Not normally a VA smoker as my name would suggest, I was only able to compare it to two other straight VAs. Those other two were also highly rated on here, so I feel comfortable giving this one four stars.

I have found I really like the VAs used in all of the Esoterica blends. There is a subtle sweetness that is left in the back of mouth with each puff. I notice this in ASTB and Dorcester as well.

I plan on buying more of this and will be interested if a new tin has a different taste than what I encountered with this first tin. If anything changes then so will this review.

btw . . . Tin smell is heavenly, perhaps best I have ever experienced.

In the tin, it smells lovely. Many reviews have already described the wonderful aromas and the promises of a great smoke to come. It's a bit wet and along with the shaggy cut, makes it a little difficult to load. It dries out relatively quickly though and once you understand it's moisture, you can get it to load and light pretty easily.

I divide my smoking experience with Tilbury into two phases. The first is a relatively mild virginia smoke - a little sweetness and a bread-like savory taste with ample smoke. Smoked slowly and thoughtfully, it's pleasant enough, if understated. After the rich tin aroma, I'd hoped for something more though.

The second phase is that in which the burley becomes more pronounced. The flavor becomes characteristically nuttier and flatter. My experience with Burleys has always been thus. While not unpleasant, I just find it boring, What the matured Virginias have to offer seems almost entirely covered up by the Burley.

All in all, it's a decent smoke. The quality of the leaf seems good. There are no unpleasant flavors or aromas and the consistency of the smoking experience tell me that much. The "potency" of the smoke is another issue. I don't have the highest tolerance for nicotine, but I can smoke this without fear of dizziness, which makes me wonder.

There are numerous other VA's out there to try, most of which I think I'll enjoy more than this VA/Burley blend. I probably won't ever get through the tin I have because of boredom, let alone purchase another. Still, I'm certain that others like it just fine, as the reviews indicate. I think it's just not my cup of tea.

Update: Sweet milk chocolate to Stonehaven's dark. I smoke this every day all day in a tiny Dublin that takes 10 minutes to clear. This stuff is it for me. I alternate with Dunbar depending on mood and weather. Cloudy: Tilbury; Sunny: Dunbar.

There's only one drawback in my mind: it does not like tamping out, pocketing and relighting later. Gets bitter, not sweet.

Tin note: very mild, little aroma. It is on the dry side when the seal is broken.

Like any predominantly Virginia blend, it bites like hell if you smoke it too fast.

Nicotine is strong, and is probably the main attraction of this blend.

Very subtle, very mild sweetness to the smoke. Flavor is consistent through the entire pipe.

Again, my tin was not aged, and a little dryer than optimal.

Comparisons: stronger nicotine and less sweet than Tordenskjold Virginia Slices, not as strong as Union Square. And in overall quality, not even in the same league with the Virginia blends from McClelland. I can imagine that this blend might become a favorite for some. But it shouldn't. There are many better Virginias in the world.

We come here to read the opinion of others and find only a mix bag adding more questions. Few reviews actually describe anything useful. So, I give my two bits on Teilbury. I am going to stock up after posting this review.

THIS IS A LOVE STORY: Tilbury is a true Virginia mellowed and sweetened naturally. You may not please a crowd with the aroma from the Tin or in the Pipe. However, it is clean and smooth to the last ember. It has some salt taste and some sweetness. The most realistic description I can provide for this tasty smoke is: “The flavor reminds me of the butter from the love area of the woman that got away.”

PIPE AND PACKING: Tilbury is better in a Meerschaum Pipe. I found plain Virginia and also English blends do better in a true Meerschaum Pipe of medium to large size (Group C bowl). Save the Briar for the candy tobaccos.

Esotarica brand has a great shelf life because it is a bit wet from the Tin. Let dry for about ten minutes before packing in the Pipe. With a little time in the fresh air it is easy packing and will remain lit without effort.

BITE AND NICOTINE: Smoked “normally” in a good pipe Tilbury does not have a bite. However, I found this tobacco to be so good that I have a tendency to draw harder to suck it to the Tung.

As for the nicotine content, I do not find Tilbury to be stronger than plain blending Virginia. Unlike Cavendish or sugared blends, I do not have a desire for a Cigarette after a nice bowel of this lovable branded blend.

COMPARED TO MARGATE: Tilbury has no LATAKIA. I find the aroma is better. The first 50 puffs are better than Margate. Something in Margate needs to burn off before it gets sweet. Tilbury is good from the beginning to the end. Tilbury does not have the spice twang of Margate. Tilbury adds more of that salty sweetness.

Try this Brand in my favorite blend: I invite you to try a blending that includes this brand. My favorite late day PM mixture was developed after years of play. Full English lovers may truly enjoy the creamy sweet sensations with a Nicotine level that will satisfy that Cigarette craving. Blend only the listed Brands as substitution do not provide the same fantastic result. Hope you enjoy.

Rev. Ballard’s PM Blend of Brands –English Medium-Full Strength, Cool Burning, No Bite, Sweet

2oz- Esoterica TILBURY, 1oz-(2oz Sweeter)McClelland Bulk BLENDING LATAKIA, 2oz- McClelland Bulk BLENDED TURKISH RIBBON, 2oz- McClelland Bulk 5100 RED CAKE, - DEER TONGUE. (Optional,-Sparingly = A few granules top loaded in the pipe or, one half teaspoon ground powder added to 1 pound tobacco)

The addition of a VERY SPARING amount of Deer Tung is optional. Deer Tung in this mixture adds a feeling of freshness and will provide a great aroma for the girls.

HINT:

Check your Pipe for leaks. Puffing air can screw up any great tobacco. Cover the bowl with your hand to seal and blow in the mouthpiece. If it leaks, sell it to the next sucker…

To please the crowd try adding a pinch of DEER TONGUE. “TOP OFF THE BOWL”. Most people enjoy the aroma. Some smokers enjoy the flavor. But, I just “top off”, add this at the top of the bowl before lighting. By topping off with Deer Tung the room fills with the aroma. Once it burns off you can enjoy the rest without public objections.

POSITION: A Pipe smoker of many years. No tobacco sales or relations.

EDIT: Upping this one to 3 stars. A year of age on my tin has served it well, and the "unremarkable" flavors I noted in my first review grow more pronounced and interesting in the second half of the smoke. What begins as a clean, almost ethereal tobacco flavor develops into a fine medium-bodied Virgina finish.

My first few bowls were very frustrating and unpleasant, primarily because my packing technique was off with this fine a ribbon. But despite such horrible smokes, I was still able to discern some quality flavor. So I stuck with it. And I'm really glad I did!

Once I got my packing technique down it stayed lit beautifully. The more I smoked it, the more I appreciated its clean, pure tobacco flavor. In this sense it reminds me of FVF; but Tilbury, for me, has more nuance, with the Burley adding a delightful nuttiness.

I hadn't found a Burley blend I liked until this one. Tilbury has become one of my favorite smokes. This is the real deal for natural tobacco flavor. A wonderful Virginia/Burley blend. Highly recommended.

The problem is, that same glowing review can be given ( and has been by me ) to any number of other like blends. It doesn't really have anything wrong with it, it just doesn't have any special qualities that cannot be found in any number of others. Therefore, 3 stars.

If this is a tobacco that you especially like, it will age well. Buy pounds and cellar. If you haven't tried it, by all means do, just don't be suprised to think, 'I seem to find this familiar'.