PRETENTIOUS PEDANTRY
About Me:
Professor of higher learning and perpetual student of the noblest leaf.
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Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding 8oz
Not a giant fan
We all know when we're smoking a Joe Lankford blend. Each one is characteristic of his particular style. I'm not really a fan of it. Something about the west coast style strikes me as "off". It's very sour, in a way that seems unbalanced to me. Yes, as always, I did buy it here. No idea why SP removes that indicator.

La Flor Dominicana - Double Ligero 654 Natural
Great Potential, A Little Disappointing
Too much glue under the cap made the first third of the smoke bitter, until it had all been tongued away. Poor rolling caused a canoe the entire length of the cigar. Bracketing those for the moment, it's a nice stick. Very toasty, malty, creamy, smooth, exceedingly mellow smoke. One expects so much ligero to make it intense or spicy or too strong, but that's just not the case. The flavors are excellent, the burn is cool, and the smoke has no harshness. It could have rated higher than four stars but for the issues with wrapping and rolling. I still recommend it. I would purchase again. **Edit: Yes, the nicotine is very strong. Be careful, it can be deceiving. Because the smoke is so cool and mellow and tasty, you may forget what a powerhouse ligero leaf is. Keep some sweets or a sugary drink at hand, and don't stand up too fast.

Solani - Festival 100g
Fruity Aromatic
As with everything Solani does, Festival begins with quality tobacco. I am a Solani fan. Festival is very mild, and it does not have much tobacco flavor or nicotine. The aromatic topping is incredibly fruity and "sweet" – it smells sweet but there is not much sweetness on the palate or tongue. But that's typically what an aromatic is: smells great, not much flavor. This aroma is supposed to be plum, and it really does smell plummy, but it's a very European sort of scent. If you're familiar with Sillem's Red or Black, for example, you'll know what I mean. It's very perfumy and floral. If you like American style aromatics exclusively (codger bait), Festival may not appeal to you. But if you like European aromatics or Lakelands you might enjoy it.

Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding Special Reserve 2oz
Best of the Puddings
Special Reserve is, *for me*, the best of all the Plum Pudding blends, the most "plummy". Perique stands out, leading the show (source of the "plum" notes), followed by orientals and latakia. It's a very sour and spicy blend. Its smokiness is subdued. Virginia closes the show with its bready warmth. There's something about the Lankford west-coast style that does not appeal to me. It is immediately recognizable as such, which is brilliant as a marketing strategy. Many will be turned off by it but those who enjoy it will be hooked, unable to find it in other blends from any other blender. It is a recipe for a loyal following.

G. L. Pease - Ashbury 2oz
Like fine wine
Just cracked a five-year old tin and had a true "oh my God" moment. I was a bit let down by the tin note at first ("did I wait five years for nothing?"). It was very dry, not much of a nose at all, so I was unsure of what lay ahead. But in the pipe it was magical. Sweet, savory, bready, buttery, malty, round, dark, mature, smoooooth as silk. First the Virginias come through, then the orientals. Latakia is there but just sort of dancing around in the background. The brighter, sharper notes of young tobaccos have all been shaved off, smoothed away, everything totally integrated. Everything is harmonius, in sync, marching at the same speed and cadence. It is so fantastic, I will probably smoke the entire tin in two days. If the weather were nicer I'd get it done in a single day (can't smoke inside in my current situation, so I have to fit it in between bouts of rain). Really, everyone should try this at least once. Go buy a tin right now and put it away for five years. Open it up on its fifth birthday and experience the opulence. I cannot imagine the bliss of a ten-year tin, or fifteen or twenty. The only reason I don't rate it the full five stars is that it's a little lighter of body and nicotine than I would prefer. However, that may change. I may decide it's a perfect all-day smoke and rate it full marks. In any case, well-aged Virginia tobacco is proof that God loves us. May He be exalted, and may He lavish blessings upon Gregory Pease, amen.

F&K - Sterling Balkan
Overcured Latakia, Threshed Leaf Quality
The first thing I notice upon opening the bag is barbecue. The components listed do not include Dark Fired, but there is 110% without any doubt a not-insignificant proportion of Dark Fired leaf here. Upon handling the "ribbons" I am struck by the rustic texture of this blend: these are NOT ribbons. Rather, what we have here is threshed grade leaf thrown into a tumbler to break it down further. Many veins and midribs, many chunks of charcoal. Yes, charcoal. Why? Because the Latakia used here is over-cured. That means burnt. This is likely the reason for using threshed leaf instead of ribbons: burnt Latakia cannot be cut into ribbons. It must be threshed and tumbled into small chunks. It is a cost saving measure. "Hey Bob, what should we do with all this ruined Latakia? Let's use it anyway, we'll call it 'rustic' and they'll pay more for it 'cuz that sounds fancy." It is also very likely why they included Dark Fired without telling anyone: burnt Latakia doesn't have much aroma or flavor, because it can't burn anymore, so the smoky notes need to come from somewhere. Bottom line: is it awful? It is skirting that line. I gave it five years in the jar to see what would happen, but age has not saved it. It is not quite as terrible as it was in 2021 – Virginia can hardly avoid improving with time – but it is not very good.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal Dark Vintage Cut

More or less the same cut as Kendal Dark, but that's no complaint. I love this stuff. Strong, woody, a bit "sweet", cigar-like with some notes of baking chocolate, coffee, and understated spice. It's very smoky but not the way a Latakia or a Kentucky dark-fired is. There's no campfire creosote or sour, ketchupy, vinegary barbecue character to it. If you've tried any of the "Dark" flakes, ropes, plugs, or ribbons from either of the Gawith companies you'll know what it is (just not one of the lakelands or aromatics). Very high in nicotine, heavy of body, and bursting with flavor. Six stars out of five.

Oliva - Serie O Habano Toro
Very Nice Nicapuro
This is one of my favorite everyday sticks. Nicaraguan binder and fillers give some depth and complexity while the sungrown habano wrapper adds a mellowing contrast to the spice. Notes of cocoa, cream, leather, coffee, earth, spice, woody cedar. It is well constructed. Some minimal burn maintenance may be required, but I've never had a hole in the capote or a runaway canoe. It's a consistent smoke that delivers every time. Perfect for walking the dogs, pulling weeds, the morning cuppa coffee, or a summer sunset in the rocking chair. Especially being on the cheaper side, I fully recommend it. I just bought a couple more here on the site so I could review it as a "verified buyer".

Savinelli - Bing's Favorite Smooth (6mm)
Excellent
Perfect pipe for Virginias. Tall, narrow bowl like a chimney lets those sugars mature and caramelize, bringing out the sweetness and layered depth. Classic look, smokes like a champ after the typical Savinelli break-in period, and makes Virginias taste great. Even makes for a good pointer to use during lectures. Only thing I dislike about it is the vulcanite stem. Oxidizes so fast, and then it's gross. But if you can prevent that, it's a great pipe.

A&C Petersen - Escudo Navy Deluxe 50g
Very Good but Too Expensive
Escudo really is very good, with soft, sweet, bready Virginias and piquant Perique. For some it is the archetypal VaPer blend, the yardstick by which all others are judged. I wouldn't go quite that far, but I do enjoy it. However, I will not pay $20 or more for a tin. If it were cheaper, I would rate it higher.

Cornell & Diehl - Bradyville
For an aromatic...
*For an aromatic* it is quite good. I don't like many aromatics, favoring mostly English and Balkan blends. However, on the rare occasions when I do want an aromatic, I could do worse than this one. I like the brandy topnote, and there is some real tobacco flavor, though it is very light. The room note is just delightful, so the nonsmokers around should appreciate it. If you like aromatics, you may like it quite a bit.

