BORING TOBACCO POST

Yossi Izrael reacted to my two long posts about Balkan Sobranie pipe tobacco by asking "Can't you jus' write try this and this by that one?"


For reference purposes, these are the posts that caused Yossi's gekvetch:
1st. very long discussion of Balkan Sobranie: BALKAN SOBRANIE POST #1
2nd. very long discussion of Balkan Sobranie: BALKAN SOBRANIE POST #2
Link to all my Balkan Sobranie articles: BALKAN SOBRANIE POSTS - ALL


It's a valid question - especially if you are not interested in tobaccos which are no longer available.

So, in that vein, do NOT buy any of these:
[And do not bother trying to find them either. ]

TROOST BAAI
Soft burleys, golden Virginias, and spicy Java tobaccos. Thin ribbon cut.
Manufactured by Van Rossem.


VIER HEREN BAAI
Somewhat broad ribbon cut Maryland.
Manufactured by Theodorus Niemeyer.


VOORTREKKER
Medium ribbon cut Maryland.
Manufactured by Theodorus Niemeyer.


ECHTE BAAI TABAK
Ribbon cut Maryland.
Manufactured by Erven De Weduwe Van Nelle.


ECHTE FRIESCHE HEEREN BAAI
Ribbon cut Maryland.
Manufactured by Douwe Egberts.


Baai tabak is the generic term in Dutch for plain unsauced mostly aircured ribbon tobacco, usually Maryland, but sometimes including some flue-cured leaf. The reason for the name, 'bay tobacco', is that this was the type exported through the Chesapeake.

Such tobaccos were among the plainest and cheapest of Dutch tobaccos, and, because they were not heavily sauced, probably the cleanest smoking tobaccos available in the Netherlands. They were all relatively dry and quick-burning, in addition to being rather dull - which is probably why they are seldom found outside of the Dutch area.

Most of the old brands are no longer available in any case - the Dutch pipe smoker has grown up, and now smokes the major international brands. I do not know which of the products listed above are still around - possibly only the Vier Heeren Baai.

Years ago I smoked all of them. I do not remember them unfavourably, but have no desire to revisit them either.


NOTE: For American pipe-smokers interested in experiencing something in a similar vein, McClelland's Virginia Woods is as close as anything available here, albeit somewhat sweeter and markedly more 'herbal', due to its being a flue-cured ('Virginia') ribbon, rather than Maryland leaf.
But it takes care to enjoy - if you hotbox it, you will end up nauseous and disappointed.
Smoke slow. Always smoke slow.

TOBACCO INDEX


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