Theodorus Niemeyer Vier Heeren Baai

This tobacco was a gift from a German friend working in the US. He has connections and gets in tobaccos that are not easily found here. The tobacco came very dry. It is a long, narrow to medium ribbon and the ribbons are tan and light brown. The pouch note had a hint of cocoa.

I have been loading it as is and breathing through the bowl (John Patton style) to give the tobacco a little moisture. Suspecting it might be strong, I have been using fairly small bowls. As it turns out, it is not a nicotine powerhouse, but the small bowls have worked well with it.

This has been a delightful smoke. It is woody and slightly nutty with a tickle in the nose when snorked. It is not especially sweet or bitter. It has a taste that will sound contradictory - delicate with some body. It is a very pleasant medium flavor that lingers a little on the palate when you put the pipe down.

I think my major exposure to Maryland tobaccos has been with Coopvaert, another Dutch blend not readily found in the US. Heeren Baai and Coopvaert are somewhat compelling and a nice change of pace. If you get a chance to try them, I recommend it.

Maryland is known more for being a flavor carrier or a filler, but here it is more than that. This air cured version is likely of African origin, and has a lot of earth, a fair amount of nuttiness, a little wood, and a pinch of cocoa and molasses. The strength and taste levels are just a step over medium. The nic-hit is mild to medium. Won’t bite, and I experienced no harsh notes. The tobacco is dry, and may need a light hydration. Burns cool, clean and somewhat fast with a very consistent, rather deep flavor. Leaves virtually no moisture in the bowl, and requires few relights. Has a pleasant after taste. Can almost be all day smoke for an experienced smoker, and an occasional during the day smoke for the average smoker.

-JimInks

Highly recommended. An honest, fine tobacco from the Netherlands.

A very Virginia-like tobacco, enhanced with a nutty (natural) flavor. It can be sharp and must be smoked in a gentle way. If done so, a rich palet of taste is deploying in mouth and nose. I'm a bit surprised that this tobacco wasn't already in the database. Many tobacco-stores (in Belgium) don't sell it, I buy it in the Netherlands, where I have to order it first. I guess those kind of tobacco's aren't "hot" for the moment. I often wonder, why looking for a more or less artificial complexity, when you can all have it in a natural tobacco-leaf. I think it will be welcomed by Virginia-lovers, who will encounter a subtle nutty taste, that isn't present in other Virginia's (not that I've tried that much VA's). Highly recommending it, I'm looking forward to the opinion of other reviewers.