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Reviewed By:	Date:	Strength:	Flavoring:	Taste:	Room Note:	Recommendation:
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 23 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >
fr_tom	05/16/2013	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
This is my favorite from Pipes and Cigars. It is a tasty burley/virginia mix that I always go back to after experimenting with something else. It is not fancy and is not likely to impress your friends, but sometimes you are not trying to impress anyone and just want a great smoke.
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JimInks	12/15/2012	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
This tobacco needs to be hydrated first or you won't get much flavor from it. Once moistened a little, it tastes a little like a lighter version of Prince Albert without the heavy casing. The sweet flavor is light and very pleasant to the tongue and to those who smell it. It can burn hot if you don't sip it, which is often the case with this type of blend. I prefer a little more heft in tobaccos of this genre, but as it is, it's a mild all day smoke that doesn't leave the sometimes strong-cased aftertaste that others impose on you. The tobacco used is quality stuff and I'd much rather give it 2 and half stars than the two I give it, if only the taste was a little stronger. But if you want a light, mild sweet blend of this type, it's worth a try. It does make a nice last the day smoke, too, and I seem to enjoy it more then.
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BarryE	10/05/2010	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
Not the greatest of Burley blends, but not the worst either. I do agree with my fellow reviewers that it does produce some tongue bite if not puffed slowly. Not much in the way of flavor, just a plain simple uncased blend. Thats about it.
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rramstad	04/12/2010	Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I have to echo the last few posters. It's not bad stuff, but there are definitely OTC burley blends that are better. I'd smoke Carter Hall over this, same with Prince Albert. I get a bit of tongue bite from this, and get none by comparison from the OTC I mentioned. Something odd is going on with either the tobacco selection, the method of processing, or both. Generally I have trouble with bright VA and that is probably the issue here. UPDATE Definitely a light, acrid smoke which gives me a bit of tongue bite. Flavor is pleasant, but nothing special. I can't give this two stars when I give most MacBaren blends one star, and much like them, it bites me and doesn't have a lot of flavor
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Captain Pete	02/08/2010	Mild	None detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable
Smokes hot; tastes hot; flavors are near non existent; and it smells kind of like an arm pit when lit. I'll take any number of drugstore burleys over this any day.
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Tiepolo	01/10/2009	Mild	None detected	Medium	Strong
Well, I tried and tried but it didn't happen for me. It is very strange: the first third of the bowl I always find it great. And then it starts: pipe burning hot, tongue bite and bitter towards the end. I am smoking this sample on and off for 10 months and tried drying, packing light etc. Concerning the bite it is strange because I usually smoke straight VAs and am quite immune to tongue bite. It gets also some nasty comments for the room note. Looks like quality tobacco, so it is for the burley clan to try and decide.
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loosewatches	04/05/2008	Mild to Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
Now here is an American smoke. There is much debate about classification. Is an English that which has Latakia, but less oriental. Or is an English simply an 'unflavored' smoke? (My favorite English flakes have a casing, no doubt.) Must an American blend be sopped in cherry? Ha! I tell you, here is a fine American blend. It is not exactly my kind of smoke, but that's ok. I'm not my kind of smoke either. The Virginias here, of which I am the world's expert, are nice. They are very much, as the blurb says, toasty. Not toasted in a McClelland tangly sort of way, but just just enough to get the unsweetened bitters out. Very much a C&D flavor profile here, but with the legendary Mr Ouellette's skills at work. ( C&D is also of deserved legend.) But, I progress; I do believe I am a child of the steam cooked, slightly (or more) sweetened, and stronger flavored English products. By this I mean not "English" with Buttloads of Latakia, but tobacco as the English people like them- Nothing wrong with this American blend, I just proffer different.
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bighitter	12/03/2007	Medium	None detected	Medium	Tolerable
(2nd update) I'll take it as is and love it. I don't know what took me so long to come around to this conclusion. I think personally, that it was my foray into drugstore blends such as Prince Albert and Half and Half and Carter Hall that made me come back to this and say, well it really blows all those away and has similar flavor notes actually. Although there may be some slight casing that imparts a cinnamony taste almost, I can taste Burleys mostly coming out of this. Of course, I'm not otherwise familiar with steam-toasted VAs so it might be those. I really just left this in a plastic bag, abandoned for months at a time. It's gotten pretty dang dry, but it smokes really well that's for sure. And tastes better than before, I think, unless that's just my palate playing catch up. So that's my three takes on this one. How completely confusing and probably worthless to anyone reading this. But such is my experience. (update) Well, I'm not completely sure, but after giving it a break for a couple of months, and coming back to this, I kind of like it now enough to increase its rating. I've also lately been mixing it with more Virginias such as McClelland's 2035 and 5100. But, I've learned basically that burley's not a bad thing, I don't think. Most of the blends I like I've noticed have some component of Burley in there, so there's definitely something nice in there, still sort of sussing it out here... thanks for your patience... (old review) Well I suppose I shouldn't be reviewing this one, but I am because it is one of the tobaccos that I really have not enjoyed particularly. This may have something to do with my general aversion to Burleys, which I thought would be balanced out by the Virginias. The problem here is that it leaves a bitter aftertaste. I think I might have to toss the rest of my two ounces out, as I can't seem to bring myself to try it again after giving it several go's and even trying it as a blender. Ah well to each his own.
