Trying out a new review format I picked up from Ultramag on Puff.com.
Tobacco: Solani 633
Tobacco Cut: Flake
Cut Width: N/A
Cut Length: N/A
Ingredients: Virgina and Perique
Evaluated Aspects scale of 0-6 (by twos - 0-2-4-6):
Appearance (tobacco): 6
Condition (humidity level): 4
Smell: 4
Packing (easy to difficult): 6
Lighting (easy to difficult): 6
Taste: 6
Room Note/Aroma: 4
Consistency of taste: 6
Combustion: 6
Humidity during smoke: 6
Tongue irritations: 6
Throat irritation: 6
Satisfaction of smoke: 6
After-taste/Finish: 6
quality-price rapport: 6
Impressionistic Evaluation (choose one):
this is one of the best of this genre.... (10 pts)
I wouldn't mind paying for it... (7 pts)
only if someone gave me a tin, etc (5 pts)
I don't like it, but can understand other may (3 pts)
one of the worst tobaccos I've ever smoked (0 pts)
TOTAL SCORE OUT OF 100: __85__
Notes: Solani 633 is a pretty decent tobacco, with a nice toasty,golden Virgina taste that occasionally gets a bit spicy/peppery as the bowl goes on. Smokes pretty dry and leaves no ill after taste on the pallet. Pretty good va/per overall. Not in my top 5, but definitely my top 10. Well worth picking up and trying.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
St. James Flake (Sam Gawith)
St. James Flake is todays tobacco, yet another Va/per.
Type: Virgina/Perique (Va/Per)
Cut: Flake
Prelight: Smells rasinay and looks good.
Type of Pipe: My Peterson System Pipe.
Taste: Has a typical Virginia taste to it. Which is to say, grassy, and sweet. Hay type taste on occasion. The perique is there, giving it a nice tangy, fruity taste. It is well rounded and bold.
Bite: None that I got.
Aftertaste: Leaves my pallet a tad bit dry, but overall, no ill after taste.
Room Note: Light, pleasant smell. Should not bother anyone.
Nicotine:Not much that I got.
Conclusion: Pretty damn good. Bolder than Escudo, I think. Less nicotine punch. Very good, well rounded vaper.
Final Rating: 3 outta 5 Stars.
Type: Virgina/Perique (Va/Per)
Cut: Flake
Prelight: Smells rasinay and looks good.
Type of Pipe: My Peterson System Pipe.
Taste: Has a typical Virginia taste to it. Which is to say, grassy, and sweet. Hay type taste on occasion. The perique is there, giving it a nice tangy, fruity taste. It is well rounded and bold.
Bite: None that I got.
Aftertaste: Leaves my pallet a tad bit dry, but overall, no ill after taste.
Room Note: Light, pleasant smell. Should not bother anyone.
Nicotine:Not much that I got.
Conclusion: Pretty damn good. Bolder than Escudo, I think. Less nicotine punch. Very good, well rounded vaper.
Final Rating: 3 outta 5 Stars.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sir Walter Raleigh (Brown & Williamson)
Todays tobacco is the cougar burley "Sir Walter Raleigh"
Pre-light smell: Hard to described. Toasty, grassy smell. Really pleasant. Sorta like smelling coffee.
look: cubish cut.
Taste: This is a semi-sweet and toasty burley. Very good for "cheap" tobacco. If smoked too fast, it can produce the burley bitters, but sipped, and it is very good.
Aftertaste: Nice burley aftertaste. Pleasant on the tongue.
Room note: Leaves a nice, pleasant smell to the room. Most people should like the smell.
Bite: None that I got, but I'm sure if you smoked this like a chimney, you would get bitten.
Overall: Solid and excellent "cougar" blend. It is worth a shot, for the experienced and beginner pipe smoker, alike.
Pre-light smell: Hard to described. Toasty, grassy smell. Really pleasant. Sorta like smelling coffee.
look: cubish cut.
Taste: This is a semi-sweet and toasty burley. Very good for "cheap" tobacco. If smoked too fast, it can produce the burley bitters, but sipped, and it is very good.
Aftertaste: Nice burley aftertaste. Pleasant on the tongue.
Room note: Leaves a nice, pleasant smell to the room. Most people should like the smell.
Bite: None that I got, but I'm sure if you smoked this like a chimney, you would get bitten.
Overall: Solid and excellent "cougar" blend. It is worth a shot, for the experienced and beginner pipe smoker, alike.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Fillmore (G.L. Pease)
So today it is the Va/per "Fillmore" by Greg Pease.
This stuff is fantastic. Seriously, it is that good.
Type: Va/Per
Cut: Broken Flake
Pre-light smell: earthy, rasiany. different from other va/pers.
Type of pipe: My Peterson System pipe for my Va/pers
Taste: Bold, robust flavor. Smooth and creamy, with some tangy and spicy notes. Occasionally sweet and smokey. Sounds more like I am reviewing a cigar than pipe tobacco and as full as this tobacco is, a cigar would be a pretty close comparison.
Excellent stuff!
Bite: I didn't get any, but again, as with all Va's I caution you to smoke slow, anyways.
Aftertaste: dry, slightly sweet taste.
Room note: Pleasant to tolerable.
Nicotine: Didn't hit me, yet. It might pack a punch, I haven't noticed as of yet.
Conclusion: Fantastic tobacco which would be enjoyed by anyone who likes va/pers, or a full smoke. as a note, this contains a very small amount of Latakia to it, but it isn't dominating like in an English blend. It is barley noticeable. Well worth looking into.
