This is my most recent take on a cactus-pipe tobacco project that I started over a year ago, ever since ID10-T told me that T_Mace wanted a cactus-tobaccy juice. I got busy, then lazy, then busy again, but I didn't forget. The general idea was to create a tobacco vape that had cactus flavor. A primary concern was to use the INW Cactus concentrate in a way that tasted good, while still keeping the character of a tobacco vape. Weird, fruity, deep, aromatic, and satisfying, I think I got it. Even though I haven't been active here lately, I have been watching and today just seems like a good day to share.
Flavor | % ---|--- FLV Native Tobacco | 3 INW Cactus | 0.75 FLV Yakima Hops | 2 INW Dark for Pipe | 2
4 week steep recommended
To quote the storied wordsmith /u/ID10-T: "It's sort of like opening a fresh pack of fancy cigarettes and taking a deep whiff, while drinking a cactus beer."
FLV Native Tobacco--Oh yeah, baby. It took me a while to get around to ordering this, but once I did I knew I would be using it in this. A bit of spice, plenty of body, and just enough sweetness make it click with its prickly dancing partner.
INW Cactus -0.75%-I chose this percentage because I wanted it to be noticed, informing the vape, and lending fruity flavor without making it soggy or turning it into an aloe-tobacco (ew). It works, but it needs some help getting integrated into the profile without soaking it so..
FLV Yakima Hops--I use this here to bind with the Cactus and introduce it to the tobacco in a way that avoids soaking it. The brightness pairs well and it provides bit of a buffer in flavor and mouthfeel with its dry, earthy tones. I think the use of Yakima Hops is a major takeaway for this recipe, with its 'dryness' being an asset for integrating juicier fruits into tobaccos.
INW Dark for Pipe--This is in a support role to the Native Tobacco with the function of filling out the base notes. It is also the reason why the recommended steep time is 4 weeks here. It provides a heavy richness that fills out a bit after steeping and completes the package. I am tempted to try to work Black for Pipe in here instead, but that is only because it is my favorite tobacco ever, if I am being honest. Black for Pipe competes a bit too much elsewhere in the recipe.
Hope you all had a hoppy holiday.
/u/T_Mace I hope it suits your fancy.
And thanks again, /u/ID10-T
Is this unchanged since you let me preview it?
Always down to get weird with you, phucker ;)
How's the throat hit? And I'm sure black for pipe would be ok if you just lowered the percentage accordingly
Sounds really delicious, going to have to pick up some Dark for Pipe for this. Any tobacco similar to FLV Native Tobacco that you can recommend as a sub? I have INW Falcon Eye, Gold Ducat, FLV Virginia, Cured Tobacco, Connecticut Shade, FA Cuban Supreme, Desert Ship, FW Coumarin Pipe...
Also on the topic of cactii: Grack was such an amazing concoction. I made liters of the stuff, it was my ADV for the year. Lately tho, when I make it, I find that after a few days the cactus flavor suddenly starts to overpower the recipe. It always started to feel like there was too much cactus and not grapey enough. Ever experience that? Could it be the batch? Not mixing the concentrate well enough before use? Hmm
Hmm...out of that list, I have only had Gold Ducat and it isnt quite what I wanted. I like the tobacco in that position to be spicy and not too ashy and since I am a bit unfamiliar with your list, I shall have to leave you unsatisfied there.
I am glad you enjoyed Grack and am sorry to hear of your recent troubles. I have heard similar things from other users in recent months and went so far as to investigate whether INW Grape had changed on the sly. It didn't. I suspect that a big ol batch of INW Grape was mishandled sometime before it got to you (not necessarily the vendor). If you aren't shaking your Grape then shake it of course, but you may be dealing with a bad batch of concentrate.
Awesome, thanks for the feedback! Ill probably pick up a new batch of INW Cactus and keep that delicious grack juice flowing. Forgot to mention also, I have done some fun variations of grack where I replaced the 4% Grape with other stuff and have gotten some pretty delicious and interesting results. One could argue that the ''grack base'' makes a wonderful mixer for many different ingredients. I've subbed the grape for things like Sweet Coconut + Lime, Pineapple Gummy Candy, Tangerine Papaya Pomegranite (inna godda da vida) and mango cantaloupe. Good stuff!
You may enjoy this then. It is definitely fun to play with.