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If you’ve already been smoking Virginia tobacco for a while and are looking for something different, then the world of Burley tobacco is exactly where you belong. This intense and spicy tobacco probably offers the biggest contrast to sweet Virginia shisha tobacco.
Burley is strong and has a significantly higher nicotine content than Virginia, which is why Burley tobacco is often used as the base for delicious
Dark Blend shisha tobacco, which usually consists of different types of tobacco such as Virginia, Oriental tobacco and/or a dark molasses.
In these blends, the strong Burley tobacco creates a complex and powerful flavour profile that particularly appeals to experienced smokers.
In our Shisha Tobacco Knowledge section, you’ll find even more articles on shisha tobacco covering all the essential aspects you need to know for a perfect smoking experience.
Burley is a type of base tobacco that differs from other varieties in several key characteristics. Its defining feature is air curing. Unlike Virginia tobacco, which is often flue-cured using hot air, Burley is air-cured in well-ventilated barns over several weeks. This slow process reduces the sugar content in the tobacco leaf to almost zero.
The result is a tobacco with a higher pH value that absorbs flavour exceptionally well and is particularly good at taking on aromas. This is exactly why it’s the perfect base tobacco for the intense flavours in Dark Blends.
The history of Burley tobacco dates back to the 19th century and is closely linked to the development of the American tobacco industry. The name “Burley” most likely comes from a region in Kentucky where this tobacco plant was cultivated on a large scale.
The farmers George Webb and Joseph Fore had previously discovered that a particular mutation of the Virginia tobacco plant turned significantly lighter after curing and showed characteristics that later became typical of what is known as White Burley – the origin of all modern Burley varieties.
Originally, Burley emerged as a natural mutation of the Virginia tobacco plant – a discovery that laid the foundation for a new, independent variety of tobacco.
Burley tobacco is characterised by its distinctive, spicy, slightly tart and bitter note that sets it apart from other tobaccos. The most important growing regions are in the USA, especially Kentucky and Tennessee. Here, specific climatic conditions, fertilisation and fertile soils provide optimal growth conditions for the Burley plant. However, this type of tobacco is also successfully grown in Canada, Indonesia and Guatemala.
The choice of growing region has a major impact on the quality, cell structure and aroma of Burley tobacco – one reason why “Kentucky” is often used as a synonym for high-quality Burley. Its history and origin make Burley a fascinating tobacco variety with its own character and unmistakable profile.
Choosing between Burley and Virginia is one of the most fundamental decisions in the hookah world. Comparing the two tobacco types helps you better understand their properties – such as flavour and usage – so you can make the right choice for your setup. Here are the most important differences you should know to choose the right option for your setup:
The biggest difference is in the flavour. While Virginia tobacco has a natural sweetness and forms the base for fruity varieties, Burley offers a completely different profile. The taste of Burley tobacco is naturally bold, earthy and often reminiscent of a cigar or dark chocolate. It’s especially the earthy notes of Burley tobacco that can be compared to the aromatic character of a cigar. These robust base notes harmonise perfectly with spicy, creamy or complex flavours and give the smoke an incomparable depth. But even in combination with intense fruity flavours, Burley tobacco is an absolute treat.
A common misconception is that Burley as a base tobacco automatically contains an extreme amount of nicotine. That’s only half the story. Its actual strength comes from its high absorption capacity:
Because Burley contains almost no natural sugar and is particularly porous, it can absorb significantly more molasses – and thus more dissolved nicotine – than Virginia tobacco. The combination of naturally higher nicotine and a high molasses content leads to a noticeably stronger end product – the typical “kick” that has earned Burley-based Dark Blends their reputation as strong shisha tobaccos.
Burley tobacco is noticeably more heat-resistant than Virginia. This means it can tolerate more heat without burning as quickly and delivers thick, stable smoke over a longer period.
However, many brands based on Burley tobacco also need more heat to perform at their best. Heat management is a bit more forgiving once the bowl is running properly.
Burley is a true all-rounder in the tobacco industry and is used in many different tobacco products.
It is particularly common as a base for cigarettes, pipe tobacco and chewing tobacco. After being carefully harvested, the leaves are air-cured – a process that shapes Burley’s low sugar content and typical characteristics.
Depending on the final product, the leaves are then processed further: for pipe or chewing tobacco, fermentation follows, while Burley for cigarettes or shisha tobacco is usually processed directly and refined with aromas or molasses.
For hookah fans, Burley is especially exciting because its porous structure and spicy inherent flavour allow for exceptionally high absorption of molasses and aromas. This makes it the ideal base for intense, aromatic blends with noticeable strength.
