JOHNNYB
About Me:
Rating System 1- No 2- If its free 3- Mediocre, won't buy anymore 4- Good, keep some around 5- Regular rotation, will cellar large amount
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Reviews


Comoy's - Cask No.7
Good
I smoked this. I like the way it tasted. I will buy more when it is back in stock. If you are unfamiliar with this style, it’s essentially a sweet burley that has been pressed to meld flavors. Get you some.

Tampers & Tools - Pipe Nail
Not Sure What Zachary's Problem is
But these things are great. Way better than a a Czech tool. Better than my fancy pewter too.

H. Upmann - The Banker Currency
Magnifique
C'est bon! Definitely worth a try. Very mild flavor, solid burn, good construction, citrusy flavor.

Lighters - Peterson Pipe Lighter - Black
Buy One
This lighter is a work of art. It employs timeless designer features that make it attractive but not distracting. Lights easily and hold enough fuel. Best cigar/pipe accessories purchase thus far.

Perdomo - Habano Bourbon Barrel-Aged Sun Grown Robusto
Favorite cigar so far
I have been smoking cigars for about 2 years now. I am slowly learning my palate, and so far this is my favorite. This gives you a medium body with immaculate construction, perfect burn, and good flavors. The rum barrel aging adds a nice funky flavor, think tiki cocktails.

Peter Stokkebye - PS38 Highland Whiskey
Good idea, mediocre execution
I love highland whiskey, I love pipe tobacco. This attempts a fusion of the both, but misses the mark. The flavor is so subtle it's hard to tell if this is just Cavendish or flavored Cavendish. That being said, the tin note does have highland, and the room note has highland and the tongue has just a hint of highland, but you really have to look for it. I appreciate how mild it is, maybe it was intentional, but I would like a stronger highland note. the PH was also so off balance that my tongue hurt a week later.

Cornell & Diehl - Autumn Evening
I thought I hated aromatics.
This was the first aromatic I have smoked that hooked me. It would be hard to overstate how pleasant this smoke ism the heavy tin note of maple welcomes you to the smoke and then the taste did not disappoint. If you are thinking of trying a few aromatics, this one should be on your list.

Southern Draw - 300 Hands Habano Petit Edmundo
Solid Smoke
Like all of the 300 hands line this is a solid Smoke. Great daily smoker that tastes as it should for it's style. If you are a pipe smoker, this size is probably about what you want as opposed to the comically large Toro's and Churchills

Rocky Patel - Vintage 1990 Petite Corona
Slow burner
The construction on this guy is great. It is so we'll rolled that unless your ash is more than 4cm, you may not be able to knock it off easily. The flavors are maduro, creamy, Cocoa, allspice, plum? Although she is small, the nic hit is similar to a robusto.

La Gloria Cubana - Wavell Maduro
Great Flavor, OK burn.
For the price this cigar is great. It is the first Maduro I have smoked where I said "dang, there's the allspice". I took a point off for construction as it burned unevenly, requiring me to reset it halfway through.

Southern Draw - 300 Hands Habano Coloniales
Good Daily Cigar
This is Southern Draw's bargain offering. They have the same quality that makes Southern Draw my favorite cigar company, but the flavors are a little more muted. While other SD cigars will take you on a tour d'force of the flavor spectrum, these 300 hands sticks are just solid representations of their class. This particular guy has the hay and spice familiar to habano smokers. The construction is solid and it burns well. This particular size is my favorite, as it offers a smoke similar in strength and length to a normal sized pipe.

Rocky Patel - Java Mint Corona
Contradicting reviews
The mint-chocolate flavor is overwhelming. It tastes exactly like you would expect an artificial mint-chocolate thing to taste. I think the additives made me queasy. Wouldn't reccomend, but the construction is solid.

Peterson - Early Morning Pipe 50g
Aptly named
Great morning smoke. The citrus notes other mention are present, very easy amount of Latakia to consume.

Missouri Meerschaum - Country Gentleman Straight (6mm)
King of Cobs
This is the king of cobs. Cobs are easier to smoke than briars, mostly because they are more tolerant of moisture. The other benefit of cobs is that you don't mind dinging them up. I always take this guy with me to the woods because it doesn't matter if it gets dinged up in the ruck sack.

Davidoff - Flake Medallions 50g
Worth a try
Tin note or raisins and molasses. Taste starts fruity and sweet and progresses to spicy and rich. Room note of hay. There are certainly equally good smokes at better price, but it's Davidoff, and it's worth a try.

