People have remarked of the dominant nature of the Burley in this blend. To me, the Virginia stands out more, and it is the Kentucky that almost mutes the sugar in Cumberland. Yet, I don't get that dominant nutty flavor from the Burley, and perhaps that is a consequence of the aging. I confess to have a difficult time with the leaf, though I can't find anything offensive here (I despise that Prince Albert, and I know he is a favorite of the Burley genre.) This one builds, right to end and will knock you on the floor if smoked first in the morning--though I imagine it would go very well with a bitter coffee. For me, Cumberland works best as an occasional smoke, for those times I want to get slapped in the face.

If latakia, is synonymous with “English” tobacco, the fired kentucky makes this blend decidedly “American” in the same manor. It is smoky, and delicious and evokes all the common pleasures of the North American wilderness. The marketing copy on the tin is a bit highfalutin for this blend taking its vocabulary from the dressy halls of classical music. I think the rustic imagery of wagon wheels, log cabins and campfires would be more appropriate. But whatever sells cumberland is fine with me. For, in spite of its pastoral nose and flavor, Cumberland is a sophisticated blend that would appeal to the snob and the farm-hand alike. I highly recommend this tobacco. There is more of it in my future.

Maybe my tin had suffered some abuse somewhere between it leaving the GL Pease factory to getting to my house, to cause it to be so dry, and maybe it is unfair to review such a dried out tobacco. But you might get a similar can if you order some. Rating 1/10 honestly, the worst tobacco I have ever smoked.

Tin Marked 04-2009

EDIT: Right, lets try to be fair about this. I don't like burleys generally. But if I try to exclude that fact: what can I say? (after slowly rehydrating the tobacco by putting a few pipe fulls in a glass jar, and covering with a damp cloth)

Pros: - Lights well, stays lit well, burns well and really nice a cool

- Has a nice hit of vitamin N. Probably one of the strongest after kendal black xx rope. Stronger the full virginia flake.

- Nice peppery, spicy smoke

- If you smoke it fast, you get a nice nutty flavour

Cons: - Bitter

- Drying smoke (i.e. my mouth feels all dry and grainy)

- Its just not nice

Conclusion: If you like burley, smoke Solani Aged Burley Flake or Wessex Burley Slice instead.

Lighting: Burned with one match

Taste: Musty crawlspace, stale. Once in a while, multiple bowls, in a pipe uncleaned inbetween, tastes just like a rancid cigarette.

Aroma & Room Note: The smoke aroma is akin to the tin, not leaving much of a signature behind.

Nicotine: Strong and heady

Overall: Not quite my flavor of tobacco. Not even close to the standard nutty burley taste. Try McCranie's Old Master for typically flavored burley or McClelland's Mixture X-10 Burley, or C&D 108: Pegasus.

I have to say that this had to grow on me a bit. At first it was way too much burley. But the other components did sing the right notes, so I kept on trying it once in awhile to touch base and acclimate to the burley level. There was never any doubt in my mind that the Kentucky was of the highest quality, I just don't generally care for a predominate burley flavor in my smoke. I find that it tends to overpower most of the things it's paired with.

After a few months, I did fall victim to it's siren song. The strong Kentucky is something that I look forward to from time to time. It has a very different taste after the 20 odd years of age. Rounder and more able to match well with the Virginia and the Perique. It did take awhile to adjust my palate to the assertveness, but this is some very tasty stuff. No place for a novice to begin, but for the more experienced smoker, a delight.

The vitamin N level is exactly where I like it. The flavor of all components marry well and I think if you are a burley lover, this will be your cup of tea. It just took me alittle longer to appreciate it.

Well, I am going to jump on the Yay's for this one. I loaded up a bowl from a freshly opened tin from 2007. I haven't tasted a tobacco quite like this one. It has a very complex layering, though there is nothing in your face except the nicotine punch. I suppose it's the Kentucky that I am finding so damn delicious. I DO get nice subtle sweetness form the Virginia that prepares me for the next puff. I guess this is what an American tobacco is all about. As for the cigarette comments; I guess this would make a very delicious one, as American ciggy's ARE the best in the world.

Just finished my first tin and find this tobacco the most unusual of all smoked. It is truly complex and delicious. I predomintly smoke virginias and vapers and this is like none other that I have ever tried. I can understand why this weed is so contriversial as well, it is not as sweet as FVF, Blakewoods, HOW, Escudo, Filmore, Embarcadaro(less sweet),Long Golden Flake,Cut Va. Plug,633 and Cairo(my favorite Va's and Vapers), it has the slightest sweetness and just a wisper of perique but wow does this blend pack a punch yet keeps it's complexity and smoothness throughout the bowl. I only purchased one tin of this tobacco dated 06, but plan to order multiple of tins for the cellar. Not a blend for the begginer or the timid, but give this blend a full tin and you too will become hooked if you can handle the above average nicotine level. I sure didnt need another tobacco in my rotation, or more tins for the cellar, but cumberland will find a spot without question. I smoked this tin going back and forth with embarcadero and find both of them truly unique and worthy of cellaring many tins.Cumberland all of the time and Embarcadero for the change of pace. Exactly what I was missing actually, great stuff if you like pure tocacco without flavoring! I forgot one word to describe this blend...creamy!!!!

Yes, it needs to be savored slowly as Mr. Pease recommends; however, that is sound advice for many pipe tobaccos. I have tried the current tin (a little over a year old) in a small Kaywoodie white briar apple, a Peterson 999 Donegal and a brand "new" 1989 Savinelli POY. It is delightful in all three.

A dedicated pipe may be a good idea or at least a pipe that is dedicated to Virginia/Burley/Perique only and small to medium bowls sizes work best for me.

I like it a lot and give it 3 1/2 stars. I guess that rounds up to 4 on this site.

I have 10 tins that have been in my cellar for as long as 6 years. I am hoping for sublime results as it ages.