TEXAS WALKER
About Me:
Grizzled veteran, pipe smoker from the great State of Texas.

Reviews


Presbyterian - Presbyterian 50g
For the love of Orientals.
My evaluation of Presbyterian changed in a three month time period. When I first opened a fresh tin, nothing really touched me. Loaded up a pipe, Ang it a light, a gentle tamp, and relight… the first of several relights. A bit in the too moist side, and far more subdued than I had expected. Closed the tin, and tossed it in a drawer of my pipe station roll-top desk. Not jarred, just a closed tin. A few months later, on a pipe cleaning day, I came across the tin. Figured I’d give it another shot. On reopening the tin, I noticed the aroma was deeper and more pungent. The tobacco had dried considerably but still smokable. Perhaps it just needed that time, because everything about it just wowed me this time! Lit easy, without the normal tamp and relight. This go round it produced a much thicker smoke and plenty of it. That pungent over ripe fruitiness, the slight peppery note on the retrohale…. It haven my favorite blend, and I’m a die hard Half&Half fan. Ordered a couple more tins, which disappeared quickly. Went to order a few more to find they had replaced the tin with a pouch. Many folks didn’t like that change, but I did. My history with OTC or “codger blends” got my used to the pouch and its convenience. I must point out that this blend definitely benefits from ample drying time, and like a few others… I wish it was available in bulk!

Cornell & Diehl - Five O'Clock Shadow 2oz
After dinner delight.
Many folks like starting the day bold and mellowing toward the evening. I can quite follow their path. The blend description says a lot about I experienced with this blend. As far as tin notes, I can’t say I got the sweet I was expecting, but the deep earthy spiciness was more than welcome. That dark fired was the star of the tin notes. The blend took to the match readily requiring neither drying time nor relights. The entire bowl burned down with no dottle. On the palate and ol factory was first that grassy sweetness of Virginias, quickly supplanted by both the dark earthy chocolate and black pepper of the Kentucky and Perique. A blend that can surely follow a good steak or accompany your morning cup of black coffee!

Seattle Pipe Club - Mississippi River Rum Barrel Aged 2oz
Best pipe I’ve had in 30 years!
First go with Mississippi River Rum Barrel Aged… Peeled open that tin and really got my nose in there. Damn! I wish my cologne smelled this good!!! Dark sweetness, and a bit of spice right up front and plenty of it! An earthy slightly fig kind of chocolate rounded out that tin note. The best tin note I’ve ever experienced, no contest. The 1/4 slices didn’t feel as moist as many reviews led me to believe they would be. Crumbled nicely, and packing the bowl was effortless. Didn’t take to flame as readily as I expected and a few relights were necessary early on, after that it burned cool and clean to the bottom of the bowl. The flavor wasn’t what I expected right off, as the tin had me elated and expecting a bit more. After I got into it a bit, the flavors built, and began playing with my not so sensitive palate. I don’t drink rum, never cared for it so I can’t relate any “rum flavors” imparted by the cask. Sweetness came first, a mellow very creamy sweetness which was carried through by the almost physical feel to the texture of the smoke… thick and creamy filling my mouth and ol factory. So far, I have to say it was perfection. The flavors once the bowl was burning properly (next time it’ll get 30 mins or so drying time) were heavenly blend of breadiness, creamy sweetness, slightly smoky, no rough edges and no one baccy playing more of role than another. The exception is say is the Perique which I’d say was a no-show til the last 1/3 of the bowl. Smoked this first bowl in my Molina bent apple, and since I don’t do rum E&J XO, a nice sweet brandy did just fine. The only thing I can add, is that I wish this was available by the pound! Loved it. PLEASE BRING IT BACK!!!

Peter Stokkebye - PS306 English Oriental Supreme
A wonderful English aromatic.
The basic description you can read on the product page. This is just my experience. First, right out of the bag, it wasn’t overly wet, took a light well and required very little tamping or relighting. The flavor is mild but definitely there. The room note is incredible, and this is the tobacco that brought my pipe smoking indoors. Looking forward to cellaring some, as previous reviews state that it ages very well. This is a very nice aromatic, and mild enough for an all day smoke. Even with an aggressive puffer like me, there was no bite whatsoever. Pairs equally well with my strong morning coffee or a nice single malt in the evening! Try a couple ounces to start, but you’ll probably end up buying by the pound!

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What Makes A Great Beginner Pipe?
  • ► I still find that some of the bargain priced brands produce excellent pipes. Personally having 6 Rossi and 2 Molina amongst my favorites. I personally feel that Rossi has surpassed Savinelli in “bang for your buck” in the pipe world.