Lane Limited Edgeworth Sliced

First bowl review of the Lane version of Edgeworth Sliced: This is a gorgeously packaged flake tobacco. I like how they are neatly lined up in the tin. The tin aroma is slightly sweet and fruity, a sign of things to come. The flakes rub out easily. No drying time required here, perhaps from age(not sure how old the Lane era tins are). The tobacco lights right up after 1-2 charring lights. Throughout the thoroughly enjoyable smoke, the elegant classic tobacco flavor takes a backseat to a rotund mouthwatering fruitiness that develops. No tongue bite, smokes cool and dry. It has such a sweet fruity character, there is a debate over whether this is flavored or not(some say molasses?). I wish I knew for sure, I find it hard to believe this tobacco could carry such a flavor naturally. Indeed it would be some kind of magic if it was indeed untainted by some topping/casing.

Overall: Very enjoyable. Early impressions are good on this one, although i consider myself a non-aromatic smoker and am somewhat disappointed that this may be indeed flavored.

I also have a tin of the original Larus Bro&Co I am saving for a special occasion.

I bought a tin of this on a gamble about 2 weeks ago on ebay. Paid some $30 for a 50g tin which should be some 30-35 years old.

I got it in and it was still sealed up (not vacuum, but I don't know if they vacuum sealed this back in the days).

Upon opening all was as it should be. I opened the paper gently to find a wonderfull row of slices with a very sweet tobacco smell. Not artificial, just the smell of aged tobacco. Extremely good. I got 2 slices out with my knife and found them quite dry (but not dried out). As they are slices, I like 'em a little dry, so I saw no problem in loading a bowl up (I'm a smoker, not a collector :-))

The first few puffs were next to flavorless, but as the tobacco was tamped and re-lit, I got rewarded with a sweet virginia taste of exceptional proportions. Nice mellow taste and I can understand why this tobacco is a classic.

Half-way down the bowl I got a sharper undertone, but the sweet finesse never went away.

I like it, although I'm not a real virginia lover.

Did I pay too much? Obviously, but the experience is well worth it. Still have some 12-15 bowls left in the tin, and they will happily be smoked away.

Why on earth did they quit making this stuff. It was good quality and I always kept a tin around because it was handy to carry around and provided a good burley smoke. I smoked the Edgeworth made in Richmond - not the English version.

Does anyone know of anything at all like this? I've been having cravings for it lately.

I initially found this tobacco disappointing, but it grew on me after I gave it some tin time in the cellar. I still have a few tins cellared, which I do look forward to smoking. For now, I'm biding my time, so this is something of a preliminary review.

In a nutshell, this is a decent smoke that improves with age, going from rather coarse and unexciting in its youth to a tobacco of substantially greater character and refinement after a few years of cellaring. Like virtually all Burleys, it derives much of its flavor from the added sugar, which was added with a sparing hand in the tins I've smoked. If you like your Burley on the sweeter side, you might find this a bit too austere, but that could well be a virtue for those who prefer Burley of more Spartan character.

As of this writing, I can't say I especially bemoan the extinction of this Euro version of Edgeworth Sliced. I certainly wouldn't chase after it, paying the high prices it commands in some auctions. For all its virtues, it's not the epitome of Burley flake. For example, I consider Wessex Burley Slice to be a superior tobacco in every respect. And for those who recall the original Edgeworth Extra High Grade Sliced, manufactured by Larus & Bro. Co. of Richmond, this version will appear as a pale counterfeit whose only provenance in connection with the original is in name only.

Nevertheless, it's a better than average Burley flake, and it does improve noticeably with age, so I do expect it be a tasty smoke when I open and smoke some of the stash that has been aging in my cellar. If my expectations pan out, it will be my pleasure to update this preliminary review with more glowing praise.

Update: 2009, August 7 --

After burning a bowl of Edgeworth today, I'm happy to say that the weed has unquestionably mellowed after three years of jar time (opened and jarred 3.33 years ago, on April 4, 2006). If it deserved three stars then, I'd give it maybe another half-star now for having smoothed out its rough edges quite a bit.

Flavor-wise, it still leaves a LOT to be desired, but it has good, solid Burley flavor, albeit pretty light. The nicotine content is low enough that I can smoke a Group 6 bowl and get only a mild buzz.

The jar is going back into the cellar and I'll see how it develops, but I've smoked enough Burley over the past 4+ decades to know that this tobacco isn't going to change significantly anytime soon. As for the remaining unopened tins, I intend to leave them alone for at least another 5 years, but in truth this stuff will still be developing 10, 15, even 20 years down the road. There's just not enough sugar in there to quicken the pace. In the meantime, if you're looking for a more deeply flavored Burley flake that is a joy to smoke now and will age more rapidly, try Wessex Burley Slice...which also has the advantage of being readily available, as it's still in production as of this writing.

The tin aroma of these impeccably formed flakes is of fertile earth and slightly musty hay: a barnyard scent. The beautifully swirled, mottled flakes are presented edgewise (no pun intended) and give a most attractive presentation.

This is a full, round, oaky burley with a creamy body. It is difficult to say whether the purported VA is actually present. The molasses casing supports the fullness without flatting the flavor excessively.

An rich, elegant, and satisfying burley blend. A narrow to medium gauge chamber seems to work best.

I was given a sample of this blend which I greatly enjoyed. I am smoking the last pipefull right now and I am saddened that this classic tobacco has gone out of production before I really had a chance to enjoy it much.

This is a really good burley smoke with grassy and woody flavors. There seems to be some kind of very light topping which imparts a subtle soapy taste midway through the bowl which is in no way disagreeable to me. If this were still produced I would tend to keep some of this on hand. Overall a very pleasant tobacco, flavorfull but not bitey or overly strong.

But since its gone, I'd suggest trying GL Pease Barbary Coast instead, it evokes the same delicious grassy type flavor but is even better than Edgeworth Sliced in my opinion.

Wonderful Kentucky and Tennessee White Burley Tobacco leaves are aged in wooden hogs head casks with a sweetener. The tobacco is then pressed into large cakes and sliced. That pretty much sums up Edgeworth slices. Nothing fancy. Made just like they were at the turn of the last century,only now I'm sure some African Burley is being used in the process. A natural tasting burley smoke that starts off well,and turns bland about the third of the way down. Take yourself back to the day of the white fleet,and enjoy a bowl of this natural tasting pipe tobacco goodness.

Another great burley whose flakes have great presentation in the gold foil and light blue tin but ES is not for the faint of heart. ES is the strongest burley blend I have smoked to date and, for me, it gushed plumes of blue and gray smoke that must have been reminiscent of the ?Donora Death Fog.? The sweetness and nuttiness are there but it is more of a heady smoke than a sweet smoke and, IMO, is best enjoyed after a full, heavy meal. Popeye would love this stuff!

I rate this tobacco 9.85 out of 10

This is a strange flake indeed. Upon opening the tin, it smelled like Va... I'm normally not into pure burley, but this one had a nice smoothness and coolness to it. The typical earthy and nutty undertones which is typical of these blends are complimented with a thick, sweet and full taste. Maybe due to an extra long maturing process?

If you are a beginner in the world of pure burley blends, this one may be a good approach, but watch out! It can make your head spin if you puff it too hard!

I cannot smoke this every day, but when i need something strong and different from my usual Va-flakes, this is the one i return to.. An all-time classic..

Jakob Kiilerich, Denmark