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All New Pipes
Karl S.
Reviews
Seattle Pipe Club - Hogshead 2oz
Not bad, but found wanting
Hogshead has the distinctive tin note of vinegar that I associate with high quality aged Virginia. The cake (plug?) easily broke apart, without need of cutting implement. Was pretty moist, but I found that it didn't really need any drying time after smoking several bowls. Found the strength and body of tobacco to be very mild - initially it felt like I was smoking an ultralight cigarette. As the bowl burned down, it did intensify a little as expected of a Virginia blend. Throughout the smoke, there's a consistent tingle of nicotine like it wanted to bite but didn't. Flavor wise, the blend is rather one dimensional and very mild. Mainly a sweetness like rock candy or sweet tea diluted by the water after the ice melts. Subtle flavor that reminds me of sun warmed sweet feed on the finish. You get a little bit of green vegetation on the retro hale. Having never tried previous versions of Hogshead, maybe this is a case of mismanaged expectations on my part, but this blend didn't have near the rich, bready sweetness that I expected and want from a good Virginia blend - it pales in comparison to Down Yonder or Give Me Liberty or even the Stokkebye blends. I also note that it's been incredibly cold in my part of the world, so I may jar this up and try it in the summer to see if the profile becomes less delicate in a warmer climate. But as of now, there are better Virginias blends that provide the taste I want from one.
Cornell & Diehl - Fires on the Levee 2oz
A truly special blend
This is simply one of the best C&D (Reeves) blends I’ve tried. I’m not a huge fan of Perique, I find it tends to dominate the finish of a blend in an abrasive manner. But this one is different. Fires is the right amount of sweet, tangy, and malty. It’s smokey and moorish. Sweeter than CRF, smoother than other DFK blends I’ve tried. The retro is a little funky, a little fruity. Finishes smooth with hints of spice. I hope cellaring will only accentuate the sweet and tasty profile. Truly outstanding blend that I hope to see make its way into the seasonal Small Batch rotation.
