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DAVE KENY
Reviews
Cornell & Diehl - Black Frigate 2oz
Frigate About It
While this stands on its own merits, there are other Navy style blends with similar components that I prefer. Namely Sextant. However that doesn’t mean this is not a good tobacco, because it is. It is easily prepared, leaves little moisture, is flavorful, and develops nicely throughout the bowl. I initially picked this up when Sextant was sold out and I’m glad I have a backup.
G. L. Pease - Sextant 2oz
Contemplate the cosmos
A wonderful balance of components. The hint of rum is almost only a suggestion. The Latakia and Virginia are both at the font and the Kentucky is just past a condiment level. It’s a heavy hitter that requires a nice relaxing block of time to really enjoy but it’s well worth it.
G. L. Pease - Sixpence 2oz
The Darkness Consumes You
My all time favorite VaPer. And I think I have the DFK to thank. Rich, complex, sweet, and spicy. I could smoke this all day everyday. I predominantly smoke English blends, but this seduced me and I’m glad it did.
Sutliff - Cringle Flake 2022 1.5oz
What a treat
I’m a sucker for a good Red Virginia dominant blend and this series has been excellent. The balance between the Virginia and Perique is lovely. Enough Perique to add a spicy and peppery counter to the sweet and tangy Virginias. My only wish was that there was a similar blend available year round.
Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Louisiana Flake
Lakeland Va(Per)
This was a pleasurable experience. The Lakeland essence was very slight. The cocoa was only a hint. The Virginias take the center stage and the Perique is a supporting role with great harmony. As much as I love GLP blends, I do prefer this to Stonehenge which is a pretty close comparison.
Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Scotch Flake
One note
A pleasant enough smoke that is very mellow and semisweet. For me, however, it felt one dimensional and lacked the depth I desire. You get hints of Lakeland and some grassy hay-like qualities from the various VAs. It burns rather cool and slow and it best when dried a tad.
Hearth & Home - Fusilier's Ration 1.75oz
Bengal brownies
Another blend that has been done a disservice by comparison. While this does bare a closer resemblance to its inspiration it really delivers its own unique smoke. The topping is that of anise/licorice and is very pleasant and not over powering. It compliments the ingredients well. Tin note is amazing. Room note is amazing. The smoke is incredible. For me however the crumble is too fine and is difficult to pack light enough for the right draw. I will give it the benefit of the doubt because it is so wonderful otherwise and say it could be my batch. I’d get another tin and see if it fares better.
Cornell & Diehl - Tuggle Hall 2oz
American English
First of all, this is not 965 nor a 965 match, nor a 965 replacement. Those who claim so may never have had 965. With that said I do feel it stands on its own merits. It’s a pleasant, cool and easy burning smoke. It has a decent kick to it and can be a tad strong. The thing that makes this unique and less like 965 is the burley content and lack of oriental. The Perique is almost undetectable. This is heavy in Burley and light/mudium in Latakia which is why I say its more of an English in the American sense. It isn't bad, but does have a roughness and pepperiness from the perique that isn't what I was looking for in a 965 style blend.
Seattle Pipe Club - Potlatch 2oz
Underrated English
This is a smooth, consistently burning, well balanced, blend. It has a slight sweetness, and is a very pleasant smoke. In my opinion it is an all day blend and I enjoy it more than Mississippi River. Not more than PP however.
Cornell & Diehl - Mississippi Mud 2oz
Missing Something
It isn’t a bad smoke by any means but I feel it lacks in flavor and aroma. In my opinion it needs a pinch of Virginia to balance it out.
G. L. Pease - Chelsea Morning 2oz
Easy Like Chelsea Morning
I love this blend so much. To me it is better than EMP. A little more Latakia and a fuller body. It really could be an all-day smoke. I keep this on hand at all times.
Seattle Pipe Club - Mississippi River 2oz
Virginia with a pinch
My disclaimer here is that I am an English/Balkan smoker first and foremost. I do enjoy Plum Pudding and so thought Mississippi River would be a similar experience. I can honestly say that it is a great blend, however it is a great Virginia blend. I think labeling it as English does it a disservice. I understand the technical aspect that it includes Latakia and therefore… but from first to last light I felt I was smoking a Virginia blend. A very rich, creamy, smooth, fruity Virginia blend but if you are looking for an English I personally like SPCs Potlatch and WildMan better.
G. L. Pease - Quiet Nights 2oz
Quite Quiet
This blend is a deeply nuanced and layered smoke. It is rich and savory and wonderful for both the nose and tongue. It demands you time to be spent in contemplation or relaxation. However, this can still be a great all day smoke depending on your day. I love this blend and will always have some in the cellar.
