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All New Pipes
Mathew W.
Reviews
Daughters & Ryan - Two Timer 16oz
Excellent, for what it is
Smells a lot like my memory of my grandmother's unfiltered Pall Malls in the bag. I always associated that smell with tobacco, it could be some sort of casing though. I wouldn't claim to detect any sort of added scents/flavorings; certainly none come through in the smoke for me, just a good, cheap, plain burley. No detectable nicotine, which is a welcome deviation from what I usually smoke. Burns exceptionally fast (and lights easily), very dry out of the bag. I don't give this tobacco five stars because it's among the best tobaccos I've ever smoked. I give it five stars because it's excellent at what it provides: a dirt cheap easygoing all-day smoke with low nicotine, and no disgusting goopy casings/toppings.
Toscano - Sinfonia Flake 2oz
Outstanding
I'm not generally a fan of Latakia blends. I mean, every once in a while I love to smoke one, but they're mostly interchangeable for me, never really been able to find one that stood out from the crowd, until this. Dark fired is my favorite category of tobacco, and the Latakia doesn't completely overtake the dark fired as it does for me with Orientals and Virginias. The Latakia adds a unique smokiness on top of the dark fired smokiness already present, neither one gets lost. One of my favorites.
Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal #7
Simple, excellent
Getting a lot of bready notes, without any grass/fruit. Not detecting any smoke or barbecue, no cocoa or any other topping. Packs easily and burns well. It might become my go-to all day smoke.
Old Dominion - Williamsburg Clay Pipe
May be my ideal pipe
Some of my first pipes were clays, but I quickly branched out into meerschaum, briars, cobs. I always come back to the clays though, and I'm realizing that this style with the very wide bore and loose draw is my favorite. I hated it at first, because if you're not careful you will suck up some burnt tobacco, especially near the end of the bowl. But if you stick with them, you learn how to avoid that to a large extent. This style produces the coolest smoke for me of any pipe I've ever smoked. I love the Old German pipes, but honestly the fit and finish of the Old Dominion are significantly better. I like how the mouth piece tapers to a point on this model in particular, doesn't feel bulky in the mouth, and the bowl is sufficiently large to comfortably smoke all of my preferred tobaccos. I tend to prefer shag cuts, and the Jamestown is suitable for a small amount of shag, but it's a little too small for larger cuts. This, the Williamsburg, doesn't have that problem, and it will fit a full sized tamper, whereas the Jamestown will not. I think if I had to come up with a complaint, I might say that the bowl is still kind of on the small size, and stylistically it's pretty plain. But when the pipe smokes better than any other pipe I've got (with the exception maybe of the gourd calabashes), I don't have much trouble overlooking these things. As cheap as it is, I'd recommend it to everyone; it may end up being the only pipe I regularly smoke.
Clarin Clay - The Cutty One
I want to love it
The quality is top of the line. Very thick, much heavier than a standard clay, but not too heavy -- pleasantly so.Very uniform, stem hole is dead center, stem is straight as an arrow, bowl is perfectly symmetrical. The whole pipe is smooth as glass, freakishly smooth compared to other clays. I like how the bowl slopes agressively to a point, sort of like you'd see in a gourd calabash; it feels like the shape lends to the tobacco remaining lit. My main issue is that the bore is incredibly narrow; can't even fit a narrow pipe cleaner in the mouthpiece. Not that you'd necessarily need to, I never use one with my other clays. I wonder though, with the bore being so narrow, whether clogging will become an issue. The draw is very tight, even when empty. I'll need to smoke it more, I may come back and edit the review after I do.
Rocky Patel - Java Mint Toro
What a disappointment
My own fault, but I didn't notice the "mint" label. Not at all what I was looking for, but I can say it's very reminiscent of a peppermint patty. When considered for what it is, I think it's probably very good, and if you're looking for a mint cigar, you may be very happy with this.
Toscano - Duecento
Pretty good
Fit and finish is no better than other offerings from Toscano. Not overly harsh; dark, chocolatey, some wood. Worth $10 per ($5 per half)? I'm not sure, leaning towards no. By no means bad, just not exceptional to my taste. There are better options for the price.
Toscano - Modigliani (5 Pack)
Pretty good
Very light in comparison to the rest of the lineup, even weak. Almost no discomfort in the retrohale. What is here is entirely pleasant, sweet light chocolate mainly. Could be a good introduction to the format for a new smoker.
Toscano - Toscanello Natural (5 Pack)
Excellent
Decent price, satisfying. Woody, slightly sweet. Worth trying for sure; may start stocking up, I like the form factor of the cut halves in the pocket sized pack. Good enough to be a daily smoke.
Toscano - StilNovo (3 Pack)
Pretty good
The packaging is excessive, but I didn't notice any uneven burn as the last reviewer did. Smoked in halves. Very dark, slightly bitter chocolate, mainly. Revisiting the second half, coming across very bitter and slightly sweet. I can imagine this being somebody's thing, but it's not mine.
G. L. Pease - Westminster 2oz
Solid English
After smoking through probably a couple dozen English blends, this seems to be comparatively low on sweetness and complexity, smokiness is really front and center. Maybe wood and leather, nothing fruity or vegetal. Reminds me of a dreary, rainy day; not necessarily a bad thing, sometimes it's appropriate. Burns great. It's not an all day smoke for me, but I'm glad to have it on hand.
Cain - F 738 Lancero
Okay
Not really doing it for me, lacks complexity. Nothing off putting about it really, just not satisfying. Probably say it's priced right, worth sampling at least.
Bolivar - Cofradia No. 554
Excellent
Novice cigar enthusiast, this is excellent. Worth more than the going rate, excellent value. I put this firmly in the chocolate camp. Not the best I've had, but I could see this being a daily smoke.
Padron - Maduro 3000
Outstanding
Been smoking a pipe for a year or two, new cigar smoker. This was amazing, very sweet and dessert-like in the mouth, strong coffee/dark chocolate in the retrohale. Worth more than the going rate. Unless I find something strictly better within the selection I'm smoking my way through, I plan to buy more of these.
HVC - Hot Cake Golden Line Corona Gorda
Fair
Been smoking a pipe for a year or two, just getting into cigars. This is very, very mild, too mild for my tastes. Nothing unpleasant here though, lightly sweet and dessert-like. Would purchase again if they were significantly cheaper.
