Blending Experiment

A few months ago I asked for intrepid volunteers from the site to shell out some cash to participate in a tobacco blending experiment. They had faith in me that I hope has been warranted.

At first it was to sample some of my mixtures but a wrinkle was added where the participants conceived and then created their own custom formula.

It's a lot of work so the number of participants was limited. We've gone through two rounds of samples with another round anticipated.

@Chico.Ortiz108, @EmperorZurg, @BryGuySC , @GWBowman , @OnePyroTec , @AlligatorGar, @Lostmason are the primary participants and @JimInks and @cpmcdill have also been sent a few samples. Sorry that I can't accommodate any more.

This thread is for the discussion of this blending experiment.

I asked the guys to conceptualize and state what they would like. Everyone described their intentions and in most cases I blended their formula and then created my take on what they asked for so that there were 2 custom samples. Everyone names their mixtures and gets the blending formula. To those who have not yet received their custom mixtures, pardons, they will be forthcoming.

I've been attempting to recreate some of the old Elephant & Castle mixtures and a couple of semi-aromatics that I used to make many years ago but some new mixtures have presented themselves during the process.

My mixtures - samples sent:
Blood Meridian
Red Ronnett's Sonnett
Tomas Hariot
Brave New World (E&C New World)
Cromwell (E&C)
The Professor (semi-aromatic)
Einstein (semi-aromatic)

My mixtures still in development:
The Stout (E&C)
The Roanoke (E&C)

Your comments, questions and feedback are most appreciated.

Regards,

Pete

Well it looks as though I get to start, Pete, @NeverBend , Your skills are amazing.If I lived closer you'ld be kicking me out
so you could get work done.

Autumn Breakfast, the blend you made for me is everything I had expected and more. The toasted nut and light citrus twang with
just a hint of spice to keep it fresh are a wonderfull light smoke to start the day.The flavors carry and seem to enhance as the
burn gets deeper and makes for a delightful expierience.

Your version has a more full bodied flavor with the spice coming through more, I like it just as much but for a different time of day.
This would be a blend I would enjoy more after work when I need something stronger to cut thru the stress of the day.The burley
and virginias are a bit harder to distinguish with the izmur coming to the top.I've bottled it and will get some lemon waters/teas and
try it again after a few days.

Sample "A" has a wonderful pouch note, but the smoke seemed airy and flavorless, hence the thread on dampened palette. So before
I go further I will be first trying to correct my issue with a little time and some lemon teas.

Thank you for this opportunity, I'm learning so much more than I ever would have on my own.

Matt

Sounds like Pete's work needs to be more widely available.

Just sayin'...

I have smoked all four samples. I am now on my second pass of C and D samples.
I like C very much and would reach for it as part of my rotation. It smells great in the bag. Has lots of VA and a darker tasting tobacco, maybe a Perique and a pinch of Lat. Balanced and transitional, moving from a bright citrus twang to a lower thrum as the bowl progresses. Hallmark of Pete's tobacco is the clean, dry burn. I really like the cut of the leaves, much like my signature blends. A little chunky, leaf is distinct and I believe that aids the flavor bumps I crave.

Blend D is a bit of a mystery to me. It may be a VaBur and might have some Kentucky. Or not. It tastes "tobacco-y" which is a hallmark of Burley, in my limited experience. It has a little kick and a more sour note. It goes out a couple times, which is rare in my case since I'm a fast smoker. The retrohale is pungent and not super enjoyable. No bite, another hallmark of Pete's work. Tastes the same going in as going out, would be okay if you were working and didn't want to be distracted. I'd rather be distracted.

So far, I'd love a tin of C with about a year on it. The only better blend so far is my Outdoor Incense, which is an Oriental forward bombshell. That stuff is money!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

Sample "A" has a wonderful pouch note, but the smoke seemed airy and flavorless, hence the thread on dampened palette. So before
I go further I will be first trying to correct my issue with a little time and some lemon teas.

