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Recently we announced the contenders and first round match ups for our Spring Showdown, a battle to decide which tobacco reigns supreme on the battlefield of best spring tobacco. We've had some time to deliberate and we're ready to announce our round one winners.
Round One Rundown
[Mac Baren - Virginia Flake] vs [Dunhill - Flake]
This was a tricky one, two Virginia flakes, both with exceptional presentation — from the square tins to the uniform cut of the flakes. Luckily there were some differences upon lighting, with the Mac Baren flake being very light, with notes of citrus and grass, as well as a very slight honey sweetness from the topping, while Dunhill was an earthier smoke, presenting hay, chocolate, a touch of leather and a slight citrusy sweetness.
Both flakes were easy to smoke, folded or rubbed, and though Mac Baren was a little moister, it wasn't enough to tip the scales either way. Overall these are both excellent all day smokes, light and with little bite, but the complexity of Dunhill's offering, in my opinion, makes it a better smoke for all occasions. I'm looking for something I can pay little attention to and still enjoy when I'm working or with friends and something that offers a little more when I have the time to contemplate.
Winner:
[Samuel Gawith - Grousemoor] vs [Two Friends - Heritage]
Ah, what a great face-off. A springtime blend from the major Kendal, U.K. blending house vs Craig Tarler's reputed blend of choice. A floral, lemony ribbon of light Virginias vs. an American style Va blend, married with unsweetened cavendish and high-grade Burleys. It's like comparing that fresh, citrusy dish you'd eat on a warm spring day to a more savory, warming dish you'd enjoy on some of the more crisp spring evenings.
Now, Heritage is good — a sound mixture of red and bright Virginias, Burley, and unsweetened black Cavendish, topped with subtle notes of chocolate, plum, and wine. But, for me, those are all aromas and flavors I enjoy more in the winter or fall months — comfort smokes, if you will. Come springtime, I prefer something a little crisper and fresh.
As such, I have to choose Grousemoor. Why?? Well, it's for the simple fact that it's so completely different from everything else in my rotation. It's a nice change of pace and a great palate cleanser, and it goes sinfully well with a nice cup of lemon-infused black tea. The lemon grass is noticeable, yet not overwhelming. The main show, however, is definitely the golden Vas. Simply put, it's just tobacco done the right way.
Winner:
[G.L. Pease - Navigator] vs [Gawith, Hoggarth & Co - Grasmere]
Grasmere Flake vs. Navigator is a difficult match for me to call. Not only are both blends in my regular rotation, but both are particular favorites for spring weather.
Grasmere is an English Aromatic in the Lakeland style. To my palate, however, it offers something a bit different from the other blends in the G&H lineup. The floral notes of rose and geranium are somehow a bit purer in Grasmere. The overall flavor profile is much less soapy than in some of the marque's other offerings. I think Grasmere is probably G&H's most accessible blend for the smoker who doesn't smoke Lakelands regularly or, as was the case for me a few years ago, doesn't particularly care for them. Grasmere is especially well-suited for spring because it smells like an English garden. Whenever I pack a bowl of this blend, I can't help but feel that I'm transported to the world of Evelyn Waugh, or Downton Abbey if you prefer. Beyond the pleasant top-note, the Burley and Virginia tobaccos are first rate. Grasmere burns coolly and cleanly, but if you're going to smoke it regularly, it demands to be smoked in a briar exclusively devoted to Lakeland blends.
Navigator has been a favorite of mine since it was released back in 2012. Red and bright Virginias are expertly blended with dark-fired Kentucky and topped with just a hint of rum. Perfectly balanced and satisfying in terms of strength and flavor, Navigator gets even better with age — and the oldest tins out there are only a couple of years old now. The subtle rum topping is primarily noticeable on the retrohale, while the dark-fired Kentucky adds a rich earthiness that harmonizes well with the lighter Virginias. Navigator is equally well-suited to an afternoon smoke, or preferably, a stormy Spring evening.
In the end, complexity carries the day. Grasmere is an excellent companion on a sunny spring afternoon. But Navigator's richness and complexity better suits the vagaries of spring.
Winner:
[Peter Stokkebye - Luxury Twist Flake] vs [Fribourg & Treyer - Cut Virginia Plug]
As I've smoked Luxury Twist semi-regularly for years, for this match-up only the Fribourg & Treyer was something new. First off, CVG is said to have a citrus/vanilla aroma, but the scent of the flake, to my proboscis if no one else's, was of vanilla and maple syrup - which had me leaning in favor of Luxury Twist early on, as the maple immediately put autumn, rather than spring, in mind. That having been said, from the first light everything changed, because the flavor that hit me, however subtly, was of the toasted outside of marshmallows (not the sugary, gooey inside, just the dark and crispy exterior). No maple, no citrus, just that singular scent and flavor that always reminds me of the early spring and midsummer visits to my maternal grandparents, and the cooler nights when we'd go down to the creek (pronounced crik) that fed their pond, to have a bonfire and listen to the bullfrogs as the wind rustled and combed unseen through the branches and leaves lost in darkness up above. That aroma and flavor is subtle here, very subtle, and weaves in and out later in the smoke, but then so too were many of the things that made those childhood nights special.
Luxury Twist is still a fine flake, but for a spring night in the middle of nowhere, I'll take the Fribourg & Treyer.
Winner:
Round Two Match Ups
Well, there were some upsets in round one, but all decisions are final and our expert panel of judges won't be dissuaded from the task at hand (though all bribes will be considered). With round one decided, let's have a look at our round two match ups.
We'll be back next week with rundowns and winners from round two. If you have any thoughts on who the winners should be, or just want to suggest your own spring time blends, feel free to leave a comment below.
Tagged in: Dunhill Fribourg and Treyer G. L. Pease Reviews Samuel Gawith Spring Showdown Tobacco
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Comments
Holy cow guys. Must you be bald, bearded and white to smoke a pipe or are those just the perks? Equal opportunity hires anyone?
Seriously though, I had my heart set on a grasmere grousemoor show down. Now that that's not an option I'll go 'head and spoil the ending. Congrats CVP!
"Must you be bald, bearded and white to smoke a pipe...?"
No--just to be a judge in this competition. Besides, if we also had hair and good looks, wouldn't the whole package just be too much?
Grasmere vs. Grousemoor would have been a great showdown. Both are great blends. There's always next spring.