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So now we have a basic knowledge of the different types of tobacco used for pipe mixtures. Let's see if we cant put together a few guidelines for making them play nice together.When I started blending, one of the first and best pieces of advice given to me by a famous blender was "To make a balanced blend use 2 parts of something sweeter and rounder, one part of something condimental and a dash of something to help it burn." So let's look at it like thisFirst we take that "Something sweeter and …

Here in Boston we have a phrase that sums up 2020- "Wicked Suckey". And suck it has! It has been a year of personal and global health issues, Political unrest and other dire nonsense. Our thoughts go out to everyone who has been affected by the COVID19 Situation.Personally, from August 2019 to March 2020 I suffered from a mis-diagnosed streptococcus infection in my blood which caused a rather nasty case of Endocarditis- an infection and subsequent bacterial growth on my Tricuspid valve.Originall …

Like clockwork, four times a year when the seasons change here in Massachusetts, we're inundated with worried looking customers seeking out the most "accurate" digital hygrometers. They woefully explain how their humidors are not functioning and their cigars have gone "dry". While it might seem arrogant, I'll say it anyways: Half of you people wouldn't know a properly humidified cigar if it bit you in the arse.Got your attention? Good...know maybe you'll keep reading and learn something.The scen …

For all intents and purposes, all pipe tobaccos are based on three different families- Virginia, Oriental and Burley. A great many different sub-species and variations on these primary "Varietals" exist.Oriental leaf (sometimes referred to as "Turkish") is somewhat enigmatic in it's role in finished tobacco blends. Some call it a "Condimental" or "Spice" tobacco, the purpose of which is to add a certain flavor and body to a blend. Others have utilized it a "Base" tobacco accounting for a g …

For all intents and purposes, all pipe tobaccos are based on three different families- Virginia, Oriental and Burley. A great many different sub-species and variations on these primary "Varietals" exist. Burley is an air-cured tobacco grown primarily in Kentucky, with seven or so other neighboring states producing the rest. Other Burley producing countries include Brazil and Africa (both produce a very fine rich leaf which, sadly, is not readily available to American blenders).Before harve …