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Cornell & Diehl - The Beast 2oz
Strong and Spicy
This stuff will put hair on your chest... The tin note was soft, really nice smelling. I picked up mostly ripe fruit. I could sniff it all afternoon, but thought it would be better smoked. And of course, I was so right! It was of perfect consistency to light right from the star. The Beast smoked surprisingly cool, all the way down the bowl. It started out light, but after the charring light the spiciness became strong, almost like gargling with black pepper. By the last half of the bowl the Vitamin N really kicked in. After an hour, I was beginning to reel. I've had stronger, but rarely with this much flavor, and Beast is easily strong enough for me! It was so potent straight up I decided to mellow it out a little. Using the 3-step method to pack I packed the first layer with a nice all day VaPer (in this case P. Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake), the second layer with The Beast, and the third layer with another coin of Bullseye. Not surprisingly the played nicely together. After the charring light the 2 components in the bowl melded well and offered a mellow, cool, spicy but of about a 4* strength. I'm sorry it is no longer available as I only bought a couple of tins since I still have a few tins from the 2022 release. But when (if?) The Beast is released again in a couple of years I will be sure to pick up some more for the cellar!

Cornell & Diehl - Fires on the Levee 2oz
Wish I Had Bought More!
I ordered a few tins of Fires on the Levy. I like to pick up only a couple of tins of something new (to me) to sample before I commit to larger quantities. That way if I don't care for it I haven't lost much. If I Don't like it I can cellar the rest and try it again later. This being a "small batch" (though 20,000 tins isn't THAT small 🤷‍♂️) I realized it had the potential to sell out before i could add more, if I so chose. Wouldn't you know, Fires on the Levy did just that. I just had to try this blend so I cracked a tin and gave it a run. Oh, boy! The tin note was very light, but nice. I picked up a light grassy/bready note, along with something I couldn't place - almost like a very ripe fruit, or a very old brandy. Upon smoking I found FotL to be stronger blend (which I appreciate!) right from the start than I had expected, probably the result of the Perique and the DFK components. The smoke was sweet from the excellent Virginias, and a small bit spicy from the Perique coming through. What I did perceive was the effect of each component coming through separately, unmarried. That is no surprise since C&D had only tinned less than a month previously. But I still really like it. Wouldn't you know that since I liked the blend, it was all sold out before I could reorder and since it's a "small batch" it is not likely ever to be available again. That's a shame because I wanted to cellar a LOT. I'm sure that after aging a little this blend should be nothing but sublime! I suppose all I can do is to enjoy the rest of this tin, and cellar the rest until the flavors unify together, and become a source of true Nirvana...

Davidoff - Flake Medallions 50g
Good, but...
Good, but not "great." Lately, I've been on a a coin format "kick," trying all of the VaPer-based blends that I could find. The coins were firm and relatively dense, and presented like little soldiers in a row packaged nicely in a folded paper cup inside the tin and sealed in the paper with a resealable gold paper seal. The Davidoff Flake Medallions had a very faint tin note. I noticed something like dates or prunes. The smoke was smooth and easily lit, with minimal re-lights. I noticed a bready taste and smell, with a Mellow trace of citrus. The nic was not what I would call a strong "hit," Mellow but present. No mistake, I liked the Flake Medallions, and will be buying more to cellar. However, I prefer Escudo for the stronger tin notes, slightly stronger nic "hit" and stronger flavor. For the price I'll stick to Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flakes, one of my daily go-to blends.

Warped - The Haunting Cake 2oz
I Love This Blend!
I randomly found a tin of the 2020 blend of the Haunting. I think it was the only tin in my cellar, so I cracked it open to see what it was like. From the first puff of the first bowl to the last puff of the tin, I was hooked, and disappointed that it was my only tin. Randomly as I wished for more, SP announced "something new" coming from Warped. I hoped it would be the Haunting. I was so glad when they announced a revival of this blend and bought a few tins. As others have said, it isn't the same, but to be fair my first tin had matured for 5 years. The 2025 version is still great, though not quite as strong (no complaints here 🤷‍♂️). Others have described the flavor and other characteristics so I won't be redundant. I will comment that the tin note is also amazing. If you like cigars as well as Virginias, this is a great crossover. Now just starting on my second tin, I am hooked again. I am about to go and order a few more to cellar for a few years!😊

Peter Stokkebye - PS403 Luxury Bullseye Flake
My Daily Go-to
I really like this blend. I like the coins which are well-formed and tight. Some are broken, but not many and that's to be expected in a bulk offering. It tastes much Escudo, but it's much less expensive. It is also a little less strong. While Bullseye Flake is in my daily rotation, I like to use Escudo for times I feel like celebrate adding. or treating myself. Sometimes I will pack one Exdudo in the bottom of my pipe and fill the rest with Stokkeye Luxury Flake. After a few moments the Escudo flavor comes through, making for a nice bowl. If you are a fan of VaPers, you will definitely be a fan of Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake! I currently have more than four pounds aging in my cellar, but I keep dipping into my supply for my daily ration.

