House of Windsor Revelation

I first smoked Revelation back in the late 70's, early 80's, and recall it being my first tobacco with Latakia that I could tolerate on a regular basis. I loved the packaging - a nice little box with the sealed foil packet. I distinctly remember the packaging saying, "a fruity, nutty blend." Well, I never really tasted anything that reminded me of fruit, and as for nutty, well, not really. Mind you, I was new to the game and couldn't taste much beyond the Latakia. I still have another box - well over 25 years old (the quoted description now saying, "it's mild and mellow"). From time to time, I smoke a half-bowl in a very small-bowled pipe just for old times sake and find it quite enjoyable. It is not the HOW version (I never had that version), as my package says it is made under authority of Philip Morris by United States Tobacco Co. What a shame it is no longer being produced as what little I have still delivers true tobacco taste and enjoyment.

HoW blends are pretty good. They are like good otc blends, but they sell at a premium price. Coupled with sporadic availability, they seem to be doomed.

I like Revelation. It is a classic American blend. It may not be like the original, but that doesn't really matter these days. There aren't too many pipesters who remember the original anyway.

Taken on its own terms it is good. However, it is not worth what it is usually priced at on the net. If you can find it locally, and the price is right, I heartily recommend it. Otherwise, there are many, better quality blends in a similar vein.

Revelation has been my favorite and only tobacco I smoke now for several years. I cannot say enough good things about this wonderful blend! For many years I smoked Dunhill Nightcap and Dunhill My Mixture 965 and upon trying my first pipeful of Revelation, the Dunhill Tins were moved to the back of my humidor. I enjoy this blend in every pipe I own. For those who love a blend that will wake you up in the morning, restart you in the afternoon and relax you in the evening,this is the one! A great all day smoke, it fills the bill for me at all levels. After smoking this in everything from Dunhill's right down to Kaywoodies, I fully understand why this was Albert Einsteins favorite smoke!! HIGHLY recommended!!

Hey?!!! This stuff ain't bad! Another winner brought back from beyond the grave by HOW. They certainly had more winners than losers. This blend is very pleasant in that old school way that you never see anymore. It is very similiar to Country Doc but with more of a berry casing added in. This will be great in the summertime rotation!

My sample is quite old 22 years and quite dry the HOW version. All I can smell from the bag is the Latakia and a touch of sweetness. Whatever toppings might have been applied are long gone. Packs very easy it might have been a coarse cut at some point in its life but its just small flakes now. What's interesting is the tobacco still has quite a bit of flavor on its own and its very smooth. the burley and the Virginia are the most noticeable flavors adding just the right amount of sweetness that gets a bit sweeter as you progress through the bowl, with the perique adding just a wisp of fig, raisin flavor . I have no idea what a fresh batch of this would taste like but this is a really nice mild smoke with all tobacco flavors. Not sure I will ever get any of this vintage again but I will give the new match a try out of curiosity.

Pretty decent smoke, havent tried the "match", so cant say anything negative about it other that "match" usually means "no match whatsoever." Could smell some latakia along with a fruit-like undertone. It smoked dry, and didnt bite. All in all, a decent blend if you can find it.

I've tried a Revelation match, available in the UK from McGahey's in Exeter. I don't know how like the old-time Revelation it is, because I don't have any basis for comparison.

Einstein liked it, apparently. Well, each to his own. Personally, I thought it rather insipid. Several flavours are there, but there is always the feeling that they could be stronger and more defined. Too many flavours, perhaps: a tobacco that tries to be too many things at once. All right, but … meh: a bit like drinking watered beer, I thought.

Somewhat recommended, for people who like ‘American' tobaccos, but I wouldn't buy it again. Not easy to come by in the UK anyway.

Why am I even reviewing this? Hasn't been available for years (though I wisely stocked up, have been savoring every pipeful, and actually still have several cans left.) Maybe this is just a cry in the wilderness - someone reading this might be in a position to bring this wonderful mixture back.

As with every mixture, those who like this kind of thing will find that it's the kind of thing they like. Just for the record, I'm a big fan of non-aromatic burley blends. And this was, in my opinion, the crown achievement in that category. The nutty, slightly sweet flavor, rich body and comforting aroma all say "honest". The cut is like nothing else - so easy to pack a caveman could do it. And something about the easy way it holds a fire just says "Take your time, baby. Smoke me real slow." I've smoked this stuff in every type and size of pipe imaginable, indoors and out, in all manner of conditions, and it simply doesn't bite. Of course, no mixture is perfect, and this is no exception. Like most burleys, it can occasionally suffer from a somewhat bitter finish - this seems to happen when moisture collects in the heel, so I go slow and dry it out a little in the summer to compensate for higher atmospheric humidity.

HOW Revelation is kind of like a Paul McCartney bass line - it isn't terribly complex, still I find it hard to put my finger on what's so special about it. Guess they must've sprinkled it with fairy dust. Those of you who love(d) it will know what I mean.

(Just a note about the various Revelation matches: They all have their good qualities, and I continue to smoke them off and on, but they all suffer from the same deficiency - no fairy dust!)

I ordered a House of Windsor sample pack some years ago, and Revelation was the only one I had left that I hadn't finished. A couple months ago, I decided to smoke my 2 oz. As a previous poster remarked, it is very much like Country Doctor. In the 1960's-70's, so many tobaccos were available everywhere, that it's no wonder I never tried Revelation. A pleasant smoke, but nothing to write home about. I noticed a unique note that I can't put my finger on. Maybe, fruity.

I can't say I'll miss Revelation or HOW. I probably wouldn't buy it again if available.