My First ever non-aromatic

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ChefRuss

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Well, I took the chance with this flu and packed a 3/4 bowl of McClelland's Blue Mountain... I have to say that compared to the aromatics that I have been caking up my pipe with, this is far superior. From an avid cigar smoker and a foodist's perspective, I must say that the smokyness and earthiness is stunning.

From the aroma given off from the freshly opened tin, I definitely smelled the Latakia (Smokiness) and the fragrance of what I think is the Virginias (based on the descriptions of the flake that I have read)... almost woodsy and rich... but I am still trying to gather the third nuance from the Oriental flake but can't put my finger on it...

From the first light, I loved it... almost like a creamy spiciness followed by that rich smokiness that I just love... reminded me almost of a Corojo wrapper on a cigar... or even a natural wrapper... just not as strong. I even got hints of coffee toward the end of the exhale... (that could have been my cappuccino) lol.

Through the middle to end of this small packed bowl, the flavor, to me really didn't change that much, but I noticed the smokiness toned down a little bit, and a very slight, but very pleasing bitterness set in very briefly and then faded... almost like the bitterness that you get from a cinnamon stick. I definitely taste a lot more desirable characteristics from this non-aromatic blend then I do with the heavy aromatics.

I must say that out of all 5 of the blends I have, this tin is FAR more enjoyable... it suits me. Almost like a campfire type of feeling, if that makes sense.

I think a nice Kentucky bourbon (Bookers) with a nice smokiness would pair really nice with this blend. For some, it may be a little too much in terms of the smokiness, but for me, I think it owuld be great!!

Thanks guys! I can't wait to try some more blends!
 
Congrats! That first non aromatic that clicks is the best feeling. It's like the first time trying nice whiskey.... Memorable and it only gets better from here!
 
somedumbjerk":4tyyrz8q said:
Congrats! That first non aromatic that clicks is the best feeling. It's like the first time trying nice whiskey.... Memorable and it only gets better from here!
Thanks! Yes, I look forward to having several tins of luscious leathery smokes. Thinking of getting the McClelland's Oriental sampler.
 
ChefRuss":o6pyp0hl said:
somedumbjerk":o6pyp0hl said:
Congrats! That first non aromatic that clicks is the best feeling. It's like the first time trying nice whiskey.... Memorable and it only gets better from here!
Thanks! Yes, I look forward to having several tins of luscious leathery smokes. Thinking of getting the McClelland's Oriental sampler.
Well it won't get any cheaper, and you can always trade what you don't like. Plus have a nice rotation to suit you mood key.
 
Coincidentally I smoked my first non-aro today too. It is "special" an exclusive blend out of the original tinderbox in LA. It's an American English with a Virginia/white burley base with a decent helping of Latakia. I had my buddy Jim throw in a sample with an 8 oz order of my usua arol "Ebony Gold Maryland". Wow, what a pleasant surprise. Contrary to the tin-note, or (bag-note as it pertains to bulks) of most English blends which may turn some aro smokers away, I was more than pleased with the musky-campfire smell and mildy sweet and subtle pepper taste that comes and goes with the over all dry and well rounded smoke from the top to bottom. Just goes to show you that just because it smells like one thing in the jar/ tin/ bag, doesn't mean it tastes/smokes like that in the bowl.
 
ChefRuss":lptllsjo said:
Almost like a campfire type of feeling, if that makes sense.
That makes perfect sense, Chef. I think every Lat lover here is nodding to themselves as they read that. For me, it was a tin of Dunhill Nightcap 15 or so years ago that woke me up to the world of tobacco that exists beyond aromatics. Blue Mountain's not a bad way to begin.
 
edwardbopp":wxud2chx said:
Coincidentally I smoked my first non-aro today too. It is "special" an exclusive blend out of the original tinderbox in LA. It's an American English with a Virginia/white burley base with a decent helping of Latakia. I had my buddy Jim throw in a sample with an 8 oz order of my usua arol "Ebony Gold Maryland". Wow, what a pleasant surprise. Contrary to the tin-note, or (bag-note as it pertains to bulks) of most English blends which may turn some aro smokers away, I was more than pleased with the musky-campfire smell and mildy sweet and subtle pepper taste that comes and goes with the over all dry and well rounded smoke from the top to bottom. Just goes to show you that just because it smells like one thing in the jar/ tin/ bag, doesn't mean it tastes/smokes like that in the bowl.
That's awesome, Edward. I totally agree with the smell from the tin tasting and smelling totally differently when burned and smoked... I kind of wanted to eat my pipe while smoking it. lol

It also left a pleasant aroma and when I suck through the tip without anything in the bowl (after cleaning), it has a much nicer taste than when I last smoked aromatics.
 
