Cup O' Joes Anniversary Blend No. 23

I was excited to try the 23rd Anniversary when it became available. I purchased a tin with a pipe purchase. Sidenote: Great customer service everytime from the team up there.

I found the tin note to be fruity. Presentation was crumble cake similar to other Sutliff produced products. Easy to break off chunks to crumble or leave bigger pieces intact depending on bowl size and preference.

I found it easy to get lit after a char and tamp. It burned pretty well requiring minimal relighting. The flavor was def VaPer with a dark fruit from the perique leading the way. There is a good level of sweetness from the red virginias and a little bit of tang.

I think this one is going to cellar well and I picked up extra tins for my cellar which I look forward to enjoying in the future.

Cup O' Joes - Anniversary Blend No. 23.

A thoroughly delightful smoke! In fact, after my first few puffs I ordered more!

As it says in the description the tin holds two pieces of kake. Dark kakes which have great hydration; for me, a touch damp but not wet. The blend smells a little fruity and somewhat sour. The kakes crumble with ease.

The red Virginias give the most character; being tart, rich and ripe. This flavour is enhanced by the Perique; having less spice compared to some, and more of a full bodied, succulent, fruity style. There is, also, a vinegar-like flavour which presents itself toward the finish from the Perique. The black Cavendish thickens the smoke, but doesn't give much flavour. The speed depends on the prep', but I crumble it quite thickly, making it burn fairly slow. The temperature's cool and it hasn't got a bite in it; to me!

Nicotine: medium. Room-note nice.

Anniversary Blend No. 23? Brilliant. Highly recommended:

Four stars.

Anniversary Blend NO. 23:

The presentation, tin note and taste were all very well reminiscent (to me at least) of the most recent Sutliff crumbles. While the 23 kake is not quite as supple in crumble as the Sutliff kakes, the red Virginia's in No. 23 are very much evocative of the Sutliff Red Virginia Crumble Kake (that is to say -- and dare I say it -- ethereally McClelland-like). Indeed, No. 23's tin note was closer to that of the Sutliff Red Virginia Crumble Kake than it was to the Sutliff Va-Perique Crumble Kake. The tangy red Virginias, as well as the Perique, start off with the expected fermented fruit(iness) & spice notes (respectively), while there is a sourness that creeps in and thusly intensifies incrementally the further down the bowl you go. In any case, Anniversary Blend NO. 23 is a delightfully piquant blend that burns admirably, with a most notable aroma. Nicely done.

The smoking pipe experience is enhanced by the circumstances. Although I smoked this one while experiencing Vikings, no matter what circumstances this blend is always great, complex and complete.

The smell right out of the thin is a mix of sweet raisins and nuts. In my case for every smoke I use less than one krumble and it lasts for at least one hour of joy.

It almost came ready to smoke, I left it to rest for maybe five minutes and it was perfect. There was no relight needed. Creamy dry fruits, if something like that exists. Sweet and sour but not not fruity acid. The whole smoking journey is an experience of complexity of flavors, running from sweets, creamy, woody, leathery, but never boring nor cloying.

Sometimes it leaves a pleasant sour taste on the palate, the after taste is very pleasant but subtle and the room note is likable since it reminds of a forest just quite when it starts to rain.

Smoked after being in storage for one year. I did not marinate this one with anything else than a bit of water.

Smoked in a Kavlak meerschaum.

A Viking relief from out of a battle.

Tin note of pungent sour and sweet bread. Tobacco is a Krumble Kake of dark brown, reddish brown and black. Moisture content is great. Breaks apart and rubs out with minimal effort. Burns slow with a few extra relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and very consistent, with notes of sharp sour plums, bready, vinegary, spices, raisins, floral, sugar, wood, rich earth, lemon grassy, spicy, sweet hay, acidic, orange peel/zest, a savory tart citrus background note, and a peppery retro. Virginias are leading with Cavendish and Perique supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.