THE CRAZY SCHNAUZER
About Me:
Every man should have at least one hobby
Badges

Cornell & Diehl - Sun Bear Bourbon Cask 2oz
Another disappointment
The last two run have been garbage. I can't smoke this stuff without getting a headache and having this chemical taste in my mouth. It's really nauseating. It tastes like how those plastic grocery bags smell when you burn them. I don't know what they're putting in this but I'm done. C&D has put the nail in the coffin on this one. If you like the flavor of burning plastic then sure this is a winner. There's something in this that shouldn't be there, some type of additive, I don't know but it was in last years batch as well. Am I the only one that notices it? I'm selling my tins on Tinbids if anyone wants them.ax I won't be jacking up the price, I just want to get my money back on this garbage tobacco. You've lost my business C&D.

Low Country - Crescent Rising 2oz
Becoming the Walmart of tobacco
There has been a noticeable decrease in quality with these limited runs. The last Sunbear was gross, all these limited runs are nothing special. They figured out that by putting a limited release label on their tins, they'll sell out the entire inventory within a few hours. The ones who think they can resell these tins for $80 don't understand that they are the target demographic for these limited releases. There is nothing special about these limited runs except the people who flock to the site to purchase as many tins as possible.

Mac Baren - Virginia No. 1 3.5oz
Can't go wrong
This is my go to Virginia everytime I want to smoke a Virginia. Mac Baren nailed it with this blend and the only thing that comes close is Escudo. It gets better the more it burns and thats when the magic happens. If you smoke this regularly you know what I'm talking about. It's a very distinct flavor, its sweet the way wheat grass is sweat. Not sugary but natural in a way that isn't overpowering but enough to let you know it's there. The smoke isn't offensive if you're in a large open room or outdoors. If you're just beginning to smoke pipes and still in the aromatics then this should be the first Virginia you try because it's a good Virginia and it will never let you down. Smokes the same every time and once it gets going, you can smoke it all the way down without having to relight. There isn't a cellar in the world that doesn't have at least one tin of this stashed away. This is a staple for every pipe smoker and will be as long as they continue making it.

Stands & Pouches - Bill Shalosky Pipe Cleaners Holder - Alaskan Yellow Cedar with Movingue Tamper and .45 Auto and Acrylic Rainbow Pick
I'm sorry but I have to say it....
You want me to pay $120 for part of what looks like an old fence post stapled together with a couple holes drilled in the top? I'm sure the bullet casing was incredibly hard to come by as was the wood that went in it but c'mon lol. At least make it look like it didn't come from a middle school's carpentry class scrap bin. This looks like a desperate attempt to meet a deadline or produce something from an artist whose creative train of thought left a long time ago.

Cornell & Diehl - From Beyond 2oz
First time...
I've seen these limited releases come and go over the years and decided that this year would be the one where I get a few tins to see what the hype is all about. When the package arrived I set these tins aside as I had some fresh Capstan I wanted to load up and enjoy. Well this morning I popped open one of these tins and was pleasantly surprised by the spicy aroma. It loads up nicely and smokes well without needing any dry time. The smoke is nutty with hints of fruit, definitely a rich tasting tobacco. Definitely not something I'd smoke all day but in the morning or evening. It seems that these limited runs are so much better after a couple years in the cellar. Anthology, Sun Bear all smoke so much better after they've been aged a bit and I'm thinking that this is another one of those blends that needs a little time to get acquainted with itself.

Cornell & Diehl - Sun Bear Navy Cask 2oz
Another great blend
Man, if you don't have this date marked in your calendar, you will miss out. I was fortunate to find some tins at a local shop and I'm glad I got 'em because I was going to wait until tonight to get some from here but they're all gone. I remember being able to find these releases for at least a couple days, sometimes even a few weeks after their release and now, good luck. Is that because there's more pipe smokers or more opportunists who intend on scalping these tins for a premium? I'm all for capitalism but these should be a limited sale item only 1 tin per customer per day, something.

Captain Earle's - Stimulus Package 2oz
Ten Russians Lite
This tastes like a milder Ten Russians which is actually quite pleasant. I will definitely stock up on some tins.

