Virginias are often used as the base tobacco in blends, but they are smoked “straight” as well. Straight Virginias undergo changes in flavor as they age, similar to fine wines. Lighter in body than Oriental blends, they have a subtle complexity of flavor that makes them a favorite of many experienced smokers. Pipe Tobacco A good aromatic tobacco is lightly topped with a natural flavoring. Aromatics tend to be more moist than non-aromatics due to the flavoring added, which can lead to problems smoking them. In the case of a moist or wet blend, problems can also be avoided if care is taken in the preparation of the tobacco.
Heating tobacco that you like is not a good idea, as it will change the character of the blend. Blenders do it in specifically controlled ways – stoving, panning, steaming – to alter the characteristics of the leaf before, and sometimes after blending. But, if you like the way the tobacco “comes together” now, you may be less than happy if you nuke it.
While the latakia is there, its not really apparent until I slow down and sip and savor the flavor this one has to offer. Although latakia is why I ordered it, I was not at all disappointed. This blend really showcased for me what latakia can do in Pipe Tobacco in Bags the background, and it was the first to do that. You can still taste it, but the rest of the smoke is so creamy-smooth that you wouldn’t want to drown it out. My tour didn’t stop at Bag End, but definitely took a different route after the visit.
Striking the match, the magical properties of the blend’s true character soon reveal themselves. Categorizing this flair, a deep, dense, and highly complex string of flavorful notes strike the principal chords of Bag End’s gentle melody. This lovely tune resounds consistently to the completion of the smoking session.
Cigarette companies snap up most of the Turkish leaf production, and the remainder is made into a generic Turkish blend. This is the Oriental tobacco (often referred to as “basma”) that one finds either in bulk, or in ready-made blends. Oriental tobacco plants characteristically have a great deal of small leaves. The finished product ranges in color from yellow to brown, and is strongly aromatic. Its smell is reminiscent of used horse bedding, which could possibly explain why it’s often mixed with Latakia.
I am excited to age this blend for a couple of months and see how it develops. Ignoring a great many factors (such as climate, soil, and time of harvest), the color of a VA relates to its sugar content. Tobacco that is cured longer (and is thus darker in color) will be less sweet than a tobacco cured quickly. This one offers a more authentic taste of American-grown tobacco for more seasoned smokers. Two minty kinds of pipe tobacco are available from Good Stuff. There’s no lingering aftertaste with this one’s intense, authentic menthol flavor.