Gallaher Limited Condor Ready Rubbed (Green)

I bought a few pouches of this stuff at the duty free in the Heathrow airport during a layover on a flight to the states. I bought it because all of the witty reviews of this blend that inspired (dared) me. I knew I was equal to the task.

Well, I was equal to the task. My trusty Jarl oil-hardened dublin, however, will never be the same. What is it the Brits say? "Bloody Hell." I've got one packet of this down. I don't know if I will open another any time soon - perhaps it needs a bit of age.

I Propose that Tobacco Reviews dot com revise the rating scale for this blend. It should really be: Room Note: Full Taste: Tolerable

You can taste the tobacco in this blend, but I'm pretty sure that's because the flavoring kills every other taste receptor in your mouth and nose. I did give the blend two stars, however, and that's because the strength of the blend makes if worthwhile if you like strong tobaccos, and also because if you forget your cologne or aftershave, this blend will neatly mask any unseemly bodily odors and will continue to do so for a good week after smoking.

Cheers!

?Nothing should disturb that Condor moment?, read an ad in a magazine for this very classic brand in England, over a composed image of the Queen?s regiment parading in full regalia but with the soldiers all wearing slippers, instead of boots.

You?d think that ?Condor moment? is a peaceful, silent, and intimate one. The strength of the tobacco, however, tells me otherwise. This stuff?basically a cavendished Virginia in flake form, with a soapy undertone and a prune-like sweetness?is rather potent and, in its own particular way, almost raw. It?s definitely stronger than St. Bruno and almost as dense as something called The Digger (the latter, in my opinion, an absolutely unsmokable Virginia flake). It?s not the type of straight Virginia you?d expect, for example, from a house like Rattray?s. Compared to Condor, Rattray?s strongest Virginia, Hal O? The Wynd is a smooth aristocratic smoke, with an almost feminine finesse.

When I lived in Britain, I bought only two pouches: one, when I first arrived (after all, ?when in Rome??), and the other, five years later, when I was about to leave. Not exactly my finest memory of British tobacco blending industry. The first pouch I could never finish. The second one, well, I don?t really remember what happened to it.

In Condor there?s really no subtle interplay of flavours. What you smell is what you get: an intense, straightforward and consistent blast of highly scented full Virginias, which, if smoked on an empty stomach, induce dizziness and sweat. Condor, however, does smoke cool, burns slowly and even, and is long lasting. It comes slightly moist. It?s red-brown in colour, and the aroma and room note, in my humble opinion, are not something to die for (rather, they are something to die of, as I gather from the esteemed Pseudo Nim and his faithful dog).

I understand this is a very popular tobacco in Britain, because, like St. Bruno and Gold Block, it is readily available and it?s not particularly expensive. However, I also think this is especially popular amongst the older, established smokers, who really don?t care what kind of social statement?if any?their tobacco makes.

condor is a stong tobacco i myself like the long cut ( flake ). this is the best tobacco i have ever smoked. there realy is nothing like it , its GREAT .

I must say I don't really detect the soapy aroma that so many people have mentioned and consider this tobacco a very rewarding taste. It does leave an hint of itself on any pipe used and the taste will be there for a great deal of time, but that's not really a problem. Mind you I've one pipe put aside that I use exclusively for this tobacco. I am adding to this review because I have just come back to this tobacco - the first part of this review was written in 2011 and it is now 2014 - I must say that Condor is one of my favorite OTT tobaccos, second only to St. Bruno in my opinion. I don't think it is a suitable blend for anyone new to pipe smoking but when you get used to the art this blend pays off in spades. Quite excellent.

2023 now and I still enjoy this tobacco so that's not much more praise you can give.

"Condor Original" actually comes in two versions. The ready rubbed variety which comes in a green pouch and "Long Cut" ie flake, which comes in a brown pouch. I am reviewing the ready rubbed.

Simple, cheap, basic plastic pouch similar to what you get with St Bruno and Three Nuns. No tin option available. No descriptive words on the pouch of what the tobacco is all about just a cryptic "Break seal gently...for that Condor moment" slogan - this refers to an ad campaign from the good old days. Aroma in the pouch very similar to St Bruno RR. Appearance and feel of the tobacco similar too, if a little stickier.