5 outta 5 stars
This stuff is fantastic. Seriously, it is that good.
Type: Va/Per
Cut: Broken Flake
Pre-light smell: earthy, rasiany. different from other va/pers.
Type of pipe: My Peterson System pipe for my Va/pers
Taste: Bold, robust flavor. Smooth and creamy, with some tangy and spicy notes. Occasionally sweet and smokey. Sounds more like I am reviewing a cigar than pipe tobacco and as full as this tobacco is, a cigar would be a pretty close comparison.
Excellent stuff!
Bite: I didn't get any, but again, as with all Va's I caution you to smoke slow, anyways.
Aftertaste: dry, slightly sweet taste.
Room note: Pleasant to tolerable.
Nicotine: Didn't hit me, yet. It might pack a punch, I haven't noticed as of yet.
Conclusion: Fantastic tobacco which would be enjoyed by anyone who likes va/pers, or a full smoke. as a note, this contains a very small amount of Latakia to it, but it isn't dominating like in an English blend. It is barley noticeable. Well worth looking into.
5 outta 5 stars
Friday, April 16, 2010
LUXURY NAVY FLAKE (Peter Stokkebye)
Today's tobacco: LUXURY NAVY FLAKE
Type: Va/Per
Cut: Flake
Prelight Smell/feel: Very sweet smelling. Like a Virginia. Very dry, folded up nicely. Of course, humidity will depend on where you bought it and how they kept it, since this is a bulk blend.
Type of Pipe: My Peterson System Pipe
Taste: Grassy, sweet, spicy at times. Thought I tasted a bit of chocolate at one point, could be mistaken, but I did think it. Tangy, creamy and sorta full taste to it. its funny that it should have a fuller taste, since Escudo, which is now produced by Peter Stokkebye, is said to be fuller on their site.
Bite: No bite for me, but I do use the System for Va/Pers. Proceed with caution on any blend with Va, as it could bite.
Aftertaste: Pleasant aftertaste. Grassy and a ta dry.
Room Note: Pleasant to tolerable.
Nicotine: Barley noticeable, for me.
Conclusion: Pretty soild tobacco and one I perfer to escudo, in a lot of ways. Worth getting, since it is pretty cheap for an oz. If you're a Va/per fan, you should find you like it. If you're a smoker of other blends, it might be too light for you, but you might still enjoy it anyways. Worth a shot.
Final Rating: 3 outta 5
Type: Va/Per
Cut: Flake
Prelight Smell/feel: Very sweet smelling. Like a Virginia. Very dry, folded up nicely. Of course, humidity will depend on where you bought it and how they kept it, since this is a bulk blend.
Type of Pipe: My Peterson System Pipe
Taste: Grassy, sweet, spicy at times. Thought I tasted a bit of chocolate at one point, could be mistaken, but I did think it. Tangy, creamy and sorta full taste to it. its funny that it should have a fuller taste, since Escudo, which is now produced by Peter Stokkebye, is said to be fuller on their site.
Bite: No bite for me, but I do use the System for Va/Pers. Proceed with caution on any blend with Va, as it could bite.
Aftertaste: Pleasant aftertaste. Grassy and a ta dry.
Room Note: Pleasant to tolerable.
Nicotine: Barley noticeable, for me.
Conclusion: Pretty soild tobacco and one I perfer to escudo, in a lot of ways. Worth getting, since it is pretty cheap for an oz. If you're a Va/per fan, you should find you like it. If you're a smoker of other blends, it might be too light for you, but you might still enjoy it anyways. Worth a shot.
Final Rating: 3 outta 5
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Prince Albert
Today's tobacco: Prince Albert
Type: Burley
Cut: crimp cut
Prelight Smell: very rasiany and sweet.
Type of Pipe: W/O Larsen
Taste: Burley taste. A dry, Nutty, wood like taste. Occasionally sweet, but not too sweet. If smoked fast, can get bitter.
Bite: None for me.
Aftertaste: Dry, but not unpleasant aftertaste.
Room Note: tolerable to most, I would imagine.
Nicotine: Definitely has some, and can whip you if you don't watch it.
Conclusion: Another fantastic Old Cougar blend. Very good. I can see why this one stuck around.
Final Rating: 3 outta 5 Stars.
Type: Burley
Cut: crimp cut
Prelight Smell: very rasiany and sweet.
Type of Pipe: W/O Larsen
Taste: Burley taste. A dry, Nutty, wood like taste. Occasionally sweet, but not too sweet. If smoked fast, can get bitter.
Bite: None for me.
Aftertaste: Dry, but not unpleasant aftertaste.
Room Note: tolerable to most, I would imagine.
Nicotine: Definitely has some, and can whip you if you don't watch it.
Conclusion: Another fantastic Old Cougar blend. Very good. I can see why this one stuck around.
Final Rating: 3 outta 5 Stars.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Escudo
If you couldn't tell from the name of this blog, I have a predilection for burley tobacco. That isn't to say that I smoke just burley, because the name describes my build as well, but I believe that pipe tobacco is much like love, which is to say that you could find love--in this case a favorite blend--in the most unlikely of places, and you'll never know unless you venture outside your comfort zone.
Today's tobacco: Escudo!
Type: Virgina/Perique (Va/Per)
Cut: Spun Coins
Prelight Smell: Fantastic tobacco smell.
