FOUR GENTLEMEN BAY

It isn't often that I communicate with people in the old sod. Seeing as I left years ago, and haven't been back in aeons. Evenso. I do occasionally, and very recently did.
A gentleman in the vicinity of Rotterdam is smoking Vier Heeren Baai, but thinks he might also like Virginias.

Vier Heeren Baai Tabak, once manufactured by Theodorus Niemeyer B.V. in Groningen, was described on the package as "zachte Maryland". They advised that it was best enjoyed in a "pijp met een royale kop" (a pipe with a large bowl). Maryland style ribbon, like both Voortrekker and Coopvaert. But better quality.

FOUR GENTLEMEN BAY TOBACCO

VIER HEEREN BAAI TABAK

Maryland tobacco tends to have a soft mild taste, slightly nutty, low in natural sugars as well as low in nicotine. Most commercial Maryland comes from Italy now. Virginias (flue-cured; many grown in Africa and South America), by comparison, have a higher sugar and nicotine level, tend toward a slightly fruity plum-like tin fragrance (because of carotenoids), and if smoked hot can bite ferociously. Burley, a relative of Maryland, contains almost no natural sugars, but has a very high nicotine level, and sometimes feels like something crawled into your mouth and died.


He asked for recommendations.

If Samuel Gawith is available in the Netherlands, try to find Golden Glow, Best Brown, or Full Virginia Flake. St. James Flake has a little Perique (a tangy "spice" tobacco from Louisiana) and is slighty hard to light. Rattrays has Old Gowrie, Brown Clunee, Marlin Flake, and Hal O' The Wynd. Capstan should also be available in Holland, it was several years ago. Personally I like Golden Glow and Old Gowrie very much.

TOBACCO INDEX


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