It starts with a vanilla flavor that doesn't hide the nutty tobacco undertones. By mid-bowl, much of the vanilla casing has burned away, but the blend still has wonderful flavor, with toasted tobacco flavors playing a stronger role in the second half. The blend burns to a nice, gray ash and requires few relights.

And yes, as others have noted, the room note is phenomenal.

This blend would be part of my regular rotation if I didn't save it as a special holiday treat during cold winter months.

EXTREME CAUTION!!! Do not get any of this stuff on your forehead because your tongue will slap your brains out trying to lick it off.

By the way; If I did not make myself clear - I really like this stuff!!!

Special tho, it isn't.

It fits in with a whole host of aromatics that put lie to the traditional consideration of aromatics as fit only for rank amateurs who have not developed the taste and palate to appreciate otherwise. Actually, there are so many tobaccos equal to this one, that choice is difficult. Boswell has many such from which to choose.

Today is the Day of fine aromatics that match well alongside the other tobacco blends....and exemplifies the fact that all tobaccos are...aromatics.

After a few bowls of Christmas Cookie, I find it to be quite a cool, medium flavored smoke. It didn't smoke wet AT ALL and burned down to a very fine, white ash. The middle of the bowl is thus far my favorite part of the bowl. It just seems, to me, that the flavor really comes out at that point.

I think if you're an aromatic smoker, you owe it to yourself to try this and the other Boswell blends.

I say this to give perspective to those who may read this.

That out of the way....

This was the first blend I've tried of Boswell and I'm definitely pleased with their blending ability. The blend packs and lights well. Remains lit and as far as aromatics go, doesn't really burn too hot(ie. little to not bite). I got mine out the pouch as soon as I could and put it into a nice glass jar to give it a little breathing room. I generally do this with anything I order in bulk to get it out the bag/pouch. I have to say though, not too wet and very smokable right away.

It's not a coincidence I'm trying this around the approaching Christmas holiday. But hey, why not. If you can't smoke a blend called Christmas Cookie now, when can you?

The tobacco arrived and I decided to load up a bowl of Christmas Cookie in a filtered pipe, as I tend to do with all aromatics. In the pouch, the aroma is a delightful vanilla with caramelized accents. The tobacco is a mix of fine ribbon cut golden Cavendish with some larger chunks of black Cavendish (I'd estimate the ratio to be about 70/30). The tobacco is easy to work with, though a little bit moist. A short quarter hour drying period was all it needed for me.

Smoking this tobacco was a genuine pleasure. The smoke is mild with a vanilla custard or crème brulée quality that smells beautiful and is oddly comforting as well. In the filtered pipe, the smoke was dry and biteless. Over the course of a long weekend, I plowed through the entire ounce and enjoyed every bowl.

Like most aromatics, Christmas Cookie is decidedly short on nicotine, and so many smokers will find it wanting in that important area. But it's a lovely change of pace and just the kind of dry, bite-free smoke that those who like the smell of aromatics but dislike their smoking properties might enjoy. Highly recommended as a change of pace.