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Hi Matt,

Tobacco mixtures or cigars can taste fine when first blended but then lose flavor for a while, so it may not be you. Mixture A is on the subtle side anyway so it might be more distinct in a briar rather than a cob. Please give it a try in a few days and, beating the dead horse, mix it up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alligator Gar

I have smoked all four samples. I am now on my second pass of C and D samples.
I like C very much and would reach for it as part of my rotation. It smells great in the bag. Has lots of VA and a darker tasting tobacco, maybe a Perique and a pinch of Lat. Balanced and transitional, moving from a bright citrus twang to a lower thrum as the bowl progresses. Hallmark of Pete's tobacco is the clean, dry burn. I really like the cut of the leaves, much like my signature blends. A little chunky, leaf is distinct and I believe that aids the flavor bumps I crave.

Blend D is a bit of a mystery to me. It may be a VaBur and might have some Kentucky. Or not. It tastes "tobacco-y" which is a hallmark of Burley, in my limited experience. It has a little kick and a more sour note. It goes out a couple times, which is rare in my case since I'm a fast smoker. The retrohale is pungent and not super enjoyable. No bite, another hallmark of Pete's work. Tastes the same going in as going out, would be okay if you were working and didn't want to be distracted. I'd rather be distracted.

So far, I'd love a tin of C with about a year on it. The only better blend so far is my Outdoor Incense, which is an Oriental forward bombshell. That stuff is money!

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Mixture C is a finished blend (final version).

Mixture D may have some of the effect that I mentioned to Matt above and both A & D (not the ointment) could use some time as they share some similar components. I've tried A with age and it's much better but haven't had aged D.

Glad that you like the Outdoor Incense. I blend with smyrna, izmir and macedonian (not always together) and I'm getting the feel of balancing them. The macedonian looks tiny (leaves) and harmless but it's the most potent of the three.

Tried both A and B today. I found that @Alligator Gar 's comments about D to be pretty relevant to A, actually. Otherwise, it gave off lots of smoke, which I like, but I found it to be almost cigarette-like. The smoke seemed dry somehow, like burning leaves (non-tobacco leaves) or paper. It seemed harsh to me, and though it didn't bite it kind of irritated my throat and sinuses. I don't know if that's Burley or the specific combination of ingredients or what. I'll give it some down time and try it again, but so far this one is not for me.

B on the other hand I found immensely enjoyable! Nice rich VA flavors, and it just seemed to get better and better, and more complex as I made my way down the bowl. A figgy fruitiness, a distinct floral quality about halfway through, and a surprising hint of mustard on occasion (or maybe I'm just weird). I'm guessing there's Perique in there because there's also some pepper. It smoked smooth and easy and left hardly any dottle. A very nice smoke.

Pete, will you reveal identities and basic components once everyone has weighed in?

Looking forward to progressing on to C and D!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by c.ortiz108

Tried both A and B today. I found that @Alligator Gar 's comments about D to be pretty relevant to A, actually. Otherwise, it gave off lots of smoke, which I like, but I found it to be almost cigarette-like. The smoke seemed dry somehow, like burning leaves (non-tobacco leaves) or paper. It seemed harsh to me, and though it didn't bite it kind of irritated my throat and sinuses. I don't know if that's Burley or the specific combination of ingredients or what. I'll give it some down time and try it again, but so far this one is not for me.

B on the other hand I found immensely enjoyable! Nice rich VA flavors, and it just seemed to get better and better, and more complex as I made my way down the bowl. A figgy fruitiness, a distinct floral quality about halfway through, and a surprising hint of mustard on occasion (or maybe I'm just weird). I'm guessing there's Perique in there because there's also some pepper. It smoked smooth and easy and left hardly any dottle. A very nice smoke.

Pete, will you reveal identities and basic components once everyone has weighed in?

Looking forward to progressing on to C and D!

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B had a bright, hay start with a little citrus. Might be a VaPer, might be a straight VA mix with maybe a little KY. Too lively for my tastes, but again, no bite and clean burn. Burns hot in the bowl, but it's pretty dry. Eminently smokeable.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alligator Gar

B had a bright, hay start with a little citrus. Might be a VaPer, might be a straight VA mix with maybe a little KY. Too lively for my tastes, but again, no bite and clean burn. Burns hot in the bowl, but it's pretty dry. Eminently smokeable.

