Tobacco Review

Cornell & Diehl Haunted Bookshop

As with all my reviews, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and your mileage may vary.  The tobacco being reviewed has been purchase by myself and I’ve personally smoked several bowls, in various pipes before writing this review.  I’ve also linked the TobaccoReviews.com review for your cross reference.

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Photo Info:  Cornell & Diehl Haunted Bookshop Pipe Tobacco, Savinelli Churchwarden, Kitchen Matches, Halloween ornament, Northwest Gentlemen Bison Leather Tobacco Mat.  Photo by TheSaintlyCatholic

Pipes Used: Briar Only
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

Strength – Medium
Taste – Medium to Full
Flavoring – None
Room Note – Tolerable
Tin Note – Earthy, Woody
Rating – ***

My Review

I normally publish my tobacco reviews on Friday, but with Halloween falling on Thursday I felt it was only fitting to publish my review of Haunted Bookshop on Halloween.  I’ve had this blend sitting in my cellar, unopened for over two months.  I had been saving the first smoke until just before Halloween.  After all, if one is going to open something “Haunted” might as well do that on the scariest day of the year.  Right?

Not all tobacco tins include a lot of detail about what is actually in the tin.  My tin of Haunted Bookshop included the following statement written on the label.  “Another of the late Bob Runowski’s blends, named in honor of the famous novel written by Christopher Morley, Haunted Bookshop is a Burley and Virginia blend with just a touch of Perique”.  This “touch” of Perique is what I believe makes Haunted Bookshop a special blend for me.

As I have noticed in a few of the VA/Per blends I’ve tried, my palette just isn’t too keen on Perique.  Especially where the Perique is front and center or equal with the other tobacco.   With Haunted Bookshop (as stated on the tin and what my experience has been) the Perique is very much in the backseat and doesn’t overpower the Virginia and Burley.

Due to the fact that I only just opened this tin a few days before Halloween, I’ve only smoked two bowls and both have been in a briar.  But I have no doubt that Haunted Bookshop will smoke just as well in a cob.  I’m looking forward to smoking more bowls and then trying a few of the other Perique blends I initially didn’t care for and see if this will help my palette.  Of course, I suppose there’s always the approach of just rip the band-aid off and just smoke the heck out of the stronger Perique blends until either I begin to enjoy it or eventually just give up and say Perique is just not my cup of tea.

In any event, I have enjoyed this blend (even with just two bowls under my belt) and look forward to more.  Due to the less than desirable room note (according to my wife), this one will need to be a man-cave or outdoor smoke.  But that’s fine as I have plenty of different aromatic blends I can enjoy along with the company of my wife.

TobaccoReviews.com

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/1572/cornell-diehl-haunted-bookshop

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this review.  What are your opinions on Haunted Bookshop?  Please leave a comment below.

Until next time,

Happy Smoking!

Jerry

October 31, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Lane Limited RLP-6

As with all my reviews, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and your mileage may vary.  The tobacco being reviewed has been purchase by myself and I’ve personally smoked several bowls, in various pipes before writing this review.  I’ve also linked the TobaccoReviews.com review for your cross reference.

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Photo Info:  Lane Limited RLP-6 Pipe Tobacco, Roadtown Bent Dublin, Pipe Nail, Kiribi Kabuto Short Pipe Lighter, Northwest Gentlemen Bison Leather Tobacco Mat.  Photo by MyPipeLife

Pipes Used: Briar, Cob, Clay
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

Strength – Mild
Taste – Mild
Flavoring – Mild
Room Note – Pleasant
Tin Note – Vanilla, Molasses
Rating – ***

My Review

Lane Limited RLP-6 is (at this time) my second favorite aromatic blend.  Probably no surprise since I enjoy 1-Q so much.  This is another one of those blends that my wife really enjoys the room note while smoking and to be honest, this is important.  While I can always go outside and smoke my pipe, the winters in Colorado can be a bit on the BRRRRR side so having plenty of blends I can smoke which do not offend my wife is always a good thing.

The more blends I experience, the more I’m realizing exactly what I like and what I don’t care for.  Notice I said, “what I don’t care for”.  Lane RLP-6 has all my favorite tobacco types including Virginia, Cavendish, Black Cavendish and Burley.  RLP-6 often becomes an all day smoke for me if I’m just too lazy to go to my cellar to pick something else out.

