D&R Specialty Blends - Athey, Cockstrong, WinterGold

[dz]

• Athey
  A crafted blend of tobaccos that are combined and flavored by a very special and guarded recipe. The interesting result of these dedicated efforts is a luscious tasting tobacco that is a sensory delight. D & R's Old Timer's Blend is delightfully aromatic with a wonderful flavor and an American style cut.
  
  
• Cockstrong
  A full bodied traditional U.S. Blend, with a robust taste reminiscent of blends from the mid-20th century. This flavorful and satisfying blend contains exotic air-cured Burley, flue-cured Gold Leaf and Oriental tobaccos from around the world. No chemical flavorings or casings added.
  
  
• WinterGold
  An exciting combination of natural Wintergreen leaf oils and a blend of 100% Gold Leaf tobaccos has produced a great tasting, smooth and refreshing RYO experience. This delicious aromatic blend is a flavorful and satisfying alternative for menthol smokers. No casings added.

<topic renamed from Athey, original post follows>

This is one interesting tobacco. To me it smells similar to Brut, it has a very interesting flavor(s) that I couldnt quite put my finger on. Knowing its an "old fashioned recipe, I imagined it to be something from, say the early 20th century. However its actually a recipe from the 19th century. I do know it contains botanicals and some sort of spirit essence. In any case its really delicious. Now that I m used to it, I hope to always have some on hand. It s also mild enough to smoke all day, however I usually enjoy it a few times a day, so as not to burn out on it. I d highly recommend trying it. I didnt perceive, however, the "menthol" effect" as some users stated experiencing, but being a menthol smoker I probably expected it to be more pronounced. This one also makes a great blender as well. But again, a very pleasant divergence.

[dz]

WinterGold

A very unique blend that uses pure wintergreen oil on a straight brightleaf base. The understated flavor highlights the VA base resulting in a somewhat sweet smoke. Very smooth and tasty, this one can be smoked all day long. Smoked straight, it leaves a minty finish that lingers for several minutes. Blended with a quality menthol, it lightens the smoke up and adds a bit of that minty finish as well. Another tasty pleaser from D&R. YMMV

[frazzledglispa]

I tried Athey this weekend.

I love it. It is mild, refreshing, and has a nice sweetness to it.

I liken it to breathing in the vapor that comes out of a freshly opened bottle of ginger ale - while smoking a cigarette.

I am primarily a menthol smoker, and I find the flavor to be understated, but present. I could see how others might find it to be a bit stronger, however.

It leaves a very nice, sweet aftertaste in the mouth that I really enjoy.

This is one non-menthol tobacco that I am really enjoying

[vendo]

I have to agree with frazzledglispa.
This stuff is great straight even better when blended with Rowland Gold.
What a grrreat smoke.
I also got some wintergold and G. R. Rimboche looking foward to trying this.

[Phobernomicon]

I have a question about wintergold. Did they change it recently? I bought a 3.5 tub of it over a year ago and it had a very heavy wintergreen flavor to it, I really enjoyed it. When I got back into ryo a month or two ago I bought another can hoping to enjoy it again... well there isn't much wintergreen punch to it in this tub. What happened? Did I just get a bad tub of it? Its been tough to get rid of because I just don't enjoy it like I used to. Any comments would be appreciated.


Jeremy

[rizzo]

http://www.scorecard.org/chemical-profi ... -8#hazards

WinterGold, More dangerous than tobacco itself???

[db]

I'm not sure what that page is telling us, and there seems to be quite a bit of conflicting information regarding the safety of Wintergreen oil and Methyl salicylate.

Wintergreen oil has a long history of use in consumer products such as lotions, perfumes, and it is used as an analgesic in the treatment of muscles and joint pain. It is widely used as a flavoring in foods, including baked goods, beverages, candy, chewing gum, ice cream, syrups, and toothpastes, and is considered to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) (59 FR 49400; 09/28/94).

The following extracts are from the EPA biopesticide document at http://www.epa.gov/opp00001/biopesticid ... 076601.pdf

The Flavor and Extract manufacturers Association (FEMA) includes both methyl salicylate and oil of wintergreen in its list of substances that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). Refer to table below. The FFDCA §408(k) as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 (FQPA) permits the Agency to recognize GRAS determinations in the context of an exemption from the requirements of a tolerance.

The referenced table shows levels as high as 8,400 ppm for chewing gum.

Dietary Risk Characterization:
Comparison of the estimated residue level from methyl salicylate’s use in food packaging
materials with those listed in the previously listed table show the worst case scenario results in
levels that vary from 0.2% (chewing gum) to 59% (ice cream) of the FEMA levels that are
generally recognized as safe. Given the potential for acute dietary concern indicated by this
worst case comparison, a maximum application rate of 0.2 mg / sq in is recommended (74% of
GRAS value for ice cream) as a condition of the exemption from the requirement for a tolerance
for the insect repellent use of methyl salicylate in food packaging materials.

Inhalation:
A 20-day inhalation toxicity study with rats exposed 7 hours per day at a saturation concentration -700 mg/ cu meter) was mentioned in a review of methyl salicylate toxicity studies (MRID 44213006), and it was stated that the test atmosphere had no effect on the test animals.
Therefore, a risk assessment for inhalation exposures is not required.

Considering the small amount of wintergreen oil used as a flavoring agent in Wintergold, especially when compared to the allowable concentrations found in chewing gum, ice cream, (not to mention chewing tobacco, snuff and US snus), I'd expect there is no cause for concern.

[MisterMxyzptlk]

This is where my taste is completely different from some of y'all. After reading the positive recommendations for Athey here and on the SYO forum, I ordered a 10/2 from D&R. The first one was interesting, different. The second one (some time later), not so much. Two puffs of the third one, and I put it out and concluded that . . .

I HATE THIS STUFF!

The smell now reminds me of a washing machine detergent perfume. I'm trying to sneak little bits into what I call my "Floor Sweepings Blend" (usually a good blend of leftovers - like a light halfzware), but it tends to dominate even at less then ten percent.

I'm reminded of how I feel about Southern Comfort. One bad experience with that as a young lad three decades ago, and I still don't want to be in the same room with a bottle of it!

My recommendation to those who want to try it is to get a (free) one-ounce sample from D&R first!

But speaking of D&R, I do have samples of Cockstrong and WinterGold coming - perhaps here by Tuesday. Good, bad, or indifferent, I'll let you know what I think of them too. And if the Cockstrong isn't beefy enough, I have some Picayune coming as well. I want that cartoon effect where smoke is blowing out of my ears!

-TJ

[Bill Ross]

Just received my 2nd order from D&R and they provided a sample of Athey. The first thing I noticed when I opened the package was that the aroma was like whiskey. Anyone else notice that, or am I imagining it?

I also purchased a 3.5oz tub of Rowland Gold and will take Vendo's advice in the post above and blend the Athey with the RG.

[Turbo7MN]

Haha, I actually love athey. Not something I would smoke a lot of... I smoked three tonight and I'm good for a while, but for what it is, it's excellent.

There definitely is some sort of alcohol in it. One of my friends thought it was tequila... I kind of agree with him.