Mixture No.79 Review

Brand: H. Sutliff
Blender: H. Sutliff
Tin Description: Rich burley tobaccos, blended to the original, time-honored formula of the Sutliff's of California, maintains the tradition of this perennial favorite. A topping of natural vanilla flavoring gives this basic pipe tobacco blend a soft, sweet aroma to enhance its already mild, biteless, round taste.
Country of Origin: US
Curing Group: Sun Cured
Contents: Burley
Flavoring: Whisky
Alcohol / Liquor
Vanilla
Other / Misc
Cut: Ribbon
Packaging: 1.5oz Tin, 50 g Box


After much conversation in another thread I decided to dig deep into the cellar and find the sample I had of this blend. It proved to be in the very bottom of the chest and after smoking it I’m inclined to believe that might be the best place for it
The tobacco is interesting to look at. It is variegated in color and actually reminded me of some loose leaf tea blends I enjoy. Smelling it in the jar it had a scent similar to that of heavily topped cherry OTCs, but there was a unique chemical aspect that made it smell like an industrial air freshener. Supposedly the main toping is vanilla, but I couldn’t find that in the unlit odor. The moisture level was decent and the cut was consistent so it packed quite well. I chose to smoke it in a MM cob rather than risk ghosting one of my briars.
The initial light brought out a strong unnatural perfume like taste, but after a quick tamp and a second match it settled down a bit. Within two minutes however I realized this blend could bite hard if I didn’t puff cautiously. The tobacco burned VERY hot- to the point that the bowl of my cob was uncomfortable to touch after only 5 minutes. While the flavor wasn’t horrid, the heat of the bowl required me to sit the pipe aside momentarily to rest.
After a few minutes I relit and tried to pick out flavors. I could get a little whiskey and there was some honey like sweetness, but everything was muddled by the perfume nuance that still hung around with each puff. Before too long (another five minutes) the bowl was scorching hot again. I can only assume that the toppings used to concoct this blend are the reason it burns so damn hot because I wasn’t overly dry. Regardless, it made it difficult to enjoy. I finally worked my way to the bottom of the bowl on the fourth match but towards the end the mixture had hints of soapiness and vanilla (like powder room hand soap).
I would say that the best thing this blend has going for it is a fairly decent room note. I think the reason Hef endorsed this blend was because it smelled like his bunnies (unfortunately it tastes like their perfume as well).

Pros: Room note, cheap
Cons: Burns hot as hell, chemical/perfume taste profile
Overall: 2/10