If you read the reviews (which I’ve linked to below) you’ll see a lot of comparisons of RLP-6 to Captain Black White.  Some entries state that RLP-6 is the same as CBW without the additives.  For the record, I’ve not had the opportunity to try CBW.  So I can’t comment one way or the other.  However, most of what I’ve read all indicate that that RLP-6 (because it lacks all the additives included in CBW) is a better smoke.  But of course, your mileage may vary.

My experience with RLP-6 has always been very positive.  As I’ve already mentioned, the room note is pleasant so this means not only can I smoke this blend in my home, I also include this blend in my rotation anytime I’m going to be out smoking near the public.  I also find RLP-6 to be a consistent smoke all the way down to the bottom of the bowl.

Like Lane 1-Q, I especially recommend RLP-6 for beginner pipe smokers or anyone who is looking for a low nicotine smoking experience.  If you haven’t had the opportunity to try Lane Limited RLP-6, give it a try.  I think you’ll enjoy it, especially if you enjoy 1-Q.

TobaccoReviews.com

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/682/lane-limited-rlp-6

Thank you for taking the time to read this review.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this particular blend.  Please leave a comment below.

Until next time…

Happy Smoking!

Jerry

October 25, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Velvet

As with all my reviews, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and your mileage may vary.  The tobacco being reviewed has been purchase by myself and I’ve personally smoked several bowls, in various pipes before writing this review.  I’ve also linked the TobaccoReviews.com review for your cross reference.

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Photo Info:  Velvet Pipe Tobacco, Kaywoodie model 51 Standard, Czech Pipe Tool, Zippo Lighter with Thunderbird butane insert, Northwest Gentlemen Bison Leather Tobacco Mat, My Grandfathers WWII Dog Tags.  Photo by TheSaintlyCatholic

Pipes Used: Briar, Cob
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: Local Store (OTC)

Strength – Mild
Taste – Mild
Flavoring – Mild
Room Note – As if my Grandfather was in the room
Tin Note – Burley, Liquor
Rating – ***

My Review

I’ll be honest, I was concerned.  While I purchased both Velvet and Half & Half from my local “Smoker Friendly” store, I honestly had no expectation that I would truly enjoy either of these blends.  I considered it a punt just to get an alternative experience.  While I’ve been smoking a pipe for over a year, I still consider myself very much a rookie.  Especially when it relates to tobacco.

I know my grandfather smoked a pipe.  I remember he had a small, round pipe stand.  In the middle was a glass humidor/container which stored his tobacco.  While I remember exactly which cigarettes he smoked (Chesterfield), I don’t recall which brand of pipe tobacco he smoked.  At least I didn’t until recently.

I picked up the Velvet (and Half & Half) a few weeks ago.  Both pouches sat on my desk in my man-cave and remained in the cellophane wrappers.   As I’ve talked about in a few of my recent YouTube YTPC videos, my house for the past several weeks has been a construction zone as well as an oven.  The mess made in the kitchen ceiling by the leak in the upstairs master bathroom has finally been fully repaired.  And the upstairs AC unit which went out and left us with no AC in the upstairs portion of the house for six days (over Labor Day weekend) has also been repaired.  As I’m typing out this article, my wife and I have enjoyed just a little over 72 hours of absolute peace.

While I’ve certainly been “choochin” (I just love that word) on a few different blends during this ordeal, I wanted to wait until the world slowed down enough where I could truly sit back, relax, clear my mind and enjoy (or try).  But as I stated above, I considered this a punt and I honestly had the expectation that I wouldn’t like Velvet.  My assumption?  Well simply that it would be much, much stronger than what I was used to smoking and the nicotine hit would leave my head spinning.  After all…Velvet is a codger blend!

However, my experience couldn’t have been further from my expectation.  I honestly and absolutely enjoyed Velvet so much that as soon as one bowl was finished, I cranked up a second.  I’ve never done that before.  Everything about Velvet is as smooth as the name implies.

I smoked Velvet over a few days and each time I was in my basement mancave.  Today when I walked into the room I experienced something wonderful.  Instantly….I was carried back in time some 40 years and the room note left behind from having smoked several bowls of only Velvet over a few days instantly reminded me of my grandfathers smoking room.  I sat down in my chair and closed my eyes and for a few minutes I was a little boy and my grandfather was near me smoking his pipe.

