Dr. Grabow Pipes

gillywalker · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:04 am Post subject: Casings

So I read on some forums to stay away from tobaccos with chemical casings. What's the general feeling on that around here? I'm really enjoying Carter Hall, but I'm thinking maybe I should try something a bit more organic.

steverino · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:37 am Post subject:

Gilly, my understanding of tobacco manufacturing (which is limited) is that just about every blend has some kind of casing on it. It may be intended to flavor the tobacco heavily as with some aromatics, or just to give it a hint of something in addition to the normal tobacco taste. Mac Baren is a good example as I mentioned in my quick review of HH Mature Virginia - there is a honey-like casing on just about every blend they make, and this is apparently typical of Danish-style blends. Another good example of where casings are used a lot is with straight burlies and burley blends - burleys would in general be difficult to smoke without something on them, as there is virtually no natural sugar in them.

As for characterizing this as a "chemical" casing, I don't know how accurate this is across the board - many casings consist of things like rum, honey, vanilla, apple, maple syrup, other liquers, etc, so the concern with casings is not necessarily that they are "chemical" in nature, but that they sometimes obscure the true tobacco flavor to the detriment of the blend and goop up your pipe in the process. My guess is that this is what was intended on the forums you mentioned. There are plenty of high-quality cased tobaccos that are well-made and relatively dry. By the way, I think many of us may be surprised when the new FDA regulations start requiring an ingredients list on tobacco - cigarettes aren't the only thing that has lots of chemicals.

The only organic pipe tobacco I know of is Organic Pipe Dreams from Cornell and Diehl, though I believe I may have seen some other new stuff this year at the Raleigh pipe show. It's probably out there if you want to try it.

Just my .02. Good luck.

Terry292 · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:42 am Post subject:

I think pretty much all you have to worry about with CH is polypropholyne glycol. It's a natural additive, though, intended to extend the shelf life of the tobacco. When OTC's are made, the manufacturer never knows how long it will be in the store before somebody buys it. That's what the glycol is for. You can also buy it to humidify cigars.

Of course, I know as much about manufacturing tobacco as the man in the moon.
Terry
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If I cannot smoke in Heaven, then I shall not go...Mark Twain

ozark southpaw · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 1:45 am Post subject:

Gilly,if there is any chemical casings in CH I can't tell it!
A lot of tobaccos have propylene glycol(supposed to be a food grade additive!) as a cheap way of keeping it from drying out-think plastic bags! Also Captain Black white seems to have lot of it as does Mixture 79 !!
The PG's, to me anyway, make my tongue slick and tastes and smells like soap!!
I've never noticed it in any of the burlys such as CH,PA, H & H ,SWR etc.
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ted · "Old Timer" Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 1171 Location: NC'

Guys...I've already talked to the farmer who has the Burley on my farm about my "tithe". I'm going to get about 1/2 dozen plants and make up a few "hands" of pure, organic, burley.

I promised to give a few to Dr. B. and RJ. If y'all want some, just ask. It'll be late October or early
November though before it's ready.....ted

Terry292 · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:09 am Post subject:

BWThomas · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:16 am Post subject:

ozark southpaw · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 2:42 am Post subject:

I'd like to try it to Ted!
_________________
The only thing shorter than my memory is a certain part of my anatomy!

steverino · Posted: Wed Aug 05, 2009 4:03 pm Post subject:

Count me in too, ted, if you have enough. Might be interesting to experiment with. I bet the strength will be out of this world!

ted · "Old Timer" Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 1171 Location: NC'

Steve, Correct me if I'm wrong....With this pure Burley you can add whatever "casing" you'd like on it. Anything from honey, to cherry flavoring, to Jack Daniels, to old sweat socks?

The experimenting would be the fun part.

We layered the leaves (with the stems removed) and put a little honey between the layers. It made great "plug" chewing tobacco. That's all I've tried.