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Welcome to another episode of Tasting Notes. If you've been following this series for the last couple of weeks, you're already aware that I'm on a mission to sample and review all of Sillem's pipe tobacco blends, starting with the Aromatic series. So far I've reviewed the Black, the Red, and the Green, and all of them were very distinctive and singular when it comes to Aromatic mixtures. Today, I'll be reviewing another unique Sillem's Aromatic, one with a really interesting twist: Sillem's Blue.
Sillem's Blue comprises Bright, Red, and Darker Virginias along with a little bit of Brown Cavendish and a little Burley. Sounds like a pretty typical recipe so far, right? To that foundation, the folks at Sillem's add a maple and caramel topping, which again is pretty expected for this vein of Aromatic mixtures. But here's where the twist comes in: Alongside those select varietals and toppings is a substantial lime flavoring.
Caramelized Sugar, Maple, and Lime?
Now, if you're anything like me, when you first read that description, you probably had a hard time imagining what such a blend would taste like. The combination of maple, caramel, and lime sounds a little weird, maybe a little too weird to be good. When I opened the tin, I'll admit I had a hard time trying to figure out the best way to describe the aroma. The zesty, citrus-lime character is definitely there. It's sharp, bright, and very prominent. It's a really great smell, and quite a unique one, too. I don't think I've ever tasted or smelled anything quite like this in the world of pipe tobacco, to be honest — maybe not even in the world of food and drink either.
There's a sugary sweetness that reminds me of caramelized brown sugar, which, together with the caramel and maple flavoring, does call to mind those little maple candies you get in Vermont and other places in the northeast. That, in and of itself, is quite promising, but atop those more traditional aromatic flavors and aromas is this really pronounced zesty citrus and lime quality. It's really interesting, and the juxtaposition of those sweeter, brown sugar notes with that zesty, citrusy flavor character creates something that is definitely unique.
Excellent Smoking Properties
On the tobacco itself, there's a pretty even mix between darker leaf and lighter leaf, but there are these chunks of darker, pressed Virginias mixed in there, too, which adds an interesting visual component, but also sort of keeps the burn nice and slow. It's still quite spontaneous and still very responsive; it packs really easily. In fact, this is among the best-behaved Aromatic mixtures I've ever smoked. How it performs in the pipe, how it packs, how it loads, the moisture content out of the tin — it's all perfect. And unlike some other Aromatics I've tried in the past, it still has that spontaneity of burn: Even if the pipe has almost gone out, I can tamp and it springs right back up. When lit, this blend produces lots of volume and tons of smoke. It's medium-bodied and really easy to smoke.
Juxtaposing the Traditional and the Innovative
Concerning the flavor, the most interesting thing about this, to me at least, is that juxtaposition of the traditional and the innovative. This blend has those typical maple and caramel notes, as well as a good bit of Virginia Cavendish and other components that we think of when we think of Aromatic pipe tobaccos. And that alone results in a very high quality mixture of leaf and components, with just the right amount of topping to really impart that flavor without changing the smoking properties of characteristics of the blend. But what truly sets it apart and cuts through the noise is the lime, especially as the blend develops over the course of a bowl. As it progresses, maybe a little bit past the halfway point, the lime is a constant companion. It stops demanding focus, though, and instead offers a nuanced, citrusy zest that sits somewhere between the mid and high notes on the register.
The lime helps to elevate the natural tobacco flavors and bring them to the forefront, where they intermingle with that signature caramel and maple sweetness. The finish is really creamy as well, and that melange of flavors lingers on the palette in a really interesting way. In terms of really well-defined flavor characteristics, I'm struggling to come up with one really good descriptor that encapsulates the blend, but it's definitely zesty and it's definitely sweet. I would say that, even though this is a lime flavoring, that citrus quality sort of reminds me of the tartness of an apple, so there is this almost like caramel or candied apple note coming through. There's also this vague, rum cocktail kind of a flavor. It's not a boozy quality, per se, but it does remind me of a really sugary spirit with citrus and lime — something like a Dark & Stormy, or a similar cocktail, minus the boozy quality.
More Than the Sum of its Parts
You can probably tell by now that the flavor and taste of this blend are challenging for me to describe, and so much of that, I think, is because it's quite a dynamic blend. It's constantly changing and evolving as you progress down the bowl — as the citrus mingles with the caramel and maple and elevates the natural tobacco flavors alongside it all. It's more than the mere sum of its parts and is just a really interesting Aromatic experience.
So again, with the Blue, Sillem's has done a great job crafting an elevated and distinctive entry into a category of tobacco that has been preferred by smokers for decades and decades. If you normally like sweet caramel, or even chocolatey types of Aromatics, and you want something that's just a little bit different with extremely good smoking properties, this is a must-try. I still think that the Black and the Green are my favorites from the series, but there is not a single Aromatic mixture in the Sillem's lineup that is not worthy of consideration.
Sillem's Blue
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Comments
While one may conclude one's day with this lime- infused pipe tobacco, one might also begin it with an absolutely terrific shaving cream, for those who use brushes. Castle Forbes shaving cream with Lime Essential Oil. Just terrific. It is not inexpensive, however.
While stationed at the Naval Hospital in Orlando Fl, in ‘71-‘73, I spent a great many times in a local tobacconist shop called, Robert’s Pipe & Tobacco. Small shop however, friendly and very knowledgeable of his craft. I tried a few of his tobacco offerings and all were found to be superior. After requesting what I expected in my pipe tobacco taste, body and aroma, he led me to a barrel he labeled “No Name”. The dry aroma of cherry was dominant with the most pleasant bowl I had tried. Obviously, I had to ask why the label? He said he created it to match like requests from others and sold so well he didn’t give it a formal name. Returning customers would come and wanted more of “that no name stuff!” Said it became his most requested item. Sadly after many mail order requests (even while stationed in Hawaii) his shop closed sometime in the later ‘70’s this recipe most likely lost to the ages. Have never been able to find one that matches up. Any ideas out there?
George Coy, I would suggest writing down on strips of paper names of tobacco blends that remind you of " That No Name Stuff", place the strips of paper on the floor in a clock formation, and then place a glass bottle in the center and give it a spin. I hope that helps ;) Good luck!