The crumble cake is a nice change from ribbon/loose cut tobacco, or even flakes, and this one rubs out quite nicely. Packing the bowl gently yields an easy light, and the flavor of the high-quality VA's is readily apparent. I tend to smoke this in a Hackert cob, and it burns well to the bottom of the bowl.

I really enjoy this blend, it's a very well made offering, with a nice, clean tobacco flavor. I find myself smoking this more often, where it tends to be the only blend in my current rotation that has me slow down and savor the experience. That's saying something...

TonyC

It's interesting how different smokers tastebuds are different. Unlike some smokers, I found nary a trace of sweetness in this blend. It was a rich, robust red VA flavor but it seemed tempered with burley, as it was more earthy. Not sure how they accomplished that with just VA's. This is the cigarette/cigar of pipe tobaccos, not because it tastes like one but because it had a similar mouth feel. It would be a high quality cigarette like the old Sobranies (without the condiment tobaccos, of course) or a mild, thin-guaged cigar, such as a panatela. As the bowl progressed, the flavor became richer and more cigar-like. This was like no other virginia blend I've ever smoked, and at the right times, it was fantastic. I don't see this in my regular rotation but it would make a nice occasional companion. This would smoke great outside in the fall, as the richness of the flavor would be subtly subdued. Interesting, unique blend. Try it if you think you know virginia. It may surprise you as it did me!

Upon opening the jar I stuck my nose right to the rim to catch whatever it had to offer. I was teated with a nice full aroma, earthy, full, kind of smell but nothing too light. Pleasant just the same. I smoked this right away wihout any drying. The krumble kake broke up rather nicely. I broke up a handful and into my palm then let it gravity feed into the bowl of my 1970's Ben Wade freehand. I figured that an ancient well cared for briar would do a C&D blend justice and it did just fine. Possibly drying it out a bit might bring out the sweetness a bit like it does with other straight VA's. Maybe I'll do that next time I fill a bowl with Briar Fox. I'm smoking this alone right now so the room note I can't say much about but since it's a VA it can't be anything less than pleasant. Still wondering what gives it the body that it has bein's it a VA and in my experience I've known them to be lighter.

Taste to me here is nothing to write home about though I'm not complaining. As a matter of fact I think it's something that might oughtta be called something like a backwoods sort of name. It just seems like it has a full mountain 'air' about it with a pretty fair Nic Hit to it about halfway down the bowl. I'll rate this blend about THREE stars here.

Presented as a crumble cake, briar fox couldn't be easier, or more fun, to rub out and load. No knife needed, just tear off a suitably sized flake and rub out completely, or stuff straight into the bowl. Consists mostly of Red Va, with some bright leaf and just a few fleck of very dark, almost black leaf. This stuff was born to burn. Easily, it is the best burning tobacco I have yet to smoke and it does so very dry at that. When I purchased the tin, I was lucky enough to catch a review that mentioned direct correspondence with Craig Tarler wherein he recommended aging the blend six months in the tin. At first I was bummed, my gratification needing substantial delay, but I waited the requisite period and I'm glad I did. I wonder if folks who didn't enjoy the blend would have had a better experience with a little age. I can imagine it being a bit bitter without properly developed sugars.

Because this blend is more earthy than any other Va's I've smoked, I suspected perhaps a small amount of burley. I checked into it by asking someone who would definitely know and from his response I assume that there is almost nothing but Va's. Very impressive. There is a noticeable sweetness, but less so than opening night. Apparently, it was developed by Craig and Peter Heeschen with Peter's briars in mind. These guys know there stuff, in my opinion.

Briar Fox is tangy, earthy, and sweet with a quick, dry finish. It has a little nicotine, but not enough to satisfy someone who likes a kick in the stomach. That isn't me, so I do fine with it. Flavor wise, I could still recommend this to folks who prefer burley over VA due to that rustic, earthiness that characterizes the blend. Alas, it is still a "VA show" and for that it gets my hearty endorsement.

Maximum star value for this smoker.

This is an excellent Virginia

This is a cake that comes pretty dry, not too dry, rather dryer than most virginias. It was rehydrated with "sterile" water from a lab. It hydrated very well to its original moisture level. I load it by breaking small chunks and dropping right into the bowl with loose tobacco placed on top.

Its appearance is mostly yellow and tan with a little dark brown tobacco. Even with the aging there is no crystallized sugar appreciated.

