Aromatic blends for non-aromatic smokers

[Pipe Organist]

I just dug out an old Caminetto KS Business 147 from my collection to smoke. I haven't smoked this pipe in years and the moment I put it to my mouth (with the pipe cold and empty) I could taste the ghost of an aromatic blend my brother and I had come up with, made by combining several different Tinder Box aromatics. I was a more indiscriminate smoker in those days and loved English and aromatic blends equally.

The pipe was in need of a more significant reaming than I first thought, but with that job done I've loaded the pipe with MB Dark Twist Roll Cake, which has a sweetness all it's own, but the ghost of the old aromatic is making me crave the old blend we'd come up with.

So, the question is this: does anyone know of a mild, middle of the road aromatic (preferably tinned and from one of the major blenders) that could be enjoyed by an otherwise avid, dare I say exclusive, non-aromatic smoker?

[Dzrtrat]

I to am not an aro smoker, however, I picked up a sample of SG's Firedance Flake and I would have to say I was impressed.
Samuel Gawith - Firedance Flake pipe tobacco reviews

[Reverie Forest]

I'm a fan of McClelland's Virginia Woods (thanks RJ)

[Requiem]

Originally Posted by Dzrtrat

I to am not an aro smoker, however, I picked up a sample of SG's Firedance Flake and I would have to say I was impressed.
Samuel Gawith - Firedance Flake pipe tobacco reviews

Same here. Firedance looks like BBF with a very tolerable, light casing.
I also have a tin of SG's Kendall Cream Flake I'll pop soon, although I'm not sure if it can be regarded as an aromatic.

[dmkerr]

Originally Posted by Pipe Organist

I just dug out an old Caminetto KS Business 147 from my collection to smoke. I haven't smoked this pipe in years and the moment I put it to my mouth (with the pipe cold and empty) I could taste the ghost of an aromatic blend my brother and I had come up with, made by combining several different Tinder Box aromatics. I was a more indiscriminate smoker in those days and loved English and aromatic blends equally.

The pipe was in need of a more significant reaming than I first thought, but with that job done I've loaded the pipe with MB Dark Twist Roll Cake, which has a sweetness all it's own, but the ghost of the old aromatic is making me crave the old blend we'd come up with.

So, the question is this: does anyone know of a mild, middle of the road aromatic (preferably tinned and from one of the major blenders) that could be enjoyed by an otherwise avid, dare I say exclusive, non-aromatic smoker?

Your request should be simple, but it isn't. Here are three aromatics I smoke on occasion:

Hearth & Home Classic Burley Cake - nothing like Lane's 1Q or Grandpa's Country Cherry Chocolate Banana Surprise. Very natural lightly flavored high quality burley blend.

McClellands Oriental Cavendish - Light black cavendish on the order of BCA but not as heavily flavored and nowhere near as goopy. A whisper of added oriental tobacco for spice.

Larsen's Old Fashioned (the only tinned product of the three) - More along the lines of a standard B&M aromatic but still nowhere near as goopy.

Those are three aromatics and are very different from one another and also different from what you bought at the Tinderbox. Point being is that even aromatics are getting the nuance treatment from major blenders. It's not all like the Grandpa's blend mentioned above.

So which aromatic style are you searching for?

[Abraxas]

I would say Samuel Gawith's Kendal Cream Flake, its not much of an aromatic, it has loads of virginia sweetness topped with slight creamy coffee-ish flavour. And it has a potent nicotie kick as well.

I also like Mac Baren Navy Flake, it has lots of subtle flavouring agents, rum, apricot, some fruity aromas and mac baren flavoured cavendish. I smoke this in aromatics pipe and IMO the ghosts from previous aromatic blends do not interfere.

[dajones]

Topic is aro for the non-aro smoker... and folks cough up... FIREDANCE???

Now look: I like the stuff, but it is some of the most powerful-smelling 'baccy out there (IMO, natch').

Yes, yes, the *taste* is more subtle, but the big ole cloud o vapor that'll be hanging around you can be too much even for WIVES!

/criticism (and please, take it in the good nature it was intended)

Recommendations include, e.g., my local fave: LJ Peretti. Their blends are all "old school." Even their aromatics do not mask the tobacco flavor. Many of their aro's are not like today's, what with casings and toppings and sauces, but with add'l "secret ingredients" (a la "put THAT in your pipe and smoke it!"), including deer tongue and other herbals.

Some examples from their classic American Burley collection:

BLEND No. 100: A medium strength, slow burning, cool and aromatic blend of delightful flavor and aroma.


BLEND No. 101: A remarkable blend of high-quality imported and domestic tobaccos with an Irish aromatic tobacco added.


BLEND No. 102: A very mild and slightly sweet aromatic blend of unusual fragrance and flavor. Smokes cool and dry.


Check 'em out at http://ljperetti.com/Tobacco/Peretti...ey/burley.html

[Dzrtrat]

Originally Posted by Pipe Organist

So, the question is this: does anyone know of a mild, middle of the road aromatic (preferably tinned and from one of the major blenders) that could be enjoyed by an otherwise avid, dare I say exclusive, non-aromatic smoker?

Originally Posted by dajones

Topic is aro for the non-aro smoker... and folks cough up... FIREDANCE???

Topic was understood...I'm a VaPor, Heavy English, Balkan smoker. Firedance is one Aro that I do like that doesn't taste like ass when you smoke it. Taste is subjective therefore I can only suggest what appeals to me.

[Mad Hatter]

Pipe smokers have an on-going debate as to what makes a tobacco an aromatic. Some say anything containing cavendish, some say anything with a topping, others say anything that smells like they don't think tobacco naturally smells and others say its all about an artificial smell. I would assume that since you used to smoke Tinderbox blends, you're talking about the last one of that list.

Solani Red Label is like the classic aromatic cavendish and comes in a tin. MacBaren has Vanilla Cream, Ambrosia, Cherry and some other straight aros and there are others who tin aromatic tobacco but I don't know them. You should just shop around and buy some tins.

[DubintheDam]

McConnells Red Virginia and Peterson's Sherlock Holmes (equally Uni Flake) are what I always describe as semi-aromatics and as such might suit both aro and non-aro smokers.

[SailorJack]

My suggestion is Fincks Golden Cavendish. Made by Stokkebye for Fincks it is listed as a non-aromatic. I don't think the Danes are capable of making a blend without some level of flavoring. Anyway this blend is an all gold colored blend with thankfully none of the black stuff. I don't think there is any topping but the treatment of the tobaccos gives one the impression that it might be aromatic. Whatever the case this stuff is not weak , tastes great , smells even better and no bite. Plus this blend is absolutely dirt cheap. This blend has something for everyone. Great natural tobacco taste for normally aromatic smokers and a great change of pace for English and Va/Per set. I smoke mostly Virginias and Va/Pers and I love this stuff. Can be smoked heavily without boredom.