Seattle Pipe Club - Plum Pudding 2oz
Mellows with age
All the other descriptions are accurate. I would add 2 things. 1. The is an underlying citrus note that just tickles me. Pairing that nice refreshing note with this heavy smoke of the Latakia is just the best. 2. This mellows with age. The nic hit is still there, but after 12-18 months in the tin this joker really comes into its own.

Cornell & Diehl - Opening Night 2oz
The hype is right
This guy is super easy to smoke, full of flavor and burns well. The bright red Virginia is prominent, and the overall smoke is very sweet. The nose is floral. There isn't much complexity, which is why I dinged it half a start, but it's certainly worth a smoke.

Southern Draw - 300 Hands Maduro Corona Gorda
Great value cigar
Of all the boutique cigar companies to make a name for themselves over the last years, Southern Draw is the best. They continue their tradition of excellence with their new value cigar. This cigar burns evenly and neatly with no need to adjust draw, or relight. The overriding flavor is chocolate, with enough nutmeg to make you smile on the retro-hale. Definitely a stick worth keeping around.

Presbyterian - Presbyterian 50g
This is English
So far I have not had a more perfect example of what an English tobacco should be. Whereas most English blends allow the colors to run together, this coarse cut tobacco is mixed in a way that makes it look like a confetti of shades of brown and tan. The tobacco arrived at the perfect moisture level which made it easy to pack and light. It's burned cleanly. The flavor profile has the perfect amount of Latakia and just a pleasant spice. The retro-hale is musty in the most pleasant way.

Missouri Meerschaum - Missouri Pride 1.5oz
Fair to middlin, but very dry
This thing came so dry and so finely cut that it was hard to smoke without burning my tongue. I actually rolled some into cigarettes for a hunting trip that I was worried about damaging my pipes on if that tells you how it burned. Once that was corrected I found it to be fair to middlin, although the flavors seemed to run together with no real distinction. The burley and nut flavor were very present. The chocolate flavor was more subtle and in the aftertaste.

Orlik - Golden Sliced 50g
The tin note of this guy!!!
The tin note of this blend is enough to give it 5 stars, it just smells fantastic! Im not even going to comment on the taste or burn of it because the smell alone makes it worth the purchase.

Cornell & Diehl - Red Stag 2oz
Pepper and earth
This is a very middlin English blend with a balanced flavor of Latakia/earth/pepper. Not super remarkable in any way, but we'll balanced and a good example of the style.

Perdomo - Lot 23 Maduro Gordito
Good smoke in a line of good smokes
This smoke is pleasant. The flavors are sort of muted, and maybe not as robust as others in the perdomo line. The construction is good, and the burn is even. It's hard to distinguish any one flavor in the smoke.

Gawith Hoggarth & Co. - Dark Bird's Eye
Good representation
The Virginia Burley is a good smoke. Mellow flavor, with a nice nutty taste that isn't overwhelming. Unlike some bulk blends this guy comes at a good moisture level

Perdomo - Habano Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maduro Robusto
Yummy
This cigar is as chocolatey as it gets. Not a single note of spice. Burns very evenly, smokes well, good construction. Very nice dark smoke, pairs well with an evening on the porch.

My Father - Flor de las Antillas Robusto
Good cigar
I was recommended this cigar by a friend. The flavor was good and similar to described in other reviews. I had a small issue with it holding an Ash, but it did burn very evenly. The presentation on it is fantastic, really looks like a luxury item, but at such a good price.

Cornell & Diehl - Bow-Legged Bear 2oz
Very good
This is a nice smoke. I believe the nicotine content is higher than some English blends, though it is very pleasant to smoke. There is just a touch of perique, whichgive the tongue a nice tingle. The burley seems to really come through and blend well with the Latakia.

G. L. Pease - Maltese Falcon 2oz
Fantastic English
This is a great English blend. It is Smokey and mild with just a touch of spice on the back end. The kind of smoke you could have all afternoon while reading a book. It will keep you interested without wearing you out.

Cleaners & Cleaning Supplies - B. J. Long Pipe Cleaners - Regular Tapered (100 pack)
High quality
These are high quality, and hold up well under use. I prefer the tapered style because it allows me to clean every aspect of the pipe. Well worth the price paid.

Sutliff - SPS-14 Majestic English
Not good
The flavors are very muted, and it burns sour. The aroma is alright, and the burley comes through, but the whole thing is just muted like an impressionist painting.