Last year when I returned to pipe smoking after a 25+/- year hiatus, I absolutely had no notion (perceived or otherwise) that smoking a pipe would have the power to reconnect me to not only my past…but reconnect me to a man who I dearly miss and truly admire, my grandfather.  As I’ve now lived longer without my grandfather in my life (31 years since his passing), there’s never a day that I’m not reminded of him in some subtle way.  If we on earth are granted guardian angels to look over us and protect us, my grandfather is mine.

Now before I close this out, there’s a reason why I published this review about Velvet when I did.  Just a few days ago, 11 September would have been my grandfather’s 99th birthday.  While I can’t be 100% certain Velvet was the blend of pipe tobacco he smoked, it was the blend which triggered the memory I described and well…that’s good enough for me.  So while I’m writing this a few days before his birthday, I’ll be certain to head down to my mancave on Wednesday, 11 September and smoke a pipe in memory of my grandfather.  Of course, 11 September is also the day in which we honor and reflect on the memories of all the brave men and women who lost their lives 18 years ago in NYC, Washington DC and Shanksville, PA along with the slaughter of our US Ambassador Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods and Glen Doherty in 2012.  Since 2001, it’s always been difficult for my family to truly celebrate the life of my grandfather on a day which is somber.  But I’m reminded of the fact that my grandfather was truly a patriot and loved his country and loved the State of Texas.

TobaccoReviews.com

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/1269/scandinavian-tobacco-group-stg-velvet

As always, thank you all so much for reading.  Make sure to follow me on Twitter, Instagram and drop me a sub on YouTube.  Thank you!

Until next time…

Happy Piping!

Jerry

September 13, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake

As with all my reviews, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and your mileage may vary.  The tobacco being reviewed has been purchase by myself and I’ve personally smoked several bowls, in various pipes before writing this review.  I’ve also linked the TobaccoReviews.com review for your cross reference.

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Photo Info:  Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake, Savinelli Roma 602 , Generic Golf Tee, Generic Kitchen Matches, Northwest Gentlemen Bison Leather Tobacco Mat.  Photo by TheSaintlyCatholic

Pipes Used: Briar, Cob
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: SmokingPipes.com

Strength – Medium
Taste – Medium
Flavoring – Mild
Room Note – Tolerable
Tin Note – Grass, Hay, Earth
Rating – **
Cellared – No

My Review

Pretty much off the heels of the review I published last week for the Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake, I’m providing my overall thoughts and impressions of Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake.  I think what I’ve learned from these two blends is that I’m not a huge fan of Louisiana Perique.  Or perhaps I should say that I haven’t smoked enough Perique to fully develop my palate to the unique taste this tobacco offers.  Either way, I’m of the opinion that we all love what we love, like what we like and can choose to pass on the rest if we want.

While I’m not 100% sure, my assumption is the main difference between the PS Luxury Navy Flake and the Luxury Bullseye Flake is the Bullseye Flake features the additional Black Cavendish center.  Regarding tin note, my nose couldn’t detect any difference between the two blends.  In other words,  the Black Cavendish isn’t enough to show itself on smell alone (at least to my nose).  The tin note of the Bullseye Flake features the grass and hay smells I talked about in the previous review.  It’s actually very nice.  However, in my opinion…the Black Cavendish helps to tone the blend and reduces the spice of the Perique just a bit.

All-in-all, while I enjoyed smoking this blend far better than I do the PS Navy Flake, I’m not sure I will keep this blend on-hand.  Life is short and we need to focus on the things we truly enjoy and as this all relates to pipe tobacco, there are just too many blends I absolutely love to necessarily worry about trying to develop a taste for a specific type of tobacco.

TobaccoReviews.com

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/2679/peter-stokkebye-luxury-bullseye-flake-no-403

Coming Up

As I just mentioned, life is short and we need to focus on things we truly enjoy…I picked up a few OTC blends the other day from my local store including Velvet and Half & Half.  I haven’t tried the Half & Half yet, but the Velvet…OMG!  No really!  OH MY GOD!  While Lane 1-Q will most likely always be my absolute favorite blend and certainly my favorite aromatic blend, Velvet will be something I’ll keep on hand.  But I’ll save the review for later and let you get on with your day.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this review.

Also, make sure you follow me on Twitter, Instagram and drop me a sub on YouTube.  Thank you!

Until next time…

Happy Smoking!

Jerry

September 6, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake

As with all my reviews, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and your mileage may vary.  The tobacco being reviewed has been purchase by myself and I’ve personally smoked several bowls, in various pipes before writing this review.  I’ve also linked the TobaccoReviews.com review for your cross reference.

