Straus Tobacco Rookwood

The cavendish and Virginia taste is barely present as they are covered up by the maple and vanilla toppings. Grass in a limited form is most what is noticeable. I get a sense of brown sugar here, so that is likely added as well. They say it tastes like cookies, and I more or less agree, though that didn't come to mind when I smoked it. Has almost no nicotine. Burns fairly cool at a reasonable pace with a consistent flavor, but will leave a little moisture at the finish. Needs some relights. No bite. Has a pleasant after taste. Can be an all day smoke. Two and a half stars.

-JimInks

Bought this tobacco based on the reviews on this site. Pouch aroma is magnificent. A blend of vanilla, maple and brown sugar. Packed and smoked well straight out of the bag. At different times during the smoke each individual flavor will make it's way to the front for a solo but quickly drops back to let someone else take the lead. Not overly sweet as the aroma would suggest. Smoked surprisingly cool and dry, but I never push these types. Will probably be much different if you were to become the little engine that could while smoking. Room note is 2nd to none. My wife commented that she wished she had a candle that smelled the same (maybe this means I won't be banished to the garage forever). Multiple bowls seemed to leave me slightly wanting a little more "tobacco" flavor, but taken at face value this is an excellent smoke. If you enjoy aromatic tobacco this is a must try!

I joined this site specifically so I could tell others about this blend. I live in Cincinnati and usually go to a smaller closer local shop, however upon reading other reviews for this blend I decided to take a trip downtown on a Friday at rush hour just to get a few ounces. Upon opening the bag one is greeted by the most pleasant mix of maple syrup and vanilla extract. It has a baked cookie or some kind of cobbler smell. The taste is the exact same with each flavor presenting itself for you enjoyment. The room note is second to none. My wife actually likes this, a first, and as someone who almost exclusively smokes aromatic blends that says a lot. The tobacco has the perfect amount of moisture to not be too dry but not as moist as to not hold a flame. I can smoke a bowl to ash with minimal relights and hardly any gurgle. This is definitely going to be one of, if not my most, smoked blends. Very enjoyable for smoker and those around him. A+

First a few notes on Straus Tobacconist........

CINCINNATI: I've never visited the downtown Cincinnati location, although I'm sure it is great as it is the original. Jack McKeon used to hang out there when he managed the Reds. I wouldn't be surprised if Sparky Anderson shopped there when he managed the Reds too since he was a pipe smoker. But for me it is a hassle to go downtown and park, fight traffic, etc. I may visit this location someday though.

FLORENCE: This is where I bought the Rookwood blend. It is convenient to get off of I-75 (I came up from Lexington), parking is easy, and traffic isn't bad for being near a large mall. It's far enough away from the mall to be convenient to get in and out of. Staff seemed friendly. My only complaint is that I didn't see any corn cobs for sale, but I've got plenty of them for now so it's okay.

LEXINGTON: I live in Lexington, KY and there is a store in Lexington Center mall (next to Rupp Arena) that bears the Straus name and logo. I emailed the company and asked if this location is part of their company. They said that long story short this location is not affiliated with them but it may sell some of their older blends. I visited there once and it was awful. They had a few pipes, some cigars and maybe 3 or 4 pipe blends but it looks like most of their business comes from selling pop, candy and magazines to mall shoppers. If you're in Lexington don't go here for pipe needs. I recommend Schwab's Pipes n' Stuff very highly for pipes and cigars in Lexington.

Now for this tobacco itself......

I'd like to try some of Straus's other blends but this one is so good that I don't see the point. I bought this blend based on the positive reviews on this site. I smoke this in a corn cob as that is my usual pipe. I haven't smoked it in about 4 weeks as I have been trying out other kinds of tobaccos so I'm going off of my memory here. I love the aroma when you open the bag. It's very sweet smelling. I can't quite describe it but I understand why some people think "cookies baking" when they smell this. The taste of this stuff is really nice. Fairly mild but a lot of the Virginia flavor shines through for me. I'm a new pipe smoker so I have a difficult time picking out all the subtle flavors that exist. All I know is that I like the way this blend tastes, smells, etc. This blend helped me to figure out that I really like virginia tobacco. I have a hard time smelling the blend while smoking but my wife said it smells really good. I can smell it in my beard when I'm done smoking it and I think it has a very pleasant, comforting smell. This stuff burns as well as any other tobacco I've tried but my packing and smoking technique is getting better so I'm sure the next time I smoke this the tobacco will taste and smoke even better (which might be tonight). I would highly recommend this tobacco to anyone seeking a delicious aromatic. I bought 3oz and when it's gone I will probably go to Florence and get 8oz so that it's always on hand.