Samuel Gawith - Grousemoor 50g
Smokes like a pack of Pall Malls
Talk about tongue bite. I don't know what they use for a casing but it scortches my mouth. You really have to smoke slowly which means tons of relights because of how goopy it is. How this is in the top 100 is beyond me. Literally the worst aromatic I've tried. Anyone that says this is great pipe tobacco, I'd like to know what they consider as being bad.

Cornell & Diehl - Anthology 2023 2oz
Better than I remembered
This batch is by far one of the best smoking pipe tobaccos I've had the privilege of smoking. The flavors really come to life once it's lit and stays consistent until the very end.

Cornell & Diehl - Carolina Red Flake 2oz
It's okay
I wasn't too impressed with this blend, what can I say? I'll give it some time to age a little and come back to it. As for now, I give it three stars for the smooth profile and no bite.

Peterson - My Mixture 965 50g
In my top two
This and Habana Daydream by C&D are a staple in my daily smoking regimen. Works good for garnishing those boring salads or adding a kick to some sauteed mushrooms. The applications are endless

Cornell & Diehl - Habana Daydream 2oz
In my top two favs
I'm not a cigar person at all and the last time I smoked one must have been a decade ago at least but this, now this I can smoke non stop which I do. They really hit a home run with this blend because every flavor compliments the other and it nevers bites. I pack it in my Peterson and enjoy a rewardingly cool smoke. This is a blend I keep on hand and in my cellar. It's not a blend that needs to be smoked a few times before it grows on you, this will have you hooked from the first light.

Warped - Cloud Hopper 2oz
Unique
but not my cup of tea so to speak. The cigar leaf is subtle on the exhale and leaves a salty sweet flavor with every draw. It's not something I'm accustomed to yet but given some time and age, this might find it's way to the regular rotation of tobaccos I enjoy. Nicely packaged and needs little work from tin to bowl. The tobacco retains its moisture for quite some time after the tin is opened and mine feels like the day I opened it after three weeks so I figure this could last a while on its own without having to seal it in a jar.

Warped - The Red Hunt 2oz
It's okay
Not my favorite blend from the series but I heard these age well so I put a couple tins in the cellar for a few months to bring some of the sweetness out. Will update with results

Borkum Riff - Original 1.5oz
This ships not sailing nowhere
I've been to the riff and I'm not going back anytime soon

Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding Bourbon Barrel Aged 2oz
It has it's place
Not one of my go to's but definitely something I revisit when I get bored of my other blends. Has that smokey bourbon barrel aroma to it.

BriarWorks - Sweet Tea 2oz
Generic
Again, it feels like they're slapping a name on some RYO tobacco they got from the smoke shop. For an aromatic it's sub-par and quite frankly it will be a long time, if ever, before I even consider putting a BriarWorks blend in my cart.

BriarWorks - Peach Cobbler 2oz
Mediocre at best
I was not impressed with this blend. The peach flavor is lost in whatever else they put in there

Mac Baren - HH Old Dark Fired 1.75oz
It's okay
Not what I was expecting

Lane Limited - Black Raspberry
Good for cellaring
This tastes so much better after a few months

Missouri Meerschaum - Cornell & Diehl Morganton Caroler LE 2021
Sweet pipe!!
I'm getting another one before they're sold out

Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Cleaning Brush - Shank Brush with Nylon Bristles
Just use bristled pipe cleaners
It's a different method for screwing in a lightbulb

Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Deniclean Stem Cleaner
Waste of money
This bottle is small, and overall messy to use. It can easily spill and by the time you put it upright, half the bottle is gone. Just get a bottle of alcohol and use that. It'll do a better job and last longer.

Missouri Meerschaum - The Rory with Tortoise Green Stem
Nice little cob
One of my favorite cobs to smoke!

Mac Baren - Plumcake 3.5oz
Nice, subtle, smokey
Not really an aromatic but more of a straight up English blend in my novice yet humble opinion. Smoking this reminds me of a nice salty steak with an ice cold glass of beer on a hot day. Frost on the mug, foam touching the top and a hunk of cooked dead thing with salt and butter waiting to be run through with my fork. Yum!!