Rattray's - Dark Fragrant 500g
Not for me
I have a giant bag of it, so I really wanted to like it, but I just can't. Nothing here works for me. It's too light. None of the flavors are pronounced enough. Cavendish doesn't taste like anything unless it's flavored; it's there just to add body. But this cavendish is so light that it doesn't add any body. The perique is so faint that it barely exists. The Virginias are indeed "dark" and "fragrant", but not much else. There's no flavor. This blend is like trying to hear a song that sounds like it could be fantastic but you can't hear it very well and there's no volume knob to turn up. You chase it but you just can't catch it, so you lose interest. I still have almost 500g of this stuff and it is hitting the five-year mark soon, so I cannot bring myself to discard it. Let's see what it does as a blending base. I'm going to add some stronger Virginias and perique, perhaps a pinch of latakia. Who knows, it could be a sleeper.

Capstan - Flake Blue 1.75oz
Meh, not what Tolkien Smoked
(Ready Rubbed Blue is no longer available here.) Unfortunately, I believe Capstan Blue *may be* overhyped. It isn't the ambrosia it is so often made out to be. Not very sweet, not much citrus. What it is: a very clean, pure Virginia flake. Grass and hay, some bready notes. Burn can be inconsistent; hot and dry one bowl, gurgle and constant relights the next. It is a relatively average Virginia flake, and consequently very expensive for what it is. I'm sure in Tolkien's day it was fabulous stuff, but we all know how far our culture has declined in the short time since Tolkien left us. Nothing is what it used to be. And, well, that's just the way things go. The passing of once-great marques into mediocrity is something to observe rather than to "complain" about. Everything changes, everything goes up in smoke. The world turns, prices go up, quality declines, but we keep on piping.

Stands & Pouches - Economy Folding Pipe Stand
For the price...
For what they are (cheap plastic) and for the low price, these are fantastic. No, not all your pipes will fit in one of these, but some of them surely will. Throw one in each room where you smoke, in the car, on the porch, on the deck, one in each pocket. Totally it for a buck.

Gladora - Pesse Canoe Latakia Flake 20 50g
Proceed with Caution
Camel cigarettes with some Latakia and a goofy "Turkish Delight" candy dressing. Very disappointing. Very nearly approaches being an aromatic. I do not like it at all. It is perhaps not unsmokable, but it would never, ever be my first or second or even tenth choice. **A word of warning for Iraq/Afghanistan veterans: this stuff smells like the Middle East. If you have PTSD and it is activated by smells of dust, sand, diesel fumes, and whatever tobacco the locals are chainsmoking, you may want to give Gladora a pass. When I cracked my first tins (both PCLF20 and PCLF40), I was transported instantly back to combat deployment. One instant I was in my kitchen with my nose in a tin, and the next I was back in the sandbox. You vets know the smell I'm talking about. If you know that this affects you, be careful with this one.** On the other hand, if you appreciate those olfactory memories and all your flashbacks are positive, you will probably love this.

Brigham - System Rusticated (26S) (Rock Maple Inserts)
50% Price Increase
I love this pipe. It's a great little workhorse, excellent smoker. The maple inserts really do soak up the gurgle, and *sometimes* they really can pass a cleaner. Once upon a time, you could could carry one around in a pocket and not worry about beating it up because it was so inexpensive. It was a fantastic value. In fact, I was just now logging in to buy a few more when, lo and behold, I see the price has jumped 50% in less than three years. In September of 2023 this pipe was just $45. Today it's almost $70 (late April 2026). If these beater-pipes keep going up in price there won't be any point to them anymore. All the value brands are becoming just as expensive as low-end premium brands, losing what made them accessible and therefore valuable. Well, guess I'm off to the workshop... It's becoming a better option to carve my own. **Yes, I really did buy it here! My order number was 2116873.**

Peter Stokkebye - PS403 Luxury Bullseye Flake
Great Stuff
As far as flakes (coins) go, these are among the best. Very grassy, lots of sweet hay, a little bit of barnyard funk. Burns hot if you push it, but behaves nicely if you take it slow. Great for Spring and Summer. Edit: Just smoked some with five years of age, had to award another half star. It's nearly perfect.

Sutliff - Rum & Maple
Wish I had more
First, yes, it is an aromatic. Take that for what it's worth. However, it is really pretty good. It has both strength and flavor, which is very unusual for aromatics. Usually you get all aroma, no flavor, no strength. This has all three. The aroma is very strong maple, not much rum. The flavor is mostly tobacco, which is perfect. You get to have a very nice room note while enjoying some great nutty burley flavor. It's sad that Sutliff is gone. I have a small jar with about four ounces left, about five years old. Once it's gone, it's gone forever. Edit: Apparently this blend is sticking around, being managed by STG along with two or three of Sutliff's other aromatics. Good news.

Savinelli - Bing's Favorite Rusticated (6mm)
Great Virginia Pipe
I like this pipe quite a bit. It's perfect for Virginias. Tall, narrow bowl like a chimney lets those sugars mature and caramelize, bringing out the sweetness and layered depth. Despite its ample length it's light enough to clench comfortably, which one surely must do to honor the legend after whom this pipe is eponymously named. Classic look, smokes like a champ after the typical Savinelli break-in period, and makes Virginias taste great. Even makes for a good pointer to use during lectures. What more is there to ask from a workmanlike pipe? I recommend it.

Savinelli - Roma (706) (6mm)
Stem should have been acrylic
I love this pipe. I love it so much I bought two of them. It's great for Virginias. But I hate the vulcanite. Sav's is not the worst, that dubious honor is owed to Peterson. But Savinelli is not far behind. It oxidizes so fast and so deeply that it's usually not possible to repair. You need a whole new stem, which you can't just buy. You need to go to a local artisan pipemaker and have him turn you a new rod and fit it especially to your pipe. So... yeah. Even with lots of preventative care and maintenance, the vulcanite just doesn't last long enough. I only buy acrylic and horn stems now.

Peterson - Hyde Park 50g
Aromatic
Average aromatic. It's not goopy like Crème Brûlée, but it's way outside the regular Burley category. Not a huge fan of this stuff. See, Virginia sugars are natural, so they do wonderful things with careful aging. But the fake sugars and chemicals they pour over this stuff do not behave the same way. Yuck.

Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Legend Silver Diamond Cut
Perfect
These are the perfect tampers. The vented foot changed my whole rhythm for the better. The dottle pick is long, sharp enough to poke through tough dottles but blunt enough not to scratch your pipe. The spoon is probably one of the most versatile and innovative smoking instruments in recent memory. I'm not exaggerating, it's just that good. These all-metal ones are the best, sturdier and heavier than the resin ones.

Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Legend Gold Diamond Cut
Perfect
The tamping foot is *not* enormous, contrary to another reviewer here. It's relative. If you use teeny tiny little bowls, then yes it may be a tight fit. But if you use any average sized bowl it's perfect. Anything in the .65" range and up. It fits smaller pipes than that, but I don't have anything with a bowl diameter more narrow than .65". No, it probably won't fit in an average kiseru, especially ones made in China, but it fits most briars very nicely. These are my most favorite tampers.

Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Legend Carved Silver
Perfect
8deco tampers are the best, and this particular one is fantastic. It's all metal, giving it a nice weight in the hand. The dottle pick, spoon, and vented foot are all incredibly innovative and versatile. You'll love it.

Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Legend Carved Gold
Fantastic
I love these 8deco tampers. This one is all metal, so it has some nice heft in the hand. You know it's there and it feels like a quality tool. Like all the ones in this style, the vented foot allows for tamping without snuffing the bowl, the dottle pick is long enough for the deepest bowls and blunt enough that it won't scratch the cake. The spoon is incredible; you can manipulate the contents of the bowl while hot, or you can scoop out wet dottles, or do anything else you can think of. It's a versatile little tool. Once you get one you'll want more.

Tampers & Tools - 8deco Tamper - Legend Carved Ebony
Excellent
These 8deco tampers are the best. I have a small collection of them. The one complaint I have about some of them is the spoon: it's not very tough or rugged, so it loosens and gets floppy. This means you can't just throw these in a pipe pouch or rollup and forget about them. Even in a pocket they do require some care. But then again, so does everything else, right? Still, they get my highest rating. Favorite tampers by far.

Tampers & Tools - Tsuge Tamper - E-Star Long
Overpriced
Not worth it. This piece is poor quality metal and the sleeve that comes with it is not real leather. It smells like everything made in India: putrescent offal. I liked the idea of a longer tamper but it's not much longer than an 8deco; the picture makes it look a lot longer than it is. Furthermore, the overly thin foot is held on by this janky little welder's tack most likely from an automated welding machine (tacking is the weakest welding technique there is). This is the weakest and most delicate tamper in my collection, hands down, no contest. If it were something more to look at I could appreciate it as a curio, but it doesn't even have any aesthetic value. I can almost guarantee it will break with any regular use. I will post an update when it does.

Samuel Gawith - Black XX Rope 8oz
Five-Star Virginia Rope
Another winner from the folks at Samuel Gawith. You just can't go wrong with either of the Gawith companies. Black XX Rope is dark, oily, smoky, creamy, heavy, cigar-like, a bit sweet, and strong as an ox. Smoke so thick you can chew it. It's a bit mellower than any of the brown ropes – all that stoving really does work magic. I like to slice mine paper thin, leave it out to dry for at least an hour, then rub out the coins into a sort of rough-cut shag. I find this method works better than most others. If you slice it too thick and pack it like a flake, it's tough to keep lit and your pipe will gurgle. Whichever way you decide to prepare it, smoke on a full stomach and have some sugary beverage handy, because if you're not careful the nicotine fairy will kick you in the guts and turn your face green. But given the proper respect Black XX Rope is divine. This is the one for very slow, patient, almost delicate contemplation, perfect for a postprandial puff following a heavy holiday meal.

Cornell & Diehl - The Beast 2oz
A Rare Winner
Wild. Interesting. Very strong. Tasty. Doesn't hold up to Crowley's recipe, to be sure, but still a very good choice for those nights when you want a punch in the mouth.

Gladora - Pesse Canoe Latakia Flake 40 50g
Such a Shame
Very disappointing. I was so excited to find a blend whose components were all grown, processed, blended, and packed in Turkey: real Turkish latakia (it's not Syrian, but still usually better than Cyprian). However, it struck me as most things from the Middle East usually do: poor quality because the US and her allies have destabilized and impoverished the region. I really wanted to like this, but it's just not very good. It tastes dusty and dirty, like sand and diesel fumes. It also has a weird casing in it that smells like almonds and dates (and Gladora makes several aromatic blends, one with almonds and dates, go figure). The burn was inconsistent and uneven, even though the flakes were very dry owing to the tins not being vac sealed. There were some promising flavors and aromas in the first third of the bowl, but they disappeared almost right away. I was hoping for traditional character, nuance, balance, unique flavors instead of the same old thing we get from the giant corporate conglomerate who owns or distributes almost everything else we smoke, but I found none of these. Of course, I'll try again, and if anything changes I'll edit my review.

Warped - The Red Hunt 2oz
Fruity, Boozy Aromatic VaPer
Red Velvet cake with fruit sauce. Yes, yes, the fruity chocolate flavorings are added mostly in the casing stage, but the sheer quantity makes Red Hunt indistinguishable from many true aromatics. It's not a goopy sugar-bomb like Crème Brûlée, but the staggering amount of flavored aroma-enhancing agent applied locate TRH firmly within the aromatic camp for me. And that's a shame, because the tobacco is very nice. Without the flavors/aromas I could see myself smoking this often.

Cornell & Diehl - Carolina Red Flake with Perique 2oz
Fairly Average VaPer Flake with Too Much Casing
I don't dispute it that much planning and some nice tobacco went into this blend, but I don't find it particularly special. It's smokable, I won't trash it, but there's nothing to write home about. It is impossible for me to understand why Jeremy drowns such great tobacco in awful casings. I know I can smell and taste more than the average pipe smoker, but I can't be the only one to lament over-processing happening at C&D. For a blend like this, one that is supposed to showcase all this fine, choice leaf, I would leave out the artificial aromas and flavors. Please give us something natural, something that doesn't cater to the lowest common denominator. Trust your smokers to see your vision without condescending to us. If you want us to notice the port wine notes, you don't have to put a port wine grapey casing in it. We get it. We see what you see. Stop selling past the sale.

Cornell & Diehl - Star of the East
Smokable, Not Great
For me, a three-star rating is middle of the road. It means I can enjoy it from time to time, and I will probably finish the tin/bag. I won't throw it away and never smoke it again, but whether I'll buy it again is iffy. I was not a huge fan of this one because the blend seemed off, unbalanced. Maybe I'll wait a year and try it again, but it's not a priority. It would definitely not be one of my desert-island selections.

Cornell & Diehl - Habana Daydream
Interesting
Yes, there is a place for this in my rotation. It's a pipe tobacco for recruiting cigar smokers, a nice crossover blend with some of the best aspects of both worlds. Usually a good dry burn.

Cornell & Diehl - Exclusive
Nice Strong VaPer
It's a VaPer with body, strength, and nicotine. Full, round, heavy mouthfeel. Hay, grass, bread, loamy mushroomy, umami. Burns a bit hot, though.

Cornell & Diehl - Dark Fired Kentucky
Charcoal Grill & Brisket
Dark Fired is special. We like it because it's smoky, and it's a different kind of smoky than Latakia. Instead of herby, incensey, woody, creosote smoke, it's smokehouse brisket. It's a bit sour and ketchupy, meaty, salty. It's for when you want a smoky flavor but you're not in the mood for Latakia. Very American, very traditional.

Cornell & Diehl - Burley Ribbon Cut
Dependable Burley
This is a Burley you can count on. It's always there in a pinch (get it?). Its flavor is mellow, it's traditionally American in style, and it's consistently strong. Like Dad's old truck, it's not exciting but it does the job every time.

Cornell & Diehl - Cube Cut Burley
Very Nice
Burley enthusiasts may enjoy smoking it on its own, but for most of us it will remain a condiment or blending base. Price is not fantastic for what it is, but it could be worse. Age offers some improvement. I always keep a half pound to a pound in the cellar.

