Seattle Pipe Club Plum Pudding Special Reserve
(3.47)
Plum Pudding SPECIAL RESERVE ~ For years, Master Blender Joe Lankford wanted to make a Special Reserve Edition of Plum Pudding. But he waited. How to improve upon perfection? The rarest leaf helped created the result. Pressed in cakes, aged longer and cut into plugs for you to slice or crumble as you desire. This is Joe’s favorite way to enjoy pressed tobacco. Complex, smoky, spicy and still positively addictive. Nirvana. Enjoy this special plug cut of six rare ingredients: Latakia joins with Turkish Orientals, Virginias, Cavendish and Perique.
Details
| Brand | Seattle Pipe Club |
| Blended By | Joe Lankford |
| Manufactured By | Sutliff Tobacco Company |
| Blend Type | Balkan |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Latakia, Oriental/Turkish, Perique, Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Plug |
| Packaging | 4 ounce tin |
| Country | United States |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.47 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 51 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2017 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This was graciously gifted to me by a very amazing pipe maker (DragonBriars). It smelled amazing in the bag. It was a generous chunk off the main cake/plug. It seemed to be the perfect level of moisture. I could smell the latakia but also some spice from the orientals, plenty of wood and earth, and a hint of tang.
It was easy to rub out and load into my pipe. Two matches/lights is all it takes to get this one rolling and keep it going. I didn't have to relight once.
I'll state this upfront. This is a very good tobacco blend, but it seems too mild. I don't know how to describe it other than it left me wanting it to be more bold or rich, less soft and elusive. The flavors are more than well balanced and it reminded me of Margate or Penzance, but more subdued and reserved. It is very oriental forward though the latakia is present in the smoke and plays well off the oriental spice, sourness, and woody flavors. There is some sweetness to it, but very naturally light. The flavors are so good and compliment each other so well. With each puff I just kept on waiting for it to really 'open up', or deliver, and sadly it never did. I tried multiple pipes with the same result. Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing tobacco and I do recommend it. I'm still can't quite give it 4 stars, but it's more like a 3.5+ to me.
It reminded me of Neo in the movie 'The Matrix', when he is talking with the Oracle. He says, "I'm not The One...." and she responds with, "Sorry kid! You've got the gift, but it seems you are waiting on something.".
I'm going to try Plum Pudding soon so I can give a comparison between this blend and that one.
It was easy to rub out and load into my pipe. Two matches/lights is all it takes to get this one rolling and keep it going. I didn't have to relight once.
I'll state this upfront. This is a very good tobacco blend, but it seems too mild. I don't know how to describe it other than it left me wanting it to be more bold or rich, less soft and elusive. The flavors are more than well balanced and it reminded me of Margate or Penzance, but more subdued and reserved. It is very oriental forward though the latakia is present in the smoke and plays well off the oriental spice, sourness, and woody flavors. There is some sweetness to it, but very naturally light. The flavors are so good and compliment each other so well. With each puff I just kept on waiting for it to really 'open up', or deliver, and sadly it never did. I tried multiple pipes with the same result. Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing tobacco and I do recommend it. I'm still can't quite give it 4 stars, but it's more like a 3.5+ to me.
It reminded me of Neo in the movie 'The Matrix', when he is talking with the Oracle. He says, "I'm not The One...." and she responds with, "Sorry kid! You've got the gift, but it seems you are waiting on something.".
I'm going to try Plum Pudding soon so I can give a comparison between this blend and that one.
Pipe Used:
Dragon Briar Poker, Sav. billard, Hawkbill
PurchasedFrom:
Gifted
Age When Smoked:
Unknown
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 28, 2022 | Medium | None Detected | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
Tin note: Smokey beef jerky. Smoke: slow cool. A little difficult to start but then the ember stays lit very well. Extremely smooth. First impression is strong incense. Minty orientals. Surprisingly sweet. Medium nicotine (noticeable but definitely not going to knock you down). Umami. Less heavy than I expected. You need like 2 hours to smoke a bowl. Also smoother and more complex. Downside: makes you smell like a smoker.
