Serious pipers take note of Pipeworks & Wilke; there is magic here.

For the trial by fire I brought out a 50s Masterson’s freehand (group ~4 bowl size) that I keep handy for new and exotic tobaccos. Being more used to flakes, I felt like a bit of a novice again with the moist ready rub presentation. So I left it packed on the lighter side. It took a few matches to get his going evenly, but once lit required no re-lights throughout the bowl.

My initial impression was fairly benign: “It’s an aromatic, nothing special”, I thought. But as the smoke progressed a few things became apparent. The casing is very smooth, a delicate honey. I’d rather call it honig (setting off fond memories of Württemberg). In the beginning, the tobacco seemed very muted, overshadowed by the yet subtle flavoring. But after a few minutes, at the time I usually start bracing for that typical acrid, turpentine-like condensation that always betrays the aromatics true composition, that of cheap leaf soaked in the unrequited hope that all flavorings transition gracefully through burning—yet, here, there was nothing of the sort. I couldn’t believe it. The smoke continued pleasantly, a testament to well chosen tobaccos married to a masterfully proportioned, pyrophilic casing.

About midway through the bowl the natural tobacco flavors started to rise up from the background. A hint of spice, I suspect from the burley; but otherwise smooth Virginia sweetness. By the end, the natural tobacco flavors equaled that of, and complimented, the delicate topping. Truly, I find this blend outstanding among aromatics. Zero tongue bite. It burned evenly all the way to the bottom, to a fine grey ash. The room note is subtle and pleasing—and not at the expense of a terrible tasting smoke and a sore throat.

While this is not my favorite tobacco (I am more of an English flake fan: à la Penzance), no. 191 still deserves 4 stars for being among the highest quality blend in its class.

Update 9/2012: I must be getting spoiled on my English blends, because the flavor in 191 just doesn't seem to hold up for me any more. Still a very nice aromatic - adjusting to a solid 3 stars.

if you are a hardcore blend smoker, this may not be for you, but if you ever reach for mild flavoured smoke, and haven't tried this one, buy it. today.

Sometimes you want an aromatic that doesn't whistle, "HERE I AM!"...but just smells good. This is that kind of blend and you can smoke it all day long. Carole makes a nice blend here, worth trying.

This is classified as a honey and vanilla aromatic and that was spot on. Interestingly, I tasted no vanilla at all. The vanilla came out in the room note. The flavoring I tasted was the honey. The problem is I don't like honey very much, at least not in tobacco. :) I smoked it because Carole was nice enough to send it and I finished it because, as I mentioned, it does what few aromatics do - it couples a high amount of tobacco taste with a hint of the aromatic flavoring. The tobacco taste ruled the roost and was tinged with just enough honey flavoring to satisfy a honey lovers sweet tooth. Very intriguing tobacco. I did not care for it and I won't buy any but if you love honey in your tobacco, I recommend you jump on this one immediately. It's a pipe tobacco lovers aromatic and nothing short of a stroke of absolute blending genius. For that, it deserves 4 stars and my highest recommendation.

This is a very nice blend. I wish it were not so expensive compared to most other aromatics, but worth it.