Top Sauce versus Casing

[NeverBend]

Thanks, Pete - another really interesting post. I tried a search on TR for blends with coumarin and they don't even have it as a category. Only about 10 have tonquin, and most of those are SG or GH.

What's your opinion of the K&K versions of the McConnell blends? Do they hold a candle, or even have similar flavor profiles? I've only had the Original Oriental and it's one of my favorite tobaccos so far (out of the merely dozen or so I've tried).

I was really interested to read about Elephant & Castle and your posts about it in a thread I found on another forum. Are you still blending, and do you have any recommendations that might be along the lines what E&C produced? Sounds like some pretty amazing blends!

Another reason I like latakias is that my dad smoked them, so to me it's what pipe tobacco is "supposed" to be. I've always liked smoky stuff in general, like Islay whiskies, smoked cheeses etc. My burley and VA uncertainties might be party due to being a former cigarette smoker. The VA I've enjoyed most so far was Firedance Flake, which is odd since I thought I didn't like strong aros.

(Sorry for threadjacking guys, but I wasn't sure what kind of new thread to start since we're touching on a lot of topics here - hope nobody minds).

Hi Chico,

I believe that coumarin is now banned in many (all?) consumable products and I don’t know of any tobacco manufacturer that has used it since McConnell closed their doors in 1989. Tonquin seems to be part of the Gawith (both incarnations) family recipes.

I think that Kohlhase does as good a job as they can. They’ve never had the access to the quality of leaf that McConnell obtained nor do I feel that they have the expertise. I’ve smoked perhaps 8 Kohlhase Rattrays mixtures and it seems that they work from a common base in the English/Balkans so they’re less distinct entities than what they were previously. Kohlhase appears to use a top sauce but I don’t know what it is. I like them enough to have a few pounds cellared but I won’t smoke McConnell branded mixtures because that hits home emotionally (I did love them).

I’ll bump the thread on Elephant & Castle. I did a lot of blending in the 1970s and 80s and mostly made useful blends for the store but the best were certainly E&C. Three of the seven mixtures were mine but none of them could have been made without the collaboration of Ken McConnell. I’ve dabbled with blending recently, may do some more but I don’t like what I’ve made although @EmperorZurg was kind enough to assist with a lovely tobacco press (not for flakes) that gives me courage. I know the formula for E&C but the tobacco stocks are so much changed since 1989 and I lack Ken McConnell’s superb ability to blend based on the changes in leaf. I do have some coumarin.

Strange how much emotion there is in the aroma of your dad’s tobacco. I think it’s true of us all as evidenced by my not smoking McConnell branded mixtures.

I just opened a tin of Samuel Gawith 1792 Flake from 2000. It’s in splendid condition, lovely crystals on the flake and the tonquin still quite potent if not as bright as in a new tin. I’d say that the tonquin is even more imbued in the smoke than when new.

Pete

[c.ortiz108]

As he always seems to do, BOTL Chico asked some intelligent questions that got me to writing. This was originally in the What Did You Smoke thread so I brought it over here. Keep up the good work Chico.

Thanks - not nearly as intelligent as your replies, though!

Hi Chico,

I believe that coumarin is now banned in many (all?) consumable products and I don’t know of any tobacco manufacturer that has used it since McConnell closed their doors in 1989. Tonquin seems to be part of the Gawith (both incarnations) family recipes.

I think that Kohlhase does as good a job as they can. They’ve never had the access to the quality of leaf that McConnell obtained nor do I feel that they have the expertise. I’ve smoked perhaps 8 Kohlhase Rattrays mixtures and it seems that they work from a common base in the English/Balkans so they’re less distinct entities than what they were previously. Kohlhase appears to use a top sauce but I don’t know what it is. I like them enough to have a few pounds cellared but I won’t smoke McConnell branded mixtures because that hits home emotionally (I did love them).

I’ll bump the thread on Elephant & Castle. I did a lot of blending in the 1970s and 80s and mostly made useful blends for the store but the best were certainly E&C. Three of the seven mixtures were mine but none of them could have been made without the collaboration of Ken McConnell. I’ve dabbled with blending recently, may do some more but I don’t like what I’ve made although @EmperorZurg was kind enough to assist with a lovely tobacco press (not for flakes) that gives me courage. I know the formula for E&C but the tobacco stocks are so much changed since 1989 and I lack Ken McConnell’s superb ability to blend based on the changes in leaf. I do have some coumarin.

Strange how much emotion there is in the aroma of your dad’s tobacco. I think it’s true of us all as evidenced by my not smoking McConnell branded mixtures.

I just opened a tin of Samuel Gawith 1792 Flake from 2000. It’s in splendid condition, lovely crystals on the flake and the tonquin still quite potent if not as bright as in a new tin. I’d say that the tonquin is even more imbued in the smoke than when new.

Pete

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, and for starting this thread and bumping the E&C one.

It'll be interesting to see if my opinion of Original Oriental evolves as I try more Oriental-forward blends. I think only other one I've had so far is EMP, and I prefer the OO. I have some McClelland's 996 which I haven't tried yet.

Next to 1792, what you say is currently the most tonquin-heavy blend?

Yes, it is funny the memories and emotions attached to tobaccos aromas. I think it's as powerful as music in that way - it bring you right back to a time and place. On many of the "what got you into pipes" threads, people so often mention childhood memories of fathers and grandfathers. I can definitely understand why you'd avoid "McConnell" products.


EDIT: moved part of my reply to E&C thread.

[NeverBend]

Thanks - not nearly as intelligent as your replies, though!

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, and for starting this thread and bumping the E&C one.

It'll be interesting to see if my opinion of Original Oriental evolves as I try more Oriental-forward blends. I think only other one I've had so far is EMP, and I prefer the OO. I have some McClelland's 996 which I haven't tried yet.

Next to 1792, what you say is currently the most tonquin-heavy blend?

Yes, it is funny the memories and emotions attached to tobaccos aromas. I think it's as powerful as music in that way - it bring you right back to a time and place. On many of the "what got you into pipes" threads, people so often mention childhood memories of fathers and grandfathers. I can definitely understand why you'd avoid "McConnell" products.


EDIT: moved part of my reply to E&C thread.

Hi Chico,

You seem to have a handle on the blends that you're trying. Take note of the country of origin because it may be possible that a particular tobacco is packaged under a different brand (and that'd confusing). I taught new smokers that their enjoyment would be a combination of taste, technique and mental impression.

• Taste is self explanatory.
• Each tobacco presents small challenges to get it to perform but when you conquer it the enjoyment is heightened.
• What you expect and how well the tobacco meets your preconceptions enhances the experience.

I have no idea what mixtures are tonquin heavy beyond 1792. Full Virginia Flake has a touch. Perhaps others can weigh in on this question?

[c.ortiz108]

Hi Chico,

You seem to have a handle on the blends that you're trying. Take note of the country of origin because it may be possible that a particular tobacco is packaged under a different brand (and that'd confusing). I taught new smokers that their enjoyment would be a combination of taste, technique and mental impression.

• Taste is self explanatory.
• Each tobacco presents small challenges to get it to perform but when you conquer it the enjoyment is heightened.
• What you expect and how well the tobacco meets your preconceptions enhances the experience.

I have no idea what mixtures are tonquin heavy beyond 1792. Full Virginia Flake has a touch. Perhaps others can weigh in on this question?

Nice summary, thanks. Very true in my limited experience. The 3rd point is exactly what happened with the Louisiana Flake I tried.