Pipe Used:
Brigham 47, Rossi 8626, Ropp billiard
PurchasedFrom:
Online
Age When Smoked:
New tin
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 24, 2021 | Very Mild | None Detected | Very Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is a subtle, sophisticated blend for pipe smokers with a refined palate. Unfortunately, that is not me.
The good news first: this is a remarkably smooth and mild blend (could easily be smoked before a meal) that smokes astonishingly cool. I don't think it warmed up my briar much more than room temperature after smoking it for 45 minutes. It also burns long--a half bowl will burn as long, if not longer, than a full bowl of most tobacco.
The bad news: I had a difficult time detecting much flavor at all from this. I got the delicate orientals, but that was about it. Every so often I would get the faintest touch of Virginia or Latakia, but it was very ethereal. I couldn't detect any cavendish, and certainly no perique spiciness. It was a overall a pretty dull experience.
I've smoked several bowls now, each time hoping to find what so many are raving about. I haven't found it. I have no doubt that the true tobacco connoisseur will be able to detect and enjoy what my boorish palate cannot. As for me, I'd take a "beat me over the head" lat-bomb to this blend any day.
Edit: After trying this off and on for a few more months, I'm dropping it down from 2 stars to 1. I've tried it at every time of day, in every weather, in every pipe I own, and every time I am extremely disappointed. I may be just a palate-less sheep, but I get almost no flavor or enjoyment from this. Both "Seattle Evening," with its oriental sourness, and "Hood Canal," with its heavier Latakia, are far superior Seattle Pipe Club blends.
The good news first: this is a remarkably smooth and mild blend (could easily be smoked before a meal) that smokes astonishingly cool. I don't think it warmed up my briar much more than room temperature after smoking it for 45 minutes. It also burns long--a half bowl will burn as long, if not longer, than a full bowl of most tobacco.
The bad news: I had a difficult time detecting much flavor at all from this. I got the delicate orientals, but that was about it. Every so often I would get the faintest touch of Virginia or Latakia, but it was very ethereal. I couldn't detect any cavendish, and certainly no perique spiciness. It was a overall a pretty dull experience.
I've smoked several bowls now, each time hoping to find what so many are raving about. I haven't found it. I have no doubt that the true tobacco connoisseur will be able to detect and enjoy what my boorish palate cannot. As for me, I'd take a "beat me over the head" lat-bomb to this blend any day.
Edit: After trying this off and on for a few more months, I'm dropping it down from 2 stars to 1. I've tried it at every time of day, in every weather, in every pipe I own, and every time I am extremely disappointed. I may be just a palate-less sheep, but I get almost no flavor or enjoyment from this. Both "Seattle Evening," with its oriental sourness, and "Hood Canal," with its heavier Latakia, are far superior Seattle Pipe Club blends.
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 07, 2017 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Another well balanced blend. Has a combination of sweet, spicy, robust and smokiness, that as I mentioned is very well balanced. If you are into English blends, you should like this one. If you are not into English blends, you should try this one as the latakia there, but not in an overwhelming manner. I won't say this is a gateway English, but it would be a great introduction.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 19, 2023 | Medium to Strong | None Detected | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
All that I will add to the body of praise for this blend is that after five years of aging, I find it far more satisfying than similarly aged Penzance — so much so that my stock of the latter will gather dust so long as I can reach for this instead!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 10, 2022 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
(For Special Reserve Flake): As others have also mentioned, the hype peaked my curiosity, so I took the plunge. The perception of various tobacco notes and nuances is a very subjective thing. For this blend, we all seem to recognize certain dominant notes consistently, and I concur with many of the positive points. However, based on my palate and tobacco-tuned taste buds, I noticed a few negative points throughout several bowls. At the top of the bowl, everything seemed chaotic and uncertain. Like a shape-shifting creature trying hard to not be detected. What dominated for me at this early stage was 'soap'. No matter how hard it tried to mimic something more naturally floral and agreeable, it didn't succeed in convincing me. It tasted artificial. This continued through the first 2-thirds of each bowl. Thankfully, the last 1-third is far more pleasant, BUT, in my opinion, there are better Balkans out there that deliver a more consistent and pleasing experience from top to bottom. I'm going to let this age for a few more months and then try again later.