Cornell & Diehl - From Beyond 2oz
Stop Deleting Reviews!
For the second time, I review From Beyond 2021, and for the second time I state my disappointment. My tin from 2021 had some kind of grapey fruit casing. It's gross. When I took the ribbons from the tin to jar them, I stuck my nose in to appreciate the bouquet, and what I found was a grape-like casing. I hate it. It's not the plummy, raisiny aroma we like in very good Perique. It's some kind of boozy casing, which we all know that C&D is very fond of using. Why is this so controversial that they feel the need to delete my reviews? It isn't a secret. Everyone knows that fruity casings are used in Perique blends to "enhance" the plummy, raisny, stone fruit-y notes we all appreciate in e.g., VaPers. ALSO The Hot Piper's review of 2021 says that he gets a very distinct blueberry from it, so it isn't just me. I have a very sensitive nose, I know when artificial aromas are added (artificial meaning anything that isn't tobacco). Deleting reviews is dishonest. *Update: the aged Virginias are just so good. I really wish C&D didn't use sweet fruity casings on everything, but even despite the casings From Beyond 2021 is just so good. I can't score it beyond 3.5 because even though it's very good I'm upset about what it could have been, what it would be, without the fruity BS.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Brown Flake Unscented
Dark Flake Lite
A lite version of Dark Flake Unscented. Not quite as powerful, a bit subdued to suit the all-day smoker. Superb.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Brown Flake Aromatic
Dark Flake Lite
A lighter, all-day version of Dark Flake Aromatic. Won't blow out the palate, so you can smoke bowl after bowl.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Bosun Plug
Clove Delight
Blissful enjoyment, bursting with autumn cloves and spice. Perfect for Samhain.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Bosun Cut Plug
A Cut Above
Hands down, the best cut plug on the market. It is especially good for the current Autumn season, with its essence of clove. Perfect company for a spooky stroll in the pumpkin patch or cemetery.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Black Irish X
Plato's Ideal Form
If Plato smoked tobacco, he would have used Black Irish X to describe the telos of tobacco in its Ideal Form.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Flake Aromatic
Heavenly
This is what they smoke in Lakeland heaven. If you like lakelands, this is one of the best things you will ever put in your pipe. One word of advice: dedicate a pipe to this flake. The lakeland essence is strong with this one, and it will ghost. But when you enjoy lakelands, that's a plus.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Brown Twist
Archetypal
Brown Twist is everything fine Virginia tobacco is meant to be. Also, if you can't get any Brown Irish X because it's never in stock, Brown Twist is exactly the same thing, just sliced for convenience. If you've had BT you've had BIX. Bogie, X, XXX are all just indicators of ring gages.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Brown Bogie
Scary Good
Whether smoked or chewed, Brown Bogie is fit for a king. Sipped carefully, it can be your best friend.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Flake Unscented
Unsurpassed Delight
Incredibly strong and full-bodied, unbelievably flavorful.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal #7
Perfection
Everything from the Gawith companies is made from the very finest tobaccos available anywhere, and Kendal #7 is no exception. It's fantastic smoked by itself, excellent for blending, and particularly good for English or Balkan mixtures. I await with eagerness its return to stock.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Plug
Dark Plug: Superb Virginia
According to GH & Co. this is a pure Virginia blend. The so-called "Kentucky" leaf described by Smokingpipes is really just dark fired Virginia leaf, not actually a Burley cultivar. It's not Burley at all, just Virginia put through the Kentucky Dark Fire process. Owing to this fact, you can use your favorite Virginia pipe to smoke Dark Plug. Yes, it is dark and smoky and smells like Kentucky, but it is also rather sweet because it has all those Virginia sugars. It is nuanced and layered, with subtle flavors developing throughout the bowl. But don't let your guard down because it is also very robust. Gawith Hoggarth & Co. are the undisputed kings of fine tobacco, and Dark Plug is among their very finest offerings. What a gem. Absolutely perfect.

Cornell & Diehl - Rajah's Court 8oz
Surprisingly Delightful Balkan
These production blends usually disappoint when they're freshly opened, requiring at least a month or two of fermentation in the mason jar, but this one was very good right out of the tin. I liked it from the first bowl. The Orientals are very forward, taking center stage, giving lots of spice and a pleasant tingle on the lips and tongue. I love it when Oriental leaf does that. The Latakia is enough to be present, but maybe a little flat. The Virginias add some sweetness, smooth the edges a bit. It's a classic Balkan.

Cornell & Diehl - Latakia
It's Okay
It will do... There is nothing very outstanding or especially interesting here. Heavy creosote and sappy, tarry, pine-like smoke. Gone are the days of real Syrian Latakia, but we all know that. This is a mass-produced consumer product. It fills the bowl, providing strength, body, nicotine, and campfire smoke, but it does not inspire.

Samuel Gawith - Fire Dance Plug 8oz
Excellent
TLDR: If you like British style aromatics, you'll love it. Everything the Gawith companies produce is always of the very highest quality, and FDF is no exception. These Virginias are from the very top of the toppest shelf. The casings and toppings are whimsical and sophisticated – blackberry brandy and vanilla – and they aren't sweet, sugary, artificial taffy-bomb flavors. Finally, the plug cut allows for preparation according to your preference: slice it for flakes, cube it for easy loading and cool burning, chop it and rub it out for ribbons. The flavors change with each preparation, so it's a bit like a choose-your-own-adventure story. FDF gets my highest recommendation for those who are already fans of high quality British style aromatics.

McConnell - 5 Year Matured Virginia 50g
Meh...
It's very average. If you like dark Virginias to the point that really any darkened and matured Virginia ribbon will do, it might appeal to you. This one hasn't done much for me. It won't be hard to ignore it in my cellar, so we'll get to see what 20-year Virginias will be like.

Cornell & Diehl - Sun Bear Navy Cask 2oz
Good Tobacco, Bad Marketing Experience
I got an early sample, it's excellent as always. Great tobacco. Hence, the five stars. I'm not spamming. Now, on to something just as important. The website experience on Drop Day was exceptionally awful. It's usually very bad, but today was the worst yet. Even signing in 30 minutes early, so you could be on the page the very moment the clock turned from 5:59 to 6:00, would not have saved you from being booted into the waiting room for an hour, and then being booted again every time you attempted to complete checkout. Since this happens with every significant drop, and has been for years, it can only be intentional. And that means they don't respect my time. Personally, I'm tired of being treated like a paypig by some faceless corporate monopoly. I don't need this. Let's see how long this review stays up. Mine usually get deleted.

Vauen - Paris Smooth Light (167) (9mm)
Among Favorites
The Paris is a fantastic and versatile pipe from Vauen.

Rossi - Rubino Antico (8316) (6mm)
Outrageous Price Hike
*Edit: With the recent +$30 price hike, this one is no longer worth it. It was a great deal when it was only $55-60. Now it's $90?! Not worth it, especially with the vulcanite. Rossi's vulcanite oxidizes very rapidly, regardless of the preventative maintenance I put into it (**this listing says the stem is acrylic, but the Rubino Antico line uses vulcanite**).

Rossi - Mezzanotte (8316) (6mm)
Nope
**I am a verified buyer of at least two of these from Smokingpipes. Why they would take away that indicator, your guess is as good as mine.** These used to be my favorite everyday smokers. I have four or five. With the recent price hike they aren't worth it anymore. Used to be the #1 value pipe option on this site, but now they're just one more average piece at a premium price. I was hoping to grab another two or three... Nope. The value just isn't there anymore.

Rossi - Sera (8316) (6mm)
Got Too Expensive
Recent price hike! No longer a great option. I have a handful of these. The first one I got was so great I bought several more. Having been inexpensive, sturdy, and as good looking as most other pipes of significantly higher price ranges, I used to recommend these to everyone, even give them as gifts, but no longer. They used to be fifty bucks, now almost $90. Not worth it at a premium price.

