Robert McConnell The Original Pure Burley

I used to hate just about any blend that had a big amount of burley in it, such as VaBurs, and I kept saying that I hate burley... Until now. Blends like University Flake, 3P’s, My Mixture 221B and others, just weren’t my type. I could barely smoke them.

This baby right here is delicious, and can be smoked straight if you want. I’ll see how it behaves when blended with others, but until then, lets talk characteristics. I believe this to be an african white burley.

Tin note: Nuts, hazelnuts, cocoa, fermented tobacco.

Appearance: The cut is part ready rubbed and part ribbon. Dark gold and bright brown leaves with little black areas.

Taste/Flavor: Sweet, cocoa, chocolate, hazelnuts, walnuts, peanut butter, cinnamon, a bit spicy, some liquor notes. It’s quite smooth, unlike the rough tobaccos I mentioned above.

Room note: Superb room note!

The Burley itself and its processing seems of high quality. Tin note: Unfortunately i would swear there is quite a cocoa casing going on. Out of the tin it almost smells like a chocolate bar. But as soon as you light it up you get almost none of that. Absolutely forgiving, Impossible to smoke it hot. Solid pure burley flavour with the expected nutty, earthy flavour, some sweetness. Comparable to Amphora Burley Blend or MB Golden Extra. Well worth a try if you like soft Burleys.

I had a sample tasting before applying to a blend. A very enjoyable burley indeed!

This one had an earthly and dark taste, almost banal as burleys tend to have. Taste didn't progress through out the bowl, and all in all, there's nothing too special going in here. Just soft, fulfilling and steady burley as good as they come.

I didn't prepare it - just opened a tin, filled my pipe and lid it up. Burned perfectly nevertheless! Left grey ash and a very little amount of moisture behind.

I'm gonna apply this as an stabilizing element in my blending, sort of to control the taste and bring some body into it. On it's own, it would go well as basic all-day smoke.