Public Profile

BWTHARP

About Me:

In the mid-Atlantic or home on the farm, enjoying a good smoke either place. I try to review tobacco on its merits, not my likes or dislikes.

Reviews

Tabac De La Semois - La Volute 3.5oz
The barn's going burn
Im not sure why or what prompted me to ask smokingpipes.com to notify me when this tobacco was back in stock, but I’m so glad I did. When I got the notification, rereading the description, I thought, ”but I don’t care for Burleys.” Going by gut feeling alone, I ordered a couple of each blend made. When the shipment arrived, I was a bit irritated, so I wrote smokingpipes.com a lengthy email asking why they would ship something so damaged. It’s as if they left the pallets of tobacco sitting in the sun for a few days before storing them. Fortunately, I did a bit of research before sending the email. When they say this tobacco is dry, you have no idea what they mean by dry. This tobacco dryness is walking through fall leaves after weeks of no rain crunchy or drop a spark in the fall hay, and the barn burns down dry. It’s dry. This particular blend is also very rough; stems, branches, and logs are in the package. It’s a mighty rough cut! But let me say; it’s a beautiful smoking blend. On the first day, I enjoyed three bowls, each trying to pick out the different tobacco nuances. That day I ordered more of each blend. It’s something I want around often.

Dan Tobacco - Salty Dogs 50g
Pretty Good Plugs
This one takes a bit of work. I love that it’s a true plug (close to rocks in density). I’ve tried cubes, slices, and thoroughly rubbing it out. Rubbing the tobacco out seems to bring out more flavor. Though it’s hard and feels dry, the moisture seems to return once rubbed out. It’s a light smoke, smooth and tasty. I keep s sufficient amount on hand because it often seems out of stock for extended periods.

G. L. Pease - Spark Plug 2oz
Complex and worth your time
Excellent tobacco. The smoothest tobacco I’ve smoked by far. Spark Plug is a blend you need to spend time appreciating fully. I was a little concerned with my first tin, with it arriving as a jumbled mess. I think quality control missed some end pieces tossed together. The second tin was a sliceable plug. This blend is in my constant rotation, sometimes a few or more bowls in a row. After cutting a slice cross-grain, sometimes I dice it up like running it through a blender; other times, I cut the slice into matchstick-like pieces. Either way, it smokes well. I’ve ordered five more tins and will follow that up with more. It’s in my rotation for the long term.

Cornell & Diehl - Autumn Evening 2oz
People comment on its aroma when I smoke it
It's a good tobacco blend. I get approval from the people around me on its room note—a cool draw with no tongue bite. I haven't gotten much of a nicotine hit from it. I have moved this to my favorites for future orders but in the bulk tobacco.

Cornell & Diehl - Sun Bear Black Locust 2oz
Sweet & Light
I received my shipment today; I left work early to check it out (it was a large order, more than the Sun Bear). The overall aroma is light and pleasant from the tin, very sweet-smelling. I packed a full bowl right from the tin, with a single light for the bowl. I had a slight problem with moisture halfway through; a quick swab with a pipe cleaner fixed it. The smoke was light and cool on my tongue. For me, it was a pleasant smoke; other than the bit of moisture, I didn’t fight with the pipe the entire bowl. I haven’t learned to pick out the subtle flavors when smoking yet, but overall an exceptionally light smoke, though I got a light nicotine hit, smoking on a starving stomach. If not for being a limited release, I would order more.

Drucquer & Sons - Levant Mixture 200g
Just wonderful
Smooth, flavorful, pleasant to smoke. It will be in my rotation as long as I can get it.

Cornell & Diehl - Yorktown 2oz
An excellent Virginia Blend
I purchased this on a whim, experimenting with tobacco likes and dislikes. Four or five bowls through this 2 oz tin and I know I’ll be ordering a pound or more bulk, some to age and some to smoke right away. A good smoke with no tongue bite, the bowl stays lit and it smells good. There is a pleasant taste of sourdough bread in the mouth afterward. I’ve experienced no nicotine hit with it. There is a fair amount of smoke with this.

Iwan Ries - Three Star Blue 7oz
This grew on my after some time past.
When I first opened this tobacco, I was overwhelmed with the aroma. My first couple of bowls were difficult. I put it away for a couple of years and came back to it. Maybe it mellowed, or I matured as a smoker, but when I came back to it and smoked a few bowls, I ordered more. This tobacco is one I always keep around. It’s a good blend that is mellow with a pleasing aroma. It’s evident to me why this seems to be the flagship blend from Iwan Ries.

Lane Limited - Burley and Black
I'm so glad I ordered too much!
I see it's no longer available. From day one, when I ordered it three years ago, this has been a great smoke. It smells great, and my wife always compliments the aroma (always a good thing). It's smooth, I've experienced no tongue bite, and it lights well and stays lit with a bit of drying.