Type of Pipe: I stuffed two coins into my relatively new Peterson System Pipe and use a Zippo brand pipe lighter, since I ran out of matches. This is my second time trying this, and I can say, the Zippo doesn't effect the taste.
Taste: Has a typical Virginia taste to it. Which is to say, grassy, and sweet. Hay type taste on occasion. The perique is there, although, doesn't seem pronounced at all, occasionally, you'll see it rear its head, but it stays to the background. At least, from what I can tell. It gives the blend a slight spice. The smoke tends to be light and wispy, not very bold, like most Va and Va/Per blends.
Bite: None that I got.
Aftertaste: Leaves my pallet a tad bit dry, but overall, no ill after taste.
Room Note: Light, pleasant smell. Should not bother anyone.
Nicotine: This stuff can, and will kick your ass. So, smoke it slowly or having something sugary to drink with it, maybe eat before hand, even.
Conclusion: This isn't a bad tobacco. It isn't necessarily for me, but I couldn't know that if I never took her out, so it was fun.
I say everyone should give it a go, if you can find it and it hasn't been horded away by the Escudo lovers. Va and Va/Per lovers should find this another well done blend, where as smokers of other tobaccos should enjoy it as a diversion from there normal blend, and may even end up loving it, or not.
Final Rating: 3 outta 5 Stars.
Today's tobacco: Escudo!
Type: Virgina/Perique (Va/Per)
Cut: Spun Coins
Prelight Smell: Fantastic tobacco smell.
Type of Pipe: I stuffed two coins into my relatively new Peterson System Pipe and use a Zippo brand pipe lighter, since I ran out of matches. This is my second time trying this, and I can say, the Zippo doesn't effect the taste.
Taste: Has a typical Virginia taste to it. Which is to say, grassy, and sweet. Hay type taste on occasion. The perique is there, although, doesn't seem pronounced at all, occasionally, you'll see it rear its head, but it stays to the background. At least, from what I can tell. It gives the blend a slight spice. The smoke tends to be light and wispy, not very bold, like most Va and Va/Per blends.
Bite: None that I got.
Aftertaste: Leaves my pallet a tad bit dry, but overall, no ill after taste.
Room Note: Light, pleasant smell. Should not bother anyone.
Nicotine: This stuff can, and will kick your ass. So, smoke it slowly or having something sugary to drink with it, maybe eat before hand, even.
Conclusion: This isn't a bad tobacco. It isn't necessarily for me, but I couldn't know that if I never took her out, so it was fun.
I say everyone should give it a go, if you can find it and it hasn't been horded away by the Escudo lovers. Va and Va/Per lovers should find this another well done blend, where as smokers of other tobaccos should enjoy it as a diversion from there normal blend, and may even end up loving it, or not.
Final Rating: 3 outta 5 Stars.
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Carter Hall (Lane)
Carter Hall is one of the "Cougar Burleys" as they are called, which is one of the many older blends that has been around for years and is still enjoyed by many and I can see why.
look: Normal cut.
Taste: This is a sweet and toasty burley. Very good for "cheap" tobacco. If smoked too fast, it can produce the burley bitters, but sipped, and it is very good.
Aftertaste: Nice burley aftertaste. Pleasant on the tongue.
Room note: Leaves a nice, pleasant smell to the room. Most people should like the smell.
Bite: None that I got, but I'm sure if you smoked this like a chimney, you would get bitten.
Overall: Solid and excellent "cougar" blend. It is worth a shot, for the experienced and beginner pipe smoker, alike.
3 out of 5 stars.
This one will be around for even more years to come.
look: Normal cut.
Taste: This is a sweet and toasty burley. Very good for "cheap" tobacco. If smoked too fast, it can produce the burley bitters, but sipped, and it is very good.
Aftertaste: Nice burley aftertaste. Pleasant on the tongue.
Room note: Leaves a nice, pleasant smell to the room. Most people should like the smell.
Bite: None that I got, but I'm sure if you smoked this like a chimney, you would get bitten.
Overall: Solid and excellent "cougar" blend. It is worth a shot, for the experienced and beginner pipe smoker, alike.
3 out of 5 stars.
This one will be around for even more years to come.
Burley London Blend (MacBaren)
MacBaren has produced a pretty solid blend here. The blend description says this was created in 1965. I say that still being around 45 years later is a pretty good testament to this blend.
look: This blend is broken flakes. You may need to rub it out a tad, depending on the pipe you are going to smoke it in. I smoked it in a Peterson System pipe.
Taste: The description list that it has a "natural chocolate note like all good burleys. I could definitely taste a hint of coco in the blend, but it was not the prominent overall flavor, nor is this an aromatic. The Virginias in this blend give it a nice hint of sweetness, and the burley tends to have a natural nuttiness to the taste, as well. Its not a very bold flavor, but nor is it too light like a Virgina. at times I thought I tasted a slight grassy note from the blend.
keep a nice toasty flavor towards the end, and didn't, as far as I could tell, get bitter towards the end of the bowl like some burleys can.
Aftertaste: Left a very nice, pleasant after taste.
Room note: Leaves a nice, pleasant smell to the room. Shouldn't offend anyone.
Bite: MacBaren has a reputation for having tobaccos that bite, but I didn't find any here.
Overall: a very good solid blend that should be liked by burley lovers and other pipe smokers alike. I think everyone can find something to like about this blend.
3 Stars outta 5
look: This blend is broken flakes. You may need to rub it out a tad, depending on the pipe you are going to smoke it in. I smoked it in a Peterson System pipe.
