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Reviews
Sillem's - European Blend: Copenhagen 50g
bad
Reviews here made me curious - but what a disappointment! Quality leaves have been used. No doubt about that. Why then would you spoil it with a heavy caramelish flavouring? The room note almost made me puke and after only 2-3 fills, the pibe that I selected for trying this tobacco is almost ruined forever because of the awful smell/taste, which will probably remain in it for quite a long time, I fear. Previous reviewers judging this as only slightly aromatic and not flavourized - or hardly flavourized - must have been reviewing something else. That was my initial thought. BUT - luckily - there is still something for every taste out there on the tobacco market. This one however, I will gladly disregard in future.
Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding Special Reserve Flake 2oz
one star
The tin holds two and a half rows of virtually black flakes. Unfortunately they're a little damp, smokeable but quite damp nevertheless. Even though they hold a touch too much moisture they're easy enough to crumble. And then it's 'load and light'. The first thought for me was one of great approval: it burns well, gives a cool smoke, and has a delicious soft flavour. But after about ten minutes I noticed the Black Cavendish' sweetness calming down, being overtaken by the fiery Kentucky and that then becomes the prominent taste: this is where my approval becomes subdued somewhat. I don't get too many of the Latakia's flavours, I only get a gentle nudge of it: this disappoints me in an English blend. I don't find the nicotine as strong as a few of the other folks on here do: medium to strong, but I wouldn't class it as being anymore than that. I'd say the room-note's quite pleasant: nothing remarkable, but it's definitely not a bad one. My initial rating was one of full marks, but then the Kentucky caught up with me. If you like some of that you'll love this, but if you like a tamer smoke you won't. For my palate it couldn't have any higher a rating than a 'somewhat recommended'.
Sillem's - Mayor 1814 Flake 50g
very bad
The nose from the un-lit blend is a great example of what type of smoke this is going to be: fruity and sweet. I see no problem with the moisture, but, this was from a sample pouch so sealed tins may vary. It looks like it contains a fair amount of each variety of tobacco that are more like a coarse cut mixture than a broken flake. Onto the smoke: The topping pretty much steals all the limelight away from the tobacco nuances but it doesn't seem that gloopy, sticky, or sickly; its a full on aromatic but it's not too much. It burns even and gives of a fairly cool smoke. Unfortunately, it's not all good; it can bite like mad. I have to sip this gently otherwise it's horrendous! The nicotine seems light in this. I'd say it's 'very mild', that suits me but N guys would feel really let down. Another low point for me is the room note; it's like sitting in a florists! And as if the smell wasn't bad enough it creates a serious plume in the room!
Cornell & Diehl - Haunted Bookshop 8oz
Bad
This has turned out not to be true. I love many very robust pipe tobaccos. Byzantium, also by C & D, is one of my faves. Then I thought it has too much vitamin N for me, which also has turned out not to be true. I enjoy many blends these days that have a bigger kick. I thought maybe I didn't like burleys: not true. I thought maybe I didn't like burley and perique together: not true. In other words, I was trying to blame my lack of enjoyment of this tobacco on myself, on my tastes, but what it boils down to is that I don't like Haunted Bookshop because it is poorly done. Musty, stout, heady, spicy, dark, full--and very unbalanced. You would think this blend would work and be delightful, but it just doesn't. Of course, as with everything on Tobacco Reviews YMMV. It's a blend that tries to be 'rustic' and thinks 'rustic' means lacking any and all subtlety or nuance, and being completely off balance. The same thinking that creates these modern craft beers with stupid, ridiculous levels of hoppiness also created Haunted Bookshop.
