Velvet: Velvet 1.5oz Pipe Tobacco

I wasn't sure as to what to expect from this tobacco (Velvet). As I understand some reviews, comments and YouTube reviews, everyone seems to taste something different. I tasted raspberry, prunes, raisins, it also reminds me of velvet cake. I'd buy it again and that';s saying a lot because when I ordered this I was looking to replace what I was smoking. If you like the flavors I described as to tasting then you'll like Velvet pipe tobacco. I was surprised how well moist it was, I thought it was going to be dry....Read More

I don't have anything bad to say. Had planned to try this one for quite some time. As long as I can remember we had an old Velvet tin on the shelf at home that belonged to my dad's dad. I remember reading reviews years ago about a "playdough" smell or taste, which kinda turned me off of ever trying it. Finally went with the pouch before committing to a tin and now I'm ready to invest in a tin, or two.

I am a regular of Prince Albert, Carter Hall and equivalent blends. Velvet has a brighter smell than the raisen-ey smell of the previous mentioned. It's not a cherry flavor tobacco, but it's definitely got more of a fruit taste than PA or CH. Id put it more closer to Half and Half.

I was somewhat worried about this version of Velvet, being that the production had moved over seas and I've heard how much SWR has changed since then. But I think this Velvet is ok.

I have done some research and found that the Velvet of 70+ years ago was more of a brown sugar flavor. Definitely not what this is, Id like to try something similar to what it was, but again, this version is just fine. Really does take you back to a simpler time.

Stays lit, reasonably priced, good taste, good room note and it has plenty of history with it. A welcome addition to my rotation...Read More

First off, dry the tobacco out well. Flavoring is licorice, and possibly brandy. The tobacco is burley/cavendish. Smooth and flavorful, and I really like it.

I did not like velvet tobacco when i first got it. But then i aged it a couple years. It hits the spot when everything else is just too bitey. The citus calms way down with time and the real flavor and aroma come through. excellent budget tobacco.

As a newer smoker I am absolutely floored by all aspects of this tobacco. Pouch note, room note, flavor, and easy burn. Absolutely moving into my rotation. What a value!

it smells like play-doh, it tastes funny, it is very smooth, it is extremely satisfying, it is great.

Edit 11/27/22: This review applies only to the older production of Velvet before the American plant was closed and production shipped to several overseas locations and before it was reduced in size from 12oz to 7oz. I refuse to purchase the new Velvet out of principle, so take the rest of my review of my previous favorite blend with a grain of salt. I don't know if the new stuff measures up, and I'm not interested in finding out.

Original Review: After 20 years, and after having gone through every proverbial phase of pipe smoking- from aromatics to English, to fine aged Virginias... I came back around to old-fashioned, lightly topped burleys. Of the many great OTCs, Velvet is my favorite. Lane Limited (and STG) have brought the blend back to its original formula. A simple loose (rough cut) brown burley topped with a very light note of licorice and maple sugar. But the taste and smell is all its own- sometimes described as something like old crayola crayons or the aroma of Play-Dough... it has a delightfully old-timey room note and an aroma that the pipe smoker himself can enjoy as much as the smooth burley flavor. It never bites, smokes cool, and is the very definition of consistent from bowl to bowl and tub to tub. I go through a 12oz can every month and those aged virginias and complex englishes sit idly in my cellar while I keep cracking open tubs of Velvet. I can't say how much I love this stuff. It rings every bell for me and I find that I deeply enjoy it more and more with every bowl. I guess some of the best things in life don't need to be complicated... or expensive... or hard to find....Read More

A touch damp and remarkably strongly scented. I'll probably get another pouch, but just because that'll be how long it takes to wrap my head around this blend. Mine came a bit damp, but you can always dry aromatics a bit, other way around doesn't usually work too well. I'll post an update once I work through my next pouch....Read More

When I started smoking Velvet pipe tobacco, I had explored every type of blend except Burley. On rare occasions when I had tried Burley blends, it had been too harsh, too cigarette-ish, or just plain tasted ...well, unpleasant. It wasn't the Burley of course, it was that my palate was not accustomed to strong Burley. My trauma was caused by starting with the wrong blends. Example: C&D's Haunted Bookshop gets much praise and rightfully so, but it is better suited for experienced smokers than a Burley novice. Velvet is a much safer place to start. It's a soft, gentle sort of smoke, comfortable even. It doesn't take much effort, it's basically a good blend for any season, in any pipe, and at any time of day. The flavors fall somewhere between cocoa and oatmeal for me and I find it to be extremely consistent. The rough cut lends itself to an easy gravity fill making loading a bowl practically fool-proof. It readily takes to flame and doesn't require many relights in my experience. The white billowing smoke produces a pleasant enough room note for mixed company. What makes Velvet so nice is its smooth nature. It won't bite and is never harsh. It's so relaxing, the worst it could do is lull you off to sleep. Your mileage may very, but unless your tastes already run to stouter Burley blends, there's plenty here to be happy with. There's good reason this venerable blend is a classic! It's affordable, it's usually available, and oh, so tasty. With a name like Velvet, visions of high society smoking parlors may come to mind, but I assure you smoking jackets are not required. Enjoy....Read More