
Reviews


G. L. Pease - Sixpence 2oz
Southern Comfort
The only thing I can add to the other reviews I've read, which don't mention it, is that to me the "spirit" added seems to be Southern Comfort (a whisky-flavored liqueur. ) I agree with others that it's strong on the nicotine; smaller bowls, for me.


Cornell & Diehl - Visions of Celephaïs 2oz
Had to try it
Unusual is a drastic understatement. Yes, there's grape, sort of a concord grape jelly flavor mixed with a ruby port. Then on the other side there's a malevolent cigar taste. In the middle somehow the other tobaccos hold it together. I find the DFKentucky pretty noticeable as the recurring stabilizing taste. I found myself thinking of Holst's "Jupiter, the Bringer of Jollity." Also images of the Ghost of Christmas Present (the one who has the poor with him.) A really weirdly enjoyable smoke but you'd have to be in the mood for something very different. I agree with others' about the banal reek of stale cigar this leaves in my clothes. The grape, to me, isn't like the grape bubble gum flavor I found in VS Sweet Bourbon Cigars; those have an artificial grape taste that's different from the more natural but still strong flavor of this stuff. I found this to be fun, enjoyable, but one tin will likely be enough for me.


Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Bosun Cut Plug
Antiques and rain
Having previously underestimated Conniston, I smoked this in the smallest clay bowl I have. I didn't really get much clove; I was expecting something like a clove cigarette, and it's not at all like that. It took a while before I got ant hint of anything but tobacco. At about half the bowl the floral perfume note came out, subtly, but still primarily tobacco. Towards the end I got hints of what I associate with the smell of antique furniture. Not unpleasant, but something I don't associate with anything I'd put in my mouth. Overall a nice rainy day smoke. I prefer Conniston but this is nice.


Mac Baren - 7 Seas Black
Waffles
Another reviewer- apologies, I don't remember who or where- nailed this one. Waffles. A little vanilla, breadiness, and sweetness. It's nice. But for a series called 7 seas, I was expecting adventure, excitement, exploration, maybe some rum. Waffles? Yummy, but domestic, comfortable, not what I was expecting. It's okay and does have some tobacco flavor. Might try mixing it with something else, as others have suggested.


Tampers & Tools - Tobacco Pipe Wind Cap
Recommended
I only smoke in my backyard in South Florida, where there's often a good breeze. Very useful, recommended.


Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal Flake
Sweet, earthy
This is good, but I probably won't get more. Mine was from bulk, so maybe it would have been different if tinned. I found it mainly earthy and sweet, hard to tell whether those impressions are from the tobacco or casings or both. A little floral. Better in a clay than a cob, I found. Nothing bad about it, but I much prefer Ennerdale or Conniston if I'm in the mood for a Lakeland, or Capstan for a Virginia. Didn't find any of the almond described in other reviews- maybe slightly marzipan?


Cornell & Diehl - Dreams of Kadath 2oz
Pomegranate
PUR brand natural chewing gum has a Pomegranate Mint flavor. To me the predominant casing note is identical. I'm with Ben F's review; you have to get through the first quarter bowl before you form an opinion. This is not a polite, relaxing smoke. It seizes your attention like the choking incense of an insane and blasphemous rite which you have stumbled upon and cannot force yourself to flee.


Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Ennerdale Flake 50g
Flowers
Good tobacco flavored smoke complemented by the casing which reminds me of the smell of blooming honeysuckle and wild rose from my childhood, as well as woody magnolia blossom. I like it as a summer smoke. Has some kick to it.


Cornell & Diehl - Innsmouth 2oz
Weird
Complex, harsh at times. Changes through the bowl. More sour than sweet. Good level of nicotine. Have not been molested by any gilled humanoids while smoking this. Maybe it works.


Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Kendal Black Cherry 50g
Not much tobacco flavor
This is a lot better than the Tinder Box's Anniversary I used to smoke in the 80s. Nice natural tasting chery flavor, not just aroma. What it's lacking is any significant tobacco taste. The description says the Cavendish is from a "double fermentation " process. I might have enjoyed a single fermentation more; tastes like it's had most of the tobacco flavor fermented out of it. Still a pretty good smoke, very simple, burns well, little nicotine.


Sillem's - Black 100g
Very good if you like Latakia
Around 20 years ago I asked a guy in Nashville what he was smoking. It was this. Never tried it until now. I can't find any fault with this tobacco. I get mainly Latakia with the other tobaccos in the background, with vanilla, sweetness, a d something like marshmallow. Maybe some cherry, hard to tell. I wish it was sold in a smaller tin. I probably won't buy it again, just because I'm not that fond of Latakia, but it's a very good blend.


Cornell & Diehl - Jolly Old Saint Nicholas 2oz
Wouldn't call it jolly
This is pretty good stuff. The first several bowls, I found no orange at all, just a very strong natural ginger flavor, with a pepperiness which I associate more with ginger more than perique. Scent was like gingerbread. After a couple of weeks kept in the tin, aired out a bit, the orange flavor was present and the ginger reduced. Overall very natural tasting and not very sweet. Gives me the impression of not so much jolliness, like the Santas of Rankin-Bass or Santa Clause Vs the Martians, but a more serious, working Santa, like Ernest Saves Christmas, even a surly, gruff Santa like in Elf. Natural taste, lightly aromatic, not very sweet.


Warped - Scarecrow 2oz
Butterscotch
This is for the 2022 release. I smoked this in October and November. Tin note was clear, straightforward butterscotch, not caramel, with a hint of whiskey. Initial bowls started true to the tin note with the tobacco flavor taking over from the casing about halfway through. By the end of November the casing was less strong at the initial light and faded more quickly (I did keep it jarred, not in the can.) The butter taste was present throughout each bowl, and I was convinced it was coming from some oriental leaf, but the description doesn't mention any oriental. I never tasted anything like candy corn, more like Werther's candy with whiskey, pretty sweet to start with but less so in the second half. The tobacco is good, not too strong but strong enough to appreciate in a smaller bowl. I will most likely buy it again if it's re-released, though I still have half the cake of my first tin jarred and waiting for next Fall.


Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Coniston Cut Plug
Man enough for this?
First of all: I am not a weenie. Not a wuss. I was an adult before there was an internet. I do my own oil changes and brake jobs. That being said, I first tried this in the smallest cob I had, a MM Huck Finn, about 3 quarters full. Mistake. OMG. Made me question my manhood. Several half-bowls later over a few weeks I sealed the jar and hid it. Fantastic tasting stuff, but I like to spend 45 minutes to an hour with a pipe, and I just can't do that with this stuff. Part of any job is having the right tools. I ordered a Dutch Gouda/Caribbean Pirate clay pipe, 7" length with a thimble-sized bowl. Gave up trying to keep it lit, just took tiny sips and relit when needed. Took around 35 minutes to finish the bowl and had to sit down for the last 10. Think I've figured out how to smoke this stuff. Taste is so good it makes me want to rush it, and it requires more respect than that. So again, not a weenie, willing to fight anyone who says otherwise- just let me recover from this last bowl first.


Missouri Meerschaum - Creeper of the Corn 1.5oz
Disappointing
This has an interesting heavy topping which burns off after the first third of the bowl, leaving a flat, almost bland, flavor, then finishes with a nearly unpleasant ashiness. Glad I only got one tin. For the price this was a disappointment, especially compared with the Scarecrow I got at the same time for less cost and which I would purchase again if re-released. If this was the same price as Scarecrow I'd be hesitant to leave only 2 stars, but for what I paid for it, I think 2 is fair.
Grandpa and the Christmas Ice Storm- ► Lovely story, sir, as have been your previous ones. Merry Christmas to you and to all!