Cornell & Diehl - Haunted Bookshop 2oz
Bad
This has turned out not to be true. I love many very robust pipe tobaccos. Byzantium, also by C & D, is one of my faves. Then I thought it has too much vitamin N for me, which also has turned out not to be true. I enjoy many blends these days that have a bigger kick. I thought maybe I didn't like burleys: not true. I thought maybe I didn't like burley and perique together: not true. In other words, I was trying to blame my lack of enjoyment of this tobacco on myself, on my tastes, but what it boils down to is that I don't like Haunted Bookshop because it is poorly done. Musty, stout, heady, spicy, dark, full--and very unbalanced. You would think this blend would work and be delightful, but it just doesn't. Of course, as with everything on Tobacco Reviews YMMV. It's a blend that tries to be 'rustic' and thinks 'rustic' means lacking any and all subtlety or nuance, and being completely off balance. The same thinking that creates these modern craft beers with stupid, ridiculous levels of hoppiness also created Haunted Bookshop.
John Aylesbury - Classic Flake 50g
Bad
In my opinion trying to be objective is a futile endeavor. As is having an ego in any arena that is all about personal taste. This one really doesn't do it for me.. and.. I think it is a quality product.. I find it mild and boring... not really much flavor of the leaf.. it smokes well and has a resemblance to many other flakes.. kind of in the realm of capstan, dunhill flake, orlik, etc.. it has a clear topping/casing but not obtrusive.. for some reason, although I want to like it, I just find it meh.. but I think it is worth a try cause it is certainly not bad and may be just the thing for someone.. one of the few tobaccos that has given me complements on its aroma.. I've got one in the cellar to age but overall not really one way or the other about it.
Brebbia - Balkan 50g
I enjoy
The tin note is extraordinary. Beneath the terpene of the latakia is a profound sweetness on the nose. This is a one light tobacco that burns to the proverbial white ash. It is sweet, sour and salty all at the same time. It produces ample pillows of smoke. For a balkan blend the perique is particularly in evidence and there must be a fair whack of it in the blend. It gives a lovely peppery character to the smoke.
Peter Heinrichs - Curly Block 275g
bad
Nothing special. In the beginning a few sweet citrusy aromas underlayed with some breadish undertones. The aroma gets very monoton after the half of the bowl. Just sweet rye bread aroma. No fruits or citrus detectable anymore. Get´s hot very quick of the sugar casing. Tends to bite.
Peter Heinrichs - Golden Sliced 100g
good
"There are certain delicious sensations that are no less intense for being vague." - Charles Baudelaire This tobacco is fresh and enticing right from the tin, falling to short, chunky "ribbons" as the flakes are handled. It packs and lights OK and, once it is lit, I find it takes but little attention to keep it lit. It makes enough smoke, and it is "strong enough", within the context of its profile. IMO, it is best smoked in still air, to the point of smoking it indoors, if you can. Anyway, I do NOT recommend doing chores with a pipe full hanging from your jaw. I will even go out on a limb and say it might be best in a narrow "sipping" stack that is dedicated to it. What is really good here may be ephemeral, but it is also exceptional, if not unique, mild, rather nutty Virginia tobacco with a delicate topping that need not offend even the most sensitive and inquisitive palate. This same VA does "muscle up" some over the course of a bowl, but in decidedly relative terms, and many probably never even notice this effect. Smoked down, the "smoky" part of its Va flavor concentrates, to the point where one might well miss the rancid fruit and an increasingly "acrid" quality that is - somehow - not only not offensive - at all - but it is part of what makes this blend special, IMO. And, oddly, the delicious, enduring aftertaste gradually works its way back to Va sweet. All in all, despite my prolix intonements, I am pretty much at a loss for words here, like trying to describe dejas vu (or type it without proper script options...). Just, if you're willing to make the effort, this can delight, reward and even satisfy in a way that is not only different but better than other "light" tobaccos.
Peter Heinrichs - Dark Strong Flake 100g
Bad
The Virginias are barely sweet with a touch of citrus. There's an earth note that is sublimated by the grass and hay. The nic-hit is extremely mild. Burns at a moderate pace with no bite or harshness, little moisture in the bowl, and consistently dull flavor. Needs an average number of relights. The after taste is hardly noticeable.
