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Welcome to Codger Country, the series where we'll be smoking every Codger blend (common over-the-counter tobacco blends) we can find and ranking them in an effort to determine the "definitive" Codger blend. From Carter Hall to Super Value, we're giving them all a fair shake. Today, we're hanging on the coast with a bowl of Sail Green, also known as Sail Aromatic, a blend that's "sweet as a nut."
Sail was originally produced and distributed by Koninklijke Theodorus Niemeyer BV, a Netherlands-based company now owned by British American Tobacco before being sold, like so many Codger blends, to Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG). Sail is said to be made using a "century-old Dutch recipe," and continues today with both Sail Green (Aromatic) and Sail Yellow (Regular).
I have no experience with the act of sailing or Sail the tobacco. It's not been recommended to me, and I knew close to nothing when I picked it for this entry in Codger Country. That said, I have some hopes for it and am excited to see how it shakes up the Aromatic game. It's a blend of Cavendish, Burley, and Orientals with Bright, clear Virginia leaf and a sprinkling of Latakia with a soft topping.
Initial Impressions
Open the pouch, and it's that familiar condensed block that comes from these pouch designs; rake your fingers through it, and you're good to go. It's not overly moist; it's a pretty good medium between wet and dry primed for smoking right out of the gate. The initial aroma is predominantly sweet Cavendish, with a touch of that Burley, and a notable presence of the Virginias. The topping is there, smelling like anise with rich, jammy, dried pit fruit, like plums. Load a bowl in a trusty Cobbit Shire from Missouri Meerschaum and give it a light. This feels like a shag cut, so it can take some fiddling to get it ready for a smoke.
It takes to the flame easily, with easy puffing. It's sweet and pleasant with decent room notes. It's got some nuttiness with molasses, and toward the back, you get some of that hay and citrus. It takes a little bit, but some of that anise comes forward. It's a very smooth smoke if you take it slow. I've read that some smokers have a hard time with it, especially toward the end, but I'm finding it an easy ride.
For an Aromatic, it has a surprisingly high amount of tobacco-forward notes. I think it definitely leans more to an English Aromatic, with a nice balance between the two. If you're an English fan, I think you'll find enough here to justify a pouch. If you're a fan of Aromatics or someone who has mostly stuck with Aromatics, then this still satisfies while expanding those horizons. In the second half of the bowl, it's got a creaminess to it.
I've spent a week smoking Sail Green, and I find that I like it best during that morning coffee. Just a good little wake-up, perfect nicotine hit, that sweet creaminess toward the end easing you into the day's rhythm. I'm a fan of it overall, but I feel like this would ghost a pipe after a few smokes, and some users on Tobacco Reviews have said as much. I'd keep this one in a cob or a pipe dedicated to these types of blends.
Is Sail Green (Aromatic) Worth it?
Like I said, I had no expectations or experience going into Sail Green, and I came out pleasantly surprised. It's an easy-going smoke, well-balanced with a good flavor profile. I think it offers a little something for both English and Aromatic smokers. It's not as smoky as some Englishes, so fans of those peaty notes might walk away disappointed. Sail Green is available only in 1.5oz pouches with a price comparable to most codger pouches. Does it lend itself to aging? I actually think this one does. It might not become the most finely aged blend but I think buying a couple pouches if you end up liking it to stew wouldn't be a bad idea. I'd move them to a jar because I doubt a pouch's long-term viability for cellaring. If you're looking for a good morning smoke or a nice, balanced blend to puff on throughout the day, I think you should give Sail Green a try.
I'm excited to try Sail Yellow when it comes across my desk, but for now, I'll move on to a blend I'm Half and Half on. Leave a comment below sharing your thoughts on Sail Green, and join me next time as we continue our journey in Codger Country together.
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Comments
I first smoked Sail green in 1969, and within months, it's (then) main competitor, Amphora red. Both were dutch Cavendish style tobaccos, ready-rubbed. Looking closely, small chunks of slices could be spotted. The term "Cavendish" can be confusing, but in these cases, it referred to the production process used in Holland. All the tobaccos in the blend were submitted to heat and pressure for various times. (They kept the details to themselves.) But there were no blending of"Cavendish " with burleys, virginias, brazilians, oriental or latakia. Those tobacco were processed and BECAME Cavendish! The current manufacturers may do things differently, but seem to be close to the originals.
Love these codger blend reviews! Always look forward to them. Definitely excited for your review of Half and Half, I've come to really love that blend.
Someone must love this brand to choose this over others at a cost of more than 7 dollars an ounce.
Does this ever take me back! Sail Green was what I smoked when I first began to smoke a pipe from time to time in the 1970s. I remember I liked it, but of course I knew so little about pipe tobacco then that I had no real means of comparison. I don’t actually remember WHY I liked it or what it was like. Nothing more than vague sense memory remains. Too long ago! But now you’ve made me curious, so maybe I’ll get a pouch of it. Maybe it will jog some memories.
I've been smoking pipes for three decade, this is a great blend!!