Newminster No. 201 Straight Black

Newminster - No 201 Straight Black.

No. 201 is made up prominently of mid size ribbons but it also includes one or two chunkier pieces. The nose from the pouch is slightly aromatic but there's nothing to suggest a heavy topping. The moisture's good.

For a vanilla aromatic it's flavoured fairly lightly, unlike some of the sticky ones. The vanilla gives a notable flavour but it's still been added quite lightly. Something I love about this is the texture of the smoke: extremely thick. It burns even and gives a cool, bite free, smoke. I get a slight sweetness from the black Cav', but the majority of the flavour's Vanilla Cav and added vanilla. There isn't any tongue bite to be had from this, and as subjective as it is I doubt it could hurt anyone!

The nicotine from #201 is mild and the room-note's lovely.

A 10/10 beginners blend:

Highly recommended.

The vanilla has a deeply rich vanilla flavor without being syrupy. There's an extremely light honey toast note from the cavendish. No chance of bite or harshness, and no real nicotine, either. The strength is mild, while the taste is in the center of mild to medium. Not a complex blend. Burns at a moderate rate, cool, clean and creamy smooth with no weakening of flavor, and not much moisture left in the bowl. Requires an average number of relights. Has a very pleasant, short lived room note and after taste. An easy going all day smoke that makes a good mixer, too.

-JimInks

Newminster - No.201 Straight Black;

Star Rating = 4.00;

Rating Scores - 10 is the Best and 0 is the Worst;

Pouch Note = 10;

Room Note = 10;

Flavor = 10;

Bite = 10;

Burn = 10;

After Taste = 9;

Raw Score = 59;

Rated Percentage = 98%;

Comment = Very Smooth, Very Mild, great Pouch & Room Note, No Bite, nice Vanilla Flavor

...One of 10 Black Cavendish tobaccos I'm evaluating...quite good, not "syrupy" or "goopy" and no aftertaste...

...will update more in a week or so...

...a pipe is to be savored...

The other half of P&C's battle of the blends (vs Cavendish in the Woods). Between the two, No.201 was blacker and absorbed all outside light. It also had an unplaceable sweet topping (though less intense) that I wouldn't readily assign as Vanilla.

The cut had all manner of ribbon sizes and a kind of rubbery feel that made everything clump up and pack densely. It wasn't moist and didn't appear to need any dry time, yet took a bit more work to get lit. Once we got there, the smoke was certainly light and pleasant without any harsh chemicals. The flavor was much the same as the open bag aroma, possibly a nougat thing going on?

While it was not my favorite Vanilla out there (preferring ones that aren't all Cavendish), it did work as its own thing and beat out Russ's Cavendish in the Woods.

In the pouch this blend was slightly moist, but not sticky. A very pleasant pouch note mainly of vanilla.

In the pipe the vanilla was the prominent flavor and I got a hint of black licorice once in awhile. The toppings did not completely overpower the tobaccos. Slightly sweet, creamy, mild smoke. The flavors lasted well into the bowel.

Unfortunately it could get slightly harsh on the tongue, but more disconcerting was the feeling of fullness in the back of my throat. It would take about a day and a half to go away. Maybe an allergic reaction?

Because of that I can only grade it 2 stars (C-), otherwise I could easily add 1 or 2 stars.