Strong virginia flake?

[keen smoke]

You realize you look like a pompous ass every time you post **** like that, right? I mean seriously?

It comes with the territory.

Been doing it since 1970.

What you think of me today is not concern.

What you think of me when you're 50 is.

When you're 20-something, you know everything.

:face:

um, OK...

:face:

 

[monbla256]

I can't help but read this thread and think to myself...

Burley, casings, etc. WHO CARES. Union Square sucks, sorry. I like a lot of GLP blends but US was some of the worst **** I ever put in a pipe.

If that's what 100% pure Virginia tastes like, you can keep it, and I'll be content to count the blessings that have allowed pipe tobacco to evolve past grow it, cure it, put it in a package to a point where it actually tastes good.

That's what the situation is when you're educating people. It comes with the territory.

You realize you look like a pompous ass every time you post **** like that, right? I mean seriously?

You need to listen to Yak. HE KNOWS EVERYTHING about all these tobaccos. When he says a tobacco has no casing and no Burley he has PROOF and should be listened to ! I have been so ignorant over these past 40+ years of pipe smoking not to realize that EVERYTHING I have smoked has Burley in it :roll: :twisted:

 

[MisterE]

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Keen, keep it clean, capish? Thanks.

You guys are reacting like your sister just came home with a boyfriend with the wrong skin color. :lol: It's likely, from what I understand, Burley exists in many blends we wouldn't know about. There's a decided lack of ingredients on our tobacco tins, and there's a reason: blend secrets. It's been that way for years and years, to my understanding. Sure, there might be suggestions as to what "feature" tobaccos one can expect certain nuance and flavor, but they just aren't going to tell you exactly what's in there. Greg Pease might (and has) but won't tell you the amounts. Do you ask the metallurgy results of the bolts holding your car together? No, you just want it to run. When it does, you're happy.

Question: does your tobacco taste good? Awesome, keep smoking it. Love it for what it is. Don't like it? Find something else. If you don't believe something, that's cool, too. This isn't personal. It's just the Internet, kids.

8)

 

[jpbergeron]

"Our talk must only be of Benedick.
When I do name him, let it by thy part
To praise him more than ever man did merit:
My talk to thee must be how Benedick
Is sick in love with Beatrice. Of this matter
Is little Cupid's crafty arrow made,
That only wounds by hearsay."

I just wanted to throw my .02 into this tenth grade rendition of "Much Ado About Nothing". Jeez.
Wait, I got it - "To Burley, or not to Burley, that is the question".
Ah shoot, that's Hamlet. Never mind.

 

[jpbergeron]

(stage right - aside) I agree with with Keen, even though he is only twenty or so and doesn't think like a fifty year old. Astley's 44 is a nice stout Virginia Flake, I think. Maybe it's burley, who's to say

 

[s.ireland]

As usual it surprises me when someone who really dislikes the discussion at hand feels the need to chime in...

I'm just curious about tobacco blending so I enjoy discussing it and reading about it.

To support Kyle's last post, it's true that very few blenders actually give a breakdown of exactly what's in a given blend. So, to think that there isn't anything else besides what's listed on the tin is a bit naive...

Example:

"The main characteristics of this flake come from the 8% Latakia included in the blend and the smooth chocolate aroma. Brazilian, Zimbabwe and Malawi Virginia leaf make up 82% of the blend providing a mild/medium smoke cooled with the addition of 8% Malawi sun cured and 2% Malawi Burley. The Latakia cools but also adds strength and aroma. The cocoa casings and chocolate top flavors are rounded off with vanilla and other flavors providing sweet notes in this very unique and popular blend."

"Predominately Virginia leaf from Brazil, Zimbabwe and Malawi (86%) but with the addition of sun cured Malawi (10%) to add sweetness, strength and to cool the smoke and Malawi Burley (4%) to "carry the flavor" in addition to its cooling and strength qualities. A background flavor of Almond is enhanced with the addition of fruit, vanilla, and the special 'Lakeland style' flavors to give this tobacco its distinctive aroma and taste."

Gawith was gracious enough to be specific regarding the makeup of these well-known blends. Notice the small amounts of BURLEY.

Just like food companies need not include ingredients that make up less than a certain percent, tobacco blenders do not list components that make up less than a certain percent. A Virginia blend with 2-4% burley is still a Virginia blend.

So yes, monbla and others, it's possible you have been smoking burley all those 40 years. But back then there was no GLP or Russ O takin the time out of their lives to educate the masses.

40 years ago everyone thought Latakia was smoked over camel dung... I mean EVERYTHING was pretty much hearsay before the Internet... Marketing was easier too because there was no way to find out the truth

 

[jpbergeron]

As usual it surprises me when someone who really dislikes the discussion at hand feels the need to chime in...

