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Robert M.
Reviews
Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Flake Unscented
powerful blend
This is a strong blend with big bold flavor and a tic or two above medium in small bowls and possibly FULL in larger bowls. I find a short load in a group 3 size bowl to be plenty. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers who are ready to advance to a blend with power and flavor.
Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal Dark
great blend
This blend is for the experienced Enthusiast with plenty of up front flavor. While on the stronger side of profiles, the blend has a lot to offer. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and seasoned newcomers looking for something more in a blend.
Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Bird's Eye
great blend
I find this blend to be very rich and smooth with great darker flavor and a slight lingering semi sweet taste. Lights well, the thin cut can burn a bit hot if packed too tight. no bite but plenty of nice pepper on the nose toward the end of a bowl. Strong in flavor with a power level near medium. I think this is a good traditional blend worth sampling for its details. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers with an adventurous spirit looking to experience more from a blend.
Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal Flake
good flake
I finally got some of this tobacco and I was ready for a strong blend with a possible “floral” topping. As a first sample, I did not expect what I found. There was a “scent” when opening but it was mild. Flake is easy to fold and stuff or fold and roll for a good burning bowl. Some relights at first but settles in well once fully lit. Flavor is dark and meaty with the topping smoothing any sharp edges while not changing the flavor much. Sort of a floral lift that cleans the palate at the end of a draw. My order was for bulk and I wonder if that tamed the topping more. Overall, the flake reminds me of a couple of other blends and is a good example of this style of flake with a welcome smoothness. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers ready to try something substantial and tasty.
Low Country - Waccamaw 2oz
great blend
Nice peppery sweet start with a nice spice and smooth creamy smoke. So far every Low Country blend has been excellent. This blend is bringing lots of flavor and good manners in the bowl. The blend does a great balancing act of staying between sweet and spicy with the spice gaining ground only to be given a sweet hint to smooth the edge. The Sweet is also moderated by the spice giving some very interesting flavor combinations as the two main components battle it out for the lead. The Oriental part seems to give a mellow spice with a touch of nuttiness. I imagine “nuts and berries” with a mild paprika dusting towards the end. Wont bite, power level is a tic under medium. Flavor starts early, stays late in the bowl. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers looking for a high flavor VaPerOr blend with a lot to offer.
Drucquer & Sons - First Amendment 100g
great blend
I finally worked through enough of my jarred tobaccos to open a new tin so I decided it was time to try this blend. I find it to be a bit more satisfying and creamy than Blairgowrie and it is a bit sweeter than Inns of Court. Smooth, flavorful, with a nice power level at the end of a bowl. The burly is good and gives the blend a nice foundation to work from. The broken flakes were at a good moisture content right out of the tin and I have great success with the fold and stuff method. I found no bite and the flavors last to the end of the bowl. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers who are comfortable with a slightly more powerful blend with lots of flavor.
Cornell & Diehl - Folklore 16oz
fun blend
Having received my shipping confirmation that my brick is on the way, I feel the urge to join the controversy of this blend. There are many opinions about the size being one pound and the addition of kasturi leaf seems a close second, yet the blend appears to be accepted by most as above average in quality. My opinion of Mr. Jeremy Reeves skills as a blender has grown to the level that I can buy a pound “taste unseen, with confidence. His blends have been in my vault for quite a while now so when I read his description of a blend it usually matches. The Quality of the entire C&D catalogue seems to have gotten a boost in my opinion. So reading many forums about folklore blend there was always the negativity of hoarding small batch releases. One point I like to make is to be sure and enjoy your best blends not hide them away. I just opened my 19 month old tin of sunbear black locust of which I have only one tin simply because it felt like a good time to do so. That blend is sublime and I miss not buying fifty tins but does that not make every sip and draw more special? I do try to stock up on a quality crop year but maybe next crop is better? We always seems to worry our favorite blend will change or disappear. I often think there things I like, and things I did not know I liked until I tried them. The point is we flow with time and our blends do as well. By accepting