September 13, 2024
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 7oz
First i meant to give 4 stars, but this is old timey goodness in a can, you know how there is latakia bombs this is like a latatkia firecracker, its the leading component but no means near a strong english blend, the burley leads a secondary role with its nutty, mollasses, woody sweetness, followed by the lightly grassy , floral sweet virginia, all the componentw work together very well, body is light, and depth is light, this an all day old school style english, although i need to dry it outt some and smoke it slow else it causes a hair of tongue bite, but other than that a very pleasent smoke spilman mixture? BUSSIN...Read More
A More Flavorful Edward G. Robinson
April 19, 2024
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 7oz
This is really good. It's in the same vein of Edward G. Robinson, Fox and Hound or Count Pulaski. This isn't a richly flavored mixture like say Star of the East. There's no licorice/anise in this despite what some have stated as it's undoubtedly a mellow fruit/plum and spiced rum topped, light English. The Latakia is lightly applied and waaaay in the background... marvelously proportionate. There's no spice or bite as often encountered in Orientals, just a sweet, mellow and light bodied mixture. I must say that my wife calls me out every time I light up in my office - regardless of the type, but on this, she claims she can't smell it. It's really a very light, mellow, comforting and tasty mixture. I'm on my 6th bowl in a row and am really enjoying this. Nicotine is 1 out of 5, it's very light....Read More
December 29, 2023
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 2.5oz
At first I thought, meh. The more I smoked it the more it grew on me. By the time I finished the tin, I got to say, it's now one of my favorites. It's easy to see why it was a favorite in days gone by. Sutliff's decision to recreate this blend is a welcome treat. At first thought, this is a mild English blend. But then as you continue smoking, bowl after bowl, you begin to realize this is actually a walk back in time... A simpler time. A time when people bought their tobacco from a local drugstore....Read More
May 27, 2023
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 2.5oz
Tin note of smoky, sharp sweet fruit and spices. Tobacco is a ribbon cut of tan, light brown, dark brown and black. Moisture content is good. Some pipe smokers will want to dry it a bit. Burns slow with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is mild to medium and moderately consistent, with notes of smoky, herbal floral, molasses, spices, sweet toast, sugar, mildly savory, dry, spicy, fermented sour vegetation, wood, mild dark fruit, lemon grass, zesty orange peel, a incense and sweet nutty background note, and a peppery retro. Latakia is leading with Burley, Oriental/Turkish and Virginia supporting. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is great....Read More
January 10, 2023
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 2.5oz
Felt a little moist so allowed to air dry 10min, mild and pleasant English with most flavor coming toward end of smoke, overall not bad and not "noteworthy", certainly capable of being a daily smoker. Definitely tasted the anise, pleasant and enjoyable but definitely mild.
December 05, 2022
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 2.5oz
Instant favorite from the first bowl. Very smooth, and you might suspect there is some cavendish in the mix but there isn't. The anise/vanilla note is very pleasant but slightly in the background. The aroma aligns nicely with other Iwan Ries blends.
September 15, 2022
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 2.5oz
I have to say this blend does bring you back and has an old school taste. While a great English I like a little more latakia in mine. I put an extra half oz of latakia in it and it becomes a great blend. I see where other say it can have a bit of a licorice taste and maybe it does but it works well whatever it is and I will surely keep a couple tins in the cellar...Read More
April 02, 2022
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 2.5oz
I love the wonderful musty spicy taste of the orientals and rich smoke. Definitely one of my favorites!
I like this awkward taste.
November 07, 2019
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 7oz
I can't live without her all day, just like the Alaska women playing, drink some wine and shoot their round meat balls, hey, don't stop
November 01, 2019
Product: E. Hoffman Company Spilman Mixture 2.5oz
Upon opening the tin, I was greeted by the strong smell of Rum? The tobacco was too wet to smoke so I let it dry for several hours and it was still to wet to smoke. A couple of days later, I tried again and it was still to wet to smoke so I let it air dry some more then put the lid back on and waited a week. The Rum smell was still there but it had dried to the point that it could be smoked. Still moist enough to steam my tongue though. More drying in a closed tin and finally this morning I was able to keep it lit and actually smoke a bit of it. Definitely has a bit of Latakia and also produces a good cloud of smoke. Can’t really detect different components but it’s not all Latakia and makes for a tasty but nondescript flavor with mostly Latakia aroma. Mild but full flavor. I’m hoping it’ll settle down soon so I can give it a better taste test. It’s got a bit of spicieness and decent strength. I’m still waiting for an optimum moisture level to really make relevant comments. To be fair, I’m trying it in a long stemmed Meerschaum that has no ghosting...honest flavors will prevail. Overall impression was not great but there appears to be potential after getting the moisture under control...I may update after bit....Read More