Drucquer & Sons - Loch Ness 100g
Smooth as a you know what
Very nice smokey smell right when you pop it open.It's a little moist coming out of the tin and if that bothers you then let it sit for half an hour. Slices like prime rib falling off the bone and rubs into nice little flakes. It's a very mellow smoke, smooth with no bite, no acidic after taste. This is something I'd enjoy after a steak dinner. Worth the price in packaging alone. When you open it you'll know what I'm talking about.

Sutliff - B30 Chocolate Mousse
Just add water...
And you have hot chocolate! I left some out to dry for a full 24 hours and it was still sticky so if you're particular about getting your pipe a little muddy then you might want to stay away from this one. Smells nice wet and smells nice after being fired up. Just a little too much topping for me.

Sutliff - Pumpkin Spice
Like smoking a latte
It's everything Halloween and then some. I purchased an ounce to try and once I smoked a bowl immediately ordered another four ounces because why not? If you or your signifigant other like pumpkin spice then you will enjoy this blend for sure. I find the flavor comes out by lightly sipping the smoke and given a fifteen minute dry time beforehand, should have no problems smoking this to the end. My intent is to cellar a good amount and use it as a seasonal smoke which will give me something to look forward to and update as time goes on.

Vauen - Auenland 50g
If you like Sillums Blue..
Somewhat similar yet both have their distinct subtleties such as SB has a more distinct fruitiness to it whereas this has a sweetness that keeps me coming back for more. It's a refreshing smoke, not as acidic as some aromatics can be and burns nicely in the bowl after a fifteen minute dry time. I've even left some out overnight to dry completely and found that it enhances the taste and aroma. It commands a price that rests below the premium tins so for some that might be a dealbreaker but if you get a chance to try this blend you will see why.

Mac Baren - Plumcake 3.5oz
A must have
The one thing I love about this and the other Mac Baren blends is that they get increasingly better with age. Not a whole lot, two to three months and you've got magic! If you enjoy this straight from the tin then do yourself a favor and cellar a portion of it for a few months. You'll be happy you did.

Sir Walter Raleigh - Regular 1.5oz
Still here for a reason
I imagine most of the country smelled like SWR during the 50's and 60's. The amount of tin these folks used for their packaging back then rivaled that of Chrysler back in the day. This tobacco has been a mainstay for many generations of pipe smokers and will continue to do so as long as there's pipes and people to smoke them. Out of all the aromatics I've tried, I find this to be in my top five. It can bite at first but once you learn how finesse the bowl into burning just right you'll understand why Sir Walter isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

Presbyterian - Presbyterian 50g
WOW
I use it as potpourri around the house

Mac Baren - 7 Seas Royal 3.5oz
One of my all time favs
I find myself loading a bowl of this almost daily and I love the subtle, sweet flavor of the smoke. It leaves the room smelling like an old walk-in humidor with all the various tobacco smells combining into one aroma. You will not be disappointed with this blend. For an even better smoke, I leave some out to air-cure for about thirty minutes. This enhances the flavor of the smoke leaving a nice gray ash when finished.

Tabac de la Semois - La Brumeuse 3.5oz
Very European
Put more hair on my chest then Burt Reynolds

Esoterica - Cardiff 8oz
One of my favorite guilty pleasures
One thing I've noticed is Cardiff shares a similar base note with Tilbury that reminds me of Dunbar. They all have this heavy caramel undertone to them which you won't find anywhere else. It's very unique and masterfully blended so every variety has it's own personality. I love the way this one smokes. It's cool, it's refreshing and leaves you wanting another bowl. I've yet to be disappointed by Esoterica and once you try them for the first time, you will understand why this tobacco is one of the most sought-after labels in the world.

Davidoff - Red Mixture 50g
Mediocre
I've had my eye on this blend for a few weeks and decided to give it a try. I used one of my cobs and gave it a loose pack. The smoke sipped like sand and left a bite that tasted acidic. I put the pipe down without finishing the bowl and decided to give it a go with a briar. This time I let the tobacco dry out for a bit and packed the bowl tighter than the last. The bite wasn't as bad as before but it still left an acidic aftertaste in my mouth. I ended up letting this bowl extinguish itself and cleared the remains of both pipes into the ashtray. Anything I ate or drank afterwards tasted like the tobacco which lasted for about an hour or two. I cellared the remainder of the tin and will see if it becomes a more refined product after some age. I find that to be the solution for instances like this. I will update this review when I sample after six months.