Warped - Scarecrow 2oz
2024 Stock: Disappointed
*This review is for the 2024 release.* Diehard fans of burley aromatics will love it. Scarecrow's aroma from the tin is great: chocolate, vanilla, spices, caramel, candy corn, taffy, and some booze. It quite frankly is the spirit of Halloween. Next, the first fifth of the bowl is great too. Many, though not all, of the notes from the tin show up in the bowl, and not just in the aroma but even in the flavors. But the rest is disappointing the way most aromatics are. Great buildup, no follow-through. The burley has some good strength to it, which is nice in an aromatic since most are very weak of body and nicotine. But there just isn't much flavor, either the synthetic candy flavors from the chemical additives, or the natural tobacco flavors from the decent quality leaf. What's more is that there's an acrid chemical smell present from the very first light that lasts the whole experience. It's in the bowl, it's in the room note, it's on the palate. It's inescapable and it ruins what could have been a decent to so-so smoking experience, dragging it down from average to just below average. I do like the smooth strength of the burley (man, I'm a sucker for some good burley), but it's not worth it for the ephemeral candy aroma that evaporates with the first 20% of the bowl. I had been upset that I only decided to buy four tins, but now I think it's for the best. Soon I'll pop a 2021 tin to compare, and then revisit 2024's release after it mellows for 6-12 months. Many will love it, and that's okay, but it's not for me.

G. L. Pease - Charing Cross 2oz
Good flavors, too much humectant
It seems the strategy here is to mitigate the lack of vacuum sealing, but it's ruining the product. Because Pease tins don't get the vacuum seal, someone thought a little glycol or glycerine would help maintain moisture content (and make the tobacco heavier, costing consumers more $$). This is a terrible idea, at least in my humble opinion. It changes all the characteristics of the leaf: the way it ages, the way it packs, the way it burns, the way it tastes, and the way it smells both in the tin and in the bowl. I hate it that all the big production companies are doing this now. It seems the last holdouts still doing traditional packing in most of their stuff (for now) are Rattrays, Peterson, and both Gawith companies- thank God for European purity laws. Even McConnell has gone the synthetic humectant route, and Mac Baren has been bad for a while. I'm so disappointed. I have a whole cellar of 3-5 year tins I've been waiting to enjoy, pounds and pounds, and it's looking like at least half will be nasty because someone thought glycols were a good idea. What a waste. This is so depressing. I could almost give up pipe smoking over this. I'm giving serious consideration to never buying production brands again. This really upsets me.

G. L. Pease - Kensington 2oz
Removing Reviews
**Please stop deleting honest reviews.** My first review was removed, so I am giving it again. I did not like Kensington because it has some kind of boozy apple pie casing in it. I think it is a casing, but another reviewer has described it as "obvious fruit flavor." A third reviewer has praised the fruit flavors. I don't like them, so why doesn't my voice count? I don't think it's strong enough to be called an aromatic, which is why I believe it was added as a casing. It smells like apples and cinnamon. In my opinion, it does not belong in a Balkan. This is my review, and I will keep posting it here no matter how many times it is deleted. To Smokingpipes: No, this is not an error. I intend to review Kensington. My tin is from 2021. I waited three years to open it, because three years seems to be the sweetest spot for 2oz. GL Pease tins, and I was very disappointed with the result. As always, I have jarred it, and will review it again after some time. If I like it after a month or two of whatever chemical process happens in the jar after popping the tin, I will re-review, and I will even take down my first review. **Please stop deleting honest reviews.**

G. L. Pease - Abingdon 2oz
Pretty Good
The more I smoke it the more I like it. It's a latakia lover's blend. Plenty of body, not too much nicotine. Virginias are sweet and dark, orientals are spicy, and latakia is smokey and incensey. What's not to like? Well, if you like your flavors to sort of alternate throughout the bowl, you may not be best served by Abingdon. It's something of a one-note wonder, dominated by latakia the whole way through. It doesn't change or develop much. Overall, it's pretty good. Just not as good as Westminster. I guess there's a reason Westminster gets a 16oz tin and Abingdon doesn't. The people have spoken.

Sutliff - Pipe Force Episode IV 1.75oz
Not for Me
The day this was released I bought ten tins because I wanted one of the coins, and the marketing said one in ten tins gets a coin. So, I bought ten tins, hoping to get one with a coin. I know that's not how math works, but that's what I did. Now that I've tried it a few times I'm not very pleased with my purchase, because I'm not a huge fan of this stuff. It's smokable, it's not terrible, it's just not something I'll go to bed thinking about or wake up craving in the morning. It will never be my first choice. It may eventually be smoked over the next 20 years, but I will never be thrilled when it's time to smoke this. Maybe I can sell my tins on TinBids in a few years.

Warped - Scarecrow 2oz
What a Surprise!
Earlier this year I asked Smokingpipes if Scarecrow would make a return and they said no! I'm so happy they were playing it close to the vest. What a pleasant surprise. This is awesome. I can't wait. Also, I only ordered half the allowed number of tins, so everyone has a chance to try this beauty. It is so good. Very strong, high in nicotine, rich in flavor and body, and curiously cool on the palate. Even if you don't like aromatics very much, there is enough stout, natural tobacco flavor here to satisfy. And who doesn't like a big boozy blast in their pipe? It will definitely scare off the crows, but the room note is so inviting that it won't scare off the wife. Note: My review of October 2021 is less favorable than this one, but I'm going to leave it up anyway because it illustrates how Scarecrow can grow on you. Give it some time in the cellar and you won't be disappointed. But if you want it as strong and boozy as possible, smoke it fresh, right away. It will knock your socks off.

Peter Stokkebye - PS701 Virginia
Great Blender
With the right companion components, PS701 is excellent. Three years ago I didn't like it much all by itself. I didn't even like it very much as a blending component, but recently I have been blending it with a bit of Stokkebye Black Latakia and some C2 Basma, and it's amazing. These three leafs do something quite magical in my blending bowl. If you've tried it before and didn't like it, pair it with something different, keep experimenting and you'll find something it really complements. My stock is three years old and excellent, but will soon be gone, so I've ordered another couple pounds. Very exciting stuff.

Captain Earle's - Stimulus Package 2oz
It's Okay, Needs Tinkering
Okay, this is great stuff. I'm pleasantly surprised. Typical of the Captain Earle's blends, Stimulus is quite "rustic." It's rough and unrefined in character, which is a style I can appreciate even if it's contrived. Flavor profile is a very classic Americanesque English blend with "too much" latakia. What I mean is that the ratio of latakia to everything else is too high. Latakia drowns out all the other leaf, and the latakia used here is not interesting enough to carry the blend on its own. I always need to add a pinch of this, a bit of that. Crazy Schnauzer says it's like a Lite version of Ten Russians, but I disagree. Ten Russians is a better, more complex and harmonious blend.

G. L. Pease - Spark Plug 2oz
Dark, Rich Leather and Creosote
As per usual with GL Pease/C&D/Drucquer, it does not impress me right out of the tin. It's sort of a one-note wonder, with latakia drowning out everything else. I love latakia more than most people I know, but I like to taste my orientals and virginias too. I'll leave this one jarred in the cellar for two or three months and then it will probably be excellent. That's usually how it works. For now, it's dark, rich, leathery, full of pine smoke and creosote. It's definitely not a "plug" but rather a mush. The leaves are far too wet and soft to be a plug, far too wet and soft to slice into flakes, so it needs to be set out to dry for an hour or more, then rubbed out thoroughly. Spark Plug is a slow smoke, remarkably cool, not as flavorful as I expected, but pretty okay. The tin I opened today is three and a half years old, right where I like it. Now all it needs is a few months in the jar to "settle" and I'm sure it will be delectable. I will re-evaluate at that time. Cheers.