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I did smoke it straight after A, so that might have made me miss things. I'll try it with a fresh palate next time.

dang ya guy's just had to do that postin thing....now ya had me reddin an reddin ..whatca tryin to do keep me busy reddin...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by c.ortiz108

I did smoke it straight after A, so that might have made me miss things. I'll try it with a fresh palate next time.

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Try C tomorrow. She's pick of the litter. Enjoying a bowl right now.

I swear ol @NeverBend musta been like pipe tobacco born......caint hardly keep up with the stuff he keeps postin....

Blending stuff is fun. More so with a good mentor - great work, gentlemen!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

dang ya guy's just had to do that postin thing....now ya had me reddin an reddin ..whatca tryin to do keep me busy reddin...

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Sumtin ta do whilest yer smokin Bubba...:pipe:

Just finish a bowl of "C" in my DG Savoy.I like this one alot, I tasted a almost creamy flavor as well as the citrus.A smooth easy smoke that would be great for introducing newbs to our side of smoking.The flavors are enjoyable with just enough spice to keep iy fresh.

Smoking sample "A" in a meerschaum, it is rather dry and has a hint of pepper around the edges.I agree with Jim in that it's a lot like a cigarette.The retro has a bit of burn not so much I quit trying.Tobacco is fairly easy to pack and light, and would make for a good work smoke.Seems pretty simple and I guess this is what you mean by one dimensional, but all in all a nice quick smoke to work by.

Smoking sample "D" in my DG Savoy.The pouch note reminds me of honey and sweet hay.It's a little on the moist side but not wet,packed and lit as easy as the others.Have to slow myself down a bit,the moisture is causing a small bit of tongue bite.It tastes like a toasted virginia,citrus with a smokiness.A hint of sweetness.The retro has just a hint of burn but a lot of twang,really adds to the bowl.I like this sample,it's got good character and even taste.Feels good,
a nice cozy smoke.

Tried C tonight - the other guys are right, you have a winner here, Pete! Creamy, rich and satisfying, with great incense-like notes. Possibly my favorite of all your new blends so far (along with the Professor and Thomas Hariot).

Now come on..you guys must be getin a little tipsy there...aint none of ya writ like that before.....I want some of what ya drinkin...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

Now come on..you guys must be getin a little tipsy there...aint none of ya writ like that before.....I want some of what ya drinkin...

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It is amazing how many IQ points Pete can pack into a bowl of tobacco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lostmason

It is amazing how many IQ points Pete can pack into a bowl of tobacco.

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Im confused all the time...an that internet reedin is takin up postin time.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lynn

Now come on..you guys must be getin a little tipsy there...aint none of ya writ like that before.....I want some of what ya drinkin...

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You must have missed the Mixture No. 79 contests! This place is lousy with highbrow writer-types when it comes to reviewing tobacco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by c.ortiz108

You must have missed the Mixture No. 79 contests! This place is lousy with highbrow writer-types when it comes to reviewing tobacco.

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I aint got no top hat just a stetson..neverbend has me reedin all the time with his posts..that BUM is bad news within his descriptions...

Evening Gents,

You say that Mixture A tastes like cigarette tobacco? That didn't sound right so I tried it. No, it's tastes like bad cigarette tobacco.

Mixture B has a heavy citrus top note and is one-dimensional? (well, I found this on my own). Not supposed to be that way.

I think I have some answers.

Mixture C is the only one with Latakia. Mixture D was made much more recently, never jarred and it (like Mixture C) has a strong component.

Mixtures A, B & C were all made in mid-September and then stored under forced hand pressure in 2 mason jars per blend. Just before shipping your samples I combined and gave them a good re-mixing and my remaining samples are re-mixed now too. The re-mixing, I believe, caused the phenomena that I earlier explained to Matt where newly blended tobacco tastes flat. Not sure what it's called or exactly what's going on but it's the other side of the effect is where a newly opened tin will improve with a few days (I call it decanting), especially if it has some age. I'll refer to the phenomena as Aeration Affect (AA). When mixed you need to lose some and when opened you need to add some. Make sense?

