Savinelli Janus

I was gifted several tins of pipe tobacco from a fellow club member that did not care for them and this is one of them. A big thanks to “M”. This has a really nice tin note that I guess I could describe as musty and fermented. These are nice flakes though mostly broken. As this is not a new tin though quite full not sure if it came as actual flakes. None of this really matters just observation as C&D has a bad habit in my opinion of labeling their pipe tobacco as flake and upon opening you are greeted with broken flake. Why not call it such? Upon lighting up I can sense the Perique and throughout most of the smoke I detected more of the Orientals with the Virginias lurking in the background. Toward the end of the bowl some harshness developed but nothing that I consider detrimental to the overall enjoyment of this blend. A really good smoke and as stated in a previous review I wish “M” would give the blends a little more time before rendering a verdict. But I have also tried some blends in the past and after a few smokes you can tell if it is going to be hit out of the ball park or not. Upon ending this review, I cannot help but wonder when I see pipe companies come out with their own pipe tobacco blends if they are really just another blend repackaged under a new name. I have tried so many different blends over the years that a lot of the ones I have tried are so similar to others that it can be difficult to write a review with anything informative or interesting. I could never be a pipe tobacco blender as my taste and smell are just about shot. With that being said, it is always good to put another notch in the old fence post.

The tin is attractive and has an image of a Roman god just like the other two tins. This one has an image of Janus on the front. Opening up the tin I find a nice stack of well made flakes, but they are less pressed than other offerings by Savinelli notably Guibileo d'Oro. The tin note smells similar to Bayou Morning Flake, with a more earthy and tangy note from the Orientals. It came a little more wet than I'd like, so I left it open for a little while before jarring. It does fold and stuff well, and after a light dry time it lights consistently.

When I light my pipe the leaf I taste fist is Virginia: bready, citrusy, and grassy. Next, I taste tangy, woody, and earthy Orientals. My favorite Cajun spice, is in a moderate amount in this mixture, but it adds a nice dark fruit and spice to the mix. This is a nice bready, spicy VaPer.

The taste I give a medium. It's what I would expect for an average VaPer. The strength is also average for a VaPer, there isn't a high Perique content so the strength stays a medium. The room note is a little harsh but I think it smells good.

I give this one three stars. It should be on your list to try, but I don't think it does enough to get me to buy another tin personally.

Janus, the Roman god of duality... is a good name for this blend. The first scent after opening the tin is an earthy, mulch-like... almost manure-like smell. It not bad, just strongly Oriental. The smoke is the same way, a nice musty, slightly sour, mildly floral Oriental with touches of the Virginia sweetness and freshness. The combination is very good. The Perique is light, but enhances both the Oriental spice and the Virginia sweetness.

Janus isn't really like many other blends I've smoked. The closest thing I can think of is C&D's Oriental Silk... and Janus is like a bit rougher version of that.

Bottom Line: If you like Orientals, you'll almost certainly love this one.

Savinelli – Janus is moist. That’s how I sip it, with a light rub and packing. Sipped, this is a stronger than medium nic-hit. Although all pipe tobacco deserves respect, oriental tobaccos demand it and can turn sour, so don’t rush. It also relights well. The sweet perique makes its presence felt but isn’t overwhelming. Gets stronger as the bowl progresses with the Virginia disappearing. Could easily be a comforting, satisfying all day blend. Lots of laidback middle notes. Not complex but not on the backfoot either.