Taste: The description list that it has a "natural chocolate note like all good burleys. I could definitely taste a hint of coco in the blend, but it was not the prominent overall flavor, nor is this an aromatic. The Virginias in this blend give it a nice hint of sweetness, and the burley tends to have a natural nuttiness to the taste, as well. Its not a very bold flavor, but nor is it too light like a Virgina. at times I thought I tasted a slight grassy note from the blend.
keep a nice toasty flavor towards the end, and didn't, as far as I could tell, get bitter towards the end of the bowl like some burleys can.
Aftertaste: Left a very nice, pleasant after taste.
Room note: Leaves a nice, pleasant smell to the room. Shouldn't offend anyone.
Bite: MacBaren has a reputation for having tobaccos that bite, but I didn't find any here.
Overall: a very good solid blend that should be liked by burley lovers and other pipe smokers alike. I think everyone can find something to like about this blend.
3 Stars outta 5
Thursday, April 8, 2010
My Mixture 965 (Dunhill)
Taste: The taste is a kinda hit and miss, some time it was nice and sweet and sometimes is was meh. It was still pleasant though. I could not really tell the taste, but it almost tasted a bit marshmallow like at times.
Room Note: I love the room note. it smells great. I left the room I smoked it in and returned to smell it and it was amazing.
Burn: it burns great. I had only a few relight, it pretty much stayed lit for me.
Tounge bite: If puffed too fast, mild tounge bite can happen, but it isn't all too bad.
Aftertaste: it leaves a pleasant aftertaste in my mouth. I can still taste if long after I smoke it, which is nice.
I think a lot of newer pipe smokers should give this a go, i know a lot of experienced piper's don't like the new Dunhill products because they not like the old ones, but this is still enjoyable none the less. Give it a try. Roughly 8.99 for 50 oz is not too shabby.
That is my review, did I do ok?
Room Note: I love the room note. it smells great. I left the room I smoked it in and returned to smell it and it was amazing.
Burn: it burns great. I had only a few relight, it pretty much stayed lit for me.
Tounge bite: If puffed too fast, mild tounge bite can happen, but it isn't all too bad.
Aftertaste: it leaves a pleasant aftertaste in my mouth. I can still taste if long after I smoke it, which is nice.
I think a lot of newer pipe smokers should give this a go, i know a lot of experienced piper's don't like the new Dunhill products because they not like the old ones, but this is still enjoyable none the less. Give it a try. Roughly 8.99 for 50 oz is not too shabby.
That is my review, did I do ok?
English Mixture (Altadis) Review Pt. 4
Blend: English Mixture
Flavor: Mild
The smell of this pouch is almost like that of Dunhill My Mixture 965 (Which I also reviewed on this forum) The taste is similar, but less sweet like My Mixture is. Kinda Harsh I thought, but I only tried this blend once.
Like the rest it lit well and relights are prob determined on how it's packed. once again, grav-filled.
The room note isn't bad, but deff not nice like the others. I would say not a crowd pleaser.
Final thoughts:
It should be noted that I experienced no tongue bite from any of these. Although the English bit a little, but hardly at all.
It should also be noted that these are NOT amazing blends. You want something good, you should invest in real premium tobacco's. Still, if you are a noob to the pipe, you could do so much worse than these. I definitely recommend these if you are new to the pipe as they are a good starting point. if you're more experienced you won't find much of anything in these tobacco's except some nice aromatics that would be pleasing to a crowd.
As a person that is not a fan of Aromatics, expect for maybe in smell only, I enjoyed these. I plan to grab up some more of the Rum and Aromatic ones for the memories they bring. I also might pick up some black because its not too shabby either.
Flavor: Mild
The smell of this pouch is almost like that of Dunhill My Mixture 965 (Which I also reviewed on this forum) The taste is similar, but less sweet like My Mixture is. Kinda Harsh I thought, but I only tried this blend once.
Like the rest it lit well and relights are prob determined on how it's packed. once again, grav-filled.
The room note isn't bad, but deff not nice like the others. I would say not a crowd pleaser.
Final thoughts:
It should be noted that I experienced no tongue bite from any of these. Although the English bit a little, but hardly at all.
It should also be noted that these are NOT amazing blends. You want something good, you should invest in real premium tobacco's. Still, if you are a noob to the pipe, you could do so much worse than these. I definitely recommend these if you are new to the pipe as they are a good starting point. if you're more experienced you won't find much of anything in these tobacco's except some nice aromatics that would be pleasing to a crowd.
As a person that is not a fan of Aromatics, expect for maybe in smell only, I enjoyed these. I plan to grab up some more of the Rum and Aromatic ones for the memories they bring. I also might pick up some black because its not too shabby either.
Rum Mixture (Altadis) Review Pt. 3
Blend: Rum Mixture
Kind:Black Cavendish with a light aroma.
Flavor: Mild
Once again, this one is getting a fairly higher rating just because of the fact that the smell is just like whatever blend it is my Uncle Smokes. I will have to find out one of these days exactly what blend it was.
It lights well and stays lit pretty well too. I think that way it light also depends on how you pack this tobacco. I just gravity filled because sometimes I am too lazy for the three layer. lol
The room note is amazing. Once again, you got ladies around and they will flock to you. They should change the name of the blend to "Pimp in a pouch"
The taste is mild. in fact, there almost is none. It mildly taste like it smells, which isn't much. it can taste a bit waxy at times (same for the aromatic) but you almost never notice it.