I always encounter AA when I blend (non-aromatics) and I make allowance for that. Right out of the blending bowl mixtures tend to be one-dimensional but they gain complexity starting in a week or so. I blended Mixture A last August as a test of ribbon Virginia types and it was a dud. Probably tasted like bad cigarette tobacco but it was so forgettable that I forget how bad it tasted and it languished in a mason jar for a year. Tried it this September and it was very different, (13 months). Aromatics don't exhibit much AA. Lesson for Pete, re-mix of relatively new blended tobacco has strong AA.

I'm smoking (as I write) Mixture C (from the same, re-mixed, sample batch sent to you) and the latakia is too pronounced because the other flavors are muted, but it's closer to intent than either Mixture A or B taste like right now. Mixtures with a strongly flavored or acidic component(s) don't seem to be as AA flat but you taste too much of that component.

Your samples of Mixture B uses Lemon VA instead of Bright VA (used in my earlier tests) and that could be part of the citrus top note along with AA. The extra acid in the Lemon VA comes through and this mixture tastes one-dimensional.

Mixture D was blended on 10-14 and sent without having been stored or re-mixed so I'd imagine that the flavors are somewhat more distinct although it too has some AA from initial blending. Cigar makers advise waiting 30 days after rolling to smoke a cigar, so that may be a good benchmark for these mixtures, meaning that they should start to come to life in a couple of weeks. My apologies and despite my earlier reminders to re-mix, do so gently since I suspect (now) that vigorous mixing amplified the AA.

None of your personal mixtures were re-mixed but they may be better in a couple of weeks as well.

My thoughts on what age will do to each mixture:
A = I know that it blooms with age and sucks with AA. I have to wait but I was going to mix a pound of this for myself.
B = I changed Bright VA to Lemon VA and that may be the amplified citrus but the batch (that led to your samples) became nice ~8 weeks out from blending. The citrus should recede and it should gain considerable complexity.
C = This is a finished blend, as long as I can reproduce it regularly (I had thought that I could). The latakia prevents it from being flat like the others but it won't be as intended until the AA wears off and then the latakia is more in a supporting role.
D = Needs a lot more time than it has had, as you have it. It needs to assimilate and smooth one of the components (especially). I suspect it will be much better with about 6 months of age.

I was smoking samples of Mixtures A through C for a few weeks before I re-mixed them and they were on track. Hope we can get back to that point soon and my apologies for holding up the show.

Regards,

Pete

Some blending notes:

I found a decent Perique but it's not (and never will be like the original St. James). I now have a single varietal of Carolina but haven't yet started to test blend with it.

One of you has a version of Thomas Hariot made with this Perique instead of Kentucky Dark Fired.

Made one of the remaining personal mixtures today and I've put it in the press. I hope to have the rest of the personal mixtures done and sent by this coming week.

Oriental tobaccos are transplanted Virginia strains. Just as Cuban seed in countries like Nicaragua have become unique and special over time, so it would appear that this has occurred with Orientals.

Smyrna is the lighter and more subtle. Overwhelm it and it disappears. With time it develops into a nice cream. Lightly spiced.
Izmir is more coarse and heavy in flavor but it works well in with other Orientals and latakia. Comes through without being featured and can add some sour character.
Macedonian is a tiny cut that looks innocuous but it packs the biggest punch. Must be used in condiment amounts, (<10%) but it adds some deep character and Eastern spice.

They work together well and can add complexity, depth, spice and nuance. Less nicotine than burley but more than VA (in most cases).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Evening Gents,

You say that Mixture A tastes like cigarette tobacco? That didn't sound right so I tried it. No, it's tastes like bad cigarette tobacco.

Mixture B has a heavy citrus top note and is one-dimensional? (well, I found this on my own). Not supposed to be that way.

I think I have some answers.

Mixture C is the only one with Latakia. Mixture D was made much more recently, never jarred and it (like Mixture C) has a strong component.

