Maybe I can salvage this one with some strong vanilla topped cavendish or mix with it with a Moca flavoured blend. Standing by itself this one shows little promise.

The leaf was dry and without discernable aroma upon opening - maybe I got a musty batch. But even after hydrating it with a couple of aluminium covered clay moisturing discs the aroma was not much better, actually sour smelling. The nearest flavouring I could determine once lit was similar to a stale pack of the old grocery licorice candy "Nibs."

Sad cause years ago this was as good and some thought better than its chief popular rival - Captain Black.

Its not bad but it is rather bland and has no surprises in it, and is too desert like for me now. If you like a sweet mild blend that non pipe smokers will enjoy then this is it.

Regarding the base leaf, this is typically ingratiating and somewhat bland, though there are occasional sharp edges evident along with a slightly phenolic finish. Showing a tasteful restraint, the flavoring is gently applied, harmonizing well with the leaf.

Though Argosy Black is a road often traveled, restrained blending and scrupulous fabrication make it a pleasantly innocuous diversion and a particularly good example of an american, aromatic black cavendish blend. This will ghost a briar and seemed best in narrow to medium gauge chambers.

I used to smoke this occasionally in the 1970's, when pipe smoking was still relatively popular. I used to smoke large freehands back then (Ben Wades,etc.) and everyone seemed to comment on the great room note. I used to also mix it 75/25 with (75%)Half and Half, and really considered it a good smoke.

Objectively, Argosy has a very mild, flavorful taste of chocolate and sweetness. Nicotine content is higher than expected. As an all day smoke, for myself, I prefer unflavored burleys, Half & Half, the Prince and others. But for a change of pace, Argosy can't be beat. I smoked a couple of bowls in a Kaywoodie quarter bent, and I found no goop, or excess of wetness. Very surprising with such a flavored mixture. Drying out for a couple of years improved this tobacco's performance. If it were available locally, I would keep a tin on hand, but not worth the premium price I paid plus the shipping. However, all in all, Argosy is great nostalgia.

The aroma when I cracked it open was heavenly, but I didn't find it smelled like tobacco at all. If you've read other reviewers state that they almost wanted to eat the tobacco instead of smoking it, then you have the jist of Argosy Black.

Initial smoking of it was very pleasant to say the least, and not only did I feel my nerdy reasons for buying it were vindicated, but I thought I had found THE blend. The one that I was going to get hooked on. Unfortunately, I found that after a while I did get slightly bored of it. It just didn't have THAT much of a taste, despite the outstanding aroma, and I had so much of it to go through. I hope that doesn't sound as negative as it feels writing it. It's just the truth. What is also the truth is that since I've been out of it, I've wanted to find it again. So that's why I had to give three stars instead of two.

I really love the price on this to a 100 gram tin cost me 6.50 US Dollars and that cant be beat. Borkum Riff, Half and Half, Velvet, Rum And Maple they all cost me more for 1.5oz bag. I wouldn't recommend it to a new smoker since as a new smoker I seemed to want to power smoke, that would make this tobacco burn out the mouth real quick. It would become bitter and harsh. My personal Note rating is a 9.5 I'd keep it around for when the mood says smoke some. If you want to see my video review of this tobacco

www.myspace.com/elemental_pipes

it is under videos and I will be doing a video review now and then to add to my series.

It came cut like Grape-nuts, and was very black in color, almost artificially so. It was difficult to get lit and keep lit, and produced very little smoke. All the puffing was hardly worth the odd vanilla flavor. Occasionally I could coax it to good place, but too often it would get an ammonia flavor as the bowl burned down.

Smelled okay, just way too much work.

To my disappointment, it was underwhelming. While utterly well behaved in every regard--packs well, lights well, smokes well--the flavor component is almost nonexistent. There's *some* flavor there, but it's so subtle that if you're not actively looking for it, you'll miss it. Of the flavor that is present, it's all high end with no body, like a stereo that's all treble and no bass. The smoke volume is minimal. After two bowls, I went back inside for a tin of something else with a bit more presence.

In this vein of tobacco blends, I'd probably reach for Captain Black in the white or blue label before this. Even moreso, I'd happily pack a pipe with Evening Stroll or something comparable from my local tobacconist.

I wanted to like Argosy Black, and I suppose I do, after a fashion It's tolerable for an all-day smoke while laboring in the yard or workshop, but I cannot recommend it beyond that.

**/****

**Update 12/07**

I think that I might have received a badly sealed tin of this, hence my 1st review. I recently tried another tin of Argosy, and very much to my surprise. the vanilla flavoring came through in both taste & aroma. While still not great, now I can honestly recommend this.

08/22/2006 I purchased a 10 ounce tin of this on the recommendation of my local Tobacconist. I am so glad I did! Argosy Black is an honest, no frills all black tobacco, with a rich chocolate flavor and exquisite aroma of a creamy vanilla. Think roasted marshmallow. It's sweet, but in no way cloying, burns exceptionally well, super dry, cool and clean. Unlike the experience of other reviewers here, it did not come overly moist out of the tin. The moisture content was just right for me and I prefer my tobacco on the dry side.

It loads and lights with ease, tastes great from the charring light to the last pull and is very well behaved in all aspects. It burns down very clean, into a very dry fluffy mottled ash. It also has just enough nicotine content to satisfy. Everyone around me while smoking it has commented positively on the aroma and asked what it is. I just opened my third 10 ounce tin and while it is definitely not complex by any means, its flavor and aroma have been consistent and dependable from tin to tin. That happens to be a favorable trait in my book. A great smoke by itself and also a good choice as a blender.

This is a mild flavorful chocolate/vanilla cased burly with a hint of anise. This tabac burns vary mild in a cob but is perfectly suited for a brier that is routinely used for aromatics. The burn for this tobacco is very mild with copious amounts of smoke. It is a purely fun tobacco to smoke and often complimented for its room note. I love to smoke this one in the evening on the veranda and blow smoke rings for the kids. It burns to a nice mottled grey ash and only has a small deposit of mostly dry dottle at the bottom of the bowl. This smoke is very moderately priced and available at most tobacco retailers.

This one is most certainly a 3 out of 4 blend in the aromatic/burly category. Hats off to the House for an outstanding tobacco!

11/16/2006 Update: Down-rated due to many better Aromatics available. Still a nice aroma. Just not rich enough for my current tastes.

As for the taste, I cannot be so kind. I found the flavor lacking a depth I would expect from such an overpowering aroma. Rather flat and one dimensionial. I can recommend this for the smell alone however. If you like vanilla aromatics, you must try this blend once.

I regularly experiment with this blend, using it as a condiment to cheer up Calvinistically austere blends. Sometimes it works. It makes a great blender with Gawith's Chocolate Flake; it intensifies an otherwise easily overlooked chocolate taste.

Blackest flakes I ever smoked. Looks like chipped tar paper. Room note is indeed a crowd pleaser.