the fleeting moments of a certain blends lifespan we can celebrate the enjoyment and savor the moment a bit more. By not hoarding more fellow Enthusiasts may have a chance to join you in appreciating a favorite blend. Small Batch offerings are the core element of the struggle between enjoyment and hoarding. I aged my SBBL for 19 months then had to decide if I wait or open.. I chose to open the tin to fight my own urge to hoard. Glad I did as it is superb.. So I admit to owning one chenets cake tin and one king cake which should be aged 10 years and I plan on trying to make it that long for fun but Folklore will be enjoyed and gone long before then. I close my comments with the hope that all my fellow Enthusiasts will open those tasty bricks and load bowls, make small gifts to friends, and trust there will be something tasty offered again next crop year. If you are bored try getting sanctions off syria so we can get the rare latakia again. Seems a better task than frequently re-counting several lifetimes worth of tobaccos you will not enjoy.. I trust C&D to have a blend I want to enjoy next crop year and I trust Mr Reeves to make them as he describes they will be. I close in hopes you all stay happy and healthy as we all await the blends made from the next crop year!!! Edit: 1/31/23. my brick arrived on schedule (thank you SP) I can confirm a wonderful scent when one gives the seam a sniff. Several very good blends have had a similar note so I think I know part of what is in the bag!. I do enjoy the pound brick, it lays flat in my vault. After a good rest from the shipping I have several fresh jars and lids waiting. At least one bowl will be pulled from then but I like some time in a jar for any plug/cake before loading. That puts me about march before a taste review. See you then!
Low Country - Guendalose 2oz
great blend
I have enjoyed many cigars in my time so finding a quality pipe blend offering a good cigar flavor naturally gets my attention. Flavors are upfront with nice changes during the bowl highlighting the tasty cigar leaf. The base tobaccos keep the blend sweeter than one might guess and overall there is a nice smooth character. The cigar leaf is framed well in the profile, not too much, not too little, with a steady rise of spicy flavor toward the end of a bowl. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers wanting to taste a fine cigar over a VaPer base. Easy to enjoy, Power level was a tic under medium but might rise in larger bowls.
Sillem's - European Blend: London 50g
great blend
This is what I call a “dry” english blend. Traditional flavors, a bit of spice over the woody latakia forward profile. Had some relights that gave nice bursts of flavor especially if let sit more than five minutes. I really enjoy this style blend over other english blends. It has a woody richness and subtle sweetness that lasts to the end. Very few current offerings has the same charm and cool burn. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers looking to enjoy a rich mellow blend.
Captain Earle's - Private Stock 2oz
good blend
This blend is another study in how tobacco can be many things. One feature of the series has been the interplay of sweet and strong with this offering being the more pronounced of the group for how it changes. The start is intense but settles down into a growing sweetness during a bowl. Spice tugs at mellowness while a warm glow on the tongue hints you are nearing the bottom of the bowl. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers looking for sweet spice with a side of dark mellowness.
Captain Earle's - Nightwatch 2oz
good blend
The blend starts with a slap to the lips and a coating of latakia and a sweet undertone. As expected, a blend billed to evoke standing watch on a sailing ship should grab your attention. But intensified flavors need comforts and the blend has a nice sweet note that grows as the bowl progresses becoming a stronger element and blunting the power of the other tobaccos. Flavor level is full Power level is actually a tic under medium giving an Enthusiast a powerful flavor profile without the intense nicotine levels that can prevent a blend from appealing to more people. that said, bigger bowls amp up the power beyond medium for the seasoned Enthusiast. For me the Captain Earles series has been a study in two main themes. How sweet and strong play together and how those two can changes during a bowl. This blend highlights an intense start with big flavors that mellow over the course of a bowl. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers who are wanting big flavors without too much worry
Captain Earle's - Ten Russians 2oz
great blend
The mix of sweet and strong work well in this blend to give a lot of flavor with no bite which is a nice perk of latakia blends. Not too heavy on the tongue, a bit of spice and pepper late in the bowl. power is a tic under medium even in my large bowls. The Captain Earles series is another good offering from C&D and any of the blends are worth trying with Ten Russians being a bit sweeter with a rich smooth foundation. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers looking for a sweet and strong blend with a lot of charm. I wonder how well this pairs with a nice whiskey?