Its versatility and unique processing make Burley one of the most important tobacco varieties in the world to this day.
Burley tobacco is less forgiving of mistakes in bowl packing than Virginia. For the perfect smoking experience, it’s crucial to choose the right amount of tobacco from the tin. With the right setup and proper technique, however, it fully unfolds its potential.
You can find out exactly how to pack a bowl with Burley in our article:
How to pack a shisha bowl: Get the perfect hookah with maximum flavour.
For Dark Blend beginners, we recommend a phunnel bowl. In this type, the nicotine hit is not as strong as in a traditional bowl. Dark Blend also often has higher moisture. A phunnel prevents excess molasses from running down into the stem. This ensures a consistent flavour and dense smoke. A classic traditional bowl is also a very good choice, but the nicotine becomes much more noticeable, and you should add a molasses catcher to your setup to catch excess molasses.
The key to the best result is a loose pack. Regardless of the cut, place the Burley shisha tobacco loosely and fluffily into the
shisha bowl
and distribute it evenly up to just below the rim.
Avoid pressing the tobacco down. A light contact with the HMD is ideal to transfer the heat efficiently.
As already mentioned, Burley is more heat-resistant. The best way to start is with three hookah coals in the smokebox and gently warm up the bowl. You’ll notice that Dark Blends need constant and slightly higher heat to fully develop their flavour. Once the bowl is running well, you can potentially reduce to two coals to maintain the temperature.
The world of tobacco leaves and blends is as diverse as people’s tastes.
In addition to Burley tobacco, there are numerous other varieties, each bringing its own nuances and aromas.
Virginia tobacco is known for its mild, natural sweetness and forms the base of many cigarette and pipe tobaccos.
Oriental tobacco, on the other hand, is a rare and particularly aromatic variety that is appreciated for its exotic, spicy character. Perique tobacco, a true flavour tobacco, adds an intense, almost peppery spice and is often used in small quantities in blends.
Each variety develops its own character through the combination with different flavourings and specific processing, offering a wide range of flavour profiles – from sweet to spicy, from mild to strong. Whether in cigarettes, pipe tobacco or chewing tobacco: the variety of tobacco products allows everyone to find the perfect product for their taste and discover new nuances again and again.
Is Burley tobacco suitable for beginners? Not really. If you’re just starting out with hookah, stronger tobacco will quickly become overwhelming. Start slowly and use small amounts in Virginia mixes.
A very useful tool to judge whether a particular tobacco is right for you is our article
Shisha Tobacco Dark Blend Guide – Strong Shisha Tobacco at Moze.
In this article, we present various Dark Blends from our range and categorise them by strength level from mild to extremely strong.
For advanced smokers and pros, Dark Blends open up a whole new world. If Virginia tobacco no longer gives you what you’re looking for, Burley might be exactly what you’ve been missing. The complex interplay of base tobacco and flavours offers a deep and long-lasting smoking experience. On top of that, there is a wide variety of products that contain Burley tobacco or are made from it, underlining just how versatile this type of tobacco is.
Note: Pipe smokers also appreciate Burley tobacco for its distinctive flavour.
The main differences are curing method, flavour and nicotine content. Burley is air-cured, tastes earthy and bold, and contains more nicotine. Virginia is flue-cured with indirect hot air, tastes sweet and light, and has a significantly lower nicotine content.
Burley contains almost no natural sugar, which makes it very heat-stable and allows it to absorb a lot of molasses. This leads to more intense flavours and efficient nicotine delivery. The strength therefore comes from the interaction of the tobacco’s structure and the molasses – not just from the base tobacco itself.
The best approach is to pack it loosely and fluffily up to just below the rim. Don’t press the tobacco down. A very light contact with the HMD is ideal so that the heat is distributed evenly and the flavours can fully develop.
If you want a stronger session, a traditional bowl is a great choice. However, you should then use a molasses catcher to keep your hookah clean. For a less intense experience, a phunnel bowl is the better option.
Yes, mixing Burley with Virginia tobacco is very popular. This type of mix is especially ideal for newcomers who want to slowly get used to the strength of Dark Blends while developing their own flavour profiles. You can learn more about mixing in our blog article: Shisha Tobacco Mixology – The Art of the Perfect Flavour.
You now have all the knowledge you need to dive into the world of Dark Blends. In our shop, you’ll find a wide selection of the best Burley-based shisha tobacco brands. Whether you’re looking for Burley-heavy varieties for mixing or want to order the most popular Dark Blend options directly – you’ll find what you’re looking for with us. Discover your new favourite tobacco now!