Kind:Black Cavendish with a light aroma.
Flavor: Mild
Once again, this one is getting a fairly higher rating just because of the fact that the smell is just like whatever blend it is my Uncle Smokes. I will have to find out one of these days exactly what blend it was.
It lights well and stays lit pretty well too. I think that way it light also depends on how you pack this tobacco. I just gravity filled because sometimes I am too lazy for the three layer. lol
The room note is amazing. Once again, you got ladies around and they will flock to you. They should change the name of the blend to "Pimp in a pouch"
The taste is mild. in fact, there almost is none. It mildly taste like it smells, which isn't much. it can taste a bit waxy at times (same for the aromatic) but you almost never notice it.
Aromatic Mixture (Altadis) Review Pt. 2
Blend: Aromatic Mixture
Kind: A Traditional Mix of Virginias, Orientals and Latakia. [/SIZE]
Flavor:Mild
Ok, this one is going to get a higher mark, just for the fact it fills me with nostalgia. This smells almost like the one my Great-Uncle would smoke. I can remember my family and I going over to his place for a Christmas Party(or anytime we visited him) and he would light up his pipe and it smelled fantastic.
Once again, gravity filled. this one needed to be lit a bit more than the Black mix.
The taste is mild and smooth. I am not really sure as to what flavor it was, but it was pleasing non the less and I enjoyed it to the very end. the nostalgia had me to wrapped up to really think about the flavor.
Clearly the room note is amazing, another one of those lady killers.
This I would buy in bulk, just for the nostalgia factor alone.
Kind: A Traditional Mix of Virginias, Orientals and Latakia. [/SIZE]
Flavor:Mild
Ok, this one is going to get a higher mark, just for the fact it fills me with nostalgia. This smells almost like the one my Great-Uncle would smoke. I can remember my family and I going over to his place for a Christmas Party(or anytime we visited him) and he would light up his pipe and it smelled fantastic.
Once again, gravity filled. this one needed to be lit a bit more than the Black mix.
The taste is mild and smooth. I am not really sure as to what flavor it was, but it was pleasing non the less and I enjoyed it to the very end. the nostalgia had me to wrapped up to really think about the flavor.
Clearly the room note is amazing, another one of those lady killers.
This I would buy in bulk, just for the nostalgia factor alone.
Black Mixture (Altadis) Review Pt. 1
I got these samplers in the mail and I figured I will review them and add them to the list.
Blend: Black Mixture
Kind: A mix of Virginia, Burley and Black Cavendish.
Flavor:Mild
The smell to this blend is sweet and kind of bitter when you first smell it, but it's one you know you must try.
I gravity filled the tobacco, just because I felt lazy and didn't want to three layer it.
I will say the feel to the tobacco was a bit moist, but it lit well and needed a few relights.
the taste was mild and not to much flavor, but the flavor that was there wasn't bad at all. it left a nice taste on my tongue and it doesn't linger very long. it was very creamy. Much like Captain Black white, except it doesn't taste like cardboard like Captain can.
The room note is nice. Gentleman, this is one that will please the ladies if you light this up.
Blend: Black Mixture
Kind: A mix of Virginia, Burley and Black Cavendish.
Flavor:Mild
The smell to this blend is sweet and kind of bitter when you first smell it, but it's one you know you must try.
I gravity filled the tobacco, just because I felt lazy and didn't want to three layer it.
I will say the feel to the tobacco was a bit moist, but it lit well and needed a few relights.
the taste was mild and not to much flavor, but the flavor that was there wasn't bad at all. it left a nice taste on my tongue and it doesn't linger very long. it was very creamy. Much like Captain Black white, except it doesn't taste like cardboard like Captain can.
The room note is nice. Gentleman, this is one that will please the ladies if you light this up.
Black XX (SG)
BLACK XX
Ok, I am going to forgo the "Hey, who shipped me a tin of dog poop" Joke most other reviewers like to put that the beginning of their reviews for this stuff.
Some have called it "Black Death" others have said it was "Like the 4 horseman of the apocalypse had a tea party in my mouth"
With reviews like that, I knew I HAD to try it. I was obligated to try this tobacco. At worst I would have a "I survived Black XX and all I got was a tin of tobacco" story and best case scenario, I found a new tobacco to add to my small list of favorites.
Smell:This stuff is a rope tobacco. Yes, it does resemble dog crap. But dog crap never smelt so good. upoun opening of the tin, I got a smell of a chocolaty tobacco. It was very sweet smelling. This is the tobacco I been waiting to try since I read about it, which was quite some time ago.
Room Note: Pleasant to tolerable.
Prep: I took my cigar cutter and cut a small hunk off the rope. Some waited for it to dry, not me. I cut it with a knife...man is that a Bitch. I loaded up my corn cob and lit.
Lighting: This stuff was still kinda moist, so I had to relight quite a few times.
Taste: Wow, I didn't know I bought a tin of Burnt BBQ chicken. That is EXACTLY how it tasted. BBQ chicken that had been burnt somewhat. Still, me being odd, I actually kinda liked the taste, but stopped smoking it. I put the tin away for a bit (couple weeks maybe)
Tried it again in my meer. Still had that BBQ flavor, but as I got towards the middle of it, it actually got sweet, with that BBQ taste lingering in the background.
Smoked two bowls of this today. first time it had some of that BBQ flavor still, then it kinda dissipated mid bowl and became sweet and kinda tart. There was kinda a peppery taste I think.