My goodness, don't get me wrong, I love discussions about blending, I just didn't notice one here.

 

[s.ireland]

As usual it surprises me when someone who really dislikes the discussion at hand feels the need to chime in...

My goodness, don't get me wrong, I love discussions about blending, I just didn't notice one here.

Brother, I assure you that was not directed at you. After all, you weren't using profanities or getting upset over the discussion.

 

[Anonymous]

The European Union has pretty strict tobacco ingredient listing laws ; one site (in Germany ?) provides a breakdown of every tobacco sold there. People have posted from it, from time to time, to settle arguments, but not recently. It was a little too geeky-detailed to be interesting enough to bookmark. But it's definitely "out there."

:face:

 

[keen smoke]

If I upset someone over my use of "****" and "ass" (or maybe "sucks") on an adult hobby forum, I do apologize - I suppose I didn't recognize the temperature here and that simple words could be such distractions from what I was actually saying. What I was saying was basically: who cares about the exact percentages of "VA" blends? I don't, and I suspect the OP of the thread doesn't either, but I won't speak for him/her.

I'm not upset over the discussion at all. What I posted was in direct response to what I felt was a very condescending hijack of a thread that was simply meant to discuss VA blend recommendations -- regardless of what your definition of a VA blend is (I think we were going for the commonly-accepted one here). I have a distinct distaste for the throwing around of authoritative ignorance and blanket statements especially without proof to support them, and especially when they have no real relevance to the discussion at hand. Alas, I can see that makes me a "kid" around here, that's fine - I'd love to be 20 again.

Cheers

 

[Kyle Weiss]

The European Union has pretty strict tobacco ingredient listing laws ; one site (in Germany ?) provides a breakdown of every tobacco sold there. People have posted from it, from time to time, to settle arguments, but not recently. It was a little too geeky-detailed to be interesting enough to bookmark. But it's definitely "out there."

:face:

If you come across that site, I'm just geeky-detailed enough to probably enjoy it. :lol: Seriously.

If I upset someone over my use of "****" and "ass" (or maybe "sucks") on an adult hobby forum, I do apologize - I suppose I didn't recognize the temperature here and that simple words could be such distractions from what I was actually saying. What I was saying was basically: who cares about the exact percentages of "VA" blends? I don't, and I suspect the OP of the thread doesn't either, but I won't speak for him/her.

I'm not upset over the discussion at all. What I posted was in direct response to what I felt was a very condescending hijack of a thread that was simply meant to discuss VA blend recommendations -- regardless of what your definition of a VA blend is (I think we were going for the commonly-accepted one here). I have a distinct distaste for the throwing around of authoritative ignorance and blanket statements especially without proof to support them, and especially when they have no real relevance to the discussion at hand. Alas, I can see that makes me a "kid" around here, that's fine - I'd love to be 20 again.

Cheers

Being asked not to use strong language and getting upset over it is as silly as getting upset over strong language...it's a principle, you see. I think you understand that. Good. Because it's the forum rules; you choose to be here and agree with them by that choice. I love cussin' like a sailor, and can probably do so better and more directly than you, yet here I am. Everything has its place. We have an outlet for that, it's called the "Rubber Room." It's for men who can handle conversations beyond the theme of BoB.

Age 20 or not, with your language and approach, you'll get that stigma no matter what the real facts are. Tantrums are tantrums, age 20 or 65. Cussin' or no cussin'. Also, there's no shame in not making this about you...because it isn't. You might want to just let it go. We all screw up, be a man and deal with it. Just some unsolicited, friendly advice. You have many choices. Stay, leave, let it go, be cool, freak out and quit, we've seen it all here, you won't be the first or the last--you are not a unique and beautiful snowflake in that regard. Neither am I. C'est la vie.

If you're still put-off or confused, re-read this post. I won't say any more about it.

8)

 

[s.ireland]

If I upset someone over my use of "****" and "ass" (or maybe "sucks") on an adult hobby forum, I do apologize - I suppose I didn't recognize the temperature here and that simple words could be such distractions from what I was actually saying. What I was saying was basically: who cares about the exact percentages of "VA" blends? I don't, and I suspect the OP of the thread doesn't either, but I won't speak for him/her.

I'm not upset over the discussion at all. What I posted was in direct response to what I felt was a very condescending hijack of a thread that was simply meant to discuss VA blend recommendations -- regardless of what your definition of a VA blend is (I think we were going for the commonly-accepted one here). I have a distinct distaste for the throwing around of authoritative ignorance and blanket statements especially without proof to support them, and especially when they have no real relevance to the discussion at hand. Alas, I can see that makes me a "kid" around here, that's fine - I'd love to be 20 again.

