Benson & Hedges Special (Mellow) Virginia

Thank god for this tobacco. Unlike nearly all of the pipe tobaccos youre going to come across who claim to be 'mild' this one actually is and that is a rare thing indeed. If like me you are quite sensitive to harsh tobaccos then this little beauty could be the answer. A cool clean smoke with a pleasant aroma that does not leave any nasty lasting taste. The sort of thing you can smoke all day and not really notice a after taste. A good, cheap, well burning and reliable brand. Go for it. And I dont work for em either 🙂

Mild Virginia is an excellent choice when looking for a cheap, uncomplicated smoke. In spite of its name, it has nothing to do with the bygone excellent Benson & Hedges pipe tobaccos, such as Cut Plug, Sullivan?s Mixture or the wonderful Original Virginia Flake (IMO one of the best tobaccos there ever was).

This is a more commercial product, blended by Rothmans or Odgen?s of Liverpool, and together with St. Bruno, Clan, and Erinmore, it can easily be found in any news stand or Deli, anywhere in England. Ready rubbed, the tobacco is mainly light brown, with some darker strands thrown in, very soft and silky (not syrupy). It is easy to pack, it tends to burn cool, and it has a nice, nutty flavour. The room aroma is quite agreeable (to the point that non smokers would actually praise it) and subtle, dissipating quickly. For more experienced smokers, this tobacco would be a trifle bland, and not at all a memorable smoke. Then again, it is an excellent choice for beginners.

Think of it as an upgraded Gold Block, or the English version of American drug store blends.

(N.B.: for some reason my Tantric ID was obliterated from my review, the first one for this tobacco, so I have posted it again)

I was wary of buying this baccy simply because it was a B+H product which brought back bad memories of very bland cigarettes. I needn't have worried though. Upon opening the pouch I sniffed the contents and was pleasantly surprised......vanilla was the prominent aroma for me with just a hint of citrus fruit.

Packing was a doddle as it is more of a ribbon cut than a ready rubbed though it was a tad overly moist for my liking which seems the way with most baccys I have bought.

Fired it up and tugged away until I got a decent burn in the bowl. The vanilla I smelled in the pouch was still there and mid bowl a nutty/woody taste became very apparent which was very pleasant.

A couple of relights were required to keep the party going though I have since aired it for an hour or so and subsequent bowls have rarely needed a relight.

An altogether very smokable blend that I will certainly be coming back to.

This was my first OTC tobacco I've bought since smoking pipes, I wasn't too keen at first. As a new pipe smoker who usually goes for flavoured tobacco, I thought this would be a bit too harsh for me. I was right..! I got the dreaded tongue bite and a harsh taste in my mouth. I usually smoke hard and fast on my walk to work. After nearly giving up on mellow Virginia I thought I needed a new approach to smoking it. I decided to take long draws at a slower rate, and hey presto...I could taste the sweet nutty flavour without tongue bite and it tasting harsh. Now I really like it, especially the sweetness of the tobacco. One other thing I found though is it doesn't smoke/light too well outside. Maybe that's something else I need to practice on. But it's the perfect inside smoke at a decent price. It is something I would buy again..!

Not a blend I normally would have sought out -- I admit, all the old commercials on youtube from the 60s-80s made me curious. 30 years ago, I would have likely loved this mild and yes mellow blend: a hint of caramel over the mild and perhaps somewhat basic tobacco blend but not overly sweet, and no bite. If I could still be an inside smoker, I might want to have some of something this pleasant smelling around, even if the tobacco portion of the flavor is far too mild for my current tastes.

Oh dear. Living where I do without a decent local tobacconist I have had to resort to newsagent or supermarket tobacco on occasion. And this was one of those times. At the tesco metro it was this or st Bruno so I thought give it a go. Really sweet and gloopy virginia and little else. I learnt a lesson I should have learnt much earlier. Make sure you have some pipe tobacco a home and don't run out. All British supermarket options are xxxx. And the price difference to your favourite smoke is minimal. Not just a review for this tobacco. Avoid everything from a supermarket or newsagent.

I had overlooked this tobacco because of the many negative reviews on this site. Then I was in the tobacconist and a man before me bought a pouch, so spur of the moment I got one too.I found it a very pleasant, nicely burning, easy going and tasty tobacco. An all day smoke.Will be in my rotation.

One of the British over the counter classics that is much superior to other readily available over the counter tobaccos available in Britain. Mellow Virginia (as it used to be known) will always have a special place for me as it was what got me back onto pipe smoking many years ago. It is the same today as it was when I first tried it. Virginia, burley and an addition of kentucky with a stewed fruit, slightly spiced caramelised topping. Packing is easy enough as the small course chunks just find their place in the pipe, lighting takes a little effort but as the moisture is optimal its not too tiring. Then its straight enjoyment from top to bottom. The pouch note does come through but never strongly which allows the constituent taboos to play their flavour notes. Strength is a good kick but should be OK for even the novices. Room note is very nice even the wife doesn't turn her nose up too much.

All in all a very nice smoke, and as I'm sat in my garden with this in my falcon and a can of mcewans export im reminded that all is well in the pipe smoking.

After having a small abstention from new blends i noticed this one from the famous cigarette blender.i said why not?once the seal brakes a nice and almost natural flavour of caramel and vanilla comes out.a deeper smell reveals lots of sour notes and nuts.the blend is moist but no drying time is needed.packs well and some pieces left from the broken flakes are not a problem with lighting though several relights are needed.while smoking the flavours combine almost well each other with the toppings wich do not take down the tobacco flavours.the virginias are grassy,earthy with some florall notes.burleys are nutty,with some molasses and woodsy notes.kentucky burleys are strong being sour and sharp that can be confused with tongue bite wich is a little present if puffed fast.the toppings are in the backround making the experience better but not good because they don't feel always natural.burns slow and medium hot to ash mixed with unburned parts of tobacco and some moisture created at the filter.the nicotine level is medium and as i mentioned some tongue bite exists if puffed fast.the room note is heavy and the aftertaste sour.not an all day smoke.generally this is not a star but considering it's price it's worthy trying.