Summer of 2016 Blind Review Thread

[Branzig]

Mystery Tobacco 8

Pipes: A Stanwell and a couple cobs

Tin Notes: Berrys and a hint of liquor.

This tobacco is dark brown to black all the way across the board. Definitely a Cavendish mix. Needed some drying time before it would take to a flame. Was a little more picky than my other samples and needs some fa-nangling to keep lit. Burnt down to a sticky ash with minor amounts of goop.

Flavor was a mix of berries and a little bit of liquor back notes. Not much else. If pushed hard it would bite and taste of hot steam. I really didn't pick up many tobacco notes on this one. When sipped, it was a pleasant little smoke though. Nice berry hits, and I love berries of any kind, so that's alright by me. Could make a nice change of pace smoke, if aros are something you like to dabble in.

Thanks again Mr. Lutz for this awesome blind review. Lots of fun, makes me remember I need to be less of a stranger 'round these parts

[Tobias Lutz]

Mystery Tobacco 8

Pipes: A Stanwell and a couple cobs

Tin Notes: Berrys and a hint of liquor.

This tobacco is dark brown to black all the way across the board. Definitely a Cavendish mix. Needed some drying time before it would take to a flame. Was a little more picky than my other samples and needs some fa-nangling to keep lit. Burnt down to a sticky ash with minor amounts of goop.

Flavor was a mix of berries and a little bit of liquor back notes. Not much else. If pushed hard it would bite and taste of hot steam. I really didn't pick up many tobacco notes on this one. When sipped, it was a pleasant little smoke though. Nice berry hits, and I love berries of any kind, so that's alright by me. Could make a nice change of pace smoke, if aros are something you like to dabble in.

Thanks again Mr. Lutz for this awesome blind review. Lots of fun, makes me remember I need to be less of a stranger 'round these parts

You finished up with a bowl of SPS Country Estate

An estate typifies elegance, vastness and wealth. Similarly, Sutliff's Country Estate, a fine blend of four Black fire-cured tobaccos and Sweet Virginia portrays quality, depth, and rich flavor.

[Branzig]

Exceptional selection there!!! Wowzers!!!!

Congrats Chris!

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[Haebar]

Congratulations! What a fine gift.

[Cardinal]

Not sure if I approve of the Razorback head on the sword, but otherwise what an awesome prize. Nicely done, sir.

[Desertlifter]

It's not over till it is over, so after an unplanned hiatus due to travel and its concomitant upper respiratory illness, I am finally (mostly) back in fighting form.

Today I had a bowl of Number 10 in a cob. 10 smelled like maple or vanilla in the bag, more to the maple than the latter. There is cavendish in this one for sure. It was very moist and could have used some drying time, but lit well enough. I have found that aros don't take to drying like other blends.

Anyway, Ten lit very easily and stayed so through the bowl with occasional tamping. No relights here. It showed no bite, even when pressed. Burn-wise it did very well. But flavor? I definitely get the cavendish in this blend, and the topping sees more maple than vanilla, but both seem muted there. Sometimes I get maple from vanilla forward blends, and this could be one. What was missing was tobacco notes. Good aros taste like baccy blends with the aromatic complementing them. Peterson and Dan Tobacco do this very well, IMO. This was not of that ilk. It was the "flavor and steam" family of aros for sure. Like hookah tobacco in my pipe. Not unpleasant, but not my cup of tea. Or bowl of leaf, as it were.

In the end, this wouldn't be a bad gateway blend for a new Piper not already steeped in cigars. It needs more body for this demented lover of Tambolaka and rope tobaccos though. Even though I really appreciate a good aro, this needs more punch for me.

[Tobias Lutz]

It's not over till it is over, so after an unplanned hiatus due to travel and its concomitant upper respiratory illness, I am finally (mostly) back in fighting form.

Today I had a bowl of Number 10 in a cob. 10 smelled like maple or vanilla in the bag, more to the maple than the latter. There is cavendish in this one for sure. It was very moist and could have used some drying time, but lit well enough. I have found that aros don't take to drying like other blends.

Anyway, Ten lit very easily and stayed so through the bowl with occasional tamping. No relights here. It showed no bite, even when pressed. Burn-wise it did very well. But flavor? I definitely get the cavendish in this blend, and the topping sees more maple than vanilla, but both seem muted there. Sometimes I get maple from vanilla forward blends, and this could be one. What was missing was tobacco notes. Good aros taste like baccy blends with the aromatic complementing them. Peterson and Dan Tobacco do this very well, IMO. This was not of that ilk. It was the "flavor and steam" family of aros for sure. Like hookah tobacco in my pipe. Not unpleasant, but not my cup of tea. Or bowl of leaf, as it were.

In the end, this wouldn't be a bad gateway blend for a new Piper not already steeped in cigars. It needs more body for this demented lover of Tambolaka and rope tobaccos though. Even though I really appreciate a good aro, this needs more punch for me.

This was a bowl of SPS Barbados Plantation

Barbados Plantation is a smooth aromatic blend made of sweet, bright Virginias, earthy white Burleys and Sutliff's signature black Cavendish. It's finished with the enticing flavor of tangy Barbados rum. The flavor is nicely sweet and the aroma in truly amazing.

[Desertlifter]

Took an aro break this morning and pulled #22 from the pile.* I get some hay and the slightest bit of fig from the bag on this one.* It has been a cob kind of week, so this one went into an aro-free cob that has adequate break-in to lose the extra sweetness you get from new ones.* While I do like “new cob flavor,” (unlike Mr. Twain) it does skew the review.
The tobacco lit and burned easily with one re-light.* I get a touch of sweetness and just a bit of pepper on the retrohale from this.* There was no bite at all, even when pressed.* There is a slight sweetness to the blend, and it is very light in body.* It really reminds me of a mild VaPer more than anything else, said Perique being of the spicy variety rather than the citrus that you get from that glorious leaf.

Overall, this is a pretty good grab and go kind of blend.* While it lacks depth and complexity, that very nature is perfect for a morning commute.* I was entertained enough by the ducks and geese winging across the freeway (see you in the fall, fellas!) and the pelicans setting in for the day – sipping this from my cob and listening to NPR fit the bill just fine.

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[Tobias Lutz]

Took an aro break this morning and pulled #22 from the pile.* I get some hay and the slightest bit of fig from the bag on this one.* It has been a cob kind of week, so this one went into an aro-free cob that has adequate break-in to lose the extra sweetness you get from new ones.* While I do like “new cob flavor,” (unlike Mr. Twain) it does skew the review.
The tobacco lit and burned easily with one re-light.* I get a touch of sweetness and just a bit of pepper on the retrohale from this.* There was no bite at all, even when pressed.* There is a slight sweetness to the blend, and it is very light in body.* It really reminds me of a mild VaPer more than anything else, said Perique being of the spicy variety rather than the citrus that you get from that glorious leaf.

Overall, this is a pretty good grab and go kind of blend.* While it lacks depth and complexity, that very nature is perfect for a morning commute.* I was entertained enough by the ducks and geese winging across the freeway (see you in the fall, fellas!) and the pelicans setting in for the day – sipping this from my cob and listening to NPR fit the bill just fine.

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This was your H&H blend- Old Companion

Old Companion is a blend to bring back great memories. A traditional American mixture of pressed Burley and steam-toasted red Virginia which has a nutty/toasty flavor and a nice cool burn. Reminiscent of many of the old foil-pouch blends that Grandpa and his friends used to smoke. This is one for the whole day, everyday.