It shares with Lane RCA a vanilla note that I associate with the the scent of oak casks. This is stronger in the RCA, better integrated in 1Q where it nicely complements the Virginia flavor.

All in all, a very clean, cool smoke with almost no noticeable nicotine kick, just a slight buzz, which is how I like it. Leaves only a very subtle aftertaste, which is another plus. The room note is generic pipe smoke fragrance. Burns well without any bite and leaves a fine darkish ash and at the very bottom a little dottle but no goop. I can see this becoming an unfussy all-day smoke.

Go into any shop in the whole of the USA that sells bulk brands and this will be their biggest seller. So, obviously a lot of people like it. But I struggle with it. It turns to goo in my bowl. It gets hard. It doesn't stay lit. It just doesn't smoke good to me. The taste, unlike the smell, is unexceptional - and for the trouble it causes, I just simply can not fathom why it get sells so well.

Not the worst I have ever had, but far from being a satisfying experience.

I do not like the rating system here as this is not quite so bad as to compare to the worst reviews I would give, but one step up from there is "Somewhat Recomended". I do not recommend this at all but it is not as bad as say Borkim Riff Whiskey (see my review) and I would not put it into the same category as that wretched, useless weed.

My dearest fondest love is reserved for Lane's 1-Q. It is the FIRST time ever that I was never bitten; never was it at any moment bitter or sour; the room note was what it ought to be; and the wife is totally sold on this blend.

I was never so impressed with the cavendishing of a burley. That and the delicate hint of honey is what sold me on this stuff. Yes, you read it right: HONEY. There's nothing "fruity" about this.

Also I have to take exception to the complaints about it gunking up the pipe. I do not know what some people are doing but I have never had any more trouble with 1-Q than I've had with any other tobacco, period! Are you guys coating your bowls with milk and honey before loading up?? :)

It's also true it is THE prime base for your home recipes. Here's mine, bye the by: 4 OZ Lane's to 1 OZ of Velvet and 1 OZ of Kajun Kake (which ought to be rubbed out and slightly dry when blended). Marry this as long as you like, or smoke it then and there. I have one humidor with this blend which I keep on hand at all times. I call it "Thundersnow 13". Now, if you do this, you won't get so 'tired' of 1-Q, as I've noted people saying.

Also note: this competes and beats hands-down the Haunted Bookshop I hear so much about...no comparison at all, really.

For the rest of the time, and I only try aromatics and cavendishes as a sort of desert course, Lane's 1-Q is MINE!

The tobacco is the finest the world can produce, lovingly processed and presented, the vanilla flavoring is all natural, subtle and of the highest quality, applied in a refined manner.

1Q was created to be appreciated by the critical taste of the connoisseur, the lover of fine tobacco. It succeded so well it became a favorite the world over.

1Q is a regal blend, whose qualities are best enjoyed in times of reflection. A clean pipe dedicated to the tobacco will yield the maximum enjoyment, and will become a treasure.

This near perfect blend is the alpha and the omega. You will like it as your first experience. But after your dreams have turned to dust and regrets, 1Q will be your fondest memory of the golden age of pipe tobacco, the blend you truly loved.

Don't believe me? After you have tried 800 blends, see if you agree. (Refering to Pipestud and his 4 star recommendation).

Update 8/2010: As with Captain Black White, my tastes changed and I cannot stand this blend anymore. The smoke is steamy and sticks to your hands with a distinct petroleum smell, almost like charcoal lighter fluid. I feel like I am smoking oil sprayed on cardboard and not tobacco. I guess exposure to blends like Anniversary changed my tastes forever (and it happened in an instant).

Now, let's get down to a serious review here of a good aromatic. For some reason I have neglected to write a review on this blend. That said, I am amending that as of right now. This is the number one selling blend in the country if not the world! There is a reason for this. It's good! Simple enough. It has a sweet vanilla flavor to it but not overwhelming. It is mild as a kitten with no claws. It will not burn the tongue, smells absolutely wonderful both in the pouch and in the room note. It packs well in the pipe in spite of being somewhat moist, it lights easily and stays lit burning in a nice slow and relaxing way. It is not cloying and it does not leave a pipe smelling like a fruit bowl. No wonder it's number one and then add it is easily available and for a great price. It is a mixed medium to dark brown ribbon cut. It burns down slowly to a fine grey ash with a touch of dottle and a little moisture so pipe cleaners are a must. I could not make this an all day blend like a lot of others but it is a great blend for the sweet tooth and for just relaxing. A crowd pleasure for sure. A great blend for a beginner and an experienced smoker that does not want a huge nicotne fix or has a sensitive mouth. I highly recommend this blend to be tried by all...that are open to aromatics. The others will just miss a good thing in this one!

The pouch aroma is very pleasant, but not tobacco. It tastes good. I did not get the gurgle that others have mentioned nor did it goop up my pipe, but it did require more coeaning than usual after smoking a bowl. Neither do I taste the cherry that others have mentioned. It never bit, evenwhen puffing hard to try to keep it lit. It did not ghost my pipe either; it's far too gentle to do that.

I bought a quarter pound of this because I'd read it is the most popular blend in the US. I don't understand why. It's good, but not that good. Nothing complex here but nothing offensive either.

If this were the only tobacco I could get I'd be glad to have it. But if I had awhole tobacco shop at my disposal I doubt if I'd smoke it very often. The quarter poundI go will probably last me quite a while, but I will smoke it all. I might even get another quarter when this is done.

Most B&M's sell 1Q, but you might have to ask a clerk to direct you to it as many re-name it and use it as a "house blend". There are 3 local tobacco shops I buy from, and each one of them carry 1Q under a different name.

For me, where 1Q really shines is a foundation for a do-it-yourself blend. My all-day smoke is a mixture I do using 5 ounces of 1Q, 4 ounces of Lane's "Burley Light Without-A-Bite", and 3 ounces of Lane BCA.

By following the instructions above, and lightly tamping as you work your way to the bottom of the bowl, it burns fine, leaving a grey ash at the bottom with a couple of pieces of carbon dottle. Unlike many aromatics, 1Q leaves no unpleasant "ghosts" in the pipe.

If you have a large bowl, you will probably end up knocking out the last fifth of the bowl and not smoking it all the way to the end. If you want to smoke all the way to the end of the bowl, I recommend just loading a half-bowl to smoke at a time. As with all aromatics, it can get a little harsh at the very end if you don't.

Anyone within smelling distance will compliment you. I never detected any hint of "cherry" note, as a reviewer below mentioned. No fruitiness at all. The taste? It is similar to Captain Black Royal, but not as gooey or syrupy sweet. Nice billows of dry, nutty-sweet smoke. Just a good, all-around aromatic that you will end up smoking more of than all your other more expensive blends.

The sweet golden and black cavendish play well together with, perhaps, a touch of red VA which adds a richer sweetness. The topping plays a notable role and remains present throughout the bowl.

Though cheerful and amiable, the final effect of 1-Q falls upon the sweet and bland side. It is obviously intended as an all-day blend, and to this end, my tastes found it to be progressively tedious. This will definitely ghost a briar and went well in a chamber of any gauge.