Let's light our pipe. I cannot say I taste something, the taste is very flat actually and sometimes it tends to taste bad. Should you puff quickly you'll get a nice tongue bite, so be carefull! The room note is nice and pleasant though...

Overall:

If you are really into aromatics, try this tobacco, it may end up as one of your favourites.

If you don't like aromatics very much or you hate them, avoid this tobacco.

I bought this stuff a few of years ago and set it aside when I began experimenting with English and Balkan blends.

I still enjoy smoking aromatics for variety and because I love the way they smell.

I recently picked up a Savinelli estate buy on ebay that smokes like an absolute dream. As an experiment I smoked a vanilla-cased cavindesh blend prior to lighting up a bowl of connoisseurs choice.

Here's what I finally realized (after some experience) about this tobacco: it smokes really hot.

The difference in temperature of the two was noticeable and startling. This stuff literally felt like hot steam on my tongue.

It's no wonder I always got the worst tongue bite smoking this when I first started (ah well, at least now I know.)

Anyway, if you're going to smoke it, use caution and definitely don't smoke it too fast because your tongue will pay the price.

3/26/12 I pulled this one out from behind the cellar to give it another go. I still agree with my above review , however I picked up some bitterness and bite. Will not buy again.

The only things keeping me from awarding this one four stars are its tendency to burn a bit hot (not like those bowls of hot coals from Mac Dante's Inferno, but a bit too hot never-the-less) and that the flavorings seem to pretty much burn off by the the second half of the bowl.

Aromatic lovers should definitely give this a try.

While I recommend this blend, I must say that I will not be purchasing anymore. Why? Because I have not found a tin of this sold for under $10 anywhere in the U.S. And for that amount, there are simply plenty of other great aromatics, such as some of the Boswell or Stokkebye blends, that you can buy in bulk, taste and smoke just as good, and you will receive more than twice the amount of tobacco for less than what you paid for this tin. If this was sold in bulk at a better price, I'd be willing to purchase it again.

I have spent the last few weeks smoking nearly nothing but the new Master-Pease, Jack Knife Plug. After being inundated with that flavor for so long, I was ready for something relaxing and different.

I remembered this tin of Connoisseur's Choice that I had opened a while ago and never really smoked -- I guess life just got in the way.

I opened the tin and saw what looked like a firework display against the night sky: reds and golds, all dancing gracefully against a black background.

Taking a sniff, I was transported to a beach with white sand and clear, blue water, where a scantily clothed vixen handed me a drink served in a halved coconut, with a little umbrella sticking out of the top. That's the aroma I got.

Oddly, the smell of the tin made me nervous. So often, I smell an aromatic that teases and entices, only to find that the smoke, A) Doesn't live up to the smell of the tin, or B) I am flooded by syrup in smoke form. Luckily, Connoisseur's Choice delivered without leaving me feeling like I had just finished a serving of maple syrup with a side of pancakes. Rolling the smoke around in my mouth, I was reminded once more of that vixen and the coconut drink, and I had to try very hard to resist drinking up the smoke. I tasted vanilla and fruit -- mango? maybe even banana? -- and rum as I exhaled.

The smoke burned quite nicely into ash, leaving no dottle.

Leaving the room for a moment after the smoke, I was pleased to discover my smoking-area deliciously inviting.

I look forward to my next bowl of this blend. I don't think that my affinity for this blend makes me a "Connoisseur", but rather someone who appreciates luxury and beaches with white sand.

Much like a 'Tropical Balti', there's a lot going on, and I wondered initially if it was going to come together, or become a novelty that would wear off quickly. In fact, it's grown on me, it's a pleasant, fruity, sweet vanilla, fairly light, cool burning treat after dinner, a second dessert if you like. My wife (not normally a fan) on room note: 'Aaah, that one smells lovely'.

Update: After smoking it for a while my enthusiasm has cooled down somewhat as I've found myself increasingly warming up to English blends. Still a fair choice for a firing squad smoke though. I find it best enjoyed smoked as slowly as possible.