I could smell the Virginia upon opening it. Removing it from the tin I was able to notice the Criollo. It’s a little on the dry side out of the tin, but not overly dry. On the initial lighting the Criollo comes through with strong leather, spice, and charred wood, with sweetness of the Virginia on the aftertaste. As the bowl progresses the flavors begin to balance, and the flavor becomes full and rich. The strength is just past the middle mark. This should age well, mellowing and marrying these tobaccos, and I would expect that this would take on rich sweet and somewhat floral character. A fabulous blend. Read Less

I actually was pleasantly surprised with this one when I finally got around to smoking it. I haven't had the original so I can't compare it to that but it is my understanding that this was an OTC baccy at one time and for that it is a perdy darn good tobacco. The prices we are seeing on this tobacco in the States would suggest it's a top shelf, high end tobacco so it seems Mac Baren is trying to force this blend in a market where it does not belong. I would happily pay OTC prices for Gold Block but unfortunately this blend does not warrant the current asking price. This is not a high end, fancy tobacco and if that is what you are expecting you will be disappointed. It is a good, bland smoke that I wouldn't mind putting into my pipe from time to time. It doesn't have any real flavor that I can speak of, it's like a sugar cookie in that it's sweet but doesn't really taste like anything but is still quite enjoyable. If pushed this will definitely give you tongue bite so go slow with this one. Air dry this one 15-20 minutes before loading up and you'll be good to go. Nicotine is nothing special so if your require large doses of nicotine than I suggest ya snuff and puff with this one. A fun thing you can try out with this blend is mixing it 50/50 with St. Bruno for a whole different taste experience. Apparently this method was very popular for a time, they call it Ogden's Mixture. They should have kept this one where it belongs... over the counter. Read Less

I don't write reviews often, but this one seemed to be a given. As is my usual practice, I opened a tin of Peterson EMP, the day after I got it, and the day before I smoked it. The introduction of air to a vacuum sealed tin always tends to excite the poor tobacco that has been deprived, and it gets it pretty excited. Well I must say I was incredibly happy to have EMP back. From the moment I opened the tin I could remember the wonderful scent of Dunhill EMP. From the moment of the 1st burn, everything was right in the world again. Thank you Peterson for picking this back up, and keeping it exactly the same!! Read Less

This is a great tobacco, but it is very sensitive to how you pack the pipe. It needs a bit of trial to get it right, but it is really flavorful and easy smoking with no bite once you get the packing and cadence down right. The 100g tin has a really long spiral flake and one needs to tear off enough to either rub out just a bit or stuff directly into the bowl with only a short drying time ... Read Less

Escudo is well represented in my cellar and for good reason. This blend ages with the best of them. Although, I really enjoy this blend with just a year of age on it. At this time when you crack a tin it has an incredible tin note of muscadines. The smell takes me back to my childhood and stopping at fruit stands on the side of the road with my mom. The blend not only smells great but it also taste pretty darn good too. The blend supports a wonderful mix of fruit, spice and a touch of hay (particularly when it is young). Give this one a try if you have not done so already. Read Less

A lot of C&d blends that claim to be aromatics, i don't really feel are so. and this is a pretty good example. This blend to me really has almost no aromatic qualities, HOWEVER, its a fantastic blend.... The tin note is more like a McClellands "ketchup" fermented virgina smell rather than a wafty note of other aros. It smokes and tastes like a virginia tobacco, with a HINT of nutmeg or allspice, and equally leaves behind that room note. If you are not an aro fan but want something a little more seasonal, this is most likely a perfect blend for you, you really taste more of the tobacco than anything else and the flavor is more of a hint, than an actually flavor. it does sometimes need a little extra rubbing out depending on what pipe you smoke it in. if you prefer a more natural tobacco then this is most likely going to be something you love, while i do love it, would highly recommend it and tell you its a great blend and am very grateful to smoke such a well put together blend, it was not as high on my christmas blend scale like Holiday Spirit from McClellan has become. get it ? yes ! but its not going to leave your family thinking of baking cookies or pie from the room note, nor is it like smoking a bowl of rum and coco cavendish. Read Less

