THE TOBACCO CELLAR... a place for pipe tobacco reviews

[Bk124tt]

Orlik golden sliced
rubbed out a slice and packed my bowl and bamm! This is the stuff I'm looking for. Smooth and mellow with a nice traditional room note! I am a fan!

 

[Argonaut]

Samual Gawith Grousemoor
a little to sharp for me. I am finding I am more of a fan of the mellow tobaccos! Room note was ok.

You have not been chosen by "The Grouse" yet. Cellar it and come back to it when you have achieved "experienced smoker" status. If you still don't like it, then you are not a Chosen One.

 

[jwhite]

Love the grouse in both its incarnations but I also get compliments when I wear the Veg so I am truly blessed.

 

[oc_in_fw]

You have not been chosen by "The Grouse" yet. Cellar it and come back to it when you have achieved "experienced smoker" status. If you still don't like it, then you are not a Chosen One.

Yep, a bowl is only enough to think "***?". Then you start to crave it.

 

[RevSmoke]

Samual Gawith Grousemoor
a little to sharp for me. I am finding I am more of a fan of the mellow tobaccos! Room note was ok.

Don't know if sharp is the word or not.

You have not been chosen by "The Grouse" yet. Cellar it and come back to it when you have achieved "experienced smoker" status. If you still don't like it, then you are not a Chosen One.

And if you are not a Chosen One for "The Grouse," you can give thanks that you were released from bondage.

Yep, a bowl is only enough to think "***?". Then you start to crave it.

And after a whole tin (or more), you ask yourself, "why did I put myself through that? Why did I squander my money on another aromatic?"

OK, I'm sorry for all my tongue-in-cheek comments, BUT...

Been a smoker for 30+ years. Started out with aromatics, some cheap ones. Been around the block with orientals, burleys, blends w/Latakia, Virginias, and aromatics (some done w/a light hand and some steeped in goop). If I learned anything, it is this. You have only one person to make happy when you put something in your pipe, and that is you. The tastes of all pipe smokers is not the same, as with everything else. For example, I am probably one of the few who has Maple Nut as their favorite ice cream. I drink my coffee straight, and cannot stand light beer. I'd rather eat a Granny Smith (apple) and feel that Red Delicious are only fit for deer food. My wife loves asparagus, I can tolerate it, but hate the way it makes my pee stink, so I try to avoid it. We're all different and all have different likes and dislikes.

Presently (for the last 12 years or so), I am predominantly a Virginia smoker, and oftentimes I want my VA to have some perique in it. I also enjoy a blends show-casing some Latakia. On occassion, Two Friends Celtic Mist finds a place in my rotation. I am not fan of orientals, unless there is just a touch in a blend. And I pretty much avoid burley blends.

Now that's just me - and my tastes.

Here's my take.
Don't smoke a tobacco because other pipesters say that it is the quintessential blend. I suppose you can try something a couple times because it is supposed to be "all that," but life is too short to be smoking a blend that you think tastes like dried cat poo, even if the rest of the world like it. (the emporer has no clothes on)
Don't smoke a tobacco because the room note makes others around you happy. (Although you might do this on occasion, it often means you are smoking something other than what you'd really like to be smoking - in which case you are unhappy)

As we're talking about SG blends, how many like 1792? Now there is a blend that either grows on you or you detest. I suppose a few people love it right away, but not many.

My favorite SG blends are: Full Virginia Flake and St. James Flake, occasionally I'll get a tin of Squadron Leader and/or 1792. (And yes, I've tried "The Grouse," more than a tin of it, and promised myself "never again.") My all-time favorite blend is from another Lakeland Co., Gawith & Hoggarth - Louisiana Flake - I also like their Bright CR Flake, Bob's Chocolate Flake, Mixture #12, and Brown Bogie (especially rubbed out with a little Perique added.)

Oooops, I just realized I've been rambling on and on. Sorry about that.

Smoke what you like and enjoy it.

Peace of the Lord be with you.

Todd

 

[Bk124tt]

Cornell and Diehl Irish blessings blend was a nice satisfying blend. The room not was pleasent and as far as the taste, it gave a nice smooth balanced taste!
Overall I would put this one in my positive experience column!

