East India Trading Co. Royal Challenge

This aromatic blend is very similar to it's sister blend, Officer's Club, but without the citrusy overtones. Unlike OC, RC did not lose it's spice aroma on airing out and it was the least moist of the three East India blends that I smoked. In fact, my tin aired out in one evening to produce a nice smokeable product; something neither of the other two blends in the series could accomplish. I enjoyed smoking this blend and that is saying something as I don't do many aromatics. As I smoked it I kept thinking that it was like smoking an aromatic Scottish blend - strange but enjoyable. It works fairly well in micro blending but does not equal it's star sibling Celler Reserve - three stars.

An attempt at a more premium rum flavored tobacco but, as anybody who has tried to flavor tobacco with rum or any other liquor knows, it doesn't really work. Just adding rum to tobacco doesn't give it a wonderful sweet character. If anything, it's very subtle and usually dulls the tobacco. The base tobacco does have a somewhat muted, light sweet character as if it is cased with rum with no alcohol notes but this blend gets that extra dimension from added dark-fired vanilla black cavendish that is akin to what would be found in typical moist aromatic cavendish from companies like Sutliff. Despite the description and the so called prestigious and historical name of East India Trading Company, this is just not something natural and/or authentic. It's a very modern blend with modern manufactured aromatic qualities albeit less intense. Aside from all this critique, it's a good rum aromatic with more body, flavor, less top flavor(aroma casing) and less moisture than it's cheeper cousins. The added spices in the description gives it an almost coconut note which is among the qualities I didn't care for. I think it would be better if a more natural tasting virginia based black cavendish was used instead. Some may really like this as a large step beyond the super moist humectant laden tobacco that still possesses very attractive aromatic qualities. The crowd will like this one.

Bananas. All I tasted is bananas. This is awful. I can’t even finish the bowl and this tin will be given away or thrown in the trash. Negative 5000 rating for me.

Remembered this blend being more enjoyable when it was fresh. Does not age very well. I let a small sample sit for about a year. The flavor became more earthy and lost most of it’s sweetness, which certainly has its appeal. The rum note was still present but not so enjoyable. Still burned rather hot as to be expected from a rum soaked cavendish. Still possessed a dusty cellar / nutmeg flavor that I found rather unique and interesting. Maybe not a “must try” but definitely interesting enough to give a slight recommendation to the curious. If you like rum cav, you’ll most likely enjoy this. Not really my cup of tea, though I can understand the appeal. I just wish it were easier to get them to smoke cooler.

[edit: The second tin was also wet from topping making it a pain to smoke, and the flavor wasn't as exciting as before - demoting a star.]

I had my first taste of Royal Challenge after a night of drinking Dark Rum and Coke, and truth be told, it was a smooth transition with almost identical flavor points. The tin is filled with wet spongy ribbons dripping with topping. In fact the whole paper insert was stained through. That topping however, is spot on spiced rum.

This stuff packs light and must be made of a highly flammable casing, since you hit the bottom in record time. There is an artificial feel to the taste that reminded me of several chocolate aromatics (like Lane's BCA), though of course the chocolate has been replaced with a different dark sugar rum sweetness. The nicotine is quite light and you could smoke it all day, but like too much candy it will get sickening after several bowls.

While I can't help but wonder how many carcinogens went into flavoring this aromatic, it sure is a tasty treat. In fact it smelled so nice, the lady of the house smelled it down the block from our house!

This has a great flavor throughout the smoke without that over the top casing effect that some others possess. Great smell right out of the tin and it transcribes likewise into the smoke experience. This is a nicely done tobacco with great nuances throughout the entire smoke that keeps it interesting and truly enjoyable. The rum provides a soft and consistent presence and a sweet underlying tone remains through the smoke. The virginias play nicely and keep the smoke interesting. If you are looking for a good aromatic, I think you would enjoy giving this one a shot.

I didn't care much for this when I first received it, so I put it on a shelf for a year. I just picked it up again. It burns consistently with few relites. But when I measure it with other rum blends it just doesn't measure up. The casing is uninspired and it starts to get bitter in the last 1/3 of the smoke.

This is your typical middle of the road aromatic. A little bit moist in the tin but still burns OK. The tin and room note on this one are phenomenal. You get smacked with the rum every time you pop the top on this guy. Not just rum but some spice and maybe vanilla/caramel. Its really yummy. But, as with most Cavendish blends the experience leaves you wanting more chemistry. I have a hard time giving aromatics a 4 star lately.

This Nancy is very similar to Officers Club. Upon opening the tin, there is a very pronounced scent of berries. This did not transfer to the smoke however. The vanilla coke theme is prevalent throughout without much spice. Note, this well ghost a pipe as well. The berry flavoring used in the top dressing of this blend well remain in the pipe. I found this rather strange, as said before, the berries do not come through in the smoke. Perhaps they are covered up by the strong vanilla casing. Still, a descent baccy and an excellent American Style Aromatic. Cheers.

Nope....just not there for me. Very little flavor to me throughout the smoke. Not anywhere close to the flavor of Officers Club. To me....it's a loser.