Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Sail Authentic (Sail Natural)

I have wanted to try this blend for years being a fan of the Sail Green of the 1970's from curiosity mostly, I guess. The pouch describes a blend of Burley, Virginias, Latakia, Indian, and Indonesian tobaccos. I will assume the last two qualify as "Oriental". Like Sail Green, the Latakia is not discernible or apparent in the smoke. It may well be in there and be missed were it eliminated, but I cannot tell it readily. the same is true of the Virginias.

At first light the impression is a very burley forward blend, the Virginias virtually non-detectable to my palate. Sipped lightly there are some new flavors in there that I assume are from the "Orientals" but it is hard to tell. If there is such a thing as, a paradox, ephemeral smoke, this is it. This first light is pleasant enough but then I fall victim to increasingly pulling on the pipe to coax more flavor from it, to get more smoke to taste. I fail in producing more smoke and invariably scorch my tongue as a reward for my bad form. An interesting note from my perspective is that this reminds me in a way of OLD Sail Green without its topping. The current sail green, while pleasant, was quite different in appearance and taste from the old. It's not a bad smoke; glad I finally tried it.

Just smoked a bowl of this for breakfast. It's very good and I always enjoy, particularly, for some reason, in the morning.

It's mellow tobacco with a subtle sweetness that dances around with a subtle spiciness. Great aroma and excellent blowing through the nose.

Many have complained that this is harsh or that it can bite, but such is the nature of Dutch and Danish style cavendish. Sorry, but you're simply smoking it wrong.

Go slow, keep it on the verge of going out. It is tobacco to relax with, savor, sip, not to puff away on.

It's not a "complex" tobacco and those that like the cacophony of English blends will be bored with it. To me, it's perfect. Sometimes, complex is just....complex. Complex just to be complex.

A pleasant, natural, simple tobacco and very rewarding if smoked correctly.

UPDATE: Well I ran out of my stash of older Sail Natural and bought a replacement pouch. Very different stuff. The tobacco looks different, plus ANISE! All anise, all the time. Anise, anise, anise. This is the new stuff from British Tobacco and is clearly a completely new recipe. In a word, it's GROSS. Three times I've tried to smoke it and dumped it out every time. If you like licorice or anise, go for it. This has anise out the ying yang. From fourstars down to one. Yuck.

I,d rate this just under the yellow, but equally a very nice surprise, easy smoking dutch blend, still with a slight hint of licorice.

Different than Sail Green, the leaf is darker and more of a partially rubbed out flake.

There is a hint of something close to anisette, very faint.

It has to be smoked slowly because it has a tendency to bite.

Otherwise, it is enjoyable and a great change of pace.

currently my go-to blend.

nice rich tobacco flavor. flavor and smell is a sort of smokey molasses and tobacco. slight bitterness that adds to the complexity of the blend.

its the closest thing i can find to a plain uncased tobacco in my area and mixes well with many other blends.

the first pouch I bought looked different than what I get now, I wonder if it was an old one from before the companies latest sellout... it was drier and seemed to taste slightly better, however the newer ones are still relatively good.

Thinner ribbon cut out of the pouch. Good sipping, easy draw. Simple but worthwhile development of flavor profile. A nice even-paced bowl to the bottom. Great price for the quality of smoke. This tobac is as advertised. May upgrade later. 2 ½ Stars for now.

Somewhat bland and inoffensive, but slightly bitey. If it doesn't bite you, it would be good for a light smoke.

A whole lot of hot air. I get a little nuttiness near the end of the bowl but by then my tongue's burning. Really, why bother.

Good taste, great room note, but far far to harsh, I get wicked tongue bite!