon to redo your nose.. ok mild exaggeration but you get my drift, there's a trend in flavours for them to be so subtle, hardly there, and depending on your palette almost invisible

which ones are 100% right on the money no quibble what they state ?

andy

 

[JimInks]

Here are a few:

Sutliff: Chocolate Supreme, Vanilla Royale, Rum and Maple, Vanilla Custard, Black Cordial, Queen Anne's Revenge, Hot Chocolate, Dutch Masters Whiskey Cavendish.

McClelland: Pal o Mine (peach), Chocolate Silk.

Super Value: Bourbon Whiskey.

Smokers Pride: Rum, Whiskey.

Pipeworks & Wike: Rumcake, #515.

Peter Stokkebye: Black Coffee, Peaches and Cream.

Milan: Cherry Velvet, Virginia Pride.

MacBaren: Amphora Full Aroma. The Cube and Halberg series.

 

[Ozark Wizard]

OK, these I know deliver both ways:

Lane Very Cherry. Dammit if it ain't so!

Dan Tobacco Devil's Holiday. Fruit and vanilla, guaranteed.

McClelland M95. (Dark Cherry Cordial) Winners on both ends of the pipe.

Mac Baren Modern Virginia. More subtle than the formers, but no rip off.

Rattray Bagpiper's Dream. Sweet boozy, very nice.

That's about it off the top of my head. Lemme know if you're curious, try before you buy, right?

 

[AJ]

You might do well by sending a PM to DrT999 and get him to tell you about Lakeland Tobacco. He's our expert on Lakelands and it may be that you could find what you're looking for in that type of tobacco. Then again they not be for you. Dr T was the one who introduced them to me and I can't thank him enough for his guidance and help. I believe however, that you may find like so many of us that there isn't "one" tobacco that will be supreme. Looking for Nirvana is part of what pipe smoking is all about. Just remember that pipe smoking is based on an individual's likes and dislikes. You are that individual so make sure you decide what you like and don't like. Just because I like it or don't like doesn't mean you can't have a different opinion. Smoke what you like and like what you smoke and don't be afraid to try it all.

BTW if you like Butterscotch you might try Scotty's Trout Stream from P&C or if you prefer to shop with 4Noggins they have Trout Stream under their label. I can't tell that there's any difference between the two. Trout Stream in my opinion is one of the best aromatics on the market. It's great by itself and it mixes well with other blends to add a bit of sweetness. Good luck in your search.

AJ

 

[Richard Burley]

Paladin Black Cherry.

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[kitobi]

thank you gents, that's excellent and exactly what I was looking for,

plenty there for me to research and see what's available to me.

been reading sooo many reviews etc. recently that they all blur after a while


Andy

 

[ftrplt]

I'm not a big aro guy; however, I do like these:

G&H Bob's Chocolate Flake,

SG Mayor's Chocolate Flake,

P&W Rumcake,

Any of J.M. 29 aromatics! I particularly enjoy his Premium Burley and Pennsylvania Dutch Treat.

Best of luck in your search/s,

:cheers: FTRPLT

 

[Puff Daddy]

I've been down the rabbit hole several times, searching in vain for an aromatic that tastes like it smells, tastes like tobacco as well, and has some strength to it (meaning it's not a pile of steaming marshmallow fluff that barely resembles tobacco and is only enjoyable to the others in the room). Take that very small list of succesful aromatics and pare it down further to those blends where the added flavoring also works extremely well with the tobacco base and isn't just a novelty kind of thing, but something I'd actually smoke happily on a regular basis.

The short list:

McClelland 2000 Fragrant Matured Cake
Uhle's Perfection Plug
Bobs Chocolate Flake
GL Pease Barbary Coast

 

[Old Nate]

Whoa, PD that's a short list... But I am inclined to believe you bc I have yet to find an aromatic I care for that much.

 

[Psmith]

If its a quality aro you are after I would recommend the following MacBaren Flakes: Vanilla Cream, Mixture, or Navy Flake. Quality flakes in which the aromatic toppings actually come through in the smoke and taste nice and you can aways depend on the top notch consistency and quality of MacBarens. No fuss with MacBaren flakes...ever. Gotta puff em slow though to avoid any bite and get the full flavors though.

Cheers!