The second bowl had no BBQ taste. Just pure tobacco that was full flavored. Sweet at times and peppery too again. I love this stuff the more I smoke it. I think that is contributed to some drying time.
This stuff dries fast.
Aftertaste: There is definitely an aftertaste, but its not too bad. Sorta like a cigar I guess. I can't divulge too much here, because the pipe I smoked it in had bad tar build up before I fixed it and there was a small ghost in the background, but hardly noticeable during smoking.
Price: $8.00 I believe for a tin of this. Not bad.
Closing Comments: I love this stuff the more I smoke it. This stuff is NOT for everyone. I tend to like my tobaccos full flavored and strong. This stuff does not disappoint.
They say it has a high nicotine content and I did not get hit by it. Like I mention in all my reviews though, I smoke cigars as well and that is probably why it doesn't hit me much at all. Once you get your butt kicked by a Carmacho triple Murado, no tobacco's nicotine content will come close by comparison.
The first bowl made me really calm. This is probably all the nicotine will do to people who are used to it. If you're not used to nicotine, then you will probably get hit quite hard.
Lots of people said this stuff bites hard if puffed fast. Now I don't think I smoked it slowly, but I didn't puff it super fast and I got no bite at all. It heated up a bit and I think I got some gurgle and had the nicotine numb my Tongue a bit, but thats all. I don't believe the gurgle and build up is from the tobacco. I think that might be from the pipe I smoked it in.
All in all, I found another strong tobacco I love. Because of that, my rating will be:
4 outta 5 stars
It gets docked a bit for two reasons:
1.I am aware this is not for everyone and as such, I think the rating should reflect that. If you don't like strong tobacco with the potential to be strong nicotine wise, you should probably avoid this.
2. The flavor is not going to be for everyone either. This is a love it or hate it tobacco.
If you try this stuff, good luck, I hope you enjoy it like I do. But I wouldn't be shocked if you don't either.
P.S. The best way to prepare this stuff, for myself anyways, is to cut thin coins with a cigar cuter. Then use your hands to tear them into shreds and pack that way. definitely give it some drying time though.
Ok, I am going to forgo the "Hey, who shipped me a tin of dog poop" Joke most other reviewers like to put that the beginning of their reviews for this stuff.
Some have called it "Black Death" others have said it was "Like the 4 horseman of the apocalypse had a tea party in my mouth"
With reviews like that, I knew I HAD to try it. I was obligated to try this tobacco. At worst I would have a "I survived Black XX and all I got was a tin of tobacco" story and best case scenario, I found a new tobacco to add to my small list of favorites.
Smell:This stuff is a rope tobacco. Yes, it does resemble dog crap. But dog crap never smelt so good. upoun opening of the tin, I got a smell of a chocolaty tobacco. It was very sweet smelling. This is the tobacco I been waiting to try since I read about it, which was quite some time ago.
Room Note: Pleasant to tolerable.
Prep: I took my cigar cutter and cut a small hunk off the rope. Some waited for it to dry, not me. I cut it with a knife...man is that a Bitch. I loaded up my corn cob and lit.
Lighting: This stuff was still kinda moist, so I had to relight quite a few times.
Taste: Wow, I didn't know I bought a tin of Burnt BBQ chicken. That is EXACTLY how it tasted. BBQ chicken that had been burnt somewhat. Still, me being odd, I actually kinda liked the taste, but stopped smoking it. I put the tin away for a bit (couple weeks maybe)
Tried it again in my meer. Still had that BBQ flavor, but as I got towards the middle of it, it actually got sweet, with that BBQ taste lingering in the background.
Smoked two bowls of this today. first time it had some of that BBQ flavor still, then it kinda dissipated mid bowl and became sweet and kinda tart. There was kinda a peppery taste I think.
The second bowl had no BBQ taste. Just pure tobacco that was full flavored. Sweet at times and peppery too again. I love this stuff the more I smoke it. I think that is contributed to some drying time.
This stuff dries fast.
Aftertaste: There is definitely an aftertaste, but its not too bad. Sorta like a cigar I guess. I can't divulge too much here, because the pipe I smoked it in had bad tar build up before I fixed it and there was a small ghost in the background, but hardly noticeable during smoking.
Price: $8.00 I believe for a tin of this. Not bad.
Closing Comments: I love this stuff the more I smoke it. This stuff is NOT for everyone. I tend to like my tobaccos full flavored and strong. This stuff does not disappoint.
They say it has a high nicotine content and I did not get hit by it. Like I mention in all my reviews though, I smoke cigars as well and that is probably why it doesn't hit me much at all. Once you get your butt kicked by a Carmacho triple Murado, no tobacco's nicotine content will come close by comparison.
The first bowl made me really calm. This is probably all the nicotine will do to people who are used to it. If you're not used to nicotine, then you will probably get hit quite hard.
Lots of people said this stuff bites hard if puffed fast. Now I don't think I smoked it slowly, but I didn't puff it super fast and I got no bite at all. It heated up a bit and I think I got some gurgle and had the nicotine numb my Tongue a bit, but thats all. I don't believe the gurgle and build up is from the tobacco. I think that might be from the pipe I smoked it in.
All in all, I found another strong tobacco I love. Because of that, my rating will be:
4 outta 5 stars
It gets docked a bit for two reasons:
1.I am aware this is not for everyone and as such, I think the rating should reflect that. If you don't like strong tobacco with the potential to be strong nicotine wise, you should probably avoid this.