 

[RevSmoke]

Cornell & Diehl #416 Plantation Evening

This is a review that I wrote about 10 years ago. It took me about two years to smoke through the pound that I opened, I kept most of it in a mason jar in my cellar (as I do most of my tobaccos), putting about two ounces in a pouch to carry with me to smoke. I just opened some more of this (a ½ pound tin from 2009) after having it out of my rotation for over two years. It isn’t because I didn’t like it, but that I have been smoking more straight Virginias and VaPers. Latakia blends have not readilly fit the flavor profile that appeals to my taste buds in the last few years. With this latest excursion into #416, I dug out this old review to read. I thought I’d post it up here, a couple comments have been added in [ ] that are new to this review. As and aside, I have been informed that blends with Latakia in it have often been erroneously referred to on the US side of the Atlantic as “English” blends. How this moniker arose is beyond me, but as I am proudly an American, I use that appellation here out of familiarity, without prejudice, and because most people will understand what I mean by it.

1) Aesthetics: This blend has a very pleasing look to it. The bright Virginias and the dark Latakia with some brown hints in between make this an intriguing looking tobacco. A non-smoking friend commented on the stark color contrasts for tobaccos (excuse him, he is a cigarette smoker). [It truly is enticing to see all the differences in color with the constituent tobaccos.]

2) Pre-light Construction: What a well-balanced blend this appears to be from the aroma upon opening the bag (bought a pound) - lightly smoky (some Latakia) and you can smell the Perique if you close your eyes and concentrate, while the natural sweetness of the Virginias tickles lightly in the background - no predominate smell. It seductively calls, “Smoke me!” While I thought this was a bit drier than I appreciate (not crumbly), and since I didn’t want to over moisten it, I set some tobacco overnight in a tupperware container with a sponge lightly moistened with distilled water. In the morning, the sponge was dry, but the tobacco was perfect - still much drier than most. This tobacco packs very easily and took a flame very well after the initial char. [As I think back, I am not sure why it was so dry, or why I thought I needed to hydrate it a bit. This tin was also dry, but it wasn’t crumbly. I find drier tobaccos smoke much cooler that overly moist ones. When pinched, the springs back, doesn’t clump and doesn’t crumble to dust – perfect.]

3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked: A grey-white ash slowly filled the bowl as smoke blissfully rose into the air. Although I often puff over-eagerly, attempting to get all the flavors I possibly can dancing upon my palate, I held back. Gently puffing, it burned so smooth, dry and cool. [I think I smoked a bit more aggressively the last two bowls I had in the last couple days, and still it was dry and cool smoking.]

4) Flavor and strength: This is not an overbearing English (by that I mean that Latakia isn’t overbearing) blend. A smoky spiciness tantalizingly punctuated each puff. There was the hint of sweet nuts that ethereally drifted in and out of the entire bowl. Wonderfully complex. I enjoyed this while putting together my son’s new bike, and I wasn’t smoking it to review, just to enjoy it. The flavors made me pause occasionally and sit back and contemplate what was going on in my mouth. I still don’t have it all figured out. This is one that begs to be French inhaled and enjoyed. [I still don’t have all the flavors figured out. It is an interesting blend with subtle nuances of flavor drifting in and fading out while a sweet spiciness predominates.]

5) Aftertaste/Finish: Lightly this lingered on the palate - smoky, spicy, sweetness - no other way to describe it. Very pleasant.

6) Aroma: Nuts predominate. Once, grandpa roasted some black walnuts as a kid. I remember I didn’t like the taste of the walnuts that way, but I was just a kid, the smell however, was wonderful. This is reminiscent of that, in fact, I hadn’t remember that event in years until the aroma dazzled my olfactory senses. This is one English blend that will not highly offend the bystander. [My wife tells me this is not true, of course her reasoning is that someone commented to her about how offensive it was. Of course, this individual is offended when she see a cigar, pipe, or cigarette – whether they are lit and she can smell them, or not.]

7) General Comments: It was a beautifully sunny day, I was out working on my son’s bike. I had a cup of malt flavored hot Ovaltine - boy was that a great compliment to this tobacco, had two cups together with it. I will smoke much more of this - this might be one of those “everyday blends”. [I have smoked this in numerous situations and places since then. The last time I was sitting and reading a book, enjoying a Guiness Stout – and this blend was and incredibly fitting compliment.]