Cornell & Diehl - Haunted Bookshop 2oz
Transparent as a Ghost
Admittedly I am not a huge Burley smoker however, I do find this blend enjoyable in the right setting. It has a wonderful tin note of hay, woods, and nuts. It smells very Fall-like upon opening. I don’t personally get much if any of the Perique (for better or worse I cannot say). It smokes very clean and crisp with no relights and no moisture. I particularly like this on a cool day or evening when all that I have to do is sit and read. This blend is very much as described with not too much dimension to it but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing here. I keep a couple tins on hand when I feel the appetite for a Burley arise.
G. L. Pease - Westminster 2oz
Pleasantly Pungent
I really enjoy this blend. I found it had a spicy tasting note that at times felt harsh compared to the overall creamy and pleasant smoke. The orientatals offer up both a sweet and sour profile that doesn’t overwhelm but adds an interesting component that sees this apart from other medium English blends. It has a pleasantly pungent aroma upon the initial lighting and then mellows into a nice smoky sent. This will continue to have a place in my rotation. Update: My better half says I smell like a campfire after smoking this blend for what it’s worth.
Cornell & Diehl - Awakened Elder 2oz
He is risen
I’m always skeptical of a gimmick but a Lovecraft themed array of tobacco is right up my alley. This was my first foray into this series and I was not disappointed. It’s a great complex English blend that I love having in the morning with a cup of coffee. The Lat is not overpowering and lends a nice level of smokiness. I may just add this to my standard English lineup.
Cornell & Diehl - After Hours Flake 2oz
Sip n sip
This has been a go-to night blend for me. It’s perfectly sweet and spicy without being overpowering. It packs a little punch and benefits from sipping. It’s flavor profile pairs well with a glass of something strong. I’ve been enjoying it with bourbon as of lately. I recommend and and will continue to keep this stocked in my cellar.
G. L. Pease - Gaslight 2oz
My favorite kind of Gaslighting
This tobacco is nigh perfection. A heavy, deep, and layered smoke with lots of complexity. It’s a heavy hitter and but well worth the occasion you see fit. I personally love it as an after dinner/end of day event. It’s contemplative and pairs well with a bourbon. There’s a spicy, earthy flavor, almost like leather and wood. This is one I will be keeping in my line up.
Sutliff - Great Outdoors 1.5oz
Allday Outdoors
Aromatics tend to get a bad rap but I always believe there is a good and bad in any category. This is a very good example of an aro. The tin note is woodsy with a nice anise/licorice sent (which I love and not every does) and gives it that "root beer" aroma. The tobacco in tin isn't a saturated mess, in fact its quite dry compared to other coated ribbons. It lights easy and stays lit when packed right. The room note is pleasant, woody, and a slight sweetness that isn't overpowering. You get more of the vanilla in flavor with the licorice taking a backseat. Again subtle sweetness and not overdone. Sipping slow you will taste the burley come through. I will be keeping this in my rotation and will definitely be accompanying me on some camping trips.
Vauen - Auenland 50g
A Precious Find
I found this to be an excellent summer-time smoke. The tin note has the obvious notes of peach and orange, but there is also a nice raisin bread undertone, and you can smell the grassy Virginias as well. It is not too moist that I felt the need to dry it out and so smoked right out of the tin. It stayed lit for extended periods of time, burned rather cool unless you pull too hard, and produces a very pleasant and light citrus aroma. You can taste the Virginias and the peach. Very pleased and will order more.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - B. J. Long Regular Pipe Cleaners (100 pack)
Sheds like a Dog
Pros: These cleaners ARE very absorbent and they clean rather well. Cons: Every one I use leaves behind a dusting of white fuzz that clings to the bowl and stem for dear life. They also bend super easy which may be good for some but for me I prefer a more stiff cleaner to withstand more vigorous cleanings. Results: Not my favorite. I have been leaning more towards the Peterson and Elephants as of late.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - B. J. Long Regular Pipe Cleaners (56 pack)
Sheds like a Dog
Pros: These cleaners ARE very absorbent and they clean rather well. Cons: Every one I use leaves behind a dusting of white fuzz that clings to the bowl and stem for dear life. They also bend super easy which may be good for some but for me I prefer a more stiff cleaner to withstand more vigorous cleanings. Results: Not my favorite. I have been leaning more towards the Peterson and Elephants as of late.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Neerup Mortise Brush 2/Bag
New Routine
Similar to the shank brushes, which I also recommend, these little brushes stand up to the task. The bristles are stiff enough to withstand a good scrubbing but have enough give to not leave any scratches. When doing deep cleans I like to dip the brush into a cleaning solution like Clean and Cure before the scrub and it pulls away all of the gunk. I keep these around for my more in depth cleanings.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Neerup Shank Brush 5/Bag
Clean as a whistle
Having to clean and restore dozens if not hundreds of estate pipes, I needed a tool that would hold up over multiple uses. These little guys worked so well I immediately ordered more. After using a pipe cleaner or even a bristle cleaner, sometimes dipped in alcohol, I would run these through afterwards and give the shank or stem a few thrusts. Like a charm it pulled out any remaining gunk and build up and the next cleaners went through without a mark. These brushes can be dipped in alcohol as well and dried with a towel and are good to go for the next pipe.
