Indoor Tobaccos for Fall and Winter
17 October 2000

Decker's ASP
Extracts


Bob Wilkerson

As the seasons start to change, I find myself looking for some tobacco to curl up and hibernate with during the fall and winter -- something to smoke while reading or watching TV. What I'm looking for is a dark, rich tasting tobacco, but since I'm going to be smoking inside with SWMBO it must have an acceptable room aroma. I'm not talking Capt. Black "cookies in the oven" aroma, just something sweetish and (relatively) inoffensive. Unfortunately, that means most Latakia blends are out.

I've already added Rattray's Dark Fragrant and G&H's Rum Flake to the list. Any suggestions along the same lines? (Or different lines for that matter!)

Inquisitor

McClelland #5110 (like Frog Morton) has a wonderful, dark aroma, despite the presence of Lat.  My LSW actually complimented me on it the other day.  Dark Star is another obvious choice, for me.

Paul Campbell

Many of the Gawith Hogarth & Co natural and flavoured flakes have a pleasant room aroma. I would recommend Bob's Chocolate Flake (particularly as it has a hint of Latakia but great aroma), Broken Flake No 7, and for a slightly
stronger smoke Coniston Cut Plug (but not the "aromatic" version).

There is a great guide on Tareks site at http://www.theitalianpipe.com/tobreview/tobrev.htm

James Beard

Have you tried Bob's Chocolate Flake by Gawith, Hoggarth & Co.?  Tar and nicotine content is a bit lower than that of Rum Flake, but I find it excellent for the Christmas Season.

Rob

As long as you said most... (hopefully, meaning not all) Latakia blends are out - you might consider trying the Benjamin Hartwell, Chesdin Mixture. (To my senses at least...) It has a pleasant smoky sweetness - uncommon to many other "English" blends.

Jeff Schwartz

My indoor tobacco recommendations include the following:

If you crave a rich, smooth, full bodied Va. flake that has gobs of earthy character then IMO there is no better than Full Virginia Flake by Samuel Gawith and Co. Though its aroma is not aromatic in nature, it is rather earthy and very pleasant. This is my personal favorite Va. flake tobacco.

Another excellent Va. is McClelland's Dark Star. Their bulk #2035 is very Dark Star like as well and is priced very moderately.

While on the subject of McClelland, I'd also recommend that you try their #5100, #5105, #5115 and #5120 bulk blends. Their Fragrant Va. is especially nice both in flavor and aroma.

A very pleasing Virginia and Oriental blend is Gregory Pease's Cairo. When I get in the Cairo mood I want to eat it with a spoon.

And last but certainly not least there is Three Nuns which is my favorite Va. and Perique blend.

I also smoke aromatics but NSLSW hates them almost as much as she does Latakia so these are left to be smoked outdoors.

Charlie

I'd suggest trying G&H Dark Flake.  You can get it from John and Sheila Davis at Sigmund's Fine Cigars.  You might want to check out their web page.  They can also provide you with a great sampler of G&H tobaccos.  There's probably something there to fit the bill.  I'm not connected with Sigmund's although I'm a very satisfied customer.

Runowski

Cornell and Diehl have a number of burley based blends with the necessary fullness that an experineced smoker wants.  I suggest Pegasus or Haunted Bookshop, both are flavorful w/o sweetness or artificial casings.

Inquisitor

I second the Samuel Gawith Full Virginia Flake nomination.  Also, Three Nuns, GL Pease Haddo's Delight, and Ashton Black Parrot.  In the non-sweet English (Latakia) blends, try GL Pease Samarra & Raven's Wing.

Anyone who says nothing is better than a certain tobacco is either unaware or trying to sell you something, especially if the tobacco they say is the best is in a bulk jar in a tobacco store.  Also, this group has probably smoked, discussed and appraised over 1000+ tobaccos in the last few years. I've never even HEARD of SWR.  If it was that good, I'm guessing we would have had it mentioned here.

 


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