Mixtures A, B & C were all made in mid-September and then stored under forced hand pressure in 2 mason jars per blend. Just before shipping your samples I combined and gave them a good re-mixing and my remaining samples are re-mixed now too. The re-mixing, I believe, caused the phenomena that I earlier explained to Matt where newly blended tobacco tastes flat. Not sure what it's called or exactly what's going on but it's the other side of the effect is where a newly opened tin will improve with a few days (I call it decanting), especially if it has some age. I'll refer to the phenomena as Aeration Affect (AA). When mixed you need to lose some and when opened you need to add some. Make sense?

I always encounter AA when I blend (non-aromatics) and I make allowance for that. Right out of the blending bowl mixtures tend to be one-dimensional but they gain complexity starting in a week or so. I blended Mixture A last August as a test of ribbon Virginia types and it was a dud. Probably tasted like bad cigarette tobacco but it was so forgettable that I forget how bad it tasted and it languished in a mason jar for a year. Tried it this September and it was very different, (13 months). Aromatics don't exhibit much AA. Lesson for Pete, re-mix of relatively new blended tobacco has strong AA.

I'm smoking (as I write) Mixture C (from the same, re-mixed, sample batch sent to you) and the latakia is too pronounced because the other flavors are muted, but it's closer to intent than either Mixture A or B taste like right now. Mixtures with a strongly flavored or acidic component(s) don't seem to be as AA flat but you taste too much of that component.

Your samples of Mixture B uses Lemon VA instead of Bright VA (used in my earlier tests) and that could be part of the citrus top note along with AA. The extra acid in the Lemon VA comes through and this mixture tastes one-dimensional.

Mixture D was blended on 10-14 and sent without having been stored or re-mixed so I'd imagine that the flavors are somewhat more distinct although it too has some AA from initial blending. Cigar makers advise waiting 30 days after rolling to smoke a cigar, so that may be a good benchmark for these mixtures, meaning that they should start to come to life in a couple of weeks. My apologies and despite my earlier reminders to re-mix, do so gently since I suspect (now) that vigorous mixing amplified the AA.

None of your personal mixtures were re-mixed but they may be better in a couple of weeks as well.

My thoughts on what age will do to each mixture:
A = I know that it blooms with age and sucks with AA. I have to wait but I was going to mix a pound of this for myself.
B = I changed Bright VA to Lemon VA and that may be the amplified citrus but the batch (that led to your samples) became nice ~8 weeks out from blending. The citrus should recede and it should gain considerable complexity.
C = This is a finished blend, as long as I can reproduce it regularly (I had thought that I could). The latakia prevents it from being flat like the others but it won't be as intended until the AA wears off and then the latakia is more in a supporting role.
D = Needs a lot more time than it has had, as you have it. It needs to assimilate and smooth one of the components (especially). I suspect it will be much better with about 6 months of age.

I was smoking samples of Mixtures A through C for a few weeks before I re-mixed them and they were on track. Hope we can get back to that point soon and my apologies for holding up the show.

Regards,

Pete

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Thanks for all of this interesting info, Pete!
My family is going camping this weekend, and I'm bringing the A-D blends so I can take some baseline notes for comparison later.

Thanks, Pete - interesting stuff. So I guess AA is almost like pipe tobacco's "sick period." Is it that the tobaccos need some time to meld, and basically settle into being blended, and the aeration inhibits that?

I think you're selling B short, 'cause I enjoyed it! But I'm looking forward to trying it again in another few weeks to see how it develops. I'll be interested to see how C changes, too, since I liked that one so much already. I may just give D a try this weekend so I can see how it changes, too, then leave it (and A) for 6 months as you say.

This has been an amazing read for someone who's new to blending, but wanting to soak up as much info as possible. Pete, you're great.

Not to take this off track, but are you sourcing your leaf from one place or a mixture of vendors?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by NeverBend

Evening Gents,

You say that Mixture A tastes like cigarette tobacco? That didn't sound right so I tried it. No, it's tastes like bad cigarette tobacco.

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Mixture A is the only sample I've tried besides the 2 custom blends Pete made for me.

First, let me say that I only ever tried 1 cigarette probably 30 years ago so I don't remember much of what they tasted like... I seem to remember a rather acrid flavor along with the taste of burning paper. This tobacco didn't taste like that.