 

[kitobi]

thank you guys, your response as always is inspired and useful. I'm still researching and I have a few queries with a excellent tobacconist here in the Uk called McGahey who specialises in hard to get blends and he's only 50 miles away.

hit a few brick walls as various brands rename not only themselves but their tobaccos also dependent on where in the world you are. sutliff does not exist in the UK but mac barren does which own Altadis USA. so the brands you know and love are renamed in the uk.. weird practice but there you go.

thank you for your diligent responses apart from you Richard, paladin black cherry really?? lol I have read the horror stories

as always in thankful appreciation

andy

 

[Blackhorse]

Yeah, I think you're ready for some Lakeland blends...Gawith to be specific.

Broken Flake No. 7

There are several Gawith flavor categories, and I'm not so good at defining them. Some are the breath of angels while some are like dead bubblegum horses lying by the road for a week. So I go by the "these are good" and "these suck" school. But it must be said that you have to watch your strength levels. Some will buzz you quite significantly, being many orders of magnitude above any aro out there. Dark Flake & Plug and it's neighbors are dangerous as are most any Twisted, Rope or Bogey or Pigtail. These are quite literally ER in strength. Beware.

Now I prefer a floral scent/flavor. Some Gawiths are exceedingly strong in that regard while some are more moderate. I think overall that Broken Flake Number 7 has the best balance of underlying tobacco flavor, added floral top flavor, good physical properties (easy to work with, burns well, etc.). It is very approachable. And it's available from most vendors, most of the time.

Try that one. If you like it, and the floral thing, go further. Some guys hate the Lakeland experience. Some guys are so so to it. Some absolutely crave it. Lots and lots of guys try it and think it's weird, the floral and spice bouquet thing...but it grows on you. I think what really defines it is not just the intense scents but the full tobacco flavors that those scents ride...the solid foundation underneath. Super quality.

So try Gawith Broken Flake No. 7...and may the road rise ta meet ye.

 

[Blackhorse]

BTW: approaching your hobby from the perspective of searching for the grail is a long, often frustrating and potentially very expensive process. Because...just like the supposedly actual grail...it has yet to be found by anyone! I think, and yes there are those weak minded souls that might disagree, that one's thirst for the ideal blend will always ever so slightly outpace what one has in hand. One's experience leads their tastes on that merry dance, always just a bit ahead. What was perfect yesterday, tastes OK today, but somehow lacks a bit tomorrow. Like the grass is greener, the tobacco is more brown over yonder.

I know of no solution to the above reality as I have suffered the syndrome for many years.

So again, good luck. You'll need it!

 

[Richard Burley]

...thank you for your diligent responses apart from you Richard, paladin black cherry really?? lol I have read the horror stories  

What? I thought you wanted something scent-dominant? PBC fits the bill--it's just that it has the unfortunate odor of some of the better grades of urinal cake.

Seriously, I would recommend Peretti's Original, if you haven't tried it. Can't imagine wanting more...ah...scent than that one. I found it quite offensive at first, but as BH states above, it grows on you. Floral, I think. Reminds me of aftershave, instead of urinal cakes.

 

[Blackhorse]

Yeah...but they're the FINEST urinal cakes!

 

[kitobi]

thank you both gents ill look at Peretti's Original and Broken Flake No. 7.

I agree blackhorse the road to the holy grail is long and winding, and maybe very hard to find lol.

but to help myself and maybe someone else new who is reading this they suddenly have somewhere to aim for instead of stabbing in the dark.

saves both time and resources by not making the same bad tobacco choices as I expect every new piper goes through, and along the way you also get to sample things that maybe would never have hit your radar if left to your own devices.

once again gentlemen I appreciate your experience and time.

Andy

 

[Stick]

Andy,

McGahey's! Oh the memores! Exeter high street!

Next time you're there try some of their house Champagne blend. I think its called Zeal Champage, a very pleasant aro that might suit.

Cheers me Janner,

Stick.

 

[kitobi]

hehe yes, it looks a little different now. with the new legislation that all tobacco products are hidden from view they have blacked out windows and a big " adults only" sign.

still a fantastic tobacconist when I get the opportunity to get up there

http://www.exeterexpressandecho.co.uk/mcgahey-s-tobacconist-given-sex-shop-makeover/story-26206811-detail/story.html