Captain Earle's - Stimulus Package 2oz
great blend
As a Tobacco Enthusiast I am always ready to try strong blends and I felt sure this blend would pack a punch. Best explanation is the light flavors are a little dark and the dark flavors are a little light. It has a nice citrus that is warmer being closer to orange than lemon. the latakia coats the tongue but only until another blush of semi sweet citrus appears. A bit of gooey buttercake hints on the edges. Unsweetened oatmeal cookie after a semi sweet orange candy while standing next to a sweet smokey campfire. The “krumble plug” is dense, more so than average. burns cool with some relights, power level is a tic or so under medium. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomer ready to try a stronger blend without worry.
Captain Earle's - Honor Blend 2oz
great blend
Sweet with a strong foundation. Flavor is up front and lasts the entire bowl. Power level is a tic under medium and matches the flavor profile well. No bite even in a large bowl. The blend is similar to the other blends of the series in both power and flavor but has a nice difference that keeps it light on the palate for a nice bowl with no rough edges. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers looking for a sweet blend with a great foundation of smooth strength.
Captain Earle's - Diamond Head 2oz
good blend
I found the blend to be a good mix of flavor with a nice finish. It does become a bit intense toward the end of a bowl yet there is a good balance. The word “Balance” and “Restraint” come to mind during a bowl. Sweet and Strong work together to a finish that was a tic under medium. I liked how the blend tells a story of “Marriage” in tobacco. C&D are the experts in creating blends with themes and while I do not like them all, I recognize they hit the marks intended. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers as this blend offers a lot to all.
Samuel Gawith - Balkan Flake 8oz
great blend
Thick, long flakes that are well matured with a dry tarry moistness. I only have had one other flake of this type and it was lancers slices. Unlike that blend this version has much higher quality tobacco and as a result the ultimate flavor is much better. Will tingle if burned too hot but very forgiving up to that point. Classic, Traditional, flavors in a wonderful flake form. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers of all types as this is one great example of this style of blend.
Drucquer & Sons - Casbah 100g
great blend
This blend is a nice crumble plug, lights easy, burns to a grey ash with few relights. I do pre cut small blocks from the plug and do try to let it rest in a bowl after rubbing out. Flavor is on offer at all times. A unique sweet nut and smokey stewed fruit seemed to come from the interplay of the Oriental and latakia at times. This is by no means a Latakia forward blend. There is a lot in the blend but it never takes over from the Orientals. Spice is up front but not overwhelming, Power is a tic under medium in the bowls I have used so far. I must say that this is another blend from Drucuer and Sons that I have to make room for in my vault. I suspect aging this blend will be worth the effort. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers who enjoy Oriental spice on top of a rich flavor profile.
Drucquer & Sons - Red Lion 100g
great blend
The title should be Red Lion Tamer as this blend does just that, tames the Virginia. Loads of flavor without the burn and tingle. I love the sweet virginia profile in all blends but so many leave a tingle too strong to overlook. This blend will be in my rotation from now on. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers wanting to enjoy the sweet things on offer.
Drucquer & Sons - Levant Mixture 100g
great blend
This blend is what i call a melange’. No one tobacco stands out yet you would miss them if absent. For those that are interested, SPC ranier levant is supposed to be a sister blend but I found that blend a bit bland. This version is very rich in flavor while being smooth with good manners in the bowl. Power is a tic under medium, no rough edges, minimum number of relights ending in a nice dry ash at the end. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers ready to find a new favorite blend.
Drucquer & Sons - Prince's Blend 100g
good blend
To me this blend is a very light and mild English with a slight smooth pepper in the nose to keep it from being too mild. High quality tobaccos, good burn. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and all newcomers. This blend is easy to enjoy.