8) Recommendation: I am glad I bought a pound of it. Need I say more? [Obviously, I have purchased more since that initial pound. And will do so again.]
Cornell & Diehl #416 Plantation Evening

This is a review that I wrote about 10 years ago. It took me about two years to smoke through the pound that I opened, I kept most of it in a mason jar in my cellar (as I do most of my tobaccos), putting about two ounces in a pouch to carry with me to smoke. I just opened some more of this (a ½ pound tin from 2009) after having it out of my rotation for over two years. It isn’t because I didn’t like it, but that I have been smoking more straight Virginias and VaPers. Latakia blends really fit the flavor profile that appeals to my taste buds in the last few years. With this latest excursion into #416, I dug out this old review to read. I thought I’d post it up here, a couple comments have been added in [ ] that are new to this review. Blends with Latakia in it have often been erroneously referred to on the US side of the Atlantic as “English” blends. How this moniker arose is beyond me, but as I am proudly an American, I use that appellation here out of familiarity and because most people will understand what I mean by it.

1) Aesthetics: This blend has a very pleasing look to it. The bright Virginias and the dark Latakia with some brown hints in between make this an intriguing looking tobacco. A non-smoking friend commented on the stark color contrasts for tobaccos (excuse him, he is a cigarette smoker). [It truly is enticing to see all the differences in color with the constituent tobaccos.]

2) Pre-light Construction: What a well-balanced blend this appears to be from the aroma upon opening the bag (bought a pound) - lightly smoky (some Latakia) and you can smell the Perique if you close your eyes and concentrate, while the natural sweetness of the Virginias tickles lightly in the background - no predominate smell. It seductively calls, “Smoke me!” While I thought this was a bit drier than I appreciate (not crumbly), and since I didn’t want to over moisten it, I set some tobacco overnight in a tupperware container with a sponge lightly moistened with distilled water. In the morning, the sponge was dry, but the tobacco was perfect - still much drier than most. This tobacco packs very easily and took a flame very well after the initial char. [As I think back, I am not sure why it was so dry, or why I thought I needed to hydrate it a bit. This tin was also dry, but it wasn’t crumbly. I find drier tobaccos smoke much cooler that overly moist ones. When pinched, the springs back, doesn’t clump and doesn’t crumble to dust – perfect.]

3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked: A grey-white ash slowly filled the bowl as smoke blissfully rose into the air. Although I often puff over-eagerly, attempting to get all the flavors I possibly can dancing upon my palate, I held back. Gently puffing, it burned so smooth, dry and cool. [I think I smoked a bit more aggressively the last two bowls I had in the last couple days, and still it was dry and cool smoking.]

4) Flavor and strength: This is not an overbearing English (by that I mean that Latakia isn’t overbearing) blend. A smoky spiciness tantalizingly punctuated each puff. There was the hint of sweet nuts that ethereally drifted in and out of the entire bowl. Wonderfully complex. I enjoyed this while putting together my son’s new bike, and I wasn’t smoking it to review, just to enjoy it. The flavors made me pause occasionally and sit back and contemplate what was going on in my mouth. I still don’t have it all figured out. This is one that begs to be French inhaled and enjoyed. [I still don’t have all the flavors figured out. It is an interesting blend with subtle nuances of flavor drifting in and fading out while a sweet spiciness predominates.]

5) Aftertaste/Finish: Lightly this lingered on the palate - smoky, spicy, sweetness - no other way to describe it. Very pleasant.

6) Aroma: Nuts predominate. Once, grandpa roasted some black walnuts as a kid. I remember I didn’t like the taste of the walnuts that way, but I was just a kid, the smell however, was wonderful. This is reminiscent of that, in fact, I hadn’t remember that event in years until the aroma dazzled my olfactory senses. This is one English blend that will not highly offend the bystander. [My wife tells me this is not true, of course her reasoning is that someone commented to her about how offensive it was. Of course, this individual is offended when she see a cigar, pipe, or cigarette – whether they are lit and she can smell them, or not.]

7) General Comments: It was a beautifully sunny day, I was out working on my son’s bike. I had a cup of malt flavored hot Ovaltine - boy was that a great compliment to this tobacco, had two cups together with it. I will smoke much more of this - this might be one of those “everyday blends”. [I have smoked this in numerous situations and places since then. The last time I was sitting and reading a book, enjoying a Guiness Stout – and this blend was and incredibly fitting compliment.]