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Photo Info:  Peter Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake, Missouri Meerschaum Bent Washington Pipe, Czech Pipe Tool, Zippo Lighter with Thunderbird butane insert, Northwest Gentlemen Bison Leather Tobacco Mat.  Photo by TheSaintlyCatholic

Pipes Used: Briar, Cob
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: SmokingPipes.com

Strength – Medium
Taste – Medium
Flavoring – Mild
Room Note – Tolerable
Tin Note – Grass, Hay
Rating – **
Cellared – No

My Review

Unfortunately, this is the first tobacco which I just really don’t care for.  I’ve tried to like it…I really did!  I ordered a one ounce sample (along with a few others you’ll see reviewed in time) from SmokingPipes.com and I’ve smoked a few bowls over the past couple of weeks.  This is the first VA/Per blend that I’ve tried so it might just be for that reason why I’m not overly enjoying this blend.  Now understand, I don’t hate this blend…I’m just not loving it.

Part of the reason I’m ordering these samples and writing these reviews is to have the opportunity to try different types of tobacco and of course have something to write about here on my blog site.  Everyone will have differing opinions on what makes an awesome blend of tobacco.  I’m not an expert and I don’t pretend to be.  As I’ve stated before, I mostly enjoy aromatics and I believe that upon returning to the pipe smoking hobby over a year ago I absolutely got lucky.  Almost immediately I was introduced to Lane 1-Q and for many months that’s all I really felt I needed (or wanted).  But the more I got involved with the YTPC (YouTube Pipe Community), the more I wanted to broaden my tobacco horizons.  This effort has introduced me to some really great tobacco blends, and even some in the non-aromatic category.  But enough about that.

One thing I really do enjoy about this blend is the tin note.  I grew up in rural Texas and love the smell of grass and hay.  Sticking my nose in the bag/jar brings me back to my roots and memories of the time I spent hauling/stacking hay.  There’s also light earth/wood scent which just helps round it all out.

I’ve smoked several bowls and have tried different methods with the flake from folding to rubbing out.  Each bowl seems to require more relights than normal, but that’s OK with me.  While I love spice, it really seems to be a little more powerful than what I’ve tasted in other blends.  Also the nicotine hit is a little more powerful as well.  For me, I need to make sure I’ve eaten before smoking this blend otherwise my head is spinning for a while afterwards.  According to my wife, the room note is tolerable but she prefers I smoke non-aromatics outdoors.

In contrast, I also ordered Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake and prefer it to the Navy flake.  But I’ll save this discussion for later.

TobaccoReviews.com

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/916/peter-stokkebye-luxury-navy-flake

Coming Up

I’ve added many more blends to my collection over the past few weeks including Peter Stokkebye Luxury Bullseye Flake & Black Coffee, Lane Limited BCA & RLP-6 and others.  So please make sure you return next week for my next review.

Thank you for taking the time to read this review.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this particular blend.  Please leave a comment below.  Also, make sure you follow me on Twitter, Instagram and drop me a sub on YouTube.  Thank you!

Until next time…

Happy Smoking!

Jerry

August 30, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Lane Limited 1-Q

As with all my reviews, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and your mileage may vary.  The tobacco being reviewed has been purchase by myself and I’ve personally smoked several bowls, in various pipes before writing this review.  I’ve also linked the TobaccoReviews.com review for your cross reference.

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Pipes Used: Briar, Cob
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

Strength – Mild
Taste – Mild
Flavoring – Mild
Room Note – Very Pleasant
Tin Note – Vanilla and Caramel
Rating – ****
Cellared – Yes

My Review

My first experience with Lane Limited 1-Q was from my local tobacconist which I had visited when I decided to pickup the pipe smoking hobby again.   The older gentlemen behind the counter greeted me friendly when I walked through the door and asked how he could help me.  I explained that while I wasn’t brand new to pipe smoking, it had been over 20 years and I was looking for a good quality pipe tobacco.  I explained I would like a vanilla aromatic and something mild.

He told me I had come to the right place and motioned with a hand gesture to follow him to the far end of the counter.  He grabbed a large Mason jar, unscrewed the lid and handed it to me.  He called it by another name (as is often the case with Lane 1-Q) and told me that he guaranteed I would like this blend.  He weighed out an ounce and placed it in a Ziploc bag and handed it to me.  He told me if I liked it to come back for more.

