I'm a country boy, grew up in the home counties and the smell of pipe tobacco was never far away. I now live in the North of England and enjoy all outdoors pursuits - hiking, camping, adventures in general and country crafts. I smoke a variety of Briars, Meerschaums and a Calabash, occasionally clays and even a German Porcelain now and then. My tastes in tobaccos are English mixtures, Virginia flakes, Virginia & Perique, and the classic British scented flakes and plugs, sometimes twists. I'll go through phases of smoking mostly one or the other class of the above, but I do like to mix it up and as well, my selection of tobacco varies with the seasons. I generally don't like heavily cased Cavendish aromatics. My reviews are mostly for my own records and amusement, but for those who might make use of them, here's how I approach star ratings. 4 stars has to be really outstanding. 1 star means the tobacco has some significant defect that I can't overcome. The other two are in between - I do have broad tastes and appreciate that others might really enjoy a blend that I only found "so so". I have to say, even a 1 star review doesn't mean I won't buy it again - sometimes I feel compelled to give it another go!