Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Drexel VIII

July 4, 2018. Independence day. For me it was a day I will never forget because I had received a pouch of Drexel - FREE in my latest order from Pipes and Cigars and this was the day I opened it. This is my story.

I was skeptical at first because it was free, but when I opened up the pouch and took a big whiff it smelled like freedom. Like an excited kid on Christmas day, I took out my most prized pipe, a big old Boswell bent brandy and packed it up with delicious flakes of Drexel and prepared to watch the fireworks celebration. The sun was going down as I did a charring light, and then as I gave the full light, the fireworks started, both literally and metaphorically. I am not as eloquent as other reviewers here on TR, but I have to say that the taste of this wonderful flake reminded me of the promises of the founding fathers - I had pursued happiness, and finally took a hold of it and it was now mine. The perfect symbolism of discovering nirvana on independence day was exquisite. Ironically, I think that the classless society that Karl Marx dreamed of could have been achieved by Drexel. But, here we are...

If you want a blend that completely humiliates all other VaPers; Eso, SG, Rattray and yes even McClelland (pease be upon them) - look no further. This is your moment.

TYVM

On the technical side, this is a tasty blend with some natural sweetness, and an enjoyable flake.

But hear me out...

It's 9pm, and I've been awake for 17 hours. I'm driving home after yet another 14 hour shift, and I get lost in thought and miss the on ramp to the highway. I press onward, and find a way small trailhead to pull over, and turn around. But maybe this was a sign. How many times had I taken the highway just to miss this tiny seaside trail, an adventure yet unexplored. One other lonely car is parked, and I grab my bag and head off into the night.

The trail is mostly flat, but a small hill leads to a Boulder that gives me a clear view of the sea. I sit, chilled by the start of fall, and take out my pipe. I dig through my bag for my flavor of the month, but stop. An untouched bag of drexel sits atop my tin. In the spirit of the night, I pick a flake and begin to prepare it.

I open the book that holds old ticket stubs and postcards, and find a page. Korpiklanni, 2016. A fitting choice. I use the book as a platter and rub out a flake. It's easy to do, with a nice cut. I half close the book and empty the leaf into my pipe, and the wind blows out my lighter. I shield it with my hand, and begin to puff away.

The pipe let's out a ghost of latakia which yields to a mild spice of perique with a hint of sweetness. I begin to puff away, and for a moment, my world makes sense. The fall air let's me know summer is truly gone, and my time disappears faster than I can realize.

I tamp twice to keep the pipe lit, and on the third tamp, the moment is gone. I dump out my ash and some blows off to the sea. Off to the sprit of sailors who smoked their pipes on the same salty sea breeze. They did not smoke the fine blends we know today, but they smoked what they had. They smoked not when they wanted, but when they could. I prepare to close my book, and notice a small ribbon of Drexel stuck behind the stub. Perfect.

I walk back to my car and a jogger with a dog passes me. I sit and think that this moment will stay with me, and am grateful for all I have.

So here I ask, nay implore, that you go out and buy yourself a bag of Drexel VIII. Smoke it not because you can, but because you want to. Appreciate every moment of it, because those moments can last the rest of your life.

First received as a free sample a number of years ago. Bought some more because I liked it. Has a nice semi-sweet Virginia/Bright Va flavor, with a mild Perique Plum/Fig flavor that's well balanced. Perhaps a small percentage of Unflavored Cavendish in there too that adds a little bottom to it. Produces a good amount of smoke. A mild to medium no nonsense VaPer that's a good all day smoke. Ages well, add a good value for the price. I recently re-discovered some that I had squirreled away in my cellar, and I'm enjoying it...

There are 100's of VaPers on the market; The quality of the leaf in this blend is by no means substandard. I give this one high marks for it's simplicity, easy smoking, balance and price. It's in the top tier for me.

VaPer flakes in a pouch. The flakes are uniform, symmetrical, intact, and a rather wide for a navy flake, as well as darker in color. They are on the dry side. The aroma is strong and is of sweet hay and fermented fruit, as well as tangy, spicy, and peppery.

Upon lighting, the Virginia’s shine. They are sweet with hay, with a little bit of lemon grass, and are on the bright side. The perique has a lot of black pepper and is spicy, with a some dark fruit flavors. I can pick out strong notes of raisins and plum as well as fermented/stewed fruit. I think there is a light rum and fruity topping present. They fade as the bowl it smoked down, but never fully goes away, especially the fruit. This blend is similar to OGS, but a little more full, not as bright, and with more perique.

Drexel VIII smoked cool, burned slow, and didn’t require a lot of relights. I had success smoking this folding it and rubbing it out. It never got hot or bit, but can have a slight edge if aggressively puffed. It lacks a strong nicotine hit, so this one falls into the all day category. If there was an OTC codger style VaPer, this would be it. I would bet money that this blend will age well in a jar. 3.5 out of 4 stars.

I have been getting a lot of this free from p&c every time I order from them lately. I say, keep it coming. It comes to me on the dryer side due to its being in a pouch and not a tin, but not so dry that it turns to dust when you break it up. I truly enjoy this one.