I drove home and within a few minutes I had packed my Savinelli Roma briar pipe with this new tobacco and began smoking.  Immediately I fell in love with this blend.  The very next day I returned to my local tobacconist.  I don’t think the door had even closed behind me, when the same older gentleman saw me and reached for that large mason jar and shouted out “How many ounces can I sell you”?

Unfortunately, a few months ago my local tobacconist closed his business.  I was aware he was going to be closing and a few weeks before, I asked him where I could get the tobacco I loved so much.  Thankfully he shared the secret and told me what I loved so much (as is the case with so many other pipe smokers) is Lane Limited 1-Q.

From all that I’ve heard, Lane Limited 1-Q is one of the best selling tobacco blends on the market and as was the case with my tobacconist, is often the house blend at many Brick & Mortar shops across the country.  1-Q has become my absolute favorite pipe tobacco which I now order both in bulk and in tins.  It’s the only tobacco I consider to be an all-day smoke for me.  I also believe Lane 1-Q is a perfect starter tobacco for anyone considering pipe smoking.

TobaccoReviews.com

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/630/lane-limited-1-q

Thank you for taking the time to read this review.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this particular blend.  Please leave a comment below.

Until next time…

Happy Smoking!

Jerry

August 16, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Sutliff Crumble Kake English #1

As with all my reviews, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and your mileage may vary.  The tobacco being reviewed has been purchase by myself and I’ve personally smoked several bowls, in various pipes before writing this review.  I’ve also linked the TobaccoReviews.com review for your cross reference.

Pipes Used: Briar, Cob
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

Strength – Medium
Taste – Medium
Flavoring – None detected
Room Note – Pleasant to Tolerable
Tin Note – Smoky, Earthy
Rating – ****
Cellared – Not yet

More Details

While I was out of the country on vacation, I had heard about the Sutliff Virtual Pipe Club (VPC).  Actually the very day I heard about it was the very last day one could sign up to be included in the July offering.  Actually I even believed I had missed the boat on July as just after signing up, I received an email from Sutliff stating that registration had closed on the first meeting and I would need to wait until October.  But much to my surprise, on the 29th of July I received another email from Sutliff stating it was “Last Call” to take advantage of the July offer.  So lucky me!

The way the Sutliff VPC works is really simple.  You sign up on their website to enter the pipe club.  It’s 100% free to join.  A few times a year (perhaps quarterly?) the virtual meeting is held and members will receive an email regarding how to take advantage of the discounted selected tobacco.  The sell and distribution of the tobacco is handled through TobaccoPipes.com which has been my “go to” online tobacco retailer of choice for some time.  You simply place your order for the VPC tobacco (in July it was Sutliff Crumble Kake English #1) and enter a coupon code which is provided in an email from Sutliff.  This dropped the price of the 1.5 ounce tin to $3.00 plus s/h.  As I had other tobacco items I needed, I was able to combine to maximize my overall savings.

My Review

I want to make clear that while I smoked many pipes 25-30 years ago, I never really bothered to educate myself on the true art of pipe smoking.  Back then, I was more concerned with whether the pipe I was using was authentic to the period (US Civil War) and would smoke whatever tobacco I could get at the time.  You can read more about my return to pipe smoking here.

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to broaden my experience of various blends of tobacco since returning to pipe smoking.  For over a year now I’ve been absolutely happy with a couple of different aromatics (including Lane 1-Q) which is in my tobacco rotation.  But I know there is so much out there and while I know there’s no way I can sample it all, having an opportunity to try something new in this fashion was certainly worth the gamble.  Of course, I’m looking forward to receiving my first Tin Society package (hopefully this week) as that will help introduce me to new blends on a monthly basis.  Anyway, let me get on with this review….

This was my first English blend since returning to pipe smoking.  The tin of Sutliff Crumble Kake English #1 arrived in the mail on Thursday, 1 August.  I couldn’t wait to get home, open the tin and smoke my first bowl.  Upon cracking the seal of the tin and giving it the nose test, I was taken back to 30 years ago when I smoked non-aromatics.  My nose detected a smoky, earthy smell and after more than a minute or so my wife asked me if I planned to smoke it or just smell the inside of the tin.  I explained to her that this was the first non-aromatic tobacco I’ve had under my nose in over 30 years and I wanted to cherish the moment.  But likewise I was also anxious to pack my pipe and smoke it.

