A woman embellished it with stylized feathers and a wavy line of beadwork, perhaps to suggest the pipe’s role in transmitting sacred smoke and prayer. On the upper and rearmost perimeter of this moving triage of dense flavors the controlled woody, leathered smoky/charcoal annotated presence of Latakia provides the finishing Pipe Tobacco relish. Finally, I suspect some diluted sugar-based casing has been delicately applied within this mixture as there is fleeting evidence of the same. In the spirit of true Hobbiton companionship, loading the churchwarden comes with simple ease as the mixture amiably fills the interior of the awaiting bowl.
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.
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 Pipe Tobacco 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.
Although the dance of the different strains is quite distinguishable in the registration, the choreography if you will, is quite seamless. Furthermore, the baseline Virginia plays out beautifully as it cradles the moving ambience of tones circulating above, supporting transitions that are silky in effect. For having no Cavendish in the mix, the achievement of smooth variable flavoring is truly a singular accomplishment. Pulling from lush meadows of the Shire, the preeminent nose that springs from the pouch models a succulent aroma of citrusy sweet Virginian grass.
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. 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.