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BLUEGRASSBRIAN

About Me:

Pipes, bikes, knives, and cats.

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Reviews

Stands & Pouches - Dove Woodworks Red Oak and Brushed Nickel 5 Pipe Stand
Mostly OK
Like many pipe stands of this variety, it requires some small level of construction. The base, top rest section, and two nickel rods arrived, bound with rubber bands. Seems easy enough. After sanding away a bit of residual wood around the drilled holes on the top section I began putting it all together. Pushing the rods through the upper rest section proved a bit difficult. Tapping with a rubber mallet was necessary to push them through completely. The first became seated easily. The second rod though, required more vigorous taps and when it was 3/4 in, the wood of the top section split (which made the operation much easier). So, the construction was completed in under 5 minutes, and the small wood split seems to be only aesthetic - not structurally damning. It's a shame it broke, but I'm sure the stand will still work as intended.

Cornell & Diehl - Miskatonic Mixture 2oz
Scary Good!
I've been primarily a straight Va,VaPer, VaOr smoker for years. Picked this up on a whim and was blown away. I need to load up on it. Don't be dissuaded by the inclusion of unflavored cavendish - it really opens up the flavors here. Funky, dank, barnyard notes punctuated by dark Virginia sweetness with no bite.

Cornell & Diehl - Miskatonic Mixture 2oz
Time to Stock Up!
Just finished my first tin. I'm going to buy a few more to keep around for a while. Packs up easy, not bite at all, smokes like a dream and has a terrific mild flavor. No toppings here, just great with inaccurate flavors that satisfy.

Sillem's - Councilor 1695 50g
Underrated VaPer
I concur with others, I was pleasantly surprised after smoking one of these flakes. The perique isn't overpowering at all, in fact it's fairly light BUT the flavor and complexity is unique among similar styled blends. For Virginia smokers and Vaper fanciers alike, I always recommend Councilor.

McClelland - CPCC: Epitome 50g
My Favorite.
Mcclelland is my favorite American pipe tobacco company. Straight Virginias are my favorite pipe tobacco blends. So...I like this.. a LOT.

Esoterica - Peacehaven 8oz
Unique Flake - Yum!
I wanted to let this blend age a bit but I lost patience and opened it up. I'm not sorry.. Delightfully moist, densely packaged loose flakes. Gorgeous blonde and chestnut strands pressed together and they rub out effortlessly. If you are a Virginia smoker you know the drill. It tastes like a picturesque spring morning, sweet dew-kissed grass and honeysuckle, and a generously sugar-laden grapefruit. Burns medium quick so sipping is easy. I think the nicotine level is more medium than mild, perhaps underrated. If you fetish straight Virginias I think this one is worth hunting for. I'll take this over Stonehaven any day.

McClelland - 5100 - Red Cake
This Is IT.
If I could smoke only 1 tobacco the rest of my days it would be 5100. The only downside for me is its strength.. definitely on the mild side.

Solani - Silver Label - 660 100g
Wowza!
Only on my 3rd bowl and already in love. It arrives in humongous flakes, reminiscent of Orlik GS. The texture and tin note remind me of another favorite, Pease Sixpence. Here however, the spice of the Dark Fired Ky is more subdued and in balance with the sweetness of the Virginias. Rubs out effortlessly...or just shove it in your bowl as-is.. smokes terrific either way. I think this stuff is incredible. The only qualms I have is the packaging. The tin is NOT vacuum sealed, so be ready to jar it upon arrival. Despite that issue I still give it 5 stars because it's just that damn tasty.

McClelland - 800 - Black & Lemon
Not Bad At All
Agree with Kyle.. I smoke mostly Virginia's but this aromatic ain't bad! It's super super soft smoke with no bite and a pleasant sweet vanilla flavor that doesn't taste artificial. It produces a LOT of smoke too. Puff hard if you want, it's all good.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Bosun Cut Plug
Delightful & Full Bodied Smoke
The cut and color is reminiscent of many other G&H offerings, especially Bob's Chocolate. I loved the moisture content right away. Rubs apart easily and fills your chamber with little effort. The flavor is indeed full of spice without being too sweet. I was a kretek smoker for many years so I know clove..and this is the best clove flavor I've ever gotten from a pipe smoker. I also detect allspice, nutmeg, and maybe a tiny pinch of anise. I'll be ordering more as I think it makes a terrific holiday smoke.