Books - Still Searching for Pipe Dreams (2 Bonus Chapters)
Fun read
It's a fun and whimsical read. Easy to digest, worth the read. If you like pipes and pipe culture then you will enjoy this book.

Tampers & Tools - Czech Pipe Tool
It works
This thing costs next to nothing, and it works like a charm. Just buy like three of them. You'll use them.

Cutters & Accessories - Craftsman's Bench V-Cutter
It works
It works. It's affordable. Sure sometimes it doesn't give a perfect cut, but for the occasional cigar smoked it's perfect.

Southern Draw - Quickdraw Pennsylvania Broadleaf Corona Gorda
Smoke This
I have no hesitation in saying this is the best cigar I have smoked in months for 3 reasons. First, it is a very flavorful Maduro, everything you could want out of a dark chocolatey stick. Second, there is just a note of pepper. Just enough to compliment the darker flavors. Last, this size cigar is perfect for a pipe smoker. Larger cigars have too much nicotine, or take 1.5 hours to smoke, this guy has a similar amount of nicotine to a strong pipe, and takes a similar time

Brick House - Maduro Robusto
Gold Standard of bargain cigars
This bad boy right here is your ticket to a affordable stick that has taste. No the flavor isn't complex, and there is little nuance, but it tastes like a Maduro cigar. You get your deep flavors, chocolate and such. Good buy. I took points off because in the grand scale of cigars it's not great, but at the price point it is.

Cornell & Diehl - Haunted Bookshop 2oz
Easy to smoke
This is a nice burley with a background of perique. Out if the tin it has the most pleasant aroma of raisins. Smoking it is nutty with an undertone of spice that doesn't overwhelm.

Cornell & Diehl - Yale Mixture 2oz
Pleasant Smoke
Good English blend with a light Latakia presence. The description didn't mention a topping, but I kept getting just the faintest whiff of vanilla. Very easy to smoke. Pairs well with light reading and bird watching.

Cutters & Accessories - Craftsman's Bench Bullet Cutter and Key Chain
Works Great!
These work great. They are affordable, and sure they need to be replaced eventually, but you're guna get over a hundred good cuts with it. I also find punched cigars hold together better than cut cigars.

Humidification - Boveda 60g Humidity Control Packet-69%
Works Great!
These Boveda packs work great! I use one of these in my 35 cigar humidor. If you use a wooden humidor, get one that's a few percent over your target humidity. The rule of thumb is one of these for every 25 cigars. They last a few months, but can be recharged with distilled water!

Punch - London Club EMS
Good value cigar
First, if you are a pipe smoker looking to try a cigar, this size will be perfect for you. If you go to the larger sizes, chances are their may be too much nicotine to really enjoy it. This smaller size allows for a 40 minute smoke, and not too big of a nic hit. The construction on the outside is clean, however it has a hard time holding an Ash. The flavor is mild, little to no spice, and tastes mainly of hay. It burns evenly throughout, and is enjoyable. Recommend as a daily smoke.

Padron - Natural 2000
Great Cigar
This cigar is one of the best examples of habano/medium bodied cigar. The construction is immaculate. It hold together we'll while being cut and smoked, as well as burning evenly throughout. The flavor profile is spicy and mild. If you are looking for a good cigar at a good price, this is the one for you.

Cornell & Diehl - Bayou Morning Flake 2oz
Newbie is Impressed
I am very new to pipe smoking. After smoking a cob a friend gave me and a bunch of different bulk English blends he didn't want anymore this was my first very own tin of tobacco. I very much enjoy the taste of it, and viginia periques are my favorite style so far. The tobacco has a smooth flavor with a nice spiciness and is pleasing and not overwhelming. I do get a significant nic-hit after smoking a whole bowl from my Rossi Author. Would for sure recommend to other newbies interested in Virginia periques

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Blog's Commented on

    A Closer Look At Aromatic Pipe Tobacco
  • ► Wow, great article. Super informative for a new smoker. Being able to pull the thread on casings and toppings will really help me understand what I am smoking better. I also realize that as a new smoker one of the reasons I like english blends so much is because they are so easy to smoke
    Cornell & Diehl – 5 Underrated Bulk Blends
  • ► I was looking for some bulk blends to cellar for a rainy day, most of these I had seen but hadn't tried yet. I'll give them a go and then if they are as good a Jeremy says I will cellar a few pounds. Love all my CD tins.