If that were not enough, the licorice-vanilla flavor became wearing early in the bowl. Along with the sizzle, it felt like my tongue was coated with a graininess that required some effort to remove. To sum up, I found no redeeming features to this one and could only tolerate 3 bowls. This one is best forgotten and it looks up at one star on my personal grid... somewhere around 0.75 stars.

I,ve smoked quite a few tobacco's, and i have never felt buyers remorse before, most of the better tobacco's do have their time of the day or season of the year. i,ve never thrown away tobacco before,but i was even afraid of blending with it. I kept the tin for 7 years, i thougt aging would be good for it. but actually, after those 5 years nothing has happened with this stuff. it looks the same, feels the same, it even smokes the same way. Hot and tasteless it is, maybe a very long claypipe will tame it and give some taste when drawing mouths full of smoke. but as most of us are Briar lovers, i surely would not recommend this rolling tobacco to burn out our precious pipes.

The guy who gave this blend 2 times 4 stars must be involved in the Niemeier/Orlik company, or dates from the 17th century.

Now' up to the friendly reviews.

Its not for everyone I admit, but if you are looking for something different then this it the one.

There is no doubt that the pleasing aroma was the major factor for continuing with the product, but the appearance of a rival sailing vessel, "Borkum Riff" outgunned the Dutchman in the battle for Pipe tobacco supremacy. The Dutchman eventually struck her colors and survivors awash on the shore barely remember the Dutchman's effectiveness in easing through a winter afternoon by the fire.

Recommended only for veteran seadogs if they still have an unopened tin leftover from the era of "The Normal Recreation of Noble Minds".

In Pipesmoking a 21st Century Guide, R.C.Hacker gives an objective description of the Dutchman: "An old time classic tobacco. ...Finely cut & easy to pack in a pipe, it is not for someone who smokes rapidly, as the tobacco will start to burn hot. Rather, it is for the slow and methodical person who likes a woodsy flavor that is mild but not light." An excellent pipe tobacco for those trying to deepen their powers of restraint and powers reflection, I find it requires careful packing and the frequent LIGHT touch of a tamper. It's room note is pleasant, but not sweet. It is without parallel.

Yes: due to the thin ribbon cut--almost cigarette like--and the absence of moisture, it tends to burn hot and fast, and may produce a sever case of tongue bite. That was one the reasons I quit smoking it.

Within this range of classic Dutch blends, I much prefer Clan, which I find more palatable and easier to smoke. But the Flying Dutchman does have a very clearly defined tobacco structure, not unlike some of the French blends (like Caporal), that seem to be made from sun-cured leaf. Flying Dutchman has a certain piquancy that used to tickle my nostrils, and it did leave an abrasive sensation in palate, mouth and throat.

The aroma--not as strong as Clan's but along the same lines--was very elegant and cozy in that Old World-European tradition: nothing fancy or cloyingly sweet, but subtle, refined and inviting. Yet, one must learn to smoke this leaf in order to appreciate its nuances.

I bought my first 50g tin at a Rite Aid, I believe. The tin aroma had the most subtle hint of what I perceived as vanilla, unlike any other vanilla blend I have ever experienced before or since, as well as another sweetness I can't seem to place. It was fresh and consisted of a thin ribbon cut tobacco with the tiniest curls of tobacco I have ever seen. I assume those were the oriental curled tobaccos used in some Dutch Cavendish blends. As a novice pipe smoker of a few years I was in for a trial - by fire. It burned fast, hot, and my tongue was sore for I don't remember how long! I was determined to tame this beast (that's how good the room note was at the conference), and it took me a while at that! With this blend I learned the gentle art of sipping while I smoked. I would liken it to a lion tamer working with his animals. One needs to be prepared once the cage door closes behind you.

The 50g tins seemed to be the freshest of all its packaged forms. The 14oz can (in a twist-tied plastic bag) was a bit drier, and the pouch was always totally dry as straw - and I have been through many a pouch. There was always a pleasant, but subtle tin/pouch aroma of tobacco and that ghost of vanilla in all three varieties. Pleasurable to smoke, and with slow smoking, I would on occasion get a whiff of that wonderful room note. Very much to my liking and to those around me.

With the passage of time comes change. Along with a change in the package art, Flying Dutchman has limited availability, and when available, only in the 14oz can. I don't feel the need to hunt it down. Troost Special Cavendish has now taken its place; in room note and taste, but without that hint of vanilla. Flying Dutchman gave me many pipe bowls of smoking pleasure over the years, and for now, the nostalgia of pleasant memories. Who knows, perhaps one day the Dutchman's and my path will cross once again.

But Fry-ing Dutchman is a blow torch. Shame really, as it has a decent taste. Reminds me of eating hot peppers, you'll pay dearly afterwards.

0-stars