John Middleton, Inc Sugar Barrel

I bought a tub of this shortly before Middleton snuffed it out of the game. Based on the reviews from some of the forums I browse, and even youtube reviews, everybody said they loved it. When I opened the tin, it had a mixture of a tangy tobacco smell and sugar--hence the name, I guess. This stuff tasted slightly creamy to me, but also tasted like it really was cased in some sort of sugar water concoction. I didn't detect a strong Burley or Virginia presence. It was mild, not a whole lot going on for me. It was the perfect moisture level, and rough cut. Only one relight after char and burned to white ash. Not a goopy, sticky aromatic. This is one I smoke when I don't want to think about what to smoke. Even if Middleton still made this stuff, I wouldn't keep it around. I will be putting the empty tub on a shelf when I'm done though. I like the retro look of the label.

This stuff tastes like Granger with an extra dose of propylene glycol. The only leaf I can detect is burley, which is ok, but it has a monochromatic taste from first light to the last dregs. The taste is a weird mix of sour from the burley and slightly sweet from the topping & PG. It isn't bad tasting but definitely not good enough to become part of my regular rotation.

What a delightful find! It gives the satisfaction of a burley and the great smell of an aromatic. I never would have thought about ordering this, until I read some of the reviews here. It's sweet in the tub, but unlike the name would suggest, it's not a sugary sweet in the smoke. Great room note, and a very easy smoke. It does seem to be a little dry in the tub though. No bite for me at all, but it is better if it's sipped slowly. I'll certainly be buying this again!

Picked up another blast from the past from Steve Fallon here. I used to smoke a lot of Sugar Barrel and Half and Half as a teenager starting out with the pipe, so I was looking forward to this one.

As soon as I lifted the lever on the 7-ounce tin, that old familiar scent of rich burley, sugar, and molasses prominently greeted me. It smelled good enough to eat. I selected an aro-dedicated Barling Cherrywood for the first smoke. Packing was a breeze with the old “codger scoop” method employed.

Two lights with a long match and I was off to the candy store! SB is sweet, rich, and very satisfying in the morning with coffee. The burley has held up very well, and I didn’t notice any appreciable loss of flavor despite its decades of rest in the can.

You will need to pack this one using the gravity fill. When overpacked it starts to take on an ashy flavor. With a light pack, the sweetness is subtle and takes a backseat to a more dominant buttery note. There is also consistent nutty flavor from beginning to end and at times you get a minor spice hit on the retro-hale.

For me, this blend was able to satisfy in a way that other OTC's do not. Sugar Barrel is no longer made and this is cause for lament.

A burley blend with sugar sweetness and anise notes. Neither are pronounced but lurk in the background. it is gentle on the tongue and burns down to a gray ash with minimal relights. I had no problem with an ashy taste toward the bottom of the bowl. The virginia must have been on vacation from my tub because I tasted none.

I guess this blend is gone because it no longer shows up online. I know some are disappointed. Only somewhat recommended because it is too mild for me and burns quickly.

Although I have never met a Burley I didnt like, the fact is that most OTC's lack in a key aspect. It is mouth feel, whereby the smoke lacks a fullness or density found in more complex smokes. Sometimes this lightness is refreshing, other times it becomes boring.

I find Sugar Barrel to be more than the sum of its parts. The flavoring is lightly added but adds a wholeness to this blend not found in other OTC's. It is hard to put a finger on. For me it is like cinnamon and brown sugar. Not overly sweet. Like an Oatmeal Raisin Cookie. This sounds odd but this cookie like essence just jives perfectly with Burley. While smoking, it tastes as if this subtle flavoring props up and enhances the tobacco, rather than overtaking it. Overall, this is a mild experience and perfect for warmer weather, the car, and outdoors. It's not an everyday for me, but have been enjoying a few bowls a week.

Moisture content is perfect. There is no stickiness one would associate with an aromatic. Burns without fuss. No bite unless pushed and it gets bitter. Serviceable in a briar, but heaven in a cob. If your tastes lean to stuff like PipesandCigars Burley Cake, Boswell Premium Burley, etc. - you may like this.

My sample came to me at a good moisture level. The smell of the bag put me off a bit smelling strongly of brown sugar??? After loading up my pipe and lighting it I was pleasantly surprised. The strong sweet bag smell translated into a mild sweet tobacco forward flavor. It burned good like most OTC's with minimal relights and would only bite if pushed. It held its flavor all the way to the bottom. The only real negative I can think of is it did give me a very ashy feel / aftertaste on my tongue.

Ah Sugar Barrel. This blend is so simple and yet so enjoyable when the summer temps keep me from smoking heavier blends. I am not sure who to believe regarding the ingredients as a 1949 advertisement states: "Bourbon Burley was accidentally stored in sugar barrels which had damp sugar in them." So has the blend changed to a mostly virginia blend as one reviewer states? Well whatever the ingredients are, Sugar Barrel creates lots of Brown Sugar aromatic smoke without being overbearing or too heavy. Think Carter Hall with a Brown Sugar/Maple-ish dressing. Burns clean with no goop. Fine ash and no dottle in my cobs. Inexpensive and delightful room note which everyone will love.