2. The flavor is not going to be for everyone either. This is a love it or hate it tobacco.
If you try this stuff, good luck, I hope you enjoy it like I do. But I wouldn't be shocked if you don't either.
P.S. The best way to prepare this stuff, for myself anyways, is to cut thin coins with a cigar cuter. Then use your hands to tear them into shreds and pack that way. definitely give it some drying time though.
Artisan Blend (Ashton)
Company:Ashton
Name:Artisan's Blend
Type:English/Balkan?
Contents:
Virginia
Latakia
Perique
Turkish
Intro:
This is one of those blends that if you don't at least try it, you're an idiot. Sorry to have to put it bluntly, but I can't coddle the slow kids anymore. The dog can only dump on the floor so many times before you have to smack em' with a newspaper.
Yes, I am being factious with the above, but still, this is a blend you must at least try.
Look:This is ribbon cut tobacco, with some coarse cut pieces as well. It smells like an English blend should smell;repugnant,yet inviting, with a hint of sweetness.
Room Note: It is an English, but a very tolerable one. If you want to run your in-laws from your house after Thanksgiving dinner,this probably isn't the English you'll want to fire up.
Packing:Packs well, with any method pretty much. I like to use the frank method.
Taste: Let me unequivocally state right now that this stuff is not Dunhill nightcap. Lots of people may compare the two and while similar, they are not the same. They are kind of like sisters. Similar, but each one is still different and you should date both to see which one you like best. ;)
With that out of the way, the flavor is very smoky, which is to be expected from a latakia blend. This also is sweet, and kind of wood as well, and will occasionally be spicy, especially when smoked a bit faster.
Petty complex by my standards, and a full bodied taste to boot.
it is different from Nightcap, but in a good way and a very enjoyable smoke.
Aftertaste: I didn't notice any bad, lingering aftertaste that I was aware of.
Price: 10.50 at the local shop, 9.50 online (depending on where you shop) That is a pretty damn good price for tobacco of this quality. By far Ashton's best of show.
Closing Comments:
If you like Nightcap, you'll probably like this;If you like Latakia, you'll like this. If you like;full bodied, spicy tobaccos...well, you see where I am going with this.
I think very few people will be disappointed by this Ashton offering and should give it a try.
Name:Artisan's Blend
Type:English/Balkan?
Contents:
Virginia
Latakia
Perique
Turkish
Intro:
This is one of those blends that if you don't at least try it, you're an idiot. Sorry to have to put it bluntly, but I can't coddle the slow kids anymore. The dog can only dump on the floor so many times before you have to smack em' with a newspaper.
Yes, I am being factious with the above, but still, this is a blend you must at least try.
Look:This is ribbon cut tobacco, with some coarse cut pieces as well. It smells like an English blend should smell;repugnant,yet inviting, with a hint of sweetness.
Room Note: It is an English, but a very tolerable one. If you want to run your in-laws from your house after Thanksgiving dinner,this probably isn't the English you'll want to fire up.
Packing:Packs well, with any method pretty much. I like to use the frank method.
Taste: Let me unequivocally state right now that this stuff is not Dunhill nightcap. Lots of people may compare the two and while similar, they are not the same. They are kind of like sisters. Similar, but each one is still different and you should date both to see which one you like best. ;)
With that out of the way, the flavor is very smoky, which is to be expected from a latakia blend. This also is sweet, and kind of wood as well, and will occasionally be spicy, especially when smoked a bit faster.
Petty complex by my standards, and a full bodied taste to boot.
it is different from Nightcap, but in a good way and a very enjoyable smoke.
Aftertaste: I didn't notice any bad, lingering aftertaste that I was aware of.
Price: 10.50 at the local shop, 9.50 online (depending on where you shop) That is a pretty damn good price for tobacco of this quality. By far Ashton's best of show.
Closing Comments:
If you like Nightcap, you'll probably like this;If you like Latakia, you'll like this. If you like;full bodied, spicy tobaccos...well, you see where I am going with this.
I think very few people will be disappointed by this Ashton offering and should give it a try.
5 Brothers (Pinkerton)
Five brothers.
The "LEGENDARY" Five brothers.
Originally Posted by Tobaccoreviews.com
One of the more unusual tobaccos available, extremely full-bodied, ultra-high nicotine content. A must for those who like living on the dangerous side.
"Danger's my middle name"-Austin Powers
If I could sum up my review in one word, it be "WOW" because this stuff is simply awesome.
Lets start with the review.
Smell: From the package, it kinda smells, in my opinion, like a jerky (as in beef jerky, but not beef scented) smell. Maybe a little bit like cigarette shag, but a lot more pleasant.
I let my family smell it, and they all equally liked it. Actually, my dad said "Wow, I think I might start pipe smoking again" because he loved the smells of the various tobaccos, including this one, which he promptly rolled into a cigarette and tried it, exclaiming, "Wow, strong!"
This then brings us to...
Room Note: The room note is sweet smelling. it smells nothing like a cigarette and nothing like a cigar. It is very tolerable and should not offend anyone around you, unless they just genuinely dislike the smell of smoke altogether. The smell also disappears from a room very quick.
Packing: This stuff is a shag cut, and packs well, but is a bit hard to gravity dip.
Lighting: Catches fire like a haystack. It burns so well, and fast you will be like "wow, that was a fast bowl" I have had to relight several times, but that probably has nothing to do with the tobacco itself and more to do with the way I packed it.