This blend welcomes your palate with an intoxicating fragrance that smells like a library full of classics (in the original languages). Sensory experiences are further tantalized by the sight of this cake that resembles beef jerky. Mouth is watering. First light is like an exotic punch to the mouth. This is a magnus opus of english blends. Not for the faint of heart, but for those discerning lovers of fine English Blends, Quiet Nights will become a dear friend. I enjoy this with some Islay Scotch, the peaty flavors work with this blend well, preferably with a book in hand and an hour or two to spare. Read Less

Imagine the difference in taste between a ripe plum and a plum stewed with a bit of sugar, vanilla and orange rind… that’s the difference you get here. Royal Yacht is a refined Virginia blend which I would describe as elegant, sweet, mellow and a bit smoky. There’s a prune juice or port wine like note that goes very well with the Virginia leaf. Perhaps some stoved Virginia is in this, which might explain the smoky, caramelized, fermented fruit note. It’s moderately fermented fruit sweet with a slight tang, and I’m picking up a woody smokiness. Its medium body, medium to full flavor, and the nicotine is above average for a supposedly straight Virginia blend. I’d place this one in the medium category as the nicotine level really picks up mid bowl. The Virginia’s used are of high quality, and the added flavor doesn’t sublimate the leaf but rather compliments it very well; adding a little more sweetness and fruitiness. If you’re seeking a straight Virginia that’s low in nicotine, is bready, hay like or with a fresh grassy character – look elsewhere. This one is for those that enjoy their Virginia’s fermented and with an ever so slight flavor-enhancing aromatic flair. Read Less

<p>Now I'm the first to admit that this review may be quite subjective - but this tobacco has made it to the top of my list and has become my all-day smoke; to the extent that I'm hesitant filling my pipe with any of the other great tobaccos in my collection.</p> <p>I love everything about Presbyterian, starting with opening the tin, feasting my eyes on the coarsely cut mixture of bright and dark leaves. This is accompanied by the delicious musty, earthy, and spicy aroma. The cut is ideal for the way I fill my pipe (similar, but not identical, to the 'air pocket' method).</p> <p>The tobacco lights easily, even when slightly moist from a freshly opened tin. When it has dried out just a little, it can be smoked all the way down from the first light, although I would rarely smoke a bowl in one sitting; that is no problem though, as it maintains its delicious taste and aroma, even after cooling down and sitting for some time before a relight.</p> <p>As a lover of Orientals, I find these tobaccos to be the star of the show, perfectly complemented by the Latakia and Virginia. I have always loved Latakia, and still do, but these days I prefer its use as a condiment rather than a major ingredient (as found in many English and Balkan blends); and in this regard, Presbyterian really shines. The components combine to give the tobacco a somewhat sweet, almost aromatic note, but one can sense that it is all natural, without any casing or flavoring.</p> <p>I love retro-haling, and this brings out even more flavors, adding a delightfully pungent note to the smoke; and to me that must be Presbytarian's greatest achievement - providing so many delicious flavors without resorting to anything artificial.</p> <p>As a previous reviewer has mentioned, my main regret is the fact that it is not available in bulk.</p> Read Less

Yeah, I said it - this is quite similar to penzance but better - smoother &amp; great rich flavor. Thoroughly enjoying this one as the cold is starting to hit the midwest Read Less

I will say to start off that I am a relatively new pipe smoker I recently got a decent-sized shipment in various tobacco's start of the East flake, fusiliers ration, Mississippi River rum barrel-aged, and nameless others and this one blew them away in my opinion far as flavor minimum to know tongue bite whatsoever! Was really looking forward to trying the Frog Morton series but due to their discontinuation and how happy everyone was with the blends especially frog Morton cellar. I feel like I had really missed out on something but you can't miss out on what's not available anymore. I am a daily cigarette smoker but at the same time I've heard a lot of good things about pipe smoking and yes I am finding out the hard way that it is an art form but I am willing to take the time to master it LOL bottom line I would recommend this tobacco blend. Because out of all of the other blends this one blew them out of the water. But to be fair to the other Blends also I haven't quite developed a good enough pallet to detect all of the ingredients so my opinion could change but for now Plum Pudding bourbon barrel-aged he's number one in my book. Hope this review helps Read Less

This is one of the few English blends that I could smoke all day! Still, a generous amount of nicotine and a citrusy note to keep one interested throughout the whole smoke. Read Less