"This time we take a look at three wonderful Bulk Tobaccos,
from D&R Tobacco, Cascade Cigar & Tobacco, & G.A. Andron"

lot of great tobacco is available, in bulk, from many tobacco shops shops across this country. This tobacco is either provided to these shops by distributors who buy it from larger distributors or in many cases the shops are able to buy it directly from tobacco operations themselves that are part of the grower's distribution chain. What this means to the consumer is that not only is the tobacco extremely fresh, but because of the reduced number of steps from grower to consumer the quality and consistency of the tobacco is maximized. Plus, there really are a lot of blends to choose from that are delicious and very distinctive in taste.

   The first of our three offerings this time is from D&R Tobacco of Smithfield, North Carolina. Advertised as a blend that most emulates the taste of manufactured cigarettes, we found this tobacco to have "that taste" of the traditional cigarette but in truth we found it to be FAR more enjoyable. Much smoother and milder than, say, a Marlboro medium or a Camel Light, with NO harshness but with infinitely more flavor. Easy to roll in injection tube machines, (stuffing) if you will, as well as hand or machine rolled, this medium to long cut masterpiece is one of my favorites for my everyday 10 or fewer cigarettes. (Yeah, I'm still able to smoke less than 10 per day.) One cannot help but wonder what the major tobacco (cigarette) manufacturers could possibly do to tobacco to screw it up so much, but when you compare a cigarette rolled with this quality of tobacco, you really begin to appreciate what our ancestors found so enticing about smoking. The flavor is pure joy.   

   Our next selection is from Cascade Cigar & Tobacco of Portland, Oregon and is simply named Additive Free Premium Tobacco. Remember, all of the tobacco's we review have few, if any, additives to them other than some natural flavorings and, when compared to the 500 plus additives that are often found in manufactured cigarettes, they are all relatively "additive-free." However, there is renewed popularity in true and totally additive free tobacco led, in the commercial marketplace, by American Spirit cigarettes. I have tried American Spirit on occasion and find them to be a bit harsh and relatively tasteless. Cascade's Additive Free, on the other hand, is incredibly flavorful with a nutty, well-rounded taste that reminds one of wood smoke outdoors at a distance. The pure nature of this tobacco does exclude some of the subtle flavorings of other bulks, which often carry a light chocolate or liqueur hint, but not much is missed in this satisfying compromise of taste and purity. As with all bulk and roll your own tobaccos, we really do not know the extent of the nicotine content present in each blend but we usually can judge the relative strength of any tobaccos by how much buzz we get, especially with the first cigarette of the day. With none of the three tobaccos reviewed this time is there a noticeable buzz. In other words, "Outstanding flavor - No Dizzy!"

   Our final selection is from G.A. Andron of New York and it is my long sought after, beloved Turkish Special. However, it is not the Turkish tobacco of old nor does it taste like Turkish Special cigarettes, which I love but choose not to afford (at $6+ per pack who could blame me?). No, this particular blend of Turkish (orientals to be absolutely accurate) has been to the Netherlands as part of its journey to New York and there (in NL) probalby re-mixed and diluted somewhat and, consequently, it has little of the (how should I put this . . DUNG, I really do need to borrow a camel - the animal - from someone out there) taste of true kick-ass Turkish. Nonetheless, I was surprised and overjoyed at the quality and flavor of this tobacco. Though the flavor is not very oriental, it is truly wonderful. Long cut and golden brown, it is very mild and toasty. This tobacco is available, as far as we know, only from G.A. Andron and may be a little hard to find - it took me nearly 2 years - but as Andron is a very large distributor and importer of tobacco, I am sure - IF - you pester your favorite tobacco shop long enough, ask for it by name, tell them where to get it, AND are willing to buy a couple of pounds at a time, they can probably get it for you.

   We review tobaccos and other RYO items sent to us in small quantities from sources around the country. We look for new and interesting blends and welcome your submissions for review. Contact us here if you have a new or unique blend you would like us to review. Please, no perique, as we have a neighborhood dog problem already. - The Ed.

EDITOR'S NOTE: These reviews are solely for the convenience of people of legal age who already smoke, are trying to cut down on smoking, wish to spend less money on their smoking, want to roll their own cigarettes from high quality tobacco, and, in general, wish to have a far more satisfying, and economical smoking experience when compared with smoking pre-manufactured cigarettes. We, in no way, encourage people to smoke. Further, we prescribe to a sane, more logical approach to smoking that involves common sense as to quantity coupled with a strong desire to manage the habit until it becomes an occasional, freely chosen, diversion, that can be fully enjoyed with minimal health risks. Finally, we strongly encourage those who do smoke to take it outdoors, or to appropriate environments where tobacco can be enjoyed away from those who do not smoke, most especially children.  We do not sell tobacco or related products from this site; We distribute information about our perceptions of the quality of what is available and where it can be obtained. If you are under 18,  it is illegal to buy tobacco and you should immediately exit this site. If you do not smoke, it would seem illogical to start.