Taste: The taste is very odd, but not unpleasant. Nothing at all like burleys are known for, which is usually a "nutty" taste. I would venture a guess into saying it has a flavor reminiscent of smoked jerky or around that type and is a very full bodied smoke that is very reminiscent of a cigar, but very different as well.
You can smoke this a bit fast, and won't get tongue bite (maybe a little tingle on the tongue, but that may be from Nicotine) it actually develops a spiciness when its smoked a little hotter, and I like that.
My sister, upon trying a puff, said "It has a wood flavor" I don't know if I myself noticed that, but thought I would mention so.
Not complex by any means, but great when you want a smoke for tinkering around.
Aftertaste: None that I detected. I noticed no real good or bad flavor lingering on my pallet afterward.
Price: three bucks. I got a pouch when I ordered from 4noggins.com and it cost me three bucks. You can't go wrong there.
Closing comments: For what is considered an "over the counter" I actually prefer this to a lot of tins tobacco I have tried. Its great and should be tried by everyone at least once. I am not a burley fan, having had burley only in mixes or other OTC burleys, but this stuff is a winner and is going into my rotation of tobaccos I will smoke whenever. I will buy more, and wish this had a bulk offering. :(
as for the "Nicotine" this posses, well, I can't say I noticed it at all. I will admit, I only smoked three bowls so far. Two small and one medium (and I didn't smoke the medium all at once, had to put it down to do stuff from time to time) but nothing too powerful.
As a person who has come from cigars, nothing in the pipe tobacco word, nicotine wise, has phased me. Once you've smoked and gotten whooped by a Carmacho Triple Murado, other tobaccos nicotine just fails in comparison.
If you're new to smoke tobacco though, I probably wouldn't start with this until you built up a tolerance to nicotine. If you are just joining the pipe world and coming from cigars or cigarettes, then I say start with this, as you can handle it, I am sure and is much better then starting with Captain Black or some other nasty OTC.
Can't compliment this enough. The only con is it can sometimes heat up your bowl, but never uncomfortably hot.
Highly recommend
The "LEGENDARY" Five brothers.
Originally Posted by Tobaccoreviews.com
One of the more unusual tobaccos available, extremely full-bodied, ultra-high nicotine content. A must for those who like living on the dangerous side.
"Danger's my middle name"-Austin Powers
If I could sum up my review in one word, it be "WOW" because this stuff is simply awesome.
Lets start with the review.
Smell: From the package, it kinda smells, in my opinion, like a jerky (as in beef jerky, but not beef scented) smell. Maybe a little bit like cigarette shag, but a lot more pleasant.
I let my family smell it, and they all equally liked it. Actually, my dad said "Wow, I think I might start pipe smoking again" because he loved the smells of the various tobaccos, including this one, which he promptly rolled into a cigarette and tried it, exclaiming, "Wow, strong!"
This then brings us to...
Room Note: The room note is sweet smelling. it smells nothing like a cigarette and nothing like a cigar. It is very tolerable and should not offend anyone around you, unless they just genuinely dislike the smell of smoke altogether. The smell also disappears from a room very quick.
Packing: This stuff is a shag cut, and packs well, but is a bit hard to gravity dip.
Lighting: Catches fire like a haystack. It burns so well, and fast you will be like "wow, that was a fast bowl" I have had to relight several times, but that probably has nothing to do with the tobacco itself and more to do with the way I packed it.
Taste: The taste is very odd, but not unpleasant. Nothing at all like burleys are known for, which is usually a "nutty" taste. I would venture a guess into saying it has a flavor reminiscent of smoked jerky or around that type and is a very full bodied smoke that is very reminiscent of a cigar, but very different as well.
You can smoke this a bit fast, and won't get tongue bite (maybe a little tingle on the tongue, but that may be from Nicotine) it actually develops a spiciness when its smoked a little hotter, and I like that.
My sister, upon trying a puff, said "It has a wood flavor" I don't know if I myself noticed that, but thought I would mention so.
Not complex by any means, but great when you want a smoke for tinkering around.
Aftertaste: None that I detected. I noticed no real good or bad flavor lingering on my pallet afterward.
Price: three bucks. I got a pouch when I ordered from 4noggins.com and it cost me three bucks. You can't go wrong there.
Closing comments: For what is considered an "over the counter" I actually prefer this to a lot of tins tobacco I have tried. Its great and should be tried by everyone at least once. I am not a burley fan, having had burley only in mixes or other OTC burleys, but this stuff is a winner and is going into my rotation of tobaccos I will smoke whenever. I will buy more, and wish this had a bulk offering. :(
as for the "Nicotine" this posses, well, I can't say I noticed it at all. I will admit, I only smoked three bowls so far. Two small and one medium (and I didn't smoke the medium all at once, had to put it down to do stuff from time to time) but nothing too powerful.
As a person who has come from cigars, nothing in the pipe tobacco word, nicotine wise, has phased me. Once you've smoked and gotten whooped by a Carmacho Triple Murado, other tobaccos nicotine just fails in comparison.
If you're new to smoke tobacco though, I probably wouldn't start with this until you built up a tolerance to nicotine. If you are just joining the pipe world and coming from cigars or cigarettes, then I say start with this, as you can handle it, I am sure and is much better then starting with Captain Black or some other nasty OTC.
Can't compliment this enough. The only con is it can sometimes heat up your bowl, but never uncomfortably hot.
Highly recommend
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)