There the similarities end.

When you light up the floral nature and soapiness of this tobacco immediately hits you. Then a profusion of flavours. I detect some of the tobaccos used in Clan in this blend but much smoother, creamier and tastier here. A distinct licorice taste also. The soapiness anaesthetises your tongue by the end. I'd imagine this soapiness would recede the more you smoke this blend however.

Good nicotine kick to leave you feeling full but not unsteady. Smoke aroma seems very "retro" ie what pipe smoke *should* smell like. No bite at all when smoked in a 9mm filer pipe.

This is a good tobacco although whether I'll buy again depends on how the rest of the pouch fares.

UPDATE - after only two small bowls of this tobacco, it has completely tainted the pipe in which I smoked it. No matter what tobacco you put in it now, it tastes as if you're still smoking Condor! Thde floral soapiness is indelible even after reaming, sweetener and alcohol.

Therefore be very wary about smoking this tobacco for the first time in any sort of decent pipe. I feel I have to downgrade to 2* for the sheer brutal uncompromising nature of this weed.

Ah Condor: The daddy of the floral flakes!

Some see this glorious tobacco as the marmite of the pipe world, complaining about Condor's soapy nature. This does slowly fade away, leaving it to shine out above all the other 'supermarket' blends. Sadly this does require patience -and at least a second pouch- and some do give up before this: Out of the fear of tainting their pipes and recalling memories of their loose-tongued youth.

Full-bodied and floral, making it a perfect bedtime pipe. Though if you are inclined toward the milder smokes, you'll probably be screaming yourself to sleep with this one.

I'm a novice smoker and bought this tobac at the supermarket on a Sunday when the pipe shop was closed. The flavour was floral - I would say mostly violets, and yes, I have tasted violets (in hot chocolate at a shop in the Lake District). The smell really reminds me of my grandparents for some reason, maybe the combination of grandpa's cigarettes and grandma's violet soaps.

Anyways, the flavour I found to be full and pleasant. I found it could be puffed quite hard without becoming bitter or harsh.

I enjoyed the higher nicotine content and stopped about 1/2 or 3/4 of the way down because I'd had enough, but I prefer that type of satisfaction to the feeling you get with a bland tobacco where you smoke it all the way down waiting for something to happen and it never does. In my opinion the greatest shortcoming a tobacco can have is if it is too bland.

Condor is packed with an interesting flavour and strong nicotine, I find myself already looking forward to my next bowl.

note: it will leave an indelible flavour on your pipe.

I have been an on-off pipe smoker for about 35 years, but have never stuck to one brand. I have only recently tried Condor Original, even though it is a popular brand in the U.K. My first impression was in line with other reviewersin that it tasted 'soapy' However, the more pipefuls you light, this soapiness is less in evidence, and now I dont notice it. Having read that this tobacco 'taints' the bowl of any pipe, I have restricted it to three of my pipes! It is a heavy smoke, not to be experimented with by a novice, but is slow burning and quite pleasant for the more experienced.

On reading previous reviews, I purchased a corncob pipe for this in case I didn't like it, as I was aware of the fact that the flavour of this tobacco can permanently stain a pipe. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by this tobacco. Whilst being aware of the strength from the first light, I didn't at any point find it overpowering. The room note is surprisingly mild also, for such a full-bodied smoke. I consider myself lucky to be here in the UK where we can get easy access to this tobacco, & I shall definitely be buying it again (along with a quality pipe which will be my dedicated Condor vessel!). Certainly not the best tobacco in the world, but a lot better that many & absolutely the superior supermarket brand by a country mile. Recommended - although do be aware that if you prefer a mild smoke, this is very unlikely to be your cup of tea. All those who enjoy a strong smoke though, would ignore this flake at their peril. I smoke most flakes by rolling into a plug, although I find that this smokes equally well either folded or rubbed. It also rubs out fairly easily. May require a few relights, & I can see why some has criticised it as high-maintenance, but the smoke is worth it, & it's easy to get the hang of maintaining the light after a few bowls.