A&C Petersen - Escudo Navy Deluxe 50g
Equal to the Hype👍
I really like this blend. I really appreciate the presentation. The coins are well-formed and tight, layer out in two little rows like soldiers, and wrapped in paper that is wrapped and sealed with a gold seal whilesticker. It tastes much Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake, but a little more flavorful. It is also a little bit stronger. I would rate it more like 3½ stars in strength. But, of course it is more expensive. While Bullseye Flake is in my daily rotation, I like to use Escudo for times I feel like celebrating, or treating myself. If you are a fan of VaPers, you will definitely be a fan of Escudo!

Sutliff - Great Outdoors 1.5oz
NOT a Fan
I was looking forward to trying this blend for awhile. I was attracted by the "Burley, Black Cavendish and Virginia" components. Unfortunately I somehow overlooked the "anise/licorice" comments. Tin was damp,but no problem lighting nor keeping lit. But the topping is strong, and to me unpalatable. I am only two bowls in, but I don't see taking a third. It also severely ghosted my pipe. I may end up dumping the rest. At least it was inexpensive.

Tabac de la Semois - La Brumeuse 3.5oz
Delicious!
And here I thought la Petite Robin was dry! La Brunueuse is even dryer. Others have described this well. All I can really add is: Pack this tight and sip SLOWLY, and be rewarded with a unique smoking experience. Highly recommened and quite flavorful. I ordered more.

Tampers & Tools - Tobacco Pipe Wind Cap
A MUST for Outdoors
The outdoors use is obvious, and I won't belabor the point. This tool reduces wind on the ember, so it doesn't burn out fast and doesn't blow burning particles when smoking. And it works well. 'nuff said. Yes, it works well to pre-pack a pipe and keep it packed until it is time, indoors or out. I have not, as others have said, been able to re-light with the cover on (YMMV), and it still requires removal in order to tamp. BUT, I also frequently use one INDOORS as well, as it keeps from blowing ash and burning embers while relaxed using the "breathe method," which sometimes exhales slightly through the pipe. However, you need more than one: The underside can get pretty dirty when smoking with the cover in place, and it requires more than a simple brush with a pipe cleaner to clean. Aromatics are especially nasty in this regard.

Cornell & Diehl - Professor 2oz
Not a Fan
My wife gave me two tins of this as a commemoration of my retirement as a Professor, along with a Peterson Sherlock Holmes Professor pipe. Love the pipe but unfortunately, I'm not a fan of Professor. Don't get me wrong, it's a very nice, mild and flavorful blend, and if it's your cup of tea you will likely like it very much. But I am not a big fan of the Latakia and Professor is a little too Latakia forward for me. I'll put the second tin into the cellar and see if I like it better over time.

G. L. Pease - The Virginia Cream 2oz
Delightful
First bowl I didn't care for this at all. Second bowl it was OK. But in the third, WOW! (and I don't"WOW" easily). I actually found myself thinking of The Virginia Cream when I wasn't smoking it. Subtle and comfortable. I don't get the bourbon, but the vanilla is present in oh, so slight amount. This has now become a favorite, and a daily smoke in my rotation. I went back and ordered the 8oz tin after cleaning out a 2oz tin in less than a week. Smoke it slowly, don't puff like a freight train, and TVC will reward you with a cool, sweet experience.

Cornell & Diehl - Exclusive 2oz
Tasty, but Stronger than it Looks
Exclusive is quite tasty, spicy and leaves just a tiny sweetness on the palate. I bought a couple of ounces in an attempt to broaden my rotation, and it didn't disappoint. But it IS strong, not to be enjoyed first thing in the morning, nor on an empty stomach. I think it is stronger than the 4* given in the description but it's power kind of sneaks up on you when you don't expect it. Half way through a second bowl in a medium-sized pipe and my head was reeling and stomach was doing flip-flops. Compared against "the Beast," my go-to standard for "strong," and Exclusive comes out stronger. I'll certainly get more, but not for everyday.

Tabac de la Semois - Le Petit Robin 100g
Unique is the Word
Others have addressed the cut, so I won't belabor how fine it is. Suffice it to say, it is very finely cut. More so than even I had expected. Like a fine moss, or a dust bunny. And dry, very dry, like a fine tinder for starting a campfire. But I think it would lose something if it was re-hydrated. Resist the urge to humidify. It is spicy, grassy, and has a wonderful flavor that I have not tasted in any other tobacco. Packed tightly it still burns in about half the time of other blends in my bowl, but not hot if "sipped." Fragrant, floral, all of the stuff others have said. I think you'll like it, or reject it, but I cannot see being ambivalent. Put me in the "like very much" category. At the size, and the resulting cost (it's not like you can just pick up an ounce to try), I was reluctant to take the plunge on an unknown, but I am very glad that I did. Now it makes me want to get and try the other cuts of pure Semois while I can. GO FOR IT. If it turns out that you don't find it a favorite you can always gift it to your friend who will!

Amphora - Kentucky Blend 1.75oz
Great Stuff!
I happened upon Amphora Kentucky through the tobacco finder on this website. I was searching for something for something with a little stronger profile. This blend suited that bill. I'm not a big fan of the "broken cut" cut, it is a little more difficult to get packed properly. It requires a different pack from most other blends I've tried, too easy to pack loosely, but too tightly and it's hard to keep light. Comes from the pouch a little drier than most. It's not "too" strong, certainly not weak, burns slowly - a bowl seems to last about 50% longer than others I use. Full of flavor, slightly sweet, Amphora Kentucky has become a daily favorite. I keep trying others, but I keep coming back to Kentucky Blend

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