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Rafe	11/04/2007	Medium	None detected	Extremely Mild (Flat)	Tolerable
I can summarize this blend for you in five short words: Oooch. Ouch. Eeech. Oach. Oooch. (Okay, four words then..... Seriously, folks.....I have two other P & C blends that I really enjoy, so I know Scott Benedett, Russ Oulette and company are all about fine, quality tobacco blending. But this one just didn't have my number. Long before the onset of the ferocious tongue bite, I found myself thinking "this is interesting.....a Burley/VA blend that doesn't taste anything like Burley or VA". The flavor and the room note were both as close to cigarette-like as anything I have ever tried; it burned quickly, burned hot, and was rather ashy. As I say, I know pipesandcigars.com can and do offer quality blends, so I'll just chalk this one to up to a case of not agreeing with my palate. Not for me, sorry guys.
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bent-1	09/26/2006	Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant
SopwithCamel nailed my thoughts exactly. Ready to smoke right out of the pouch. A nice smoke, sip it and enjoy the cruise. This blend leaves the palate clean & ready for any follow up or a repeat bowl. Another for the cellar.
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fatherDougal	09/14/2006	Mild	None detected	Mild	Pleasant to Tolerable
Nothing overly special about this blend. Just the straight tobacco flavour, as described; clean burn and without bite. You could find an OTC blend that would suffice for half the price.
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SopwithCamel	07/18/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant
I love Burley/Virginia blends, and this is about as nice as they get. This arrived at the perfect moisture level. The short ribbons and granulated flakes pack like a dream. I can usually light this with one match. The flavor of this is sweet, almost maple sweet, but never cloying. There may be a bit of licorice as well. The low humidity and fine cut make it essential to sip this blend gently to get the most out of it. It can burn hot, but sipped deliberately and gently, this is a very satisfying smoke. The tobacco used is top quality. It leaves a clean, sweet taste on my palette. The blend turns sweeter at the bottom of the bowl, and the pipe heel is clean and dry. The room note is pure pipe tobacco goodness. This would make a great blending tobac, and is excellent on its own. This blend has enough Virginia in it, where if you don't smoke gently and slowly, you will pay for your impatience. You just can't pull on this like you are smoking black Cavendish! However, it is this same Virginia that gives you the exquisite, roasted, toasted, non -syrupy sweetness of the blend. You can't rush this one.
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lustra	06/12/2006	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild	Tolerable
Old Companion is a spicy, hot-burning blend with a thin flavor profile. Considerable drying and a light pack help reduce the bite. I won't buy this one again. The Burley used is also tough on my throat toward the end of the bowl.
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dualkarnain	03/29/2006	Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Tolerable
I find this blend to be quite bland. I'm lighting up a second bowl of it as I write this review. The burley here lacks flavor and the VA is barely compensating. The smell is unsubstantial. Unlike a previous reviewer, I'm having no trouble with lighting it. No moisture issues, either. As I get midbowl, the VA pokes it's head out a little more. However, I'm still left with a very hollow flavor on my tongue. This would be a good blend to use in saturating a hot-burning VA without detracting from the flavor. Otherwise, I won't order this again.
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rkzenrage	02/17/2006	Mild	None detected	Mild	Very Pleasant
Comforting. It reminds me of smells from my grandfather and uncles. The flavors are subtle yet pervasive. This and a favorite book or a few hours in my shop make for a wonderful afternoon. The Va's sweet smoothed-out perfectly by the nutty burly that builds nicely throughout the bowl is just right. I like that it is a bit dry, keeps me humble, like this blend. Something I do not plan to smoke every day, nor do I plan to do without. Namaste' Robert
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Meerschaum Man	01/09/2006	Medium to Strong	None detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable
Yes, smoke this stuff slowly or OC quickly turns into old blowtorch. For the first 3rd of the bowl, I could not taste anything but what seemed like trying to burn wet cardboard. Then, the sweet/nutty flavors of the virginia and burley came thru with noticeable strength for the rest of the smoke leaving a pleasant taste in my tobacco-bite stricken mouth. Cool burning you say? My sample was quite moist and burned like a grass fire. I'm not as experienced with Va/Burl blends as I am with others and that certainly played a role in it. Still, I think this blend bears further exposure and will probably return after same. For now, the caution flag is out. Meerschaum Man smoking an old CAO Bacchus
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Navy Chief	12/04/2005	Mild	None detected	Mild	Tolerable
I am having a hard time finding some of the redeming qualities of this blend mentioned in some of the other reviews. This blend was hard to light, hard to keep lit and burned hot no matter what I tried to do. I may finish what I have already from the 2oz I ordered to try this but will not re-order.
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Taste Buds	10/21/2005	Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
This blend was obviously a great disappointment to me. It burned hot and tasted bitter. I must have different taste buds than the other reviewers. I cannot find any redeeming qualities in Old Companion.
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zulujerk	09/30/2005	Mild	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
King Albert, I met your more obnoxious, cheaper son. That guy's a jerk. He's been freeloading in my desk for like six months and won't leave. I don't have the heart to throw the guy out. Just thought you should know.
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Dougster	08/24/2005	Mild to Medium	None detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable
I am working my way through 8oz of this tobacco, and this is my initial review. I will likely edit this review and adjust my rating as the months go by as I have done with most of my other reviews. This is a very good regular old tobacco type blend. It is described as an "all-day" smoke, and it could be such. This is why I got this tobacco as well. I have many high powered super tobaks, but a person needs a go-to blend if you want a smoke and you aren't ready for a super-blend. This is an easy smoking tobacco, with just enough flavor to keep your interest, but not so much to overwhelm or hurt your mouth. It's good, and for a bulk mostly burley blend, its exceptional. I may upgrade this to highly recommended after I have spent a bit more time with it, but for now, I'd say get a 4oz bag to try if you are making an order with Pipes and Cigars and try it for yourself. You probably won't dislike this tobacco. It does seem to be a good go-to smoke. Perfect for casual puffing as a break between scorching straight virginias and smokey latakia nukes.
Showing reviews 1 through 20 of 23 reviews of this tobacco NEXT >