Sutliff Tobacco Company Edward G. Robinson's Pipe Blend

I remembered this blend from long ago. At the time I used it as a short smoke in a small bowl between classes. Using it as such, left little to the memory other than a peculiar anise aroma. I recently found some and sat down to give it full chance in a large Lord Pearl pot (sold at the long missed Garfinkle's Dep't Store in D.C.). The pouch aroma should be avoided as it steers one in the opposite direction one should be heading. The first light gives another false turn as it comes over the tongue with a promise of coarse and biting heat. However as the bowl progresses, a totally different and unusual taste and aroma take over. The burley predominates, but with a warmth and nuttiness rarely experienced. A taste of Virginia(?) compliments the burly with the wonderful sweetness that usually comes after the prolonged aging of this tobacco. A thoroughly and unexpectedly fine smoke. Highly recommended for beginning as well as experienced palates.

This mild aromatic combines fruit tones of grape and red fruit with darker notes of campfire and dried meat. At first, I found it inclined to smoke a little hot, but after practice and experiment, I discovered how to keep that in check: shallower bowl and a slightly tighter pack delivered to the bowl by slowly stuffing from a tobacco pouch rather than the three pinch method. It delivers a consistent flavour profile throughout the bowl, turning from lighter to darker tones as it progresses towards a fine white ash. Mechanically, it smokes well requiring almost no relights.

The wife, who is an asthmatic non-smoker, loves this blend. To her it smells like "warm happiness" with lower tones of dark fruit and Christmas spices. Add freshly baked bread, she says, and it would smell like a Hobbit hole.

I agree with her. While this is not my overall favourite blend (I enjoy Balkan blends like G.L. Pease's Blackpoint and Peterson's Old Dublin, straight Virginias like Newminster Flake and Capstan Blue), it is an aromatic that has won my attention. I can scarcely resist buying another tin every time I purchase tobacco.

As my brother says, "if it's old, it's probably good." I must agree. This is definitely a good, old blend.

Cheers to all!

Mildly aromatic is pretty spot on. It's black Cavendish, Burley, and just a pinch of Latakia. The top note was dark fruit and some spice. I could make out the Latakia, too. Upon first light, the spice was strong, almost over powering. But then it mellowed out pretty quickly. There's some nice depth here with wafts of Latakia throughout the smoke. The fruit and liquor compliment the tobacco very evenly. It left no moisture in the bowl and a nice white ash. Room note was pleasant to tolerable. Never bit or smoked hot. A very nice mellow smoke. I highly recommend it.

First, the tin note is floral, lavender, vanilla. Very nice scent.

Smoking notes of nuts, light vanilla sweetness, lightly floral. The Latakia is far in the background and adds a bit of warmth, smoke, and woodiness. Just a drop of booziness.

This is a very calming and fulfilling smoke which covers an array of natural flavors. Although it is an aromatic, it's nowhere near the goopy and wet blends, but is blended with great balance.

Added to this balance is a beautiful change throughout the smoke from light and sweet to stronger and smokier towards the last third of the bowl, as to satisfy every kind of smoker. Can be an all-day smoke for a dedicated and happy smoker.

Coarse and ribbon cuts, perfect moisture out of the tin, easy to pack and smoke. Minimal relights and as always, smoke slow to get the maximum flavor. No tongue bite either way.

Medium in body, mild-medium in strength. Pleasant room note.

I have to admit that I was skeptical of this blend before smoking it. But it turned out to be a fantastic smoke. Unlike other old over-the-counter blends, this one covers it all. Great added flavors with natural tobacco, change of strength throughout the smoke. Comparing it with Prince Albert, it has much more dimensions. Comparing it with Half & Half, it is far more balanced and brings out the Burley, Virginia, and Latakia. If you're a fan of the old blends and/or of aromatics or Burleys, and even if you're none of those - get a tin of Edward G. Robinson's Blend. I bought the 12oz tub the first chance I got after smoking the 1.5oz.

If I had to choose one blend for the rest of my life - this one would be a strong contender.

I love this blend! I have had this in my rotation for some years, and am well stocked. I remember this one from the late 1980’s and then it seemed to have just disappeared. It supposedly has an alcohol topping which I myself have never detected. I also have only ever detected the Latakia at the later half of the bowl. (And a very light detection at that) This is a mild and tasty burley blend. It’s described as an aromatic and I would agree. Hardy english pipers will probably not find this interesting. It's been a great pal for me. -BTW - I am a nicotine wimp, and this my regular smoke and find it very mild in this area.

This is a fine blend, a blend I enjoy when I don’t really want either aromatic or non aromatic.

The tin note is fantastic. The ribbon cut is quite long and bigger cut than most others. The moisture level is perfect.

I can really taste the wine flavouring, very sour on the tip of my tongue, but very pleasant and not at all overpowering. The tobacco flavours come through nicely.

No tongue bite at all for me.

I will certainly buy another tin or two to age.

3.5 rounded to 4/4

To my tastes and experience, this is a sleeper blend that I am really tempted to buy by the tub. The burleys are probably the most present and obvious component of the blend, with their nutty, woody, slightly chocolatey flavors and aromas. But it’s the balancing act that really makes this shine. The artisans of this resurrected, old school melange put just the right amount latakia, cavendish and black cavendish to never sublimate or take away from the quality burleys. In fact, if I were to smell this in the tin without knowing the condimental addition of the latakia, I wouldn’t necessarily guess it was there. And only with careful, meditative smoking (in the right pipe) will you notice that familiar herbal smokiness of the latakia. The cut is a lovely rough and wide cut ribbon with such a perfect moisture (juuuust dry enough for a consistent ember). And then, the “cherry on top” is the plum top note which is never more than a gentle, sweet suggestion. Easily 4 stars for this classic King of the OTCs.

If I were to compare this to anything, it would be Epiphany, but with more burley, and less latakia (and no perique). But I prefer this one to that.

I am not an aromatic smoker. I prefer "English" blends or "codger" Burleys like Carter Hall or the new Edgeworth RR remake. I purchased this with some trepidation. Will my poor tongue be the scorched victim of my curiosity? What a very pleasant surprise! Open the tin and the aroma is mildly aromatic, not overpowering, very pleasing, not soapy, strange or candy like. The blend lights up easily, the moisture level is just right not too wet or dry (however it did require a few relights). It's a ribbon cut tobacco composed of some various shades of brown Burleys and a bit of brown-black tobacco, perhaps the Black Cavendish or Latakia. EGR's Pipe blend smokes like a mellow, nutty Burley but with a bit more sweetness and a mild fruit flavor that is plum like not at all like a chewing gum or candy, a taste that is very pleasant and not syrupy or cloying. No weird or soap flavors here. No tongue bite at all only smooth and silky smoke. Not much Latakia here to comment on but enough to be noticeable and truly enhance the smoking experience as a skillfully added condiment. This will become a regular in my current rotation.

Opening the tin you get a very pleasant raisony smell from the ribbon cut cavendish, burley, and latakia tobaccos. The tobacco is somewhat moist and I found difficult to keep lit. After letting it sit the tin for a few days it dried nicely and it becomes much easier to keep lit. This blend has a nice sweet taste with a slight smokey aftertaste (from the latakia I guess). The liquor topping is not overpowering and enchants the overall flavor of the blend. EGR is rare aromatic blend that tastes like tobacco. I will keep this blend in my rotation.