Christopher B.

Missouri Meerschaum - Lord Morgan 1.5oz
Lagavulin in a bowl?
Smokey, whisky flavors. My first impression is Lagavulin in a pipe bowl. Whisky stays strong, not overpowering. Burns well. Leaves me with a fuzzy mouth feeling that I tend to get from aromatics, so I am wondering if there is something here besides the bourbon? Without that, it would easily be four-stars. YMMV.

Cornell & Diehl - Blue Ridge 2oz
Different is good
Needs just a bit of rubbing out. Came just a tad moist, but I was impatient and it burned well nonetheless. My palate is not refined enough to pick out all the different consituents in this blend, I just know it works for me. Very oriental flavor profile. I think the red Virginia is adding a tangy undertone that I really enjoy. Not an everyday smoke for me, but it is certainly part of my rotation!

Amphora - Virginia Blend 1.75oz
Great value
People would buy this at twice the price and not complain, I think. Balanced virginia without any harsh edges. I've had the most and best flavor from tall, wide bowls. Good mechanics. Stays lit extraordinarily well for me--sometimes no relights at all. Definitely has a place in my rotation!

Orlik - Golden Sliced 100g
Shrewd
Long luscious flakes rub out easily. Lights well, hardly needs any relights. Burns down to fine ash. Warm, dark bread and some dark fruit flavor with a very little pepperiness. Doesnt bite. Gloriously tastey smoke. The standard by which I measure all other VaPers.

Samuel Gawith - Balkan Flake 50g
Quality
I have trouble rubbing this one out, even after some good time drying. A bit tough to light but stays lit fairly well. Some stubborn pockets still resist burning. The flavor is outstanding. As with any Gawith tobacco I’ve smoked the quality is obvious. Floral and very sweet virginias with moderate latakia which, nonetheless, seems to step on the Va just a bit to my palette. Its not as good as some English blends—in particular I miss the orientals, perhaps more because that flavor profile is simply more familiar and my palette expects it—but far better than most. If you like latakia blends you should at least try this one. I don’t think you will regret it.

Esoterica - Margate 2oz
Excellent
Best English blend I have smoked. I wish I preferred something easier to get, but alas! I have an easy time mechanically, too. Only 1-2 relights, maybe 3 in a very deep bowl.

Samuel Gawith - 1792 Flake 50g
Root beer
No kidding, this is what it tastes like to me. Like smoking an A&W. I like the taste, but my palate seems to fatigue pretty quickly on the flavor.

Capstan - Ready Rubbed Blue 1.75oz
Makes me happy
I always think, why smoke a plain old Virginia when I could have a Balkan or an English? Then I have some Capstan I picked up on sale and I think, why don’t I smoke this more often? Easy to keep lit and great flavor. It makes me happy. I don’t feel any nicotine even in the deepest bowl.

Drucquer & Sons - First Amendment 100g
Change of pace
Great moisture level from tin, easily rubbed flakelets. Warm and sweet Virginias muscle in on the Latakia and comes in the flavor door first. Bitter chocolatey, nutty, a little sour, a bit more vinegary than citrusy. Smokes very comfortably, didn’t tire my palette after an hour and a half in a Morta, with just a couple of relights. Probably not an all day smoke for me, but a nice change of pace that I look foreward to enjoying again.

Peterson - Early Morning Pipe 50g
Temperamental
I find this blend to be temperamental. If I don't smoke really slow, or if I re-light too often, or get too aggressive with a light or re-light, it seems to really suffer and turn bitter and acrid. If I am very gentle with it, I have success and really enjoy it. About halfway through flavor subtly becomes more savory, even vegetal, but I really enjoy the whole experience, assuming I didn't rush it and foul up the bowl.

Amphora
Virginia Blend 1.75oz

$11.59 $9.09
003-274-0004

Orlik
Golden Sliced 100g

$28.92 $20.24
003-046-0001

Jacono
Knight Billiard

Currently Out of Stock
002-616-1214

Capstan
Ready Rubbed Blue 1.75oz

$25.03 $19.63
003-581-0004

Samuel Gawith
Squadron Leader 50g

Currently Out of Stock
003-059-0001

Esoterica
Margate 2oz

Currently Out of Stock
003-024-0003