Cornell & Diehl - Orient Express 2oz
Stale, Bland, Weak, Flavorless
Tastes like nothing. This is very weird. First, the ribbons are incredibly dry, because my tin was not vacuum sealed, like a Drucquer or Pease tin. That's also weird for C&D, which are usually vacuum sealed. No flavor upon lighting and none ever develops in the bowl. It's like stale cigarettes. I'm so disappointed. I waited over three years to open this, and it's awful. Completely flavorless. It's not "bad", as to be bad it would have to taste like something. This tastes like nothing. Whenever I open a new tin of C&D I usually don't like it at first, so I jar it and come back in 2-3 months and it's better. I don't think that can happen here because the ribbons are bone dry with zero flavor to adjust. What a bummer. Half a star is a stretch.

G. L. Pease - Westminster 2oz
Yes, I really did buy it here
At first I hated it. I let it sit in the jar a few months and it's lovely. It is one of my most favorite English blends. It gets better with age, and it benefits from being decanted.

McConnell - Oriental 50g
Could have been perfect
My initial assessment of this was very positive. I thought it was perfect. But on a closer examination I find it's full of glycols and glycerine, which ruin everything. The single thing PG/VG is good for is vaping. It ruins tobacco. I had not expected to find it in a McConnell blend. Man, this is so disappointing. To have tried this stuff before everyone started using synthetic chemicals to "enhance" their blends... It must have been something quite special. Also, glycol and glycerine make everything heavier, which means the 50g tin really has less than 50g of tobacco in it. Oh, you're getting a full 50g of "product" in the tin, but a significant percentage of that weight is not tobacco. I can only imagine how good it must have been, long ago, before the synthetic revolution.

Grand Croupier - Boneyard
Decent American Style
Very rustic, very rough, very characteristically Cornell & Diehl. Not refined, it has that gritty, sort of dusty, homespun character that you get with non-aromatic American Burley blends, the country-codger baits. Cavendish is not listed in the components but there is definitely some here. Definitely some Dark Fired Kentucky in this run as well. The several Latakias are nice, but I would have liked more. All the different cuts make for a troublesome burn. There's flake, broken flake, plug, cake, ribbon, shag, some coins, etc., and each cut burns at its own rate. It's all over the place. Many, many relights required. That's my biggest gripe. The flavors are interesting enough and they mostly work well together, but it does not burn well at all. Still, it's worth a try. It's different every run, so it's never the same blend twice. Maybe I'll try again in future. Two pounds should be enough for a while.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Coniston Cut Plug
Strongest Tobacco Available
Very strong, very cool burning, bursting with favor. The lakeland essence is not overpowering. Coniston is a good place to start if you want to try lakelands. It's a happy medium between lakeland and unscented. Enjoy on a full stomach or you'll turn green. Keep some juice or pop handy, anything with a bit of sugar. Smoke slowly and carefully. My only real gripe is that the flakes do not burn very easily. They tend to keep their shape in the bowl, even if you rub them out before packing. This makes it hard to keep lit, with the constant tamping, poking, repacking, relighting, etc. Minus half a star. However, I admit this is at least in part due to user error. Flakes have never been my forte.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Rum Twist
Best in the Game, for Lovers of Fine Virginia Leaf
Six Stars. Rum Twist is hands down *the best* rum-cased Virginia available anywhere for any amount of money. It's not an aromatic, it uses real booze as a casing instead of hiding poor quality leaf under fake sugary candy toppings. It does take some preparation to enjoy — I usually slice very thin coins, rub out, leave to dry for 12-24 hours, then shred — but it is worth it. Rum Twist is strong, very full bodied, and very high in nicotine, but it is so surprisingly mellow. It smokes unbelievably cool, without any bite, and perhaps most importantly it does not coat the mouth in tar and nicotine like other tobaccos of this strength. Your palate won't be blown out by one or more bowls, so you don't need to save this for the last pipe of the day. Smoke it any time of day, and you can still smoke your favorite nightcap later. It's astounding stuff. Deep, dark, rich, satisfying. Put simply, it's one of the best things I have ever smoked.

Peterson - Old Dublin 50g
Excellent
It's creamy, smooth, and flavorful. Body is on the light side of medium, as is the nicotine, but it still has a nice full mouthfeel, owing to the cavendish. It's a bit like a more pillowy version of Standard Mixture. It's lovely. Very balanced but still nuanced and layered. All the components interact beautifully. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly I was not impressed when I opened this tin, the first few bowls being disappointingly lackluster. But after just a few days undisturbed in a jar, it's wonderful. If you don't like it after first opening, just throw it in a jar for a while and you'll be pleased with what you find when you return.

Cornell & Diehl - Bijou 2oz
Age doesn't help
There's something bitter in it that doesn't go away with age. In fact, it gets more pronounced as the other flavors fade. I don't think another five years will help, but we'll find out because all my stock is going to the bottom of the cellar.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Balkan Mixture 50g
New Favorite English sets a High Bar
Excellent Virginia & Latakia mixture. According to Gawith Hoggarth, there is not a scintilla of Oriental in this mixture, just Virginia and Latakia as stated on the tin and all the ad copy. Despite the lack of Oriental, it is still incredibly good. I just opened a three year old tin and I'm very pleased. Yes, there is a smidgeon of lakeland essence in it, but I believe that comes from being processed on the same equipment as their true lakeland blends. The bit of lakeland leaves a pleasant tingle on the tip of the tongue, which I quite enjoy. If you love high quality Virginia and the smoothest Latakia, this is sure to satisfy. It goes to the top of my rotation.

Lane Limited - BCA
Ruined a Favorite Pipe
Not a fan of this at all. Smells great in the bag and the jar, but in the bowl it smells awful and tastes even worse. I believe there is some real vanilla in it, but there's also a very bitter, oily chemical all over it. It's horrid and it sticks to everything — prep surfaces, fingers, clothes, tampers, pipes. It ruined one of my most favorite pipes, even though it was only sprinkled in as a condiment. Can't exorcise it. It's so nasty, makes everything taste awful. I'll probably have to use the salt and alcohol treatment.

Peterson - Standard Mixture 50g
Perfect
Like many of Peterson's blends, I did not like it at first. So I let it sit in a jar for a month and it was lovely. Now it's at the top of my list, always on rotation among my most favorite English blends. I enjoy it much more than anything from Pease or C&D. It is indeed the Standard English. No cellar is complete without it.

Mac Baren - Navy Flake 16oz
PG/VG Additives
All my Baren/HH flakes are drying out, due to nonsense additives. I just opened a jar with more than three years of age, and it's so dry the flakes are impossible to fold. They just crumble. I'm noticing this with all my Baren/HH: Navy Flake, Burley Flake, Dark Twist, Pure VA, Vanilla, Golden Extra (broken flake), etc., etc. They're all drying out despite airtight storage and the insides of the jars are clouding. When those two things happen together — cloudy jars and dried out flakes — you know they've used Glycols and other additives as humectants for false moisture and heavier weight. The flavors become increasingly bitter the older these additives get, because they go rancid. I'm not surprised, but I am incredibly disappointed. My stocks from 2020 and older are okay, but ones from 2021 and later all look like this. This is bad news. What a waste. Unless I learn that the issue has been resolved, I will not buy Mac Baren/HH again.

