First let me start off by making a confession. I initially bought this blend based on the tin alone. Yup, it is true. There was a time when CAO/Dan had a line of blends with the coolest of tins. Being a history buff, blends like midnight ride, independence, and black Frigate really caught my eye. Unfortunately those cool tins are almost impossible to find now, but if you look you can get your hands on independence.

I kind of lump this in with the lakeland style blends. It is not a true lakeland flavoring but it has the same idea. A good tobacco flavor with a sort of floral note. I quite enjoy it. It burns really well and does not leave any sludge in the pipe.

There is one caveat with this blend. It will leave an interesting ghost behind so don't smoke it in your favorite Virginia vessel.

Highly recommended. Enjoy!

Dan's not very long in the tooth about this blend, is he? This is one of four reintroductions of CAO blends and the first in the series I have tried. I have not tasted the the original so I cannot offer any comparison.

Blend presents in light tans in a mostly rubbed out flake with a few slightly chunkier pieces intermixed. My tin staged for 3 months and the moisture level upon opening was surprisingly perfect on the dry side. Surprising because of the aroma, I expected a much heavier moisture level. The scent is captivating aromatic. I am not a fan of American style aromatic blends; but I like this scent a lot. It is a mixture of dried black cherries, cranberries, pomegranates, and anise. As odd as that combination sounds, it's most enjoyable to sniff. Each scent is present and distinct without a melding or competing, I find that very interesting.

The moisture level from the tin being a little drier than most and the cut made this a very easy blend to pack and light. I have had no problems with re-lights or over packing / tamping. Quality leaf burns completely to the bottom of the bowl with no near end of the bowl acidity and no or very minimal dottle. The nicotine level is low, very low. I have smoked this through various sized bowls and packed my largest billiard without any nicotine effects, which I like. However, other pipers might be put off at the mildness of the blend. The leaf burns a little hot so thinner walled pipes do heat up a bit, because the smoke is mild and the flavors subtle I did sometimes puff to excess which contributed to the chamber heating up.

Blowing smoke through the nose for taste is best and shorter sips better than long draws. The black cherry and cranberry is just subtly noticeable. Unfortunately, the anise not detected at all. Blend performs best in moderate to large billiards. Oddly, it does not do well in a cob or poker. And it also doesn't perform well in the smoke rings column.

I like this blend as a change-up smoke. It is mild and tasty. However, this is not going to be for everyone. There is nothing reminiscent of any of the traditional VA flavors of "mown hay," or "acrid tomato" or the traditional "dried fig / dates," or "zesty brights," or "floral."

This blend might be a good choice to those that want to try a VA coming away from the American aromatic line. Or to those that enjoy a slightly aromatic and very mild smoke.

Cheers!

This is a great mix of VA, oriental, and little black cavendish. The pouch note is a little gram cracker like in aroma and has somewhat of a musty note as well. It's mostly a brown RR flake with a few darker leaves mixed in but it packed quite nicely in my pipe. Upon lighting, it is a full creamy smoke with the under notes of a tangy and spicy mouthwatering flavor, One does really not notice the added flavor of the perfume is there, until you are well along in your pipe But it does add an interesting and unique flavor and room note that lovers of the Highlands like. It burned all the way down the bowl needing few relites and leaves a fine gray dottle and ash at bottom of the bowl. I enjoy this tobacco on occasion a lot, but then I love Condor and St Brunos but can't get them over here. This is a truly classic old fashioned tobacco and if you enjoy a tobacco of this type you will love it.

It so happens that in doing some late-spring cleaning I came upon the same tin I opened 7 years ago, some of which contents I sampled for my review. I never really could finish the tin. When I opened it, I was expecting to find not tobacco, but tobacco dust. Well, believe it or not the remaining contents is still moist. Unfortunately so is the sickly perfumed aroma that all those years ago made me sick.

I don't know if this thing is still in production (either under CAO or Dan Tobacco's name). But in all good faith, I honestly cannot recommend this concoction. Not even my LSW would dare use this cheap, odorous perfume!

I really wish I knew what the heck that smell is. It is a very recognizable aroma, but impossible to name. The tobacco itself is not remarkable. Other than the soapy reek, it is an unassuming little flake. Not much there, and what is there seems whipped into quivering silence by the smell.

The major pleasure I derive from it, however, is distinctly decadent. I love the echo of that fragrance which colours the next two or three smokes in a pipe. There is zest in sparking a memory-feeling that I cannot identify with traces of a perfume that I cannot recognize, much like enjoying the presence of a beautiful girl who has a vulgar accent, or an old woman with a youthful and springlike eau de toilette. Even an innocent downy teenager, with scarlet lipstick of a particularly knowing and depraved hue. Intensely delicious, in a degenerate sort of way.

I do try hard to offer some merit to all blends that I review. I just could not come up with any kudos here.