George Kaplan":on3qgsyu said:
ChefRuss":on3qgsyu said:
Almost like a campfire type of feeling, if that makes sense.
That makes perfect sense, Chef. I think every Lat lover here is nodding to themselves as they read that. For me, it was a tin of Dunhill Nightcap 15 or so years ago that woke me up to the world of tobacco that exists beyond aromatics. Blue Mountain's not a bad way to begin.
Thanks George. Funny that you mention the nightcap... I have been reading and watching quite a few YouTube reviews on that and people love it. Man, the choices... I have so many tobaccos I want to try now... lol

I am curious though... What is the best way to "cellar" tobaccos? Do they age well like cigars in my humi?
 
ChefRuss":7hmh5unn said:
... What is the best way to "cellar" tobaccos? Do they age well like cigars in my humi?
Age does very nice things it pipe tobacco. It's packaged at the optimum moisture for long-term storage, and this varies from blend to blend. The key is to keep it air-tight. If you're buying to cellar, don't open the tin. Just put it on a closet shelf or someplace out of the sun with fairly constant temperature and try not to think about it for a few years. (I use a foot locker.) Bulk tobacco usually comes in baggies. This should be transferred to mason jars and treated the same way. Once you open a tin, you effectively halt the aging process.
 
I am finding there are soo many good English blends, lately I have been finding C&D's English Blends to be tickling my fancy, Star of the east and Engine99
Frog morton isn't bad either
 
ChefRuss":wwux6p9z said:
somedumbjerk":wwux6p9z said:
Congrats! That first non aromatic that clicks is the best feeling. It's like the first time trying nice whiskey.... Memorable and it only gets better from here!
Thanks! Yes, I look forward to having several tins of luscious leathery smokes. Thinking of getting the McClelland's Oriental sampler.
Since you are going for McC's 'bacs ( some of the best on the market IMHO) and want to give some "Orientals" a try, pick up a tin of their Oriental #14 for one of the BEST currently blended "Balakns" on the market. It's not smoked much around here but it's one of McC's BEST in this genre IMHO :p
 
Very nicely done, Chef Russ. I still remember the happy time I moved from aros to English blends. Su that's what the fuss is about! I thought. (Nothing wrong with a quality aro, though.) Next you might want to consider buy ing some bulk tobak, Mason jars and aging it. Good luck!
 
monbla256":te05wz1c said:
ChefRuss":te05wz1c said:
somedumbjerk":te05wz1c said:
Congrats! That first non aromatic that clicks is the best feeling. It's like the first time trying nice whiskey.... Memorable and it only gets better from here!
Thanks! Yes, I look forward to having several tins of luscious leathery smokes. Thinking of getting the McClelland's Oriental sampler.
Since you are going for McC's 'bacs ( some of the best on the market IMHO) and want to give some "Orientals" a try, pick up a tin of their Oriental #14 for one of the BEST currently blended "Balakns" on the market. It's not smoked much around here but it's one of McC's BEST in this genre IMHO :p
Yea, that 14 is included in the sampler and I guess it's their strongest Oriental. So yes, thanks for the recommendation. I can't wait to give it a shot!
 
BigCasino":55axmg9o said:
I am finding there are soo many good English blends, lately I have been finding C&D's English Blends to be tickling my fancy, Star of the east and Engine99
Frog morton isn't bad either
Hmmm... I will be giving those a shot as well. It's finny how there are sooooo many different blends. So much more than there are cigar fillers and wrappers.
 
Well done, my friend. I'm a big fan of non-aromatics. I strongly recommend most McClelland blends. Two of my favorites are "Gray Havens" and "Backwoods Flake". If you like latakia a LOT, you might also try "Frogmorton".

Bon Appetit! ;)
Bill
 
edwardbopp":pvl3e99i said:
Coincidentally I smoked my first non-aro today too. It is "special" an exclusive blend out of the original tinderbox in LA. It's an American English with a Virginia/white burley base with a decent helping of Latakia. I had my buddy Jim throw in a sample with an 8 oz order of my usua arol "Ebony Gold Maryland".
Ed's "Special" was one of the first non-aros I tried, a few years ago, and I haven't looked back since! And incidentally, Ebony Gold Maryland was the first blend I ever tried, in the store on Wilshire. I bought a 2 oz bag, a Czech tool, some cleaners and a basket pipe that day. That place is really a time capsule. I grew up in SM, and so much has changed, but not that place.
 
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