Drucquer & Sons - The Devil's Own 100g
okay blend
As a Tobacco Enthusiast i always enjoy a blend with a history or good story behind it so it was natural to try this blend. This is a blend for a busy person. It has an intensity under the flavor. The Burly is more creamy pepper with some virginias making a slight tingle on the tongue. Power level is a tick under medium and does not match the intensity of the flavors. The quality of the tobaccos keep this blend from being too rough but for me personally I find the blend unbalanced which GLP does have a few blends I find to be that way. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers for the historical implications
Drucquer & Sons - Inns of Court 100g
great blend
As a Tobacco Enthusiast I enjoy thinking about those classic blends we no longer have. I often find myself watching folks enjoy a pipe in old movies wondering what is in those bowls!?. So the opportunity to taste a blend with a proven history is a rare treat. This is also the second 5 star rating I have given a blend with burly. oddly the other blend is a GLPease blend too. The burly is of the delicate variety with plenty of flavor to the foundation it provides. As a blend that comforted a tired crewman on a long voyage it has a power level that can be over medium at the end of a large bowl. But the flavor is well worth the effort and in a smaller bowl it is quite tame with a lively flavor profile. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers wanting to taste a delicious blend with a unique history. Edit: 12/24/22 As my region has been frozen by an Arctic blast I am limited to small bowls of my most potent blends and as this recipe went to the South Pole I was excited to test it out. I found the blend to work very well in cold temperatures with the burly tamed even more than normal yet still providing a great foundation with a lot of flavor still present. I used a cob for the subzero temps and an old canadian when above zero degrees. I do caution using mixed material pipes (metal, acrylic, plastic etc. in such conditions. I find the long shank of the canadian/lumberman,lovat pipe to resist cracking far better than other types and the smaller vulcanite bit seems to tolerate the cold as well. Enjoy this blend year round!
G. L. Pease - Bankside 2oz
good blend
This is a nice blend with the Perique as the lead tobacco with the rest supporting the earthy profile. Not too sweet but the virginias do leave a bit of a tingle after a large bowl. Overall a nice earthy blend. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers looking for another Perique forward blend.
Low Country - Atalaya 2oz
great blend
Most describe this as a Va/Per but I feel it is actually a Per/Va. The Perique is up front with the virginias giving a nice supporting sweetness with a nice cereal overtone instead of the usual bright citrus or hay. After first light I caught a couple hints of coffee and about 3/4ths into the bowl a slight popcorn appeared for a couple of draws. I really thought I knew Perique but this blend brings some surprises. The spice was delicate on the nose with no rough edges. Flavor remained excellent rim to heel. Power is a tic under medium. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers ready to enjoy the next wave of Perique.
Drucquer & Sons - Loch Ness 100g
5star
This blend is one more in a category that has many contenders yet few champions. I find it pleasant to be a Tobacco Enthusiast at this moment in time for we enjoy the very best blends and this is one of them. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and newcomers ready to try a blend that offers rich flavor and quality tobaccos. I do suggest smaller bowls for newcomers but overall the power is low for the amount of flavor on offer. EDIT: After a number of bowls I think I found the secret to this blend. Originally I thought this to be a good blend with some undefined flavor that held in to the bottom of the bowl. I spent a lot of effort trying to pin down that flavor. I say the flavor is “fresh water”. how good a blender is Mr. Pease to make tobacco taste like water? Also after this many bowls I can safely say this is both delicious and unusual for a blend and should be sampled by all Enthusiasts and newcomers. Well done Mr. Pease!
Drucquer & Sons - Trafalgar 100g
great blend
The quality of the tobaccos make this blend shine. For me personally the blend is a 4/5 for flavor but 5/5 for quality. Flavors are as expected from this style blend adding in a nice sweetness that remains for most of a bowl. It is a bit mild making this an all day blend for most Enthusiasts. In a group3 or larger bowl there is a small increase in power with a small rough edge that actually helps offset the overall mildness. Recommend to all Enthusiasts and all newcomers as this blend is an excellent choice to explore.
Drucquer & Sons - Blairgowrie 100g
great blend
This blend will bring a lot of folks to pipe enjoyment. Quality is something that can not be faked or covered over and this is a high quality blend from a master blender wishing to honor his memories with this traditional blend. Superb! recommend to all Enthusiasts and all newcomers. This is a blend you will judge other blends against for a lifetime. edit: after some more bowls I up the rating to an unheard of 6/5. my vintage grp2 hardcastle billiard and this blend were made for each other. power level in a larger bowl may be higher but in the right pipe I find the end of the bowl and my satisfaction to always be perfectly balanced. I also find no rough edges I need to micro blend away which makes this one of the singular blends I enjoy with no additions. I hope Mr. Pease offers this blend for as long as I want to fill a bowl with it!
