Reiner Yellow Star Blend

This stuff smells good enough to eat out of the tin. It is extremely mild and well behaved. Obviously quality leaf was used in the blend. The casing and/or topping doesn't taste artificial or chemical. If it weren't for the tin aroma I wouldn't consider this blend an aromatic because the rum and vanilla flavor is so subtle as to almost be non-existant. I would think non-aro smokers would enjoy it. I was torn about whether to rate it at 2 or 3 stars. It is good but there are several blends available that are slightly better and I'm not sure it will have a place in my permanent rotation.

Big, sweet and lush casing flavor!

Forget about much tobacco taste, this is a delicious dessert that burns relatively cool with no bite. Smells great too!

This is an aromatic lover's dream.

The only downside to this weed is its ridiculously high price. To my knowledge, this is not available in bulk. The best quantity price from my supplier puts this at over $70 U.S. per pound. For Heaven's sake, this is pipe tobacco, not .999 silver bars!

Never-the-less, I'll continue to buy this from time to time for special occasions.

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UPDATE 3/20/11:

Sadly, a recently purchased tin has shown a deterioration in quality. The big, bright, bold flavorings have been watered down. Taking this down a star and maybe more if the next tin is like this.

Aromatic fans who enjoy Vanilla and Rum (I had trouble tasting the Rum) will appreciate this blend. It is very light and frankly, not real tobacco tasting to me. Still, the aromatic crowd should love this quality offering because it is sweet, does not bite and stays lit easily.

I asked a friend to bring me this tobacco just to enrich my collection. An amazing aromatic. For those who require a discreet aroma in their tobacco, they will be delighted. Those who like rum and vanilla, will be thrilled. Brown and black Cavendish plus the essential Virginia. Perfect humidity, once you open the tin. It maintains its aroma until the 4/5 of the bowl. It scarcely soils the filter (it should mean something). Soft force, pleasant at any hour of the day. And of course it provides an astonishing room scent.

I do love my aromatics, but I cant figure out what this one is supposed to be? Fiery, sharp and sort of chemically tasting on the start, this one took a while to mature in the bowl. The vanilla is definitly there, but I dont find it sweet. Not sure where to go looking for the rum.

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The initial confusion and dissappointment aside, it did get nice about half way dwon the bowl. Some of the darkness and sweetness started to come out pleasantly when sipped and snorkled. Beware of the dragon on this one though. Gums weren't too happer after the long haul.

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give it a rip out of curiousity I suppose. I'll see whats happened to it after a couple years in the basement, lol.

UPDATE, Dec 28/09;

Okies, After 6 bowls of this tobacco, I get it, lol. Not used to aromatics being so subtle. Great tobacco taste and excellent room note. Definitely best after the 1st third of the bowl. Gonna throw a couple tins in the basement and finish this one, lol. Reccommend.

Very nice aromatic. "Tin smell" was delicious...vanilla being the predominant aroma deteted. It seemed a bit moist out of the fresh tin, so I let it dry for about ten minutes. The aroma was detectable the entire time I packed the pipe. The cut allowed for easy rubbing and packing. Upon lighting both the vanilla and the rum were noticeable in flavor. A little further into the bowl and the rum settled down a bit, and it remained this way until the bottom 1/4, when the rum began to come back. Despite this, the vanilla is never lost. This aromatic tastes much as it smells...like a vanilla-rum cased tobacco...though not much tobacco. It produced a light gurgle as many aromatics do, but it was quite tolarable. My wife and kids commented that the room aroma was sweet and in no way over-bearing. The bowl smoked a little quick, and at times, a touch hot. Nothing real bad, and I had no trouble keeping it lit. All in all, a dang decent aromatic. Definitely a "must try" for those looking for something medium-medium with a room pleasing aroma.