Drew Estate Pipe Blends

[OnePyroTec]

I. Gatsby Luxury Flake
Of all the DE blends, this is the only one that wasn’t available when the line was first released. In turn, this is the only one I haven’t had a chance to smoke before- so I was excited. The flakes are a lovely consistency (perhaps a bit on the moist side) and very fragrant. It is has a pleasant grassiness, with a buttercup type floral note thrown in. There is also a prune note that becomes more prevalent when it is rubbed out. This process creates very fine and springy ribbons that pack easily- even in smaller bowls. The flavors consist mainly of hay and clover, with a medium strength profile. At times it reminded me of fried-squash blossoms that my mother used to make- you snap them off the plant and batter them to fry like crepes. It also had a faint touch of white pepper. Overall, a very solid flake effort.

II. 7th Avenue Blonde
This is one of my two favorites from the DE line. I like it because while the tin note has a definite note of fruitiness (something like apricots), the Cavendish is intermingled with bright leaf Virginia and oriental varietals which helps ground the blend. The consistency is not at all goopy, and there is a distinct note of regular tobacco behind all the toppings. I don’t bother drying it before packing a bowl. The blend has a Virginia leaf that is a touch sour, which helps balance the sweetness of the Cavendish, which contributes flavors like caramel and vanilla bean. There is a peachy fruit flavor to top it all off. It burns well and in bite-free, in addition to having a fantastic room note.

III. Toasted Black Cavendish
This is a curious scented blend because it incorporates a decent amount of Cavendish with a liberal mix of fire-cured tobacco. The notes from the vanilla topping mix with the smokiness to produce an odor very similar to dark spiced rum. There is a strong nuttiness to the blend that is not very sweet, but incredibly rich. The tobacco is cut into fine ribbon, and needs to dry it bit (maybe 30 minutes) before smoking. Once fired up this tastes a bit like hay sandwiched between vanilla wafer cookies. There is a secondary note of toasted almonds. The sweetness reminds me of the brown sugar I put a butane torch to on the top of a crème brulee. It stays lit easily and is fairly bite-proof.

IV. Meat Pie
This is the only English offering in the DE line (and one of only two non-aros), and it delivers with a strong showing. The Latakia is prominent player in the tin note- very smoky indeed. The Virginia and oriental are present, offering note of dry hay and a touch of sweetness. As exuberant as the smokiness is, it doesn’t come across as full-flavored or spicy English. The blend is cut into thin ribbons and comes out the tin ready to smoke without any drying period. The flavor makes me think of leather that was tanned over a campfire. It is a medium strength blend with a faint pepper note. There is a nice sweetness that comes with a wisp of cumin. It reminds me somewhat of Dan’s Midnight Ride. Great quality tobacco, and impressive since this stands alone in its category.

V. Heirloom Cherry
This blend has a lot going for it (and for the record, it is the second of my two favorites from the DE line). For starters, instead of a goopy, black Cavendish mess, you open the tin to find ZERO black Cavendish, and an abundance of light to medium brown ribbons. The tin note is fantastic- like cherry liquor, as opposed to cherry cough syrup or kool-aid. The burley and Virginia can be picked out from beneath the topping, and it just has a nice, mellow profile to it. It is a bit damp and benefits from sitting a while prior to smoking. For all the tin-note, this is actually has a very mild cherry flavor. It is a sweet, desert like cherry- like this great fudge you can get in Amish country that is made from vanilla and Maraschino cherries. This combines with notes of damp hay and a touch of nuttiness. The room note is decent and it smokes well without biting.

Tobias, do you send your reviews to the companies? I'm positive they would love to read your thoughts & tasting notes.

[Tobias Lutz]

Tobias, do you send your reviews to the companies? I'm positive they would love to read your thoughts & tasting notes.

Wayne,

It's never occurred to me. I just post them here for two reasons- firstly, I enjoy the exercise of trying to pay attention to the experience of what I am smoking, and secondly, to share my take with fellow pipers.