Schürch Mogano 146

The cigar taste is not prominent; it's more of a team player. It adds strength, a little cream, wood, and spice without harshness, and it's not strong enough to knock you off your feet. That sweet creaminess prevents tongue burnout. The dry, sweet and sour, woody, smoky Oriental also has a touch of spice in a supporting role. The Virginias have grass, earth, dark fruit and citrus as it forms the base. The latakia is a team player; smoky, woody, kind of sweet and wine-like, so I wonder if both Cyprian and Syrian are present. The nic-hit is not quite mild to medium. No chance of bite, and has no harshness, but there is an occasional note of a rough edge. Burns cool at a moderate pace, has a fair amount of complexity, and a clean consistent flavor to the finish. Leaves little moisture in the bowl, and needs an average number of relights. Has a pleasant after taste, especially if you like cigars, though the room note won't make you many friends. Not an all day smoke, but is a repeatable one.

-JimInks

I enjoy several cigar leaf blends and I find Mogano to be among the best (along with Cuban Style Cigar Blend from Comptons). As an avid, 20yr cigar smoker prior to my “pipe life,” I don't agree with reviews that compare this to cigars. This is a pipe tobacco in taste and presentation. The ribbons are somewhat thin and can burn a little hot (not biting) if not tended to properly. The pouch scent is very, very similar to many of the Murray's era Dunhill blends. As others have noted, the smoke is creamy and for me it builds in spice as the bowl progresses. Mogano retains a subtle sweetness for the first half of the bowl at which point the spiciness takes over. The proportions of the component tobaccos are in harmony. Mogano is just slightly rough around the edges and I can't wait to see what some aging will do the blend. I continue to be impressed by Hans Schurch's tobaccos. Highly Recommended!

It is interesting that I have the same feeling about Schürch's Mogano as I did with Schürch's Onyx. It is smokable, but I will not be purchasing more. I have tried other cigar Havana leaf pipe tobaccos before. This certainly is the best of the ones that I have tried. In a large pipe (at least a group six by Dunhill standards) and by treating it like a cigar (i.e., in the mouth only and out of the nose), Mogano is okay. It has some spice, some creaminess, and gives the essence of a Cuban cigar. I can only now echo the description of this stuff: 'If you occasionally (or often) enjoy a quality cigar, you should try this mixture.' Indeed, it is worth a try, but you might find (as I did) that it is not worth keeping around. In fact, pondering my review, if you are in the mood for a cigar, buy one and pass on this stuff....

Notes: From the hand of a master blender who definitely knows his pipe tobacco. Smoked in several pipes, but I found it best in a patent Dunhill.

Appearance: a light to dark brown medium cut ribbon, fully rubbed out, rather nondescript to look at honestly.

Aroma: A very promising bouquet, with vinegar, smoke, kethcup, charcoal brick, ripe plum, apricot -- everything one could hope for in a well-balanced English blend. There is also a certain spiciness suggesting the presence of cigar leaf.

Taste: Impressively heavy, which makes me imagine it might do well as a smoke later in the day. Flavors of charcoal and plumcake, creamy oatmeal, stewed barley porridge, lemon cake. Smooth and mellow, but with a finish rather bitterly dull, smacking of cigars and latakia.

Comparisons: Not as refined as the old Dunhill blends like No. 965 or London Mixture, but certainly better than the new Orlik-blended Dunhills and more refined than most other English blends available these days.

Bottom line: A nice well-balanced English blend with a bit of cigar leaf. English fanciers may not want to bother, but those who enjoy cigar leaf blends have precious few from which to choose. For those who want a cigar leaf blend that is mostly a nice mild to medium English, this may be the ticket.

I have been dying to try some of the Schurch blends based on the glowing reviews they consistently get both here and on ASP. Morgano didn't disappoint in the least! It is a "creamy" tasting tobacco, or at least that's the sensation you get when you nose exhale the smoke from this blend. However, it's not sweet cream in an aromatic sense. This is a wonderful blend. Sometimes cigars can be overwhelming or harsh, as can latakia in the wrong blender's hands. What Mogano delivers is the best of the cigar and the best of latakia and wraps it all together in one extremely satisfying and delicious package.

I should say that this is a very full blend, and it doesn't strike me as the classic, "all-day" smoke. However, I wouldn't want to drink rich espresso all day either. This is a very good blend and I give it my top recommendations!

2007 Update: I agree that the room note left by this blend will never be a crowd pleaser, but who cares? Enjoy it on the bad porch. You could find countless cherry glop blends at Walgreens that will doubtless leave a more soothing smell. Smoking Mogano isn't analagous to smoking a fine Cuban cigar, but it has some of the same great qualities. This isn't a light weight blend, nor is a blend for those who aren't sure if complex English blends are for them. For those who aren't sure if they want to have their Mogano around, please contact me and we'll work out a trade!

This is a change of pace smoke for me. I do not consider it an English blend. The overall effect of the smoke to me is light latakia and Havana tobacco. The Havana puts me in mind of a cigar, but does not taste like a cigar. It adds a certain roundness and mellowness to the flavor. I also pick up a bit of a neutral sweetener. The quality of all the components is first rate, and the flavor is unique. I have never tasted anything quite like it. I keep it on hand for when I want something very different and nothing else will do. I expect that when I run out, I will order more. Three stars and well recommended. Paddy.

I find this tobac to be very cigar-like in smell & taste. My wife & kids say 'yuk'. It burns dry, stays lit, and is easy to pack. One bowl a week is enough for me.

I would recommend this tobac to any ex-cigar smoker, but not to the main-stream pipe smoker.

A very good tobacco, good taste. A Sweet Virginia is the base of this mixture; cigar leaf are perceptible but not intrusive, just give it a good flavour. Some intresting note by burley at the same. I’m surelly going to create a reserve of it.

Two days ago i opened a Mason Jar with Mogano, filled in december 2005.

Only one snif and i was rembered on the Wingate Mixture F&T 20 or 25 years back from now.

what a pleasure.

the description of the old Wingate ( best English + Havana ever )

A powerful blend of Virginia, Havana, Latakia and Perique-tobaccos. For less experienced smokers perhaps a bit too strong diet for connoisseurs, however, who like a strong English tobacco, it is a smoking experience of a special kind

Highly recommended mixture for lovers of cuban tobaccos! No, it is not a fine cigar but it's a medium-cut complex pipe mixture with some strength and velvet havana punch.