ATTENTION: CB Pipe Tobacco Review Bombing Run Version 2.0

[cpmcdill]

My third review:

Details--
Date: April 08, 2015
Name: cpmcdill
Tobacco: Green J (vac) G&H Louisiana Flake
Pipe: Canterbury straight billiard
Site: Indoors

Observations--
Examination (how it looked, felt and smelled).
This blend was vacuum sealed, and appears as a slab of pressed flake tobacco, about 5" long and 7 slices thick. Colors present in the flakes are mostly yellows and medium-dark browns in equal proportion. Feels like a good moisture level, and possesses a delicious fragrance, with distinct fig and cocoa notes. My nose cannot single out any of the individual tobaccos in the flake.

Preparation (how did you prepare and pack it).
Peeled off and slightly rubbed out just enough to fill my pipe, then folded the strands into sort of a ball and stuffed it in. I guess it's a sloppy air pocket packing. On the cold draw I discover the pipe stem needs a bit of cleaning, so I run a pipe cleaner soaked with Everclear through, to freshen it up. Then, it was ready to light.

Burn:
I used matches, and found it lit up perfectly, so it was indeed at the right moisture level. Maintains a steady burn even with very light puffing. Stayed lit just fine, but had to let it go out at halfway, because I had to go add some fuel to the woodstove. On returning I lit up again.

Flavor:
The pronounced figgy/cocoa aroma of the flakes was not in evidence on first lighting, but a slight flash of Lakeland, which quickly went away, and when I slowed my puffing tempo, a sensuous chocolatey character came through. Virginia's in there, but I'm not even going to try guessing what else. It is rich, and very rewarding to a slow, mindful cadence. Even at the first quarter, I want to know what this is, so I can buy a pound or two to cellar. At 50% the flavor's stillgoing strong, but gaining in strength, with more tobacco coming through. Chocolate notes are still present. Continued right down to the bottom with no significant change, and minimal dottle.

Comments and conclusion:
This is one I enjoyed a lot. I have not had it before, but I would definitely consider adding something like this to my permanent rotation.