Iwan Ries Three Star Vanilla Cordial

The tobaccos are mostly sublimated by the toppings, but I do get a hint of nuts from the burley after the half way point, and light grass, citrus note from the Virginia. The black cavendish offers a little vanilla, but it plays way in the background to the richly smooth vanilla topping. I get a little caramel and a drop of honey from toppings, too. A little moist out of the pouch, but I didn't think it needed dry time. Burned cool and clean at a slow to moderate rate with no dull or harsh spots or weakening of flavor. No nicotine or bite. Leaves some moisture in the bowl, but no goop or dottle. Needs an average number of relights. Nice after taste, and great room note. Three and a half stars.

-JimInks

My pipe club recently received several of the new Iwan Ries (well, somewhat new), aromatic offerings and Vanilla Cordial was the favorite of the bunch. A not often seen Virginia & Burley Cavendish and unflavored Virginia combination that presented a nice blast of Vanilla but still let you know that you were smoking tobacco. More flavor that most aromatics and man, does this stuff ever smell good when burning!

Vanilla Cordial, like all IRC offerings, boasts quality leaf that burns well and burns cool.

Pipestud

From the number of Aromatics in my pipe tobacco entourage, it's clear to me that I yearn for a fantastic Aromatic. It's also clear to me that my yearnings largely go unfulfilled. This offering from the Chicago IWAN RIES is fine, good, ok. Not excellent, not rocking the boat. The vanilla is there, in a loose-goose kind of way, and the smoke billows are good. Just not excellent. Two and a half stars rounded up to three.