G. L. Pease - Sixpence 2oz
Top 5 For Me.
After reading the description I knew I just HAD to try a tin. It arrived a few days later along with several other tins, but this was the first to be opened. The aroma hit me instantly; I've never smelled anything like it. I knew if it tasted anthing like it smelled we'd have a winner. Oh lucky day! Taste surpassed the smell. Fast forward, the 2oz tin is almost empty and an 8oz tin will be ordered soon. Sixpence may just be my favorite first smoke of the day. I get excited every time I pack a bowl.

Mac Baren - Modern Virginia Flake 50g
Great stuff!
When you open the tin it looks like 3 rectangular plugs, but when you pick one up you realize each "plug" is sliced into thin straps reminiscent of Wrigley's chewing gum. Rubs out easily and has a delightful fruity aroma and flavor that isn't too strong or overbearing. I've discovered that I really enjoy mixing it 50/50 with Orlik GS. Was about to order more but now it's out of stock! Hopefully it will be back soon.

McClelland - Personal Reserve: Blackwoods Flake 100g
Well This is Nice
Dark, dense flakes. Takes real effort to rub out. For those uninitiated with McClelland Virginias, the catsup aroma is of the homemade variety, not the more popular pungent Heinz or Hunts variety. . Once loaded, lit, tamped, and lit again it's marvelous. When someone says "Virginia Flake", this is the flavor. Perfectly mature, cool, slow, savory and fulfilling. Wow.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Bob's Chocolate Flake 50g
Like smoking a dark chocolate brownie.
This was the first "aromatic english" i ever tried. Upon first smoke I was a bit disappointed..not what I was expecting at all. Granted, I was still a novice pipe smoker and hadn't explored very much in the world of tobaccos. I put it up and didn't give it another chance for a few months. Fast forward..I've now smoked a handful of bowls of it and I must say..it's quite enjoyable. The chocolate note is pure dark cocoa. When combined with the smoky Latakia it tastes like a fresh baked brownie.. rich, savory, lightly sweet, and a very creamy mouthfeel. I like to rub it out and let it sit for about 15 minutes before packing up. If you're an English smoker who detests aromatics but would like a dessert-type smoke, there is none better than Bob's Chocolate Flake.

Tampers & Tools - Vauen Pipe Tamper
Impressed.
Needed a new tamper for my pipe bag. Didn't know what to expect with this tamper, despite all the great reviews. Took a second to figure out but wow.. still not sure how the mechanism works, but it WORKS... Id recommend it to anyone who needs another tamper. It may become your favorite tool.

Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding 2oz
It's grown on me..
After the first 2 bowls I wasn't sure what I thought if it.. not what I was expecting . After bowls 3 and 4 it has grown on me. The Latakia is right up front, but not overwhelming. It's a VERY smooth smoke, cool and pleasant. I get the tangy plum sweetness mostly on the sides of the tongue. I like to use my churchwarden clinched in the side of my mouth so the smoke hits right on the side of my tongue. About halfway through, after a couple tamps, the flavors concentrate and some complexity starts to swirl. Another very nice blend from SPC.

Mac Baren - 7 Seas Royal 3.5oz
A treat for n00bz and old pros.
While certainly smokable straight from the tin, I like to let a bowls-worth air out for about 25 minutes before packing. Once lit it keeps going and the lovely sweet flavors persist throuout the bowl. I think it's very accessible for new pipe smokers (or new aromatic smokers) as there is practically no bitterness. Seasoned pipers will appreciate the quality and lovely nuance of the flavors; sugar plums, gold raisins, and rhubarb. Edit: It just hit me! Wrigley Juicy Fruit! If you like juicy fruit chewing gum get a tin!

Cornell & Diehl - Corn Cob Pipe and A Button Nose 2oz
Pure Joy.
One of the tastiest and most well blended aromatics I've ever smoked. It's also the first cube cut tobacco I've ever used...just enough moisture, packs up easy, and stays lit with bare minimum attention. Happy holidays indeed.. I must try more offerings from C&D.

Seattle Pipe Club - Potlatch 2oz
Satisfying All Day English
While I'm not well versed in the wide world of English blends, I decided to give this a try. I think it is indeed a beautifully balanced smoke. You can taste the Virginia and Latakia up front, but the Perique is present especially towards the middle of the bowl. For me it's a wonderful tobacco I can smoke all day. I'll probably order some more once this tin is done. Good job Joe!