Galen W.
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Toscano - Originale
Italy's 6th best export and that is really saying something because, wow, they do coffee pretty good over there.
These cigars are, in my opinion, in a class of their own. They tend to be good out-of-doors cigars for working, being that they are not as temperamental as a "traditional" cigar in the wind . They taste of hickory and mesquite smoke to me, and have a very difficult-to-notice (for me) sweetness, almost a hint of perfume even. They smell the same way as your hypothetical grandma, a barbecue expert, would were she on fire. Of course, the predominant flavors in that sordid bouquet are the secret blend of hardwoods in the Oklahoma Joe smoker which regrettably helped to set her alight, but to the discerning observer there is also a hint of the venerable old matriarch, who has lived and died by the barbecue sword, on the breeze, both floating above and sublimated by the stronger flavors of the smoke. I have probably smoked 50 or more of these things, not including their other offerings (Garibaldi, Classico, Master Aged, Aroma) and I will keep coming back. I will second the above description's suggestion to enjoy these after cutting them in half - the halves last much longer than I would have anticipated at first, and it's good to share, especially accompanied by coffee or spirits. Please for the love of barbecue grandma try these with a cup of coffee, or, better still, a doppio espresso.

Cornell & Diehl - Nutty Irishman 2oz
Nut for Everybody
A wise pipe smoker once shared with me that aromatic pipe tobaccos take a lot of skill to appreciate. That may or may not be true, but Nutty Irishman does get better as time goes by - and I don't think that is because it is aging, rather, I think that I may just be getting more patient. This is generally true for a lot of pipe tobacco in my experience. I initially picked this up in the 2 oz tin format because I was itching for something in the vein of the Saint Patrick's Day Reserve (they are very close, but the SPD reserve is definitely its own blend). Very pleasant tobacco, and among very few that possess a room note of which my wife is quite fond - ringing praise. This tobacco lights like oil-soaked rags, and it will steam burn you if you go too fast. I think that may be because the sugars from the flavorings act as an accelerant. If you are looking for a stripped-down tobacco flavor, turn back! Nobody should have to tell you this, but Nutty Irishman does not have a very strong tobacco taste. It tastes like whiskey ice cream.

Cornell & Diehl - Haunted Bookshop Cake 2oz
16oz cake pretty please; Second time’s the charm
First off I must agree with the fellow who recommended that a 16oz format be available for purchase, 2oz is a great cellar format but I am going to need a bulk to supplement my consumption! I first tried this tobacco in the ribbon format about two years ago and just about quit with it for good. I got 2oz in a bulk format from some other site, and lord it was dry. It was not a good sample, and I am glad I tried the tinned 2oz, because very shortly afterwards I tried the cake, and now I know what I will be smoking until I can’t smoke any longer - this stuff has everything. It is an assertive smoke, and it demands attention without fussiness. Almost cigar-like but not quite, it reminds me of my most precious cigarette experiences, like a Nat Sherman, or a Peter Stokkebye No. 93 Amsterdam shag rolled in rice paper and smoked furtively outside of a London club. More talented tasters and writers have waxed poetic regarding the flavor, but I encourage everyone to try this one, or to try it again later, it is worth revisiting over and over again.

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