Gallaher Limited Condor Ready Rubbed (Green)

Rather like a muskier, heavier version of St Bruno. This is quite a moist tobacoo, and I find that 2 or 3 re-lights are required to keep it going. It produces a heavy, cool, fruity smoke with a hint of the pepperiness found in St Bruno. I have found this a bit too much on its own - but have read another posting that suggests blending Condor with 50% St Bruno - I have tried this and the result is an easy to light, cool, flavoursome smoking experience. Another poster had suggested that St Bruno blended with Gold Block worked well and I suspect that a 50/50 mix of St Bruno & Condor mixed with some GB would result in an excellent smoke. I'l give it a try at some point!

When I tried this in my youth 24 years ago, it was so strong only old men with black nicotine stained fingers used to smoke it! It used to knock your head off and left you gasping if inhaled. I tried it again recently and was supprised at its wonderfull taste and aroma. I suspect it has a high nicotine content since after 50 grms it leaves you gagging for more!

People say it has the sopey english quality, and certainly when sniffed has notes of soap in there. But on the whole I like it.

I have an internet friend, A widow lady, that lives in England. I was resently showing her my new Calabash pipe, over instant messenger on my web cam. She asked to send me a packet of her late husbands favorite tobacco. It turned out to be Condor original in a 50g pouch packet. A little reserch on my part turned up that this tobacco is no longer exported from the U.K. to North America. I waited in anxious antisapation for the Condor to arrive and having been forewarned that it was a blend that would leave a taste mark on your pipe, I purchased a corn cop pipe for this taste test. Well its a good thing I did because when the condor arrived I instantly recognized the aroma in the pouch as being highly perfumed, somewhat like Mixture 79, but much stronger. I filled the cob and lit the pipe and was at once nearly overwhelmed by the pungent perfumey flowery aroma. I nearly put the bowl out, but I braved a few more puffs. As the bowl settled in the perfume taste became less and less until finally at about the second 3rd of the bowl it became a very nice, strong, satisfying smoke. I am used to high nicotien content in my tobaccos, but this blend gave me the spins and I had to relax and slow down. The finish was very nice right to the end ashes and other than that first 1/3 of the bowl being overly perfumed this was a very good smoke. A side note: In huge letters across the entire pouch were the words "TOBACCO KILLS", I guess we Americans dont hold a monopoly on tobacco Natzi's. It looks like England has their fair share of them too..........Wademan

Again, another nostalgia smoke for me. I prefer St Bruno and this one can creep up on you and slap you in the face, if you're not careful. However, it's a fine blend for an OTC and I do enjoy it in small quantities. If all the conditions are correct, it is a mellowing experience and as the old advert says, "Nothing should disturb that Condor moment."

Preparation & Burn: 9/10 It packs easily like ribbon cut. No drying required. Burns cool and at a nice pace.

Taste: 19/20 One of the best Lakeland flavored blends.

Mildness: 4/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better. A bit more nicotine than I prefer.

Total: 32/40