8) Recommendation: I am glad I bought a pound of it. Need I say more? [Obviously, I have purchased more since that initial pound. And will do so again.]

 

[Bk124tt]

I love reading Revsmoke's reviews. They are very deep! I truly mean that, outstanding reviews!
As for me, I am a man of much fewer words. So here it goes.....I tried these tobaccos today for the first time.

McClelland Town Topic-wow! I really love this stuff. It smells great in the tin, tastes great in the bowl and smells great in the air! I really enjoy that hint of maple flavor it gives off. I will be ordering more!

Lane Limited 1-Q this really tastes like the traditional pipe tobacco I remember smelling as a kid! Tastes very good and smells great as well. Very similar (but frankly not as good) as the Nat Sherman house blend #584 that I purchased while in Manhatten a couple of weeks ago. This Nat Sherman tobacco is traditionally outstanding!

 

[RevSmoke]

Cornell & Diehl Black Dawg (tinned blend with a black Lab on the cover art - purchased June 2000) This is C&D's description of this old blend - An exceptionally smooth blend of Syrian Latakia, Perique and unsweetened black Cavendish. An all-day smoke. It is no longer available in this form, for there is no more Syrian Latakia available from which to blend it. I have about an ounce of it left, over 10 years old. I have a bowl once in a while. This is an old review, done using the SMOKE review style applied to pipe tobacco. It is sad this is no longer available. My tobacco was taken from the tin and put into a 1/2 pint Mason jar when I opened it about 8 years ago - this review was originally written back then.


1) Aesthetics: Upon opening the tin and looking at this tobacco, I was surprised to find that it wasn't black as I expected. There are black highlights in this blend, but the preponderance of the blend is made up of dark chocolate leaf with the occasional lighter brown leaf giving a distinctive highlight.

2) Pre-light Construction: I like the way this smells. The poignant sweet smell of Perique predominates the initial nose. There is the hint of smokiness to it, but the Latakia doesn't dominate as it often does in a blend. The moisture content of this blend begs to be packed into a bowl immediately and lit. I had expected this blend to be a bit drier than this as
C&D blends tend in that direction, but this isn't. I immediately took out a Savinelli 606KS and packed a bowl - very easily I might add.

3) Post-light Construction/How it smoked: This smoked so nicely, I think I only touched it up once with a match to finish the bowl. I had packed it rather loosely, but it burned very well - nice and cool. This dark tobacco was smoothly reduced to a grey ash.

4) Flavor and strength: Being in Wisconsin, smoked sausage is a popular thing. This blend has me wondering if anybody has ever made smoked raisins. Anyway, as I smoked this bowl, I imagined myself with my favorite black retriever coming to rest his head on my lap. It had been a great day, a good hunt. He was my companion, chasing down the birds I dropped - like an old friend - that is this blend. It is now time to relax after a roast duck dinner (one Bowser retrieved) made with wild rice and raisin stuffing, reclined in the easy chair with a fine cognac in hand. Ah, sit back and enjoy the fine things in life. This blend is strong enough to satisfy, yet incredibly silky smooth. I couldn't believe the raisin taste smoked raisins kept running through my mind), yet it was wonderfully complex. There was the hint of a wild game dinner in there as well, or was that just my imagination.

5) Aftertaste/Finish: This had a shorter finish, yet the raisin flavor again stuck out in my mind.

6) Aroma: Did I tell you how this reminded me of raisins? It did! The only way to describe it. A piquant sweetness, with slight smoky overtones and raisins.

7) General Comments: Too bad this isn't a bulk blend, it would make it an even better value. This will not disappoint.

FOOTNOTE: There is a new incarnation of this blend w/out the Syrian Latakia, the name has changed, but the cover art remains the same. Described as follows: Sam's Blend. An exceptionally smooth blend of Cyprian Latakia, Perique and unsweetened black Cavendish. An all-day smoke. The dog is named Sam and was 15 years old. He belonged to our daughter and son-in-law, Bob & Pam Hayes whom many of you have met at pipe shows.

I have yet to try this re-blend, but I am curious how it stacks up to the old.

 

[Prof. Moriarty]

Just found this thread, nice review guys. If you have the time copy paste them into the review section so we can get our own subsection