It is a very tasty virginia that has a pure VA taste. I agree with some reviews that it is a more "woodsy" taste which I remember very well. I'm not sure if it is the aging of the tobacco, but it does have a more sweet VA taste than I remember. But, a nutty taste is still somewhat dominant and very welcomed as a bit of a change of pace from my usual VAs. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys VA tobaccos and will always keep some in my cellar.

I would be interested to know if any burley is hidden in this blend. If it i,s it only compliments the VAs which are the dominant player in Briar Fox.

As with all C&D tobacco, there is no doubt this is quality leaf. The tin note is enticing. The little pressed brick presentation is also quite nice.

This tobacco needs a bit of drying IMO. Right out of a new tin, it is on the moist side and it becomes obvious that it can use a bit of age to smooth it out.

Without going into too much detail, I will suffice it to say that I was not a fan of this blend. After opening the tin, and giving it several months to smooth out, I find it harsh and bitter at times. It burns hot and certainly causes a bit of tongue bite. Overall I find this blend hot, harsh and bitey.

I will not be buying this one again. Sorry C&D, they can't all be perfect.

The sweet Virginia taste satisfies my palate and tongue. The nicotine level is just my favorite and it kicks when I reach the half of the bowl.

A must have in cellar. I am sure it will age great.

Happy Puffin'

Update: It's growing on me. I tried something interesting. I pulled off a square piece of the cake and did not rub it out. Instead, I stuffed it whole into my largest bowled pipe, a cool handmade cherry. Then I sprinkled the top with finely rubbed tobacco so I could get it lit. It smoked for almost an hour and was quite tasty! I will experiment some more.

1-11-10 OK time to upgrade this one. In less than five months opened, all of the harshness I originally noted has disappeared, and it is one of the tastier Virginias I have smoked. I don't know if everyone will have the same experience, but for me letting it stand a while really did the trick. It has everything I want in a Virginia; no bite, complexity, notes of dried fruit, improves towards the end. Drier is better with this tobacco, but I could see buying 8oz fresh and letting it dry slowly in a mason jar. I would give it two stars indeed! Doesn't fit my personal tastes, how could I? Sometimes first impressions aren't correct.

1-22-10 Finishing the tin, not all of the bowls were four-star. I didn't get another bowl like the one which caused me to upgrade. Forget which pipe I smoked it in; maybe that is it. No need to take the star back-if it smoked like that once, it could again. I guess this tobacco is what they call "temperamental."

Its cruble cake, pressed like a cube...Rubbed it out and easy to charge your pipe...Tobacco almost dry, its very good...

When i smoke first bowl i say its not %100 virginia, like added some difrent stuff...But after that smoke i feel pure virginia and some sugar...There is no bite (if you smoke like a ferry its not too :) )

I asked for Craig from C&H how to be quick aging for this beauty...He says there is no...And send to me some notes for Briar Fox :

"This blend is mostly Virginias and it will age, brining out the sugars. About six months from the date on the bottom of the tin should do it. Just do not open the tin. "

Thanx C&H for this beauty and elegance tobacco...

The tin aroma of this thick-cut crumble cake is woody, grassy, and earthy with a slight tang of VA ferment.

The flavor is sweet, but not penetratingly so, with a low-key, husky, and slightly grassy character devoid of brightness, nuance, or variation. It has a good nicotine punch.

Rustic and tasty, Briar Fox is a moderately rich VA which would satisfy those looking for a no fuss VA which is flavorsome and smooth. Though this was always a mellow blend, aging has broadened this characteristic slightly. This went best in a narrow to medium gauge chamber.

I have a large selection of pipes and tobaccos.

One thing that I learned from these posts on Briar Fox is that it is important to puff slowly with this particular Virginia Crumble Kake. As soon as I tried it with the new attitude Briar Fox came into it's true potential as a role in my rotation. It becomes light with subtle flavors that make it an easy relaxing joy, which pipe smoking is for me. Also I think it is better in smaller pipe bowls, because puffing slowly I can get an hour out of one pipe full.

Very good quality Va. for Virginia pro.

The tobacco is very dry, so I have to smoke it rubbed out whether I like it or not.

My biggest issue with this tobacco is the consistency of taste throughout the bowl. It starts out well enough but gets more bitter as the bowl goes on. I have tried new pipes and carefully cleaned pipes and I still get the same result. I also find that DGT does not work well with this blend either.

Actually, when I smoke straight Virginia tobacco, I prefer some sweetness such as found in McClelland #27, Dark Star or Christmas Cheer. There is very little sweetness here.

It is not a bad tobacco, I am just less impressed every time I smoke it. Maybe a 4 or 5 year old tin will yield better results for me.