I won't say I was blown away by it or anything but it didn't seem all that bad to me. I've only had 1 bowl of it - and a small one at that - but my initial impressions were that it was pretty sweet up front with a nutty characteristic. As the bowl burned down, it began to remind me of that smell you pick up when you crack open roasted almonds - not that of the almond itself but of the cracking shell. I'll have a few more tries at it here in the near future.

Taking it a bit slow and alternating between the two customs. A report will be forthcoming.

Before this thread existed I sent my initial tasting notes to Pete. The two blends were Seminole Red and Outdoor Incense. The SR was envisioned as having the VA heavy sweetness and tang offset by a burley nut and some Lat creaminess. Also a smidgen of Oriental. As you read on you will discover I did a terrible job of explaining my concept. The second blend, Outdoor Incense, was a more focused idea and the results were consistent with the vision. The genesis of OI was the smell of Piñon pine burning in the air during fall evenings in the American Southwest. I also wanted to capture the smell of incense during High Mass at Cathedrale Notre-Dame, or at least make my back porch smell like it. Here are the notes:

Initial feedback. Surprised on both counts. The Seminole Red was not as sweet and fruity (ripe) as I'd hoped. Maybe drop back on the Black Cav and/or the bright VA and add red flake. Maybe less burley, though burley and red are very complimentary, IMHO. (Pretty sure it's not the burley upsetting the apple cart.) Maybe it needs a spot of perique, but I'm not looking for another VaPer, per se. I will need to smoke and study, smoke and study. It is complex with lots of shifts, which I like in a tobacco. Needs more gravitas, more dark draperies smothering the brightness of the everyday. Maybe a simple addition of moisture will help. Burned perfectly, no bite.
Not so with Outdoor Incense. From the name to the pack, burn and taste, it is dead on. Wouldn't change a thing. The Izmir adds that je ne sais quoi I look for and crave. It is close to Star of the East, piquant, bright, censorial and heady. The bottom of the bowl really boasts a bass note when the bright burns away. I know I'm mixing my metaphors but I'm kind of excited right now!

Pete speculated that it was indeed a case of burly-blocking in the first blend. He has some tweaks in mind and I'll grudgingly keep smoking some unbelievable custom blended tobacco in the mean time! :encouragement: Thanks Pete.

Reposted in the correct thread.

The phenomena that I'm calling Aeration Affect exists but I'm assuming that this is the reason for the samples to be flat. I blend with the tobacco on the dry side, facilitates more even mixing and avoids clumping, and then I mist the finished mixture and I did mist (lightly) the the re-mixed samples so this could have played a part. I smoked all of the mixtures (several times each) before shipping and they were good to go so I hope (expect) that I'm correct in my hypothesis.

It's also possible that they're just rubbish :).

Quote:

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Originally Posted by c.ortiz108

Thanks, Pete - interesting stuff. So I guess AA is almost like pipe tobacco's "sick period." Is it that the tobaccos need some time to meld, and basically settle into being blended, and the aeration inhibits that?

I think you're selling B short, 'cause I enjoyed it! But I'm looking forward to trying it again in another few weeks to see how it develops. I'll be interested to see how C changes, too, since I liked that one so much already. I may just give D a try this weekend so I can see how it changes, too, then leave it (and A) for 6 months as you say.

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First, I'm not going to LIKE or THANK for posts in this thread because they're all good (OK, @Lynn made me laugh and I LIKED :)).

I'm unfamiliar with the term "sick period" but I know the phenomenon. This post (from Puff Forum in 2006 by @Blaylock) explains it pretty well (NC = New Cigar).

Basically the "sick period" that you are referring to is usually gone by the time you buy NCs. Manufacturers usually wait several months and longer, after they are rolled, before sending them to vendors for sale. It is my understanding that Cuban cigars may be shipped much sooner.

Something I found which might be helpful:

"But among manufacturers for the U.S. market, in the Dominican Republic, Honduras, Nicaragua and other countries, the length of time between when leaves are harvested and when they are rolled into cigars is longer, sometimes much longer (like in years). This helps reduce the ammoniac element. And there are manufacturers who hold their made and boxed cigars for weeks up to months to provide some in-the-box aging that will further eliminate the ammonia problem. Thus, most – but not all – cigars on U.S. smokeshop shelves have already passed through the problem stage."

