Tobacco is grown and blended the world over, so it’s not surprising that different nations and cultures and their unique geographies shape its many flavours and characteristics. Join us on a fascinating journey as we explore these varied landscapes and their influence on pipe tobacco.
A Note About Growing Tobacco
Tobacco is cultivated from as far north as Sweden to as far south as New Zealand. The most important factors the crops need are temperatures ranging from 15°C to 35°C and 50-100cm of rainfall, which should be distributed throughout the growing period.
Soil also plays an important role in not only the crops’ success, but also in the type, grade, quality, and other characteristics of tobacco. Tobacco grown in heavy soils tends to be dark-coloured, thick, heavy, strong, and aromatic, while tobacco grown in light soils tends to produce large, thin leaves and to be light-coloured, light in weight, have a weak aroma, and have a mild strength.
With this in mind, let’s set off on our fascinating journey through some of the world’s pipe tobaccos.
United Kingdom
English blends tend to be a blend of Virginia and Latakia, with some blends also adding a little Turkish Izmir or other Orientals. Looking north to Scotland, you’ll find Scottish blends. These aren’t all that much different from English blends, although they tend to have a higher content of Virginia tobacco. Many Scottish blends contain Virginia-based Cavendish tobaccos, which add extra sweetness.
One reason for including sweet, fragrant, earthy, or floral Oriental tobaccos in the English blends you can find at The Backy Shop is rooted in Britain’s colonial history. Many tobacco importers in Britain imported those tobaccos from far-flung colonies, evoking images of exotic sun-drenched lands in those who smoked them almost ritualistically as a distinguished, leisurely activity.
Scandinavia
Heading across to the Scandinavian countries of Denmark and Sweden, you’ll find Danish and Scandinavian pipe tobacco blends that have similar characteristics. They’re often a mix of Cavendish and aromatic tobaccos, such as some Oriental varieties, to create a sweet and fruity blend.
There are a couple of reasons for the Scandinavian preference for sweeter blends that often have fruity characteristics. One is that the flavours align with the mild, pleasant flavours of Scandinavian cuisine, which often combines sweetness and saltiness. Another reason is that the fruitiness of blends like those available at The Backy Shop evokes the short, warm summers when fruit is abundant, which is perfect when you’re smoking your pipe during the region’s long, dark, and cold winters.
Germany
A high Burley content is a typical feature of German pipe tobacco blends, which are known for offering robust natural flavours. This makes sense when you consider Germans’ appreciation of quality products known for their purity.
In some regions of the country, such as Bavaria, pipe smoking has become a feature of regional identity and tradition, so Germans take their tobacco blends very seriously.
Eastern Europe
For decades, economic and political conditions meant many smokers in Balkan countries grew and blended their own tobacco for smoking. Things have changed drastically since those days, but Balkan blends are still true to their roots.
If you smoke a Balkan pipe tobacco blend, you should notice a smooth, creamy base of Turkish, Macedonian, or other Orientals and Virginias complemented with the campfire flavours and aroma of Latakia.
Italy and Spain
Making our way across the Mediterranean to Italy and Spain, we can enjoy the same warm temperatures and mild weather that influence southern European preferences when it comes to pipe tobacco blends. You’ll find that these blends tend to be lighter and more refreshing, making them perfect for enjoying in warmer temperatures.
Italian and Spanish blends often feature a mix of Cavendish, Burley, and Virginia tobaccos that offer complexity, nuttiness, and sweetness without being overpowering.
This concludes our explorations, but don’t let that stop you from travelling the world through your pipe!
