4noggins Otter Creek

The burley is very nutty with some molasses and a touch of cocoa. and is the more prominent tobacco. The Virginia is a little grassy and citrus sweet in a support role. I suspect some red Virginia is present due to the light tangy dark fruitiness. I think the black cavendish is unsweetened, which would account for some brown sugar in the background. The silky rich vanilla topping is mildly applied, and compliments the tobaccos even if it does tone them down just a little. The nic-hit is mild. A little moist out of the baggie, but doesn’t really need any dry time. Burns a little slow, cool, clean with a very smooth, consistent flavor, and easily burns to ash. Requires a few relights, but not many. Leaves a little moisture in the bowl, but no goop or dottle. No chance of bite or harshness. Has a pleasant, but short lived after taste. An easy going all day mild smoke that won’t wear out its welcome.

-JimInks

One of the samples I was granted with by “Hetfield1979”, if someone can describe 1 oz as a sample, of each tobacco he gave me. Virginia, Burley and Black Cavendish are its components. A soft vanilla aroma gives the mixture a special note. Nothing to fancy, don't get carried away, just a parenthesis between the Virginia and the Oriental, or perhaps better, a tryout I owed to make. It bites the tongue, enough. Also, after the 3/5 of the bowl it brings out a weird bitterness. The room note is particularly good (as if it could be otherwise). For sure, there are plenty superior vanilla flavored tobaccos to try.

4noggins - Otter Creek.

As always with 4noggins, the pouch has been squeezed of any air before sealing it. I love that about 4noggins. The moisture must have been spot on when it was removed from bulk as it isn't dry or damp. Although all of the blend can be smoked, it includes a few huge strands. The bags aroma is one clearly of vanilla.

The smoke: it's a decent enough blend, albeit, not too interesting. The Burley is the stronger of the three tobaccos, with the Cavendish and Virginia quite a way behind. The vanilla gives the smoke a smooth quality, but isn't heavily added. The burn from O.C. is consistent and even, giving a low temperature smoke.

Nicotine: mild. Room-note: nice.

I really like a lot of the 4noggins blends, but this one becomes a touch laborious for any higher than two stars:

Somewhat recommended.

To me, this is one of the mellowest and mildest tobaccos in my line up. Smokes easy and without anything that really sticks out. Just a simple, slight vanilla taste that is very nice in the morning before taking on stronger tobacco throughout the day. I've been told that room note is very favorable to those that do not partake. It does not leave any after taste nor does it burn too quickly or to wet. It's a "just right" blend that can be smoked in any size pipe.

Very mild, pleasant if somewhat unadventurous aromatic tobacco with the usual gentle and subtle flavours typical of blends made by Rich. As for the leaf, Virginia seems to be somewhat muted, with Burley and Black Cavendish dominating. Fresh Virginia noticeable at first with flavours darkening somewhat soon and quite noticeable halfway through the bowl. The topping is only slight and it should not deter anyone not used to aromatics. Burns well straight out of the pouch. No tongue bite whatsoever, even when "pushed". Well developed fine ash, no relighting needed even the tobacco was not aired or dried first at all. Suits new pipe smokers who do not crave a nicotine hit, or non-aro smokers looking for a change of pace.

I got a free sample of this one...I was surprised by how good it was...the tobacco was nice and moist. I would try it again.

Another nice aromatic by Rich Gottlieb.

I received this one as a sample with a recent order. Perfect moisture, smokes a tad bit on the hot side. No bite and the flavor remains consistent even when hot. With patience and care taken to smoking it slow, you'll be rewarded with a deeper semi sweet vanilla flavor that melds nicely with that of the tobacco. This one has a bit of a richer burley foundation that comes through towards the middle of the smoke to the end. Very nice. I had to relight the pipe a tad more than usual, but altogether this is a flavorful and well behaved aromatic. In my humble opinion Rich's blends are right on par with anything I have had from the Boswell clan.

More or less agree with every one else on this. The only aromatics I like are Richards at 4 Noggins, apart from McB vanilla, and he sent me a sample with my last order. Bit mild for me but very good.

This review is based on a small free sample I got from Rich. The description seems to be right on spot. A straightforward, nice aromatic. Three stars for aromatic lovers.

The main part of this blend is the burley. The vanilla was noticeable and provided some sweetness. This tobacco only required 2 lights to burn to the bottom of the bowl.

I did notice some bitterness in the second half of the bowl, but not enough to ruin the experience.