Question about Drum Hand-Rolled Tobacco

[boluopi]

The description says it’s a V+L+O blend. Its color is very dark—much darker than the tobacco I make myself. Also, all other hand-rolled tobacco I’ve bought (TURNER, MAC BAREN, ARK ROYAL) is extremely dark too. Is this a special process?

 

[deluxestogie]

Drum is offered in a number of different blends. All of them contain some percentage of Kentucky dark tobacco (uncertain variety). But all commercial tobacco (except premium cigars) that I have sampled in the past decade contains added propylene glycol. They also may contain flavorants and other humectants that may darken their color.

Bob

 

[boluopi]

Drum is offered in a number of different blends. All of them contain some percentage of Kentucky dark tobacco (uncertain variety). But all commercial tobacco (except premium cigars) that I have sampled in the past decade contains added propylene glycol. They also may contain flavorants and other humectants that may darken their color.

Bob

Thank you for your answer. Additionally, I found some information on Chinese internet: 【High-temperature deep fermentation: The European version adopts the barrel curing process, placing tobacco leaves in oak barrels to undergo the Maillard reaction at 110-130℃, producing dark substances such as melanoidins. The American version may use industrial fermentation tanks, accelerating browning by controlling humidity (55%-65%) and temperature (45-60℃), which takes 12-26 days.】

Is this high-temperature production method reasonable? What substances in the tobacco change when it turns dark, and what flavors are formed? What is your opinion on this?

 

[deluxestogie]

accelerating browning by controlling humidity (55%-65%) and temperature (45-60℃), which takes 12-26 days.

Those conditions are similar to kilning tobacco. Above about 54°C, tobacco will darken in color, and acquire a stronger aroma.

One difficulty in understanding the industrial processes is that brand-name companies are being continually re-sold to other corporations, moved to different manufacturing locations in different countries, which leads to altering both the tobacco sourcing and the manufacturing processes. The only thing constant is the brand name.

The last time I used Drum tobacco was a half-century ago. I'm sure I would not recognize today's product.

I cannot clarify the chemical alterations, or name "flavors" that are often assigned to tobacco.

Bob

 

[boluopi]

Those conditions are similar to kilning tobacco. Above about 54°C, tobacco will darken in color, and acquire a stronger aroma.

One difficulty in understanding the industrial processes is that brand-name companies are being continually re-sold to other corporations, moved to different manufacturing locations in different countries, which leads to altering both the tobacco sourcing and the manufacturing processes. The only thing constant is the brand name.

The last time I used Drum tobacco was a half-century ago. I'm sure I would not recognize today's product.

I cannot clarify the chemical alterations, or name "flavors" that are often assigned to tobacco.

Bob

Thank you for your answer. Most cigarettes in China are flue-cured, so it's really hard to find tobacco like Drum. Maybe I should try more on my own—perhaps I can figure out the most suitable blend for myself.