Cornell & Diehl - Super Balkan
Balkan-ish: Backwoods Balkan
A few years ago I gave C&D Super Balkan full marks, but today I give it just four. We all have our own definitions of "Balkan" but the classic definition is an Oriental-forward English mixture; that is, Virginia and Latakia setting the stage while the Orientals take centerstage. Super Balkan is not very Oriental-forward, as the Perique and Burley make rather loud contributions. Certainly we find both Burley and Perique in many English blends, the latter most especially, yet they are not supposed to steal the show in a blend labeled as "Balkan." The quintessential Balkan mix comprises the Big Three, i.e., Orientals, Latakia, Virginia, in that order. Super Balkan puts Burley in the driver seat with Perique navigating, while Virginia, Latakia, and Orientals act as mere passengers along for the ride. Consequently, it strikes me as more of an Americanized English blend than a true Balkan. It's very strong, loud, boisterous, rough around the edges, and uncouth — the stereotypical "Ugly American" on a trip across the pond as a tourist. It's good, and there's a role for it in any cellar, it's just not archetypal. It reminds me of something you might bring back from a visit with your estranged Appalachian uncle: a Backwoods Balkan. Homemade corn cob pipes, a mason jar of genuine moonshine, and a leather rollup pouch stuffed full of hand blended Backwoods Balkan, sure to knock you for a loop.

Mac Baren - Golden Extra 16oz
Mellow Burley
Dependable, consistent everyday burley blend. Nothing outstanding or special about it, just decent stuff. It's a little sweet, it's toasty, a bit malty, earthy, nutty, cool-burning. Not very full of body, I'd put it at 2/5. Strength likewise I'd rate it 2/5. It is a bit dry, so if you usually set out your tobacco to dry, you won't need to do that with Golden Extra. In fact, you could mix it with moister blends for a happy medium moisture. Finally, there is a lot of Virginia. It has that typically Mac Baren honey-sweet Virginia flavor.

Cornell & Diehl - Chopped Cigar Leaf
Great Condiment
Perfect as a condiment. I add a pinch to my favorite Balkan or English to shake things up a bit, and it never lets me down. Lately, I've also been adding it in with blends I don't like very much, and some of them are surprisingly quite good with this addition. I've been able to save almost a pound of tobacco from so many tins I was ready to throw away. Give it a try. It'll be like your favorite grilling spice or hot sauce, that stuff you put on everything.

Cornell & Diehl - Redburn 16oz
Good Codger Bait
Straightforward BurVa blend with DFK as a condiment. Tin/jar note is pretty full of molasses, not much "rum" aroma at all. Burley takes center stage from first to last, burning relatively coolly. Virginia adds a bit of sweetness to the burley's nutty earthiness. DFK adds a smidgeon of smoky depth. It's not very strong, basically a medium. It crumbles at the touch and packs like a dream, but you'll need to pack it tight and tamp often to keep it lit. There's not much to dislike here, but the opposite is also true: nothing outstanding or exciting either. It's a straightforward American style blend, firmly in the center of "codger" territory. Think grampa's rockin' chair on the front porch, sleepy dog, sweet tea, fields of grain, rusty old Ford, tire swing hangin' from the old oak tree. Plenty of nutty, earthy flavor with some spice and a tiny hint of sweetness. Neither the rum nor the molasses show up in the flavor profile. Though it burns cool, it does go surprisingly quickly, burning down to the finest ash. Leaves a nice "cigar" type aroma in the room, which is dee-lightful to encounter upon reentering after having left the room for a while. Perfect for smoking any place where cigars are appreciated. I've had a pound aging in a jar for three years and it's mellowed a great deal. Redburn is not enchanting or nuanced, and it won't inspire hours of contemplation, but it's a dependable smoke. It's an all-day blend and a staple in the rotation of any burley fan.

Drucquer & Sons - Blairgowrie 100g
Meh
Tried it in 2021, wasn't a huge fan. It was okay then, but not great. I prefer big balkans and straight Englishes, not so keen on Scottish style blends with Perique. I vacuum sealed the tin I had opened, let it sit for two and a half years. From what I remember of it in 2021, it seems perhaps a bit more interesting today. Still not a favorite but I'll try to finish the tin.

Rattray's - Red Rapparee 100g
Very Rattray's Very Good
There's always something different about Rattray's blends that you just don't get in anything that comes from the group that makes all the marques for C&D/G.L.Pease/Drucquer & Sons/etc. It's very premium. The first thing I noticed after the very intriguing bag note is that Red Rapparee has a great mouthfeel. I knew I was in for a treat right away. It has the perfect moisture right out of the tin/bag, it's full of body, yet still medium in strength. The flavors are full and wide and round, but not heavy. They don't slather the palate in tar and nicotine. I'm not usually a huge fan of cavendish in my English/Balkans, either because the blender used too much or used cheap, rough leaf, but cavendish is absolutely a winner in Red Rapparee. It adds the perfect texture, body, mouthfeel. I was so pleased from the first light. The Virginias are dark and mature, a little sweet. The latakia is not overpowering, just a little smoky. These all serve as a nice field for the orientals to play on. Floral, earthy, buttery, a little spicy, maybe a bit incense-y, complex but not overly so, not in a distracting way. It's just so good, so refreshingly different, so unlike anything that the popular production companies are doing. The stuff I smoked today was produced in August of 2021, so it's almost three years old, and it's been stored in its factory-original 500g bag in a walk-in humidor. I wouldn't have thought that was ideal, leaving it in the plastic rather than jarring it, but hey, it's really good.

Savinelli - 145th Anniversary 2oz
Needs More Perique, Age
When I add 18-20% perique by volume, this blend becomes so much better. On its own it's pretty good already, but add in a fat pinch of long cut perique if you want a 5-star sleeper blend. There's already some perique in it, but not nearly enough. Add more and it unlocks the full potential of this gorgeous stuff.

Cornell & Diehl - Star of the East Gold
Not Star of the East
I like this a lot. First few times I tried it, I wasn't impressed because I was comparing it to Star of the East. But that's not what this is. It has almost nothing to do with it. As a blend on its own, it's fantastic. It's heavy on the Virginias and Orientals, barely any Latakia present, and that's okay. Stop comparing it to its namesake and you'll start to enjoy it. It is *very* dry, however, so it smokes a bit hot and fast.

G. L. Pease - Windjammer 2oz
Nice
With three years' age, it's very nice. A bit on the artificially sweet side, which makes me suspect more sugar and PG than real rum. The balance is great for the first half of the bowl, no one note overtaking the others. Each is detectable but none is separable from the rest. Room note is very inviting, especially upon returning after having left for a few minutes. This is owed to all that sugar and spice. Though the broken flake is rather dry, it is strangely difficult to keep lit, which makes tongue bite a risk. It works well in a tall, thin billiard, such as a Savinelli 706 or Bing's Favorite. **Edit: There's something bitter in it. About halfway through the bowl it gets incredibly bitter, staying that way all the way to the bottom. Maybe it's all that sugar and glycol burning. That stuff doesn't belong in/on/with tobacco of any kind.

Mac Baren - HH Pure Virginia 16oz
Dry and a bit boring.
I have three pounds of this stuff in my cellar. Took out a small jar, maybe 6oz, to see how the aging is going. They've been in there three years so far. I'm quite disappointed. Waited three years for dry and bland and boring. Sure, it's light and clean and grassy, but not much more than that. It might make a passable base for blending, but it's not good by itself. I sure do hope it's not all like this. What would I do with three pounds of dry, bland, boring leaves?

