Gallaher Limited Condor Ready Rubbed (Green)

Another staple over the counter blend in the UK..

Loads stronger than St Bruno though equally as soapy. Really does pack a punch if you inhale this stuff.

Again not bad for what it is, and I'd smoke it if I couldn't get hold of say Petersons IF, or Gawith's dark flake.

*2/1/14 UPDATE* - I'm upgrading this to 3 stars. Probably the best OTC along with St Bruno Flake that's available in the UK.

Proper old school tobacco, that reminds me of thick set old codgers smoking large chin hugging, deep red wine coloured rusticated pipes.

The blue haze that emanates from their direction being Condor.... This blend is definitely comparable to any specialist, bespoke, or premier online blend.

Not quite a 4 star as the floral notes are a tad overdone, but with some ageing and drying out they should settle.

A strong smash mouth nicotine hit will keep your puffing honest.

Not bad..

Distinctive old school English tobacco, purchased over the counter.

Whilst I prefer St. Bruno, thought I try Condor for a change. I haven't smoked this for ages and now I have a more mature palate I enjoy this far more than a few years ago. The tobacco kick is strong, with a nutty rum floral taste... It's a good easy smoke. But you need to smoke it slowly for better enjoyment. If your are new to pipe smoking then I advise to treat it gently otherwise your head will spin! Glad to say that this is a fine mass produced tobacco and suggest a dedicated pipe as the bowl holds the taste. For me it brings back memories of rainy days staying indoors by the fire with my grandfather. It hasn't changed in its aroma, although if you smoke this like no tomorrow the room note can be slightly overpowering. Thoroughly recommend, for the memories and for the ebb and flow of a good pleasant relaxing smoke. Light pipe with matches makes it taste better. Enjoy!

Ah, that Condor Moment! (As the ad used to say before the days of the health fascists) Condor separates the men from the boys, and the sheep from the goats. It's not a polite blend. It's strong enough to turn an inexperienced smoker the colour of the packet, and even a seasoned smoker will find plenty to satisfy the most urgent craving. It can bite if not handled with care. And although not as persistent as the likes of Ennerdale Flake, it will ghost your pipe. From the packet there's an aroma of ripe fruits, figs, and spice. Some would have it that Condor has the Lakeland flavour, but I think that's misleading. There's none of the rose / geranium / soapy' scent: it's something much darker. It comes a tad moist, and needs a substantial lighting. The first half of the bowl is woodsy, bitter, with heavy fruity overtones. Later it develops a wonderful incense-like dimension. And for all its strength, it's worth smoking Condor down into the dottle. Although it can kick like a mule, for me it's towards the end of the smoke that it really comes into its own. At the end it burns down to the very bottom, leaving virtually nothing but a speck of clean dry ash. For me, Condor is like a security blanket: reliable; dependable; always available. But beware: it's the kind of security which comes equipped with a side-arm, large dog, and a lot of muscle.

This was my first ever tobacco, many moons ago. I'd just managed to get a pipe, and was looking for something to put in it. As this was over the counter (indeed, the only pipe tobacco in my local newsagents at the time) I opted for it and went about enjoying my first smoke.

At first I found the taste quite remarkable, but not in a good way. However, I had read that the first few bowls of any pipe tobacco are rather... odd to anyone who's never smoked a pipe before (or in my case, never smoked anything before) so I stuck with it. I had no idea about technique or pacing myself, so the strength of this brand kicked me about a fair bit. After a good many bowls of unpleasant smoking and nausea, I threw the rest of the pouch away and vowed never to return.

Eight years later, and my local tobacconists was closed (cursed Sundays) so I had to go for something 'off the shelf' to smoke. I decided, having learnt somewhat about pipe smoking, to give Condor Original another try. My first mouthful of smoke tasted of nothing but soap, which did fade away after a while but was still a little surprising nonetheless. The taste was otherwise exactly as I remembered it - thick, quite meaty (as in, you almost felt like you had to chew - steak flavoured tobacco would be a strange experiment I'd certainly like to try though), but this time quite pleasing. A cool smoke throughout, which packed easily and needed no re-lighting once it had gotten going. Taking great care, I really enjoyed the smoke and this time made it all the way through the pouch without feeling ill once.

So, Condor Original (Ready Rubbed) is a strong experience that will knock your socks off if you don't treat it nicely. Certainly not one for a timid beginner, but maybe a good start for a beginner who has a guide on hand to teach them the proper way of doing things. There's plenty for the seasoned smoker to enjoy, though the soapy start could be the part that ruins the experience for most.

Given some of this in a trade with St. Bruno Flake and Mick McQuaid Plug, because I wanted to try some blends avaliable only in the UK. This stuff has that "Lakeland" thing going on, and I like it! Shag is not my favorite cut, so detract a little for that. It reminds me of certain SG and GH offerings, but the quality seems just a wee bit less. Maybe it is just the shag cut, I don't know. No major complaints, though. The blend can be a little harsh when puffed too exuberantly, but for me at least, never burns my mouth or throat. So, this is a newsstand pouch in jolly old England? Good show, then. I have had good results using this as a blender with a light, neutral Virginia, and this is what I may use the rest of my sample for. This is not to say that I mind it by itself. It is unique and somewhat raw in its taste, but manages to turn this quality into a positive attribute.