Pipe Used:
Lorenzetti Constantine bent apple
PurchasedFrom:
Walper Tobacco Shop (Canada's oldest tobacconist)
Age When Smoked:
2-3 months
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 17, 2022 | Strong | Very Strong | Medium to Full | Tolerable to Strong |
One of my regulars, but this is actually a review of the Bourbon Barrel aged. The Plum Pudding Reserve is great. The Bourbon variety is too. The virtue of the Bourbon Barrel is that there aint nothing else I am aware of that has this combo. It is an excellent change of pace and I love it. Be aware that the Bourbon flavor is not subtle. At first it can dominate. I tend to smoke this sort of thing in a big pipe. I find that as I work down that the Bourbon moves into the background. This will never be a daily smoke, but I like it so much as a change that I recently stocked up.
PurchasedFrom:
?
Age When Smoked:
At least a year
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 13, 2022 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Very Mild | Pleasant |
I’ll not add anything to the reviews as far as the roles the various components play or their respective flavors. The other reviews are more than sufficient for that. The tin note is wonderful. The look and condition of the pressed leaf is consistent with the high quality as advertised. The aroma is fine. The only element missing for me is strength of flavor. The flavor is incredibly nuanced as described by the other reviewers, there’s just not enough of it by half for my tastes. Even after a few years of aging, the flavor is weak. The perique, specifically, does tend to come through more strongly as you get near the end of the bowl. It’s its most redeemed quality that earns the third star. If you like a gentle, subtle symphony of Balkan goodness, this will be your 4-star blend. Respect. If, like me, you want flavor on your tongue as much as in your nostrils, it’s not quite worth the premium, but blended with something with strong flavor can become something great.
Pipe Used:
Several
PurchasedFrom:
Pipes and cigars dot com
Age When Smoked:
New to a few years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Jun 06, 2022 | Strong | None Detected | Full | Tolerable to Strong |
The world does not need another Plum Pudding review. I was ready for this to be overrated. But honestly it's like nothing I've ever tasted before, and just left me wanting more. So much going on, but in a perfectly balanced way that just works. Maybe someday I'll get bored of it. As for now it's my go-to when I want a special, complex tobacco.
The Special Reserve is everything great about the original, but smoothed out. It's the 18 year old version of that 12 year old scotch you love. Deeper and richer, but also somehow muted. Not necessarily "better," but the original is hard to improve upon.
The Special Reserve is everything great about the original, but smoothed out. It's the 18 year old version of that 12 year old scotch you love. Deeper and richer, but also somehow muted. Not necessarily "better," but the original is hard to improve upon.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 04, 2022 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Tin note is wonderful sweet Latakia and spice. Thoughts of and anticipation of the great smoke immediately come to mind. I had to cut my plug into pieces to fit it in a jar. Its actually is a lot of tobacco. I rubbed out enough for a bowl and let it sit out for a few hours. It was still a bit moist but fine to smoke. This is one of my top 4 blends of all time. If you like Latakia this is for you. Too many flavors for my palate to distinguish but this is a very complex blend with a lot going on. It defiantly takes Plum pudding to a whole new level. Smokes great, hard puffed or sipped it wont bite. Nic hit is medium, flavor is full and amazing. In reading the other reviews. This is a true English blend all tobacco flavors with some Virginia and cavendish for sweetness I would probably suggest this for non aromatic smokers and Latakia with Oriental lovers. I have many tins stored and aged 2011 vintage its perfect. For me its an all day smoke and well worth the extra cost. If I could give it 5 stars I would.
Pipe Used:
custom cob
PurchasedFrom:
friend
Age When Smoked:
12 years
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