Cheers

Well thread hijacking seems to be pretty normal around here lol

And I agree with you as far as "who cares?" as long as one enjoys a particular blend. But like I said before, its not about "defining" anything. Just curiosity about the art of blending. And the only reason the burley thing became the focus of my responses was because it was said that "there's no way theses blends have burley" and that WAS a statement that was thrown out with absolutely no proof. And I realize that we are all adults but I just don't think it's very gentleman-like to cuss and whatnot.

^^^well put, Kyle.

 

[keen smoke]

Being asked not to use strong language and getting upset over it is as silly as getting upset over strong language...it's a principle, you see. I think you understand that. Good.

Again, not upset at all. I didn't think I used "strong language" but you're clearly more sensitive than I am on these matters. Again you and all have my apologies for that.

Because it's the forum rules; you choose to be here and agree with them by that choice. I love cussin' like a sailor, and can probably do so better and more directly than you, yet here I am. Everything has its place. We have an outlet for that, it's called the "Rubber Room." It's for men who can handle conversations beyond the theme of BoB.

I confess I didn't read the forum rules and definitely didn't realize they define the vocabulary that was allowed here. The rubber room, huh? I'll check it out in hopes of becoming a man on the internets.

Age 20 or not, with your language and approach, you'll get that stigma no matter what the real facts are. Tantrums are tantrums, age 20 or 65. Cussin' or no cussin'.

Its a tantrum to call someone a pompous ass who is clearly being one? I see. Thanks for the tip.

Also, there's no shame in not making this about you...because it isn't. You might want to just let it go. We all screw up, be a man and deal with it. Just some unsolicited, friendly advice.

I definitely didn't want to make this about me, but felt the recent turn of the thread became about the position I took in the thread - and hence my response today. I don't think I screwed up at all, but you're welcome to your opinion of that and my manliness.

You have many choices. Stay, leave, let it go, be cool, freak out and quit, we've seen it all here, you won't be the first or the last--you are not a unique and beautiful snowflake in that regard. Neither am I. C'est la vie.

If you're still put-off or confused, re-read this post. I won't say any more about it.

8)

You're right, many choices. Its funny, what I heard around pipe circles about this forum before joining was that it was pretty good but a select few did quite a good job ruining it. C'est la vie, indeed.

 

[keen smoke]

Well thread hijacking seems to be pretty normal around here lol

And I agree with you as far as "who cares?" as long as one enjoys a particular blend. But like I said before, its not about "defining" anything. Just curiosity about the art of blending. And the only reason the burley thing became the focus of my responses was because it was said that "there's no way theses blends have burley" and that WAS a statement that was thrown out with absolutely no proof. And I realize that we are all adults but I just don't think it's very gentleman-like to cuss and whatnot.

^^^well put, Kyle.

No worries; this is often how discussions online go. I'm curious about blending as well and think there is a way to discuss it in a collaborative and helpful manner. Unfortunately, the pipe and tobacco world is full of misinformation and I've grown weary. I think it started, for me, with so many people talking authoritatively about how McClelland puts vinegar in tobacco...

Anyway, I'll bow out of this thread now - but I still recommend Astley's #44 and I'm also enjoying some GH&Co Brown Irish Twist at the moment!

 

[Kyle Weiss]

Yet here you are, trolling yourself, sticking around a place that isn't worth it. You're speaking volumes, Keen. Volumes. Keep going. PB's gonna really like you.

8)

 

[Anonymous]

I suspect your fifteen minutes of fame (or, notoreity) are about up by now.

Wanna' merge with the flow of traffic ? Fine. 8)

Not ? Also fine. 8)

:face:

 

[MisterE]

I can't help but read this thread and think to myself...

Burley, casings, etc. WHO CARES. Union Square sucks, sorry. I like a lot of GLP blends but US was some of the worst **** I ever put in a pipe.

If that's what 100% pure Virginia tastes like, you can keep it, and I'll be content to count the blessings that have allowed pipe tobacco to evolve past grow it, cure it, put it in a package to a point where it actually tastes good.

That's what the situation is when you're educating people. It comes with the territory.

You realize you look like a pompous ass every time you post **** like that, right? I mean seriously?

Seems like it goes both ways, dude. :suspect:

 

[keen smoke]

Yet here you are, trolling yourself, sticking around a place that isn't worth it. You're speaking volumes, Keen. Volumes. Keep going. PB's gonna really like you.

8)

Is it trolling to respond in defense of one's position in a disagreement -- not to mention when another calls into question ************ (lol)? I never said this place wasn't worth it; I only alluded to the fact that I had heard there were some... characters here that ruin the experience. I do see now that opposing this forum's thought leaders is in bad taste. I am happy to know my posting is DEEP for you!

One question - what/who is PB?

 

[keen smoke]

Seems like it goes both ways, dude. :suspect:

Hi there! Well, if I have been a pompous ass here, I don't take issue with you pointing it out. Apologies.