Quote from MRN's book on Cuban Cigars:
The “sick period” is marked by the unpleasant smell of ammonia when smelling the cigars. Nee notes that this is due to the continuing fermentation of the leaves once rolled into cigars and will go away as the cigars are ventilated. He believes that for most cigars, “the ammoniac smell will be over 90% gone in a few months, 95% to 99% gone by the end of the first year and practically all gone by the end of the second year.”

The Cigar Boom of the mid 1990s found a lot of product being rushed to market and this became a generic problem. The first 30 days after rolling a cigar is when the taste goes flat (thus holding the made cigars for several weeks - as above). I can't say that this is the problem with the samples but for our purposes, I have no problem calling it Sick Period (SP) or Aeration Affect (AA) since I'm not sure exactly what's going on and they may or may not be the same thing.

I'll refer to Mixture B as either Batch #1 or Batch #2.

Batch #1 was blended several months ago and it was very close to concept but I anticipated that it might smooth too much so I changed the Bright Virginia for Lemon Virginia, that's the only change. My expectation was that the Lemon VA would add some acid, brighter flavor, pick up a couple of important condiments and add a light citrus nuance (not forward note).

Batch #2 is blended with Lemon VA and is the sample that you have. Before re-mixing, and shipping to you, Batch #2 was brighter, a bit lighter and I hoped that it would settle into my desired results. Since the re-mixing it smokes as a bright citrus note and is otherwise flat at this point. I think that some of you have experienced the same. I only have about a few grams of Batch #1 remaining that I must use for control so I can't send it to you (all) or even a single person for comparison, apologies. Same problem with all of the other Mixtures.

I'm smoking Batch #1 now (not what you have). As anticipated it's very smooth and subtle with some primary flavors a touch more muted than desired but it's certainly not flat. Consistent flavor that builds strength throughout the bowl. More nicotine hit than I'd anticipated and very creamy (as desired).

I took a couple of the "Letter blends" with us on our weekend camping trip.
Blend B has something in it that almost immediately makes my tongue numb. The same thing happened with the Thomas Harriott blend. I assume it is just a body chemistry thing, but I'll let it rest and give it and the Thomas Harriott another try after it rests a while.

Blend C was perfect for an overcast weekend. I rather enjoyed it. I smoked several bowls of this and the Sunbaked Soda City Pete blended. I'll let the rest of Blend C rest a while to see how it evolves.

I seem to be running behind. I've smoked four bowls of A; a MM Cob Legend, two old Brewsters, a Dr. G Savoy in that order. The first couple of bowls started lightly sweet, a little dried fruit (like the jar note) and transitioned into a little spice. The last of the bowl turned acidic and bitey. The third bowl was less sweet and less acidic. I couldn't put my finger on the taste til I read someone saying cigarette. The last bowl had no sweetness, no acid, no bite. That bad cigarette was the official taste of that bowl. Gonna put it away for a while and load some B in a Grand Duke.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by AndyCAYP

This has been an amazing read for someone who's new to blending, but wanting to soak up as much info as possible. Pete, you're great.

Not to take this off track, but are you sourcing your leaf from one place or a mixture of vendors?

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Hi Andy,

Sorry for the delay in response, somehow I missed your post until now.

I buy P&C, C&D and a little from Stokkebye, McClelland and Gawith Hoggarth. I've tried a lot of blenders and have culled to about 25 tobaccos that are in my palate.

I like single varietals more than blends of a particular tobacco type. I do use a blend of Bright Virginia but more often I'll use straight Lemon Virginia. Same with Orientals, where I use no blends and I prefer burley individual varietals when possible.

I look for leaf quality, how it tastes and burns, how well it blends (behaves well), the cut and price.

Regards,

Pete

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GWBowman

I seem to be running behind. I've smoked four bowls of A; a MM Cob Legend, two old Brewsters, a Dr. G Savoy in that order. The first couple of bowls started lightly sweet, a little dried fruit (like the jar note) and transitioned into a little spice. The last of the bowl turned acidic and bitey. The third bowl was less sweet and less acidic. I couldn't put my finger on the taste til I read someone saying cigarette. The last bowl had no sweetness, no acid, no bite. That bad cigarette was the official taste of that bowl. Gonna put it away for a while and load some B in a Grand Duke.

