House of Windsor Union Leader

I got a large tin of this at a discount because a shop was discontinuing it and found it to be pleasant but not distinguished. A fine, bland smoke, but not worth the asking price.

I grew up listening to my Dad tell me how he smoked Union Leader and Flying Dutchman mixed. He quit smoking pipes back in the late 70's. In 2000, when I got serious into pipes, he told me that the Union Leader I was smoking was the same as it was back in the 60's-70's, but the Flying Dutchman was horribly different. I sure do wish he was still alive to share a few bowls with.

Anywho, this is a great Burley blend. For reference, a bit stronger than Carter Hall.

Pairs well with just about any uncarbonated beverage.

I've been collecting UL tins for nearly 20 years now but I had never had the chance to try it until recently as a local tobacconist had a close out of some older stock.

Upon opening the container I got the odor of burley with a slight sweetness, not honey but "honey like". Out of a sense of tradition I tried it in a corncob and it light well and I had no trouble keeping it going. It has a higher nicotine kick to it (rather like Half@Half) and a light "honey like" flavour.

I enjoyed it as I like burley's and the casing is not overwhelming, my second bowl I smoked in a clay and the third in a briar. The only hint of bite was in the clay, and I was pleased with it overall. It's in the "Old Codger" category which I think is unjust, I prefer to call it a simple reliable blend myself.

I saw this blend in a local cigarette outlet along with several other HOW re-vamps. Seeing it there in a big 10oz tin reminded me of when I was a kid going into a store with Dad when he picked up some tobacco and cigars. Just the site of it said "Codger Blend". So I picked up a 10oz tin a few weeks ago and I am thoroughly enjoying it. Not an everyday all day thing for me but it's a no nonsense smoke that I don't have to 'pay attention' to in order to get what I'm looking for. It has a nice Nicotine level anda basic burley taste with a tad of honey. Bold basic no frills stuff here worth of a THREE STAR basic rating. Yes it will bite but as my tobacconist once told me,"sometimes ya just gotta take it easy". Isn't that waht pipe smoking is all about?

I usually like the burley blends from House of Windsor... but to me this stuff was more like crushing up Pall Mall in your pipe and smoking it. It started off OK & Yes, mulled cider is a wonderful description. But then after I got the pipe up to my usual temperature (on the hot side!) it went downhill for me. An OK experience for a can, but not a repeat purchase for me.

The tin aroma of this mixture of crimp-cut burley and small flake virginia is of earthily sweet tobacco with a honey topping giving an impression of mulled cider.

The depth of the burley and the spicy, honey-sweetened red VA play nicely together and create a richly spicy smoke. As is usual for House of Windsor, this is made of good-quality leaf which is admirably presented.

Those who seek an ingratiating, easy-smoking blend that is sweet and flavorsome without becoming dull or tiring will find Union Leader to be a definite winner. This seemed to go best in a narrow gauge chamber.

This is one of those 'who cares?' reviews. Union Leader is part of a group of old time blends that House of Windsor revived, kept on life support for a few years, and then snuffed out. I just happened upon a can a few weeks back in a local shop and thought I might as well revisit the blend.

Union Leader is a mildly topped Burley-dominated blend that should recall various other American classics. I find in vaguely apple-ish, but the top note is subtle. I actually preferred that recent tin to either Carter Hall or Prince Albert. Then again, I suspect that the rarity factor made it taste better.

Even if it were widely available again, I can't imagine that I'd be investing in much Union Leader. But it was a nice little diversion when it was around.

I have had this tin in my cellar since July of 05. I just now got around to smoking it. I think all of the other reviewer who gave Union Leader favor and recommendations have summed it up nicely. This is just a plain lightly topped predominantly burly blend with a slight hint of honey. The room note brings back memories of times hanging around the old fogies while they puffed away. I now understand why this was such a popular smoke. I am sorry to hear this blend is no longer in production. Hopefully I can find another burly blend that compares.

**Update**. I've revisited this tobacco recently. It's still a great, mildly flavored and simple burley blend. Still a lot of fun to smoke when I need something basic and undemanding. I think, however, I will rate it at three stars. Original review follows:

Oh yeah! For the burley smoker, this is a must do.

When I first cracked the seal on the can the honey like topping wafted out. I normally would prefer a cube cut, but this packs and lights easily. Once underway, the honey slips back into the backround but is present in just the right amount. I recently order a large cob (direct from the Missouri Meershaum outfit; they have web site on line) and to smoke this in a good cob is to turn back the clock about 50 years. This is my go to smoke when I don't want anything complex. It's a mild, very tasty smoke and at a reasonable price. For something a little more complex I go to Revelation or Country Doctor, for simplicity this is it. (2-10-05)