Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Sir Walter Raleigh

This tobacco is quite the paradox. Comfortable and easygoing, but rough around the edges and a bit harsh at times. I assume it's entirely dark burley due to it having a good solid nic-hit and a good kick of spice reminiscent of perique. I think the moderate level of spiciness really separates this from most OTCs and makes this an interesting one to come back to. Produces a cool, dry smoke with thick, billowing plumes. Some deep, dark and earthier flavors here with a faint touch of cocoa. A good all-day smoke. Packs and lights easy due to its unique cut. Might want to get out your bigger bowls for this one so you can sit back and sip on it for a while.

Many a word has been written about this blend. Been around for years and there is a reason---it's pretty good stuff. I may be a little biased being raised here in the burly belt, but hey Burley is still great. Combine a little anise and a dollop of sugar and cube it up, you got SWR. Smokes and he same as it Did for me for over 27 years. It's just damn fine tobacco no fuss or muss. SWR is another one of my daily farm chore blends. Like my dogs and my tools it is always close by when I M working.

Nice mild pleasant tasting burley blend with light toppings. Different cut from other OTC ribbon cut blends, it has a small chunky cut. Lightly moist close to the dry side in pouch. Burns good without a lot of re-lighting. I smoke about a bowl a day in rotation with other OTC blends (Prince Albert, Carter Hall, Captain Black White, and Half and Half). I prefer the burley blends cause most are cheap but very good. More bang for the buck. You can't go wrong for $3 pouch or $28 for 14 oz tin. If you can't stand it dump it in the trash you won't lose much. I have to agree with another user here, when a paper filter is used there is less goo build up on the filter vs. other tobaccos. I would also recommend packing on the loose side. So if you like no nonsense burley blends with light toppings and a good price give it a try!

This is another American classic. What more can really be said that hasn't already been stated by other reviewers? It is a down-to-earth, hearty burley blend. It doesn't try to be anything more than that, nor was it made to be anything more. It has a rather awkward cut that some pipe smokers might be turned off by, but I love it because it allows me to pack a bowl with one hand while driving.

I appreciate how simple, yet enjoyable, this tobacco is. There are really no huge flavor profiles here other than chocolate and a bit of toffee (typical American burley traits). However, one thing that I have noticed in the past 10 years or so is that this blend remains consistent from pouch to pouch. It hasn't changed, and I hope it never does.

If you don't want the hassle of picking out the flavors you get from your well-aged bag of Penzance, then pick up some of this stuff and just enjoy your pipe for once! It is a no-nonsense blend with a decent amount of nicotine to keep you satisfied. I'd recommend it to anyone.

This famous drugstore aromatic is probably my favorite of its type. There is a nice mild nuttiness and chocolate flavor/aroma. This is enhanced with a very light topping, which I find quite pleasing when in the mood for this type of tobacco. This burns well with packing being a snap, good amount of smoke created as well. I find this superior to the more topped, aromatic version. I also just received two coupons from the manufacturer good for two pouches of this for 2 bucks total...write them and you'll get the same coupons or better! HMLBS

On a recent trip to the US I decided to try some of the typical "drugstore" tobaccos. I bought a 14 oz. tin of SWR. Upon popping the top I found the tobacco to be too moist to smoke, much in contrast to what others have stated about it being too dry. So I left the tin open for a few days, till the tobacco felt about right. The tobacco is cube cut, dark mocca brown to black in color. The tin note is one of subtle nuttiness.

This tobacco packs well due to the cut, lights well, and stays lit throughout the bowl. The taste is less pronounced than that of PA, which surprised me a bit. I detect a slight hint of licorice under the typical burley nutty flavor. This tobacco smokes cool right down to the bottom of the bowl, leaving no dottle.

I don't like this as much as PA, but it's definitely better than Carter Hall. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a mild, straightforward smoke.

Revised review: I have smoked about half of the 14 oz. tin, and I must say that my original review was a bit too positive. Other than a RARE hint of typical burley nuttiness, SWR is rather bland. I am currently using it as a filler to stretch more expensive and flavorful tobaccos. SWR is well suited to this purpose, as it seems to take on the aroma of the better tobacco.

I first tried SWR in a Peterson 69 and my experience was like some others where it started out very good but went downhill midway through. I also noticed that about midway through SWR started to burn very hot as well. I later tried SWR in a prince style pipe and the smoke was very good from start to finish running much cooler, so it seems to me that a pipe with a lower chamber hight to width ratio does much better with SWR. SWR is a very pleasant smoke with a mild sweetness and nuttiness that is consistent from start to finish in the right pipe. There was also a hint of sourness as well that complimented the sweetness. If smoked too hot the sourness became more dominant. SWR is not a complex bacci, but there are times I don't want something complex and SWR hits the mark there for me. Very mild, consistent, and does not want bite even when it burns hot. I like it.

A nice burley blend ,nutty with a sweet taste ,it burns cool and doesnt bite.Smoke's great in a corncob!

For all the OTC's I've tried, this is my favorite. It's a very simple, pleasant tobacco taste--nothing complicated. Some people find it boring, but most of the time I find the simplicity comforting. It's the 'go to' when I don't really know what I want. It's mildly sweet and nutty, and doesn't leave that ashy taste or smell that Carter Hall does. It's just good plain tobacco.