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Good and accurate comments George.

Mixture A has some Smyrna and that was all I tasted when I tried it yesterday, no Red VA flavor at all. I also tried Mixture C and it's Latakia has faded from prominence and that's partially by design but the other flavors (Virginia most notably) still haven't arrived. Frustrating :).

I've been alternating between the two versions of the blend Pete made up for me. I think I will call this blend 'English Springer Spaniel' because a)I love those dogs b)it's a light English, and c)if Nording can name a blend after a dog than I can too.

I'm not sure which blend is 'mine' and which blend is Pete's take on it. One is in a baggie within a zip lock and the other is just in a zip lock. I think the baggie within a zip lock is Pete's version and I'll try to verify that by going thru my emails on the subject. But with that as the assumption for now...

Neither version is over the top citrusy like I'd hoped. However, neither is overtly floral or earthy so that's a plus.

My version is ok but it's rather 2 dimensional. There is a fleeting, toffee like sweetness that presents itself once in a while about mid bowl but it's very faint and doesn't show itself often. It's more citrusy than floral or earthy but the sample of Pete's own standard English blend that he sent me last year was a far more enjoyable tobacco - far more citrusy too.

Pete's version of the concept is much more complex. There's some Macedonian (I think...) in the mix that must lend a spicy note that my version lacks. Although there's much less yellow VA percentage wise, the blend seems equally citrusy and sweet. So far I like this one better.

Just wanted to post some initial thoughts. I'll post more later.

Smoked a couple of bowls of B, one in a Grand Duke and one in a Irish Second. The jar note I got was sweet tobacco, raisin and a little spice. The tobacco burned well but has already been said, it was airy with little to no taste. Probably load some C tomorrow night.

*Blend C

Smoked this a few times in different pipes to get a better sense of it. Opening the bag, the fragrance within reveals the smoky promise of Latakia. Good moisture level, and takes a light easily. At this time I'm smoking it in a MM cob. The flavor of the smoke is mild and creamy, with the Latakia being less noticeable than I'd have expected from the pouch note. I can't really make out what the other component tobaccos are. Produces plenty of smoke with light puffing. Overall impression: It will probably improve if jarred for a few more months. Needs a bit more marrying.

*Blend D

Pleasant smelling in the bag, looks like a blend of about 3 tobaccos, though I can't tell what. On first lighting (in a lovat) I'm picking up the grassy flavor of Virginia flake. Not much sweetness but a bit of spice. There's a richness here, though also a roughness that should smooth out with some aging. Can't be sure but guessing the other components are fire cured and perique? Goes out a lot, and have had to relight several times. Strong puffing risks tongue bite, so one has to puff with a gentle cadence. Halfway through the bowl a hint of bitterness emerges, but just a hint. Overall: pretty good. I will jar the rest a few months and revisit.

*"Stout" Blend

The sticker on the baggie says "(New) Stout, Mix Unfinished." A sniff tells me it is a Latakia blend. Smells really good. Takes a light very well, and initial impression is that it's a solid English, with more flavor than blend C above. There is a bit of sweetness coming through. Took a few relights, but not as much as Blend D. Finished as good as it started with no major changes. I find this one to be ready to smoke now, so I'll probably just finish off the baggie instead of aging it.

Smoking some Mixture B (batch #2) as I write.

The flavors are emerging and it's getting close to what it's conceived to be but it's still a bit aggressive and not as cohesive as the batch that's a couple of months older and spot on.

Smoked a bowl of Autumn Breakfast in a meerschaum today,seems the stoved virginia and the smyrna are coming out more.The burley has decidedly step to the background and the nut flavors are very faint.Still a phenominal smoking expierience for me,I'm still trying to find my niche in the differing blends and mixtures.This mixture ,with a little age on it, has taken on a bit more complexity and robustness. A more bodied smoke that is ,for me, more exciting.Anywho,I'm off to light a bowl of sample "D" now in my OLD-VIC .

Matt