Prince Albert - Prince Albert 14oz
Buried treasure
After my Dad's passing I was the only one knowledgeable enough to sort his pipes and tobacco and sure enough the old man had several of these Prince Albert cans stored away, sealed, and unopened. I have mostly smoked more modern tobaccos but have fond memories growing up with my Dad packing his pipe with good ol' PA. These cans have sat for probably close to 10 years, and upon opening they were still moist, smelled great, and were ready for action. Now for the review. The can note is a lovely woodsy sent with a hint of chocolate wafting through. Not too dry and not to wet, it was a perfect moisture level for packing instantly and lit well. The room note was pleasant, and smelled sweet and smoky as was the flavor. This was a fantastically enjoyable smoke, that remained lit for the entire bowl, burned cool, and brought back some great nostalgia. As stated above I have several of these cans, but rest assure that once I blow through these I will be replenishing the stock.
Rattray's - Exotic Passion 100g
Orange you glad you got this?
Why yes. Yes I am. I had seen a lot of praise for this blend and when it was restocked I grabbed a tin by chance while checking out with something else. Needless to say I wasn't disappointed. The tin note is sweet and citrusy with a nice woodsy undertone. The room note is delightful and light. The flavor is sweet with the citrus definitely driving but with subtle hints of vanilla and maple. I would recommend letting it air out a bit before smoking. Overall a great aromatic smoke that doesn't burn too hot and has a very natural flavor profile.
Stands & Pouches - 1790 English Tobacco Box Copper
What’s in the box?!
I love the history behind these boxes. And as many historical EDC items do, form follows function. The stylish look is a result of their simplicity. Most important however is that this little metal box works perfectly for what you need. To pack up a day or twos worth of tobacco in a solid container that keeps it fresh longer then a pouch. I actually prefer this to my pouch now and with the patina developing it looks even better.
Peterson - Early Morning Pipe 50g
Easy Like Early Morning
Peterson's version of Early Morning Pipe was my first experience with the blend so I cannot remark on it's heritage or its comparisons to Dunhill's. However, I can say that this is one of the best English blends I have had the pleasure of smoking and as the name suggests, it is perfect for watching the sun come up with a cup of black coffee in one hand and a bowl of EMP in the other. It comes with toasted bread flavor along with an almost citrusy sweetness from the Virginias. A nice wake up to start the day.
Sutliff - Creme Brulee
Creme de la Creme
A great non-biting aromatic with a ton of flavor. Ive been told the room note smells of s'mores. It is very wet and does well when left to sit for about 20mins prior to lighting. Not a bad one to slide in the rotation every so often.
Sutliff - Spiced Rum
Hint of Rum
For an aromatic, this isn't bad. It doesn't bite much, especially if you aren't a hot smoker. It has a wonderful room and tin (bag) note. Flavor-wise, however, I feel it could be a bit stronger. Its lacking in the strength you would get from a non-aromatic which is fine if the flavoring compensated for it. But I found the flavor, while good, to be very light on the palette. So I am torn. It makes for a nice smooth smoke, and the people around me enjoy it, but I wish it had a little more kick in the Rum department.
Cult - Blood Red Moon 50g
Cult Classic
This sweet tobacco has creeped into my personal top aromatic list. The tin note is mouth watering, the room note is delightful, and the flavor is delicious. It creates a thick and sweet smoke that I want to bask in for hours. The biggest wins here though are the facts that it has little to no bite and it burns rather cool compared to most aromatics. I will be keeping this one around for a while.
Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - Obsidian Pipe Stem Oil 18ml
Obsessed with Obsidian
I recently acquired my Dads entire collection of old Petersons and they were in need of some TLC. The Obsidian oil worked wonders on these decades old pipe stems. A few of the pipes were worse than others and after following the directions on the bottle I repeated the process 2 or even 3 times in a row and noticed a huge difference. I personally like to apply the oil with a Q-Tip and rub in circular motions across the entire stem. This seemed to get better coverage than rubbing with you hands. Definitely will be keeping this in stock on my shelf.
Savinelli - Juno 2oz
If you don't know, now Ju-no
Full transparency: my experience with Virginias are limited. With that said, I very much enjoyed this smoke. It burns cool, with a nice bright and woodsy room note. The flavor was smooth and light and was pretty close to the tin note. I found myself not wanting the bowl to finish. A great tobacco that I will be ordering more of. *Adds to favorites* Note: I smoked right out of tin and let sit for about 15-20mins before lighting. I could see this aging well.
