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

I picked up several of the 12 ounce tins of these for five bucks apiece on clearance at a local cigarette store. At that price, it was hard to go wrong, even if just to try the tobacco. I can honestly say that, were it not for the bargain price, I would have never bothered with Sail Natural, as it is normally a far overpriced tobacco in my book.

Opening up the can, one is faced with a plastic bag filled with long, dark strips and pieces of partially rubbed out tobacco. The aroma is dry and musty, reminiscent of the old Drum cigarette tobacco. There is, otherwise, nothing remarkable about the aroma or appearance of this blend. Despite the tin's claim of all the different tobaccos that go into it, it smells pretty monotone.

The tobacco was the right moisture, and it packs and lights easily. I find that, as with many MacBaren tobaccos, I must light carefully to avoid a scorched tongue. However, once lit Sail Natural behaves pretty well. There is a slight pepperiness to the flavor, and ocassionally I can detect a bit of sweetness. But overall, it's just a mild tobacco mustiness, punctuated by the natural spiciness. It's actually rather pleasant, as long as it is puffed at a leisurly rate.

So do I like it? This makes a good morning smoke for me, and I truly like it for a wake up smoke. There is something very 'clean' feeling about the way it smokes, and it has a fair nicotine punch. And this stuff does not interfere with the flavors of my morning coffee, even seems to compliment and heighten the flavors in my Kenya AA. I find that the tobacco is far too monotone for my normal smoke, but for that first morning pipe, it does a good job at waking up my palate.

I was interested in trying out a natural blend, so I picked up a pouch of this stuff at a local cigarette shop on my home. When I got home, I opened up the pouch and a sour, rank odor came out. I thought that maybe the tobacco had gone bad or something, but I was still determined to give it a try. It packed pretty easily and didn't require a charring light. There was an immediate flavor of vanilla, but this burned off pretty quickly and left a smooth, natural taste. I was trying to think of what it reminded me of, when it hit me: Backwoods cigars. The smoke was a thin, bluish-white color that smelled pretty nice, not intolerable like non-smokers say about natural tobaccos. About 1/3 of the way down, I started to notice a chocolate taste, with hints of pepper here and there. Every once in awhile, a sour taste like the pouch aroma comes through. It only lasts for one puff, though. This is kind of fun, because you never know when it's going to poke its head out again. The vanilla taste popped up for a little bit, but it went away pretty quickly. The last 1/3 required a re-light, and was pretty much the same taste as the chocolate-and-pepper, but with more natural tobacco flavor, and without the sour surprises. I was startled when it burned out, sicne I was enjoying myself.

Despite what I had read about the difference between natural blends and aromatics, I wasn't too surprised by the taste of a natrual tobacco. I realize this is no full-blown English blend, but it certainly isn't aromatic either. I guess the main difference is that naturals smoke more like cigars- you've got to go slow, or you'll get a bite (and this stuff is a biter).

I especially liked the woodsy, smokey taste and aroma from this tobacco. I think it would make a nice autumn smoke, or good from around the campfire, since it's pretty relaxing but still packs a little punch.

Sail Natural is, ostensibly, the same blend as Sail Aromatic [green pouch], but omitting all the flavouring agents.

If?heaven forfend?Mr Rodgers were to teach the kiddies in Mr Rodgers' Neighborhood to smoke a pipe, this would be the perfect blend to do it with. Is this a Dutchman's idea of a latakia blend?

There is no oriental leaf of any kind in this? nor does the pouch legend claim any, either. I do not see or smell anything remotely like Latakia within the contents of the sachet. Unlit, Sail Natural looks and smells for all the world like...Sir Walter Raleigh...

Mind you, this is quality burley; it is neither sour nor rank; it tastes as bland and neutral as one might expect unadulterated burley to taste. As the bowl progresses, the merest hint of virginia sweetness appears. That is all.

Recommended only to straight-burley lovers.

Sail Ivory was one of the first tobaccos I tried that was not a heavy aromatic. It is a basic Dutch Cavendish, almost shag cut, medium in color, with no casing. I never found any Oriental leaf in the blend, which smokes somewhat on the bland side with minimal aromatic tendencies. Cool enough, fairly dry, but not compelling. Just anoher mosly Burley Dutch blend, good in a pinch, but never my first choice.

Cool with a nice aroma but not as tasty as Sail regular.