Seattle Pipe Club Plum Pudding Special Reserve

Before opening the tin and and experiencing this blend, I wondered if it was going to be a punched-up version of Plum Pudding. That did not turn out to be the case. In fact, I found Plum Pudding Special Reserve to be weaker than it's stable mate, Plum Pudding. In this, I share sentiments and observations with both reviewer gladi8tor96 2017-02-20 and Criblo 2019-04-10. Like them, I waited for something above the ordinary to happen, but, it didn't. Like them, I thought it was too light a smoke to make a niche for itself in my regular rotation. Slightly confused as to what this blend was trying to be, I reached into my stash and brought out a tin of standard Plum Pudding for a side-by-side comparison. In the tin, both blends look approximately similar. I felt that the standard PP contained a slightly greater amount of the blonde component and that the background matrix was slightly darker than in PPSR. I don't know if this is significant or not, but, I noticed it. The tin aromas were very similar, but, I felt I was detecting a slightly stronger Perique aroma in the PP. Both blends have a deep base aroma with higher register aromas on top. The difference I thought I detected in those higher aromas was Perique dominated in PP and Oriental dominated in PPSR. As to their smoking qualities, I had to work harder at extracting flavor from the PPSR with no such difficulty in the PP. I finally decided that PPSR was an attenuated version of PP. Whether the blenders intended it or not, I don't know, but that's what I found. Although not bad, Plum Pudding Special Reserve does not have the magnitude nor the subtle nature of Plum Pudding and I'm sticking with the original blend - three stars.

This is a beautifully presented tobacco. A dark rich "brownie", dense and fragrant. The tin note is sour orientals and smoked Latakia in the background An exceptional Oriental forward blend. The Orientals are woody (cedar, white pine and Cyprus) they have a sour note that is more in the aroma but is also present in the smoke. The red Virginia's and I believe stoved Virginia's blend with the orientals to create a singular flavor that is quite amazing and a testament to the artistry of the blender. The sweetness and spicyness from the VA's support that woody orientals to create a fantastic flavor. This is one of a very few blends that seem to create ONE flavor as opposed to the teasing out of the individual tobacco's. I haven't mentioned the ever present Latakia and it is also expertly blended into this singular flavor, sweet and smokey Cyprian Latakia is right "behind" the Orientals but again, is really a singular flavor. I may sound as if the smoke is not complex, maybe it isn't, it doesn't seem to be the right word. The flavor is deep it deserves attention and is really a world class blend. The expert blending does seem to remove the need to search for nuance or hidden flavors (although I really can't detect the Perique but it may be there supporting the other flavor's, once again part of the artistry of this blend). This is a fantastic blend and one of my personal favorites. It barely resembles its namesake, Plum Pudding, as it to me seems far superior (and I like Plum Pudding). Get this while you can

Aged this tin out for 5yrs. Needed a great smoke out of my bulldog clinger pipe. And this tobacco delivered. This tobacco could have gone in so many directions but it did not disappoint me one bit. Had a few bowl of mmmmhhhh mediocre blends in the last few days, maybe got my pipes wrong, but I got to tell you with a Pale Ale Beer and Plum Pudding in the pipe - I had my faith renewed in great tobacco. Wish you the same. Cheers.

As the name states this is a “Special” blend. This is a very rich blend with many flavors to keep your mouth dancing. While the Cyprian Latakia is sweet, smokey, woody, and definitely commands the taste buds attention the top quality stoved Virginia’s provide a lot of dark fruit, citrus, and grass. At times this blend reminds me of that dark burnt corner off a steak that we love so much. I also really like the presentation of the tobacco. It comes in one large cube that you then break down, it’s a little moist but not too crazy, could use a few minutes to dry. This is a great blend but it’s not an all day smoke for me and definitely not for the beginner. I enjoy this after a good meal with a little bourbon. May require a few delights depending on the allotted drying time. If you like the original Plum Pudding (most do) you’ll love this.

What makes for a superb tobacco? A smooth, silky smoke where all the elements combine to create an experience that is beyond any they can produce on their own, like a symphony producing a perfectly harmonious sound. I think that is my experience of Plum Pudding Special Reserve. Other reviewers can give you the details of the different elements and their presentation. My experience is that this tobacco is complex and full of dynamic flavors, with no flavor dominating. I have not smoked the regular Plum Pudding, but will give it a try for comparison. I think the aging of some of the tobaccos lends itself the the subtlety and smoothness of this blend. Plum Pudding Special Reserve produces an incredible smooth, complex and interesting smoke till the end. A true pleasure.

This blend really is quite fantastic. I received a square 4oz cube in my tin, a solid crumble cake (slightly moist, but ready to smoke) and you can really see the compression assisted with a mingling of flavours.

So far I've had 4 or 5 bowls over the last fortnight.

Dark fired Virginias and a hint of Perique provide a sweet tang to the smoke, but the main character comes from the cavendish and sweet orientals the Latakia comes in as a smokey side-note.

I get a sweet, woody (almost porky) BBQ in essence and taste at the start of the bowl. Then the orientals power in with hints of dried fruit and brown sugar as the flavour builds. When it reaches full strength you can detect the figgy, peppery perique.

Smoke is indeed thick and creamy. I had to relight a few times (due to an inconsistent rub), but I'm going to try cube-cutting it on my next smokes. You definitely get a sweet woodsy aroma and I was complimented on the room note.

The flavour once built up is medium to full (in my opinion), and it remains consistent to the end. A really solid flavourful smoke. Not for every day, I don't think, but definitely a regular rotation. I will be ordering another few of these cubes. It would pair very nicely with a spiced or dark rum.

Inside the tin is a single 4oz block that looks like a gigantic brownie. It breaks apart easily enough so that you don't really need a knife for it and it rubs out with little effort. Special Reserve is extremely smooth and balanced. It is smoky, salty, has notes of mesquite, and some citrusy tang from the Virginias. There's also a dark, earthy, chocolate undertone and a little raisiny spice with a savory finish. There is a fair amount of tangy spice in the retro as well. Special Reserve is a decadent treat for the English and Balkan blend lover. If that is you, I highly recommend it.

Floral perfumy sweet and smokey. I have only tasted plum a couple of times.

Mouthful is thick, with lots of smoke produced.

A favourite, I detect more flavour through french inhale rather than retro-hale.

Dry it out properly.

I completely agree with Valdus - he wrote my exact thoughts about this tobacco and I wondered what was wrong with me when I first tried it out. I had smoked the regular Plum Pudding and rated it highly so you can imagine my disappointment with the Special Reserve. Its difficult to prepare because it doesnt rub well or cut well being very densely packed. It didn't burn well, bites like anything and after reading the mostly glowing reviews at Pipes and Cigars it left me wondering how my opinions could be so contrary. I write this with regret because its a truthful evaluation and I hoped I wasn't alone.