A Lakeland-type blend. If you don't like English Lakeland-type tobacco, you won't like Condor. I love it. It is now my all-time favorite pipe tobacco regardless of type. After 2 or 3 puffs, following full ignition, you won't taste any soap. After 1 or 2 bowls you won't notice any soap or scent, even at the outset; a strange phenomenon. Thin, rich, very dark brown flakes, reasonably moist, with a subtle semi-sweet, fruity undertaste when properly ignited; addictive, you will want another bowl immediately. Not like St. Bruno; St. Bruno is more akin to a straight naturally flavored, unscented thicker cut Virginia/burley flake; I detect no soap or floral scent like Condor. Not like Samuel Gawith's Bracken Flake; Bracken Flake is indeed rich and dark, but not sweet or fruity and with no soap or floral scent like Condor. Condor Original Long Cut has a wonderful aroma and compelling taste; most satisfying. It is strong and is best in a small to medium straight billiard. It would be overwhelming in a large bowl. I do not doubt that it permanently imbues a pipe with its essence. Dedicate at least one pipe to Condor alone. You cannot compare a Lakeland-type blend to another tobacco type. Condor should be compared to other Lakeland-type pipe tobacco blends, against which it would hold its own quite well indeed. English scented flakes are an acquired taste and one that I am now glad I acquired. I give Condor Original Long Cut a grade of "A".

It is my first review. After years of reading and smoking pipe, now it's time to pay back debet to the Tobacco Reviews community.

It's not coincidence that Condor is the first pipe tobacco I review, it is the only pipe tobacco produced in the country, alhough of course, dozens of others known around the world are available in stores. I see some kind of symbolism or a clamp, connecting my story of smoking pipe with history of pipe smoking and tobacco. Here is one of the classic blend, like many others similar to it, ceases to be produced at the place of origin (it's good that it doesn't disappear at all). And new chapter is starting, I just happened to be part of this story, born now in Poland.

I am sommelier and wine specialist- professionally. Amateur barist, admirer of: history (doctor of humanities in the field of history), books, old stories and bikes. Taste and smell are the quintessence of my life.

Condor Orginal Ready Rubbed (Green), JT International

I have never smoked earlier versions of Condor, therefore, I feel relived of duty of polemics with sentiment for the so-called old times, when "everything was better"...

After reading old reviews, I am sure, this version is lighter in nicotin content (that's good for me) but still potent, there is not so much rose and geranium casing, instead of this is more subtle in direction of white flowers. But after few months in jar there is mainly smell of peony-rose-geranium and no white flowers nuances.

📑 Only available in plain packaging- 50 g pouch, and it's bad news, really prefer tins. Fortunately this one was perfect directly from pouch. Not too dry not too wet.

👀 Circa 50% dark brown and 50% black, and only a hint of brighter pieces (lemon Virginia?). Mostly short ribbons c. 1-2 mm wide and 10-15 mm long.

👃 Lakeland essence is highly noted but not overpowering like in Ennerdale. Citrus topping and others dark fruits, oak or different hard wood. Floral essence is created by: lilies of the valley, jasmin, bergamot, some aromas of green-bitter plants similar to mugwort. It can be consider as soap or cologne, but is not too intrusive. Cocoa, raisins, dark fruits, alcohol (honey tincture)- created something medicinal, like smell of old school cough syrup. Further in the background only a bit of vanilla and maybe a bit of bergamot tea. I can also catch the shy smell of vinegar covered by all the sweets.

👅Easy lit. Only 1-2 relights. Burns moderate. First few puffs- Lakeland lighter styl like Grousemoor, but then, in intensity is in half way to Ennerdale in floral crazy show. Second part is rather symphony of earthy, nutty, cocoa-chocolate flavours with consistent but lower presence of floral accents. Something new is flavour of almonds with cough syrup in last third of bowl. Interesting and tasty old school aro, with a quiet large dose of nuances. Has a pleasant, medium plus long aftertaste.

Medium plus nicotin content. Full flavour. No tongue bite but in last 1/3 of bowl can be bitter. Leaves moisture and some dottle. Will ghost pipes like all Lakeland style tobacco.

According to TR it's 100% Virginia but I agree with J. Inks, there can be some Burley. I can only guess that black ribbons are Virginia cured over hardwood or this mysterious Burley is a pinch of something like Kentucky dark fired.

Condor Ready Rubbed is definitely interesting tobacco, if only accept a modarate dose of Lakeland styl and you don't expect the wow effect. He's not here. However, you will find here the taste stability through every bowl. After two pouches I think 2- 2.5 stars (depends of the mood) not 3 stars-is proper evaluation.

4 stars, it's all been said, a classic English lakeland style blend, easily available everywhere in the UK and Ireland....it's a must try and buy when visiting the islands. 2 Warnings: it will ghost with that lavender flavor AND, bring some extra cash on holidays....7.50 euros for a 25grm packet...ouch!

Ah Condor. Upon first light you get a good whiff of rose geranium, that classic scent so favoured by British tobacco blenders. The rose geranium soon fades away by mid bowl leaving you with notes of tea, rich liquorice, and occasional smoky hints of dark fired leaf. The darker Virginia is there, but is not the real star of the occasion. The marriage of sweet floral and those superb but fleeting dark fired cigar notes make this a blend I have turned to nearly daily for over 30 years. It has a fair wallop of nicotine to boot. Yes, you probably want to dedicate a briar or use a meerschaum. I also appreciate the fact that it is available (at least in the UK) in supermarkets and some petrol stations.