Public Profile

HENDERJON

About Me:

believer, father, husband, coffee enthusiast, journeyman piper, and oxford comma apologist

Badges

Reviews

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - Twilight Mixture
not as balanced as others
The bill for this blend is similar to C&D Orion's Arrow but the Red VAs take center stage. I prefer the balance of OA more. Twilight tends to sit on the back of my tongue with a sour note that is more subdued elsewhere. Less spice than OA. If the turkish and perique are too loud in OA, try this one. It's good, not great. Worth trying and maybe you'll like it.

Cornell & Diehl - Orion's Arrow
rich and creamy
This smokes like an unpressed bulk version of Low Country's Waccamaw. In a non-pejorative way it feels like an early draft of it at least. Given the price difference it's a worthy proxy for it. The smoke is rich but balanced. There's a hint of latakia-like smokey quality but it never speaks out loud. Instead the Turkish, perique, and bright VAs balance the back-of-the-tongue weight of the Red VAs. Spice and cream keep the sweet and sour at bay but all the players are relaxed together. Lots to listen to if you want, but nothing to demand your attention. Smells like pipe tobacco (I think VAs tends towards cigarettes and burley's tend toward cigars on the nose). Might be too rich for an all day smoke but something that is worthy of being in your rotation.

Peter Stokkebye - PS400 Luxury Navy Flake
Solid VaPer
In looking for a straightforward VaPer, this is the benchmark in my opinion. Not because it's the best per se but because the bulk pricing combined with the fact that you can compare all the others to it. Some might come out with more or less of this or that, but this one is an easy one to which you can set your watch. The flavors are interesting and engaging without demanding your attention. It smokes cool and stays lit and doesn't require too much attention to avoid being bit. The flavors are sweet, grassy, hay (as are the descriptors for most VAs) and the perique gives a bit more body and pepper on the tongue. I have a lot of this in my cellar because it's affordable and enjoyable all the time.

McConnell - Scottish Cake 50g
My first non-aromatic
A B&M recommended this to me when I asked for a non-aromatic tobacco. I will be forever indebted to them. The dark-fired in this blend gives so much weight and body to the sweetness of the VA and pepper of the perique. It's satisfying and relaxing. heavier than Golden Slices so the sweetness isn't as bright as other VaPers. The tin note is raisins and figs and the smoke remains true to that impression. The richness of the DFK really moves the sweetness from sugar to more of a molasses vibe. It smokes cool but could get out of hand if you're not paying attention. I recommend trying it if you haven't or are curious.

Mac Baren - HH Burley Flake 1.75oz
benchmark burley
In trying to understand how to taste various tobaccos, I picked this one up to smoke in order to contrast it with the numerous Va+ that I was smoking. First, this blend is a great way to understand what Burley is. Second, it's a great smoke. Rich, hearty, like dark cacao but smoother. Heavy and satisfying. Smokes cool without bite. I'm still learning how to describe tobacco so this review might not be helpful but I think and this blend is worth having to really get close a solid burley forward blend.

Newminster - No.400 Superior Navy Flake
Great VA
I picked this up because a review or two compared this to Capstan. Comparing it to Capstan is legit because I think the tobacco blend is very similar given that the flavor on Capstan is proprietary. This is a great one for newbies to smoke alongside a simpler VaPer to get an idea of what VA vs VaPer tastes like. I found smoking this next to PS Luxury Flake and Golden Slices helped me wrap my brain around what VA could be without additions. It's sweet and light/bright, simple and straightforward but it burns hot and I need to work to keep it tame. I thoroughly enjoy this one as a palette cleanser between more complex blends. I keep this for when I need my Capstan itch scratched because Capstan can be so expensive.

Low Country - Waccamaw 2oz
Rich and Delicious
I found the perique and orientals give this a wonderful dark richness. It's thicker/richer than other VaPers I've had. The body reminds me of McConnells Scottish Cake even though the flavors differ almost as if the orientals (here) are coving for the DFK (there). Smoked warmer than I'd hoped but not as hot as some; stayed lit; zero bite even though I found myself chugging because it was so good. This was a great smoke and one I'll continue to buy as long as I can. Shane uses these descriptors that rang true for me: "Cinnamon Raisin Bread", "comforting", "malty" ...