Likewise, this was also the first crumble cake style tobacco I’ve experienced.  Ever!  I broke off a section of the cake and began to break it up on my leather tobacco mat.  Right out of the tin the moisture level was similar to other tobaccos I have in my rotation.  The tobacco packed well in my pipe and with the charring light out of the way, I proceeded with the true light while giving my pipe some good, strong puffs.  The smoke was thick and hung in the air much different from other blends I frequently smoke.

To my taste buds, the flavors I was getting mostly matched the tin note with a smoky, earthy, woody taste.  I immediately noticed the difference between this and several of the aromatics in my regular rotation.  Of course this is a good thing and what this is all about.  I did have to perform a few relights but this may have been more to do with my slower cadence and my desire to truly take this moment in.

A really interesting thing occurred about half way through the first bowl.  I began tasting a bit of a spicy flavor which I had never experienced before.  Even after smoking a few more bowls over the next couple of days, this spicy flavor doesn’t seem to be noticeable until about half way through the bowl.   But this is a blend which is enjoyable all the way down to the last burning ember.

My overall impression of Sutliff Crumble Kake English #1 is very positive.  I scored it four out of four stars and for now, this will go into my rotation and be my main English style tobacco.  The nicotine hit was only slightly more than I’ve experienced before but wore off quickly.  While I wouldn’t consider this an all day smoke (for my personal tastes), it is something I’ll return to again and soon.

TobaccoReviews.com

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/11717/sutliff-tobacco-company-crumble-kake-english-1

Thank you for taking the time to read this review.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this particular tobacco.  Please leave me a comment below.

Until next time…

Happy Piping!

Jerry

August 9, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0

Ole Shenandoah Summer Berry Brandy

As with all my reviews, the opinions expressed are 100% my own and your mileage may vary.  The tobacco being reviewed has been purchase by myself and I’ve personally smoked several bowls, in various pipes before writing this review.  I’ve also linked the TobaccoReviews.com review for your cross reference.

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Pipes Used: Briar, Cob
Age When Smoked: New
Purchased From: TobaccoPipes.com

Strength – Mild
Taste – Mild
Flavoring – Medium
Room Note – Very Pleasant
Tin Note – A Berry Melody
Rating – ****
Cellared – Yes

My Review

I first learned about Ole Shenandoah Summer Berry Brandy (formerly known as Ole Shenandoah Appalachian Berry) a few weeks ago.  At the time, it wasn’t available at any of the online tobacconists I purchase from but I was recently notified it was back in stock, so I placed my order for a single tin along with a few additional items.

While my preference is typically a vanilla aromatic, I’ve been looking for a quality alternative and one that would go well with a glass of wine.  In addition, I also wanted something to classify as seasonal and well…”Summer Berry Brandy” does tick all the boxes.

Upon receiving the tin of tobacco, I grabbed the first coin I could find to pop the seal and twist open the lid.  I gave it the nose test and was greeted with a nice aroma of berries.  I couldn’t pick out a specific berry smell, but rather what I’ll refer to as a “Berry Melody” which I think is certainly the intended result.  I immediately transferred the tobacco into a clean Mason jar and proceeded to the deck for my first smoke of the day.

As some heavily aromatic blends have been a wet, sticky mess right out of the tin this was not the case with Ole Shenandoah Summer Berry Brandy.  I pinched out a few grams from the jar and placed it on my leather tobacco mat.  I soon realized it was pretty much ready to smoke right out of the tin and would require no drying time.

After packing my pipe with the Shenandoah Summer Berry Brandy tobacco, I performed the charring light followed by a light tamping then the true light.  I had no problems keeping the pipe lit and it was a pleasant smoke all the way to the end.  Over the next few days, I enjoyed Shenandoah Summer Berry Brandy in both my briar and cob variety of pipes and enjoyed each and every puff.

The strength and taste of the tobacco was mild and the overall taste of the berries was subtle.  Even after I had finished smoking the first bowl, I could faintly smell the berries but didn’t have the after-taste left in my mouth.  According to my wife, the room note is one of the nicest of my collection of tobaccos.

In my opinion, this is a “Berry” Good Tobacco and has certainly earned a place in my summer season rotation of tobaccos.  If you care to read through and compare the reviews for this tobacco on TobaccoReviews.com, a link has been provided below.

TobaccoReviews.com

https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/10751/ole-shenandoah-summer-brandy-berry-appalachian-berry

Thank you for taking the time to read this review.  I’d love to hear your thoughts on this particular tobacco.  Please leave me a comment below.

Until next time…

Happy Smoking!

Jerry

July 31, 2019 by Pipe Smoking 0