This is one of my favorite blends, along with Fountain Square (also from Straus). It's not very strong, but also not too mild. It tends to burn a bit cooler, but I have a bad habit of smoking too fast, so it gets a little warm. The aroma is nice, the tobacco smells (to me) a bit like maple syrup, and the smoke has a slight hint of that flavor to it as well. Definitely something to keep an ounce or two on hand for when you want a relaxing, aromatic smoke.

Top 3 of the Straus blends. You would be pressed to find a nicer aromatic if you enjoy a mild vanilla topping. This one is a staple for local enthusiasts. Actually smells just as it tastes and the flavoring is just right, not over powering.

This is one of the two best aromatics I've ever smoked (the other being King Arthur's Blend). A Cincinnati hidden gem! A light vanilla flavor that smokes cool. There is not a lot of topping and this is by no means too sweet. It is has an incredible room note. I highly recommend this to both aromatic lovers and those who enjoy the heavier stuff but yearn for the aromatics of old.

I am still new to pipes and learning, although I have tried a nice variety of different tobaccos, giving enough smoke for each experience. About 4 to 5 bowls of a consistent flavor each time.

So far I have thoroughly tried 18 different blends, and the Rookwood blend from Straus Tobacco which was recommended to me by one of the very knowledgeable staff has literally knocked my boots off. I purchased 3oz as a good recommendation. I could instantly taste the Virgina along with very nice haunting of vanilla and maple dwelling within the smoke; and also seemed to be subtle cherry within that haunting vanilla and maple. More of a complement to carry out the vanilla then concentrating on actual cherry flavoring upfront.

If I didn't know better, I'd believe it was a tobacco alchemist who blended this. Because there is some interesting things going on with the flavoring, which is all good.

The vanilla to me, had a taste nearly like a good fresh Madagascar bean that has been sliced open. I make my own vanilla extract for cooking and thats a smell to live for. Well, its right here in this smoke.

The flavor is not really harsh at all, but a bit more bite then a typical aromatic blend. But this might be due to the fact that I tend to smoke a bit faster then what I seen other pipe smokers. So it may be a bit more mild for a more casual smoker.

The smoke is just "lively" but comforting at the same time, for smell and taste, is the best I can put it.

Its a smoke I can enjoy while staying up late working on a project, to waking up and getting my baptism of tobacco in the morning, and everything else between through the day, to just pondering anything about life while by myself.

While Straus Tobacco has many other blends that are very delightful, Rookwood is assured to be a staple as I am now going to purchase 8oz at a time for the month. I will still experiment with other blends, but Rookwood is my undisputed staple pipe tobacco right now!

Happy smoking and enjoy~

Added {8~22~11}: Although I purchase 3oz's of other blends I like to keep on hand or try something new, I now officially keep a dedicated 8oz of Rookwood next to my pipe rack at all times as my regular.

Maple is definitely what comes to mind when opening this stuff. I can't taste maple, as others claim, but my tongue may just be handicapped to tobacco. I love the smell, the taste, and how the woman likes how I smell after smoking this. Down to ashes, every time. Don't like wasting a pinch.

Goes extremely well with maple infused whiskey: Cabin Fever.

Good Aromatic, but more than just that. Smokes like it smells in the bag. Not all tobaccos do. Burns cool and smoky. May contain some burley along with Va. But I'm not sure, it does have some complexities. Package it in a high priced tin with a big name. Or keep it in a bulk jar, with a good price. A Straus hidden gem? Tastes good my rotation, as I find myself always coming back to Rookwood.