Rattray's - Wallace Flake 50g
Excellent VaBur
Almost as nice as Peterson University Flake (PUF). I have discovered the secret: it must be rubbed out very thoroughly and set to dry for at least 20 minutes. You could even use an herb shredder. Pop the flakes in there, give a few twists, then rub out further with fingertips. It's a bit lighter of body and nicotine than PUF, and the plum topping is less detectable in the bowl. It's like PUF "Lite" or discount brand. Still very good. I've got ten tins aging to perfection in the cellar.

Sutliff - TS-20 Louisiana Perique
Authentic
This stuff is top notch. Truffly, musky, spicy, fruity, umami. Everything you want. The *only* way to get better Perique is to buy it in whole leaf form, straight out of the barrel, from St. James Parish. I have several pounds of whole leaf Perique aging in my cellar like the finest of wines, waiting for blending. While it ages to mature perfection, I have Sutliff TS-20 and some long-cut and granulated Perique from C&D with which to develop my home-blend lineup. All around five stars. Can't go wrong.

Cornell & Diehl - Awakened Elder 2oz
A Bit Too Busy
First 1/4 bowl is promising. Very robust and tasty. Very musky. Perique dominates, which is nice. Truffly, spicy, salty Perique is always a winning component. Virginia plays a muted background role, darkened Virginias, not brights or goldens. The presence of Kasturi is salient but not overpowering, a seasoning, like cumin in a taco. It's the first thing that smacks me in the face right out of the jar, and in the bowl. Burley is good no matter what you do with it, I like it in almost anything. Cavendish is a little weird here, as there is already enough body from all the other components. It's not added for marshmallowy sweetness or creamy body because this is a salty savory meaty blend, so cavendish seems out of place to me. But then again, Lovecraft was all about the out-of-place. Latakia is inconsistent, barely showing up, just phoning it in. It's not a primary component, just a garnish. Overall, Awakened Elder feels too busy to me, pulled in too many contrary directions, elements fighting each other instead of working together harmoniously. Difficult to categorize, as it's not very English, not a Virginia, not a Burley, not Aromatic, and not "American" either. There's not enough of any major component to define it within that component's category. It strikes me as an "everything bagel" sort of thing, as if the blender took every tobacco he liked separately and decided to add them together. "If I like them independently, why not all at the same time?" Sure, that's the idea with these HP Lovecraft blends, high strangeness, ineffable weirdness, but weirdness for its own sake is just a gimmick. Doesn't do much for me. I'll finish my jar over the next week and see if my assessment changes any.

Cornell & Diehl - Palmetto Balkan 8oz
Better 2 Years Later
I tried mine for the first time in September 23. Smelled like metal, mushy canned green beans, boiled peanuts, mud, and fermenting boggy peat moss. Put it in the cellar for another six months, and it has improved. Orientals are still very sharp and tingly. That leguminous, metallic, beany musk has calmed down quite a bit. The sour grassiness of the red Virginias is becoming more prominent. This latakia does not evoke anything like old Syrian latakia, but it is different to what C&D usually uses. It's heavier and more oily, but without being as full of body. Still full of the anti fungal additive that burns my palate, unfortunately. I always seem to get tins fairly over-treated with that stuff. It's like greasy, oily talcum powder. What I taste the most throughout the bowl is stewed green peppers, which is not what I want from my balkans. It starts out quite wet with a fair bit of gurgle, but give it some time, and you'll get a nicely dry finish. Burns down to fine ash, with thousands of tiny sparkly bits from the baby powder.

Kramer's - Father Dempsey
Sandwich in a Blender
Father Dempsey is a decent blend but not great. It's a bit too moist, but that's better than being too dry. I believe its moisture comes from Glycerin, which isn't thrilling. There is also sugar syrup/invert sugar here, which I taste in the draw before I even light it. Also not good. The proportions are so "well balanced" that nothing stands out. They all muddle together. I don't taste the Virginias, the Latakias, and the Orientals, each distinct from the other. It's like a sandwich in a blender. You taste everything together, no one element separate from any other element. And the glycerin and sugar give it a heavy aromatic mouthfeel. This gives it a more American feel than a true English -- an "English" for people who don't like English blends. Non-English English. *Edit: the second half of the bowl is really great. Almost worth the first half of the bowl it takes to get there.

Peterson - De Luxe Navy Rolls 50g
Don't let it sit too long
De Luxe Navy Rolls is great stuff, but you should smoke your tin ASAP once it's opened. Don't leave it sitting in a jar, because those nice Virginia sugars will turn sour. Mine smells like the crab apples that fall off the tree and rot. Of course, I'm still smoking it, but it's not so lovely anymore. Once you pop the tin, smoke 'er till she's done.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal Kentucky
Nice Burley
Comes without any lakeland weirdness. This is a major plus. Just pure Kentucky goodness. Use it for a good stiff kick in the mouth, for a quick nicotine boost, as a condiment to spice up your favorite OTC tin, or make it the base for a strong home blend. Can't go wrong. I love it when the Gawiths take a break from the crazy lakeland stuff and let the pure tobacco shine through.

Presbyterian - Presbyterian 50g
Still No Oriental Leaf
Tin says it contains a mix of Virginia and Latakia, nothing else. No orientals of Turkish, Macedonian, Greek, or any other variety. I talked to a blender working for the company who reports Zero Orientals, "read the label, brother! No orientals." It's very confusing why certain outlets choose to claim oriental leaf in the mix while others choose to agree with the manufacturer (and we should accept what the manufacturer says until we're given very good reasons not to). It's high quality and very tasty if you're in the mood for Virginia with just a pinch of mild latakia with a creamy marshmallow sauce. If you're seeking an English or a Balkan, this is not it.

Mac Baren - HH Latakia Flake 16oz
SOUR, Spicy, Salty, Savory
I wasn't a huge fan of this the first few times I smoked it, so I rubbed out six ounces into a ready-rubbed state, put it under pressure in an airtight container, and cellared it for three years. Now it's pretty good. I have another 2/3 pound in the cellar still in full flake form, will compare that later. For now, my ready-rubbed flakes are nice. It's got the dark fired burley very typical of Mac Baren and HH. It's got some very sour orientals. It's got some brisket-like latakia. And the Virginias are dark and matured. The result is one savory, salty, vinegary, barbecued, very American take on an "English" blend. It is not English at all, we just say that when latakia is involved, which is weird because Latakia is a port in Syria and not English at all. In any case, it's good. The sour blast tapers off quickly, making room for the bready figgy virginia sweetness, with smoky brisket latakia dancing in and out. It's much better after three years of high pressure cellaring, much more cool and mellow, but if you smoke it fresh you still might like it. Do NOT start here if you're looking for your first foray into "English" tobacco. This isn't English, it's an American slant on a quasi-English tradition.

Cornell & Diehl - New Market
Fans of Deertongue Enjoy
This is enjoyable stuff, especially for fans of the mysterious condiment leaf that is deertongue. Sweet, grassy, herbal vanilla, creamy, citrus. A nice Virginia blend with added body and a bit of extra sweetness.

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Blog's Commented on

Slicing and Dicing Plug Tobaccos
  • ► The article says the tobacco in the picture is Gawith Cob plug; is that right? It looks *really* good.
  • ► Ivan Burrows. Hey, thanks. Oh, I do love Rum Twist. About two kilos of it ages to perfection in my cellar this very moment. I still have not been able to lay hands on any Cob Plug, however. I know it's supposed to be just the pre-sliced plug version of 1792 Flake, but I think there are some subtle differences that come from aging in plug form, so I still want to try it. Firedance Flake tastes and behaves differently to Firedance Plug, so I think there may be something different in Cob Plug too. (Dr Nigro)