Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Velvet

04-19-2005

I am in the midst of a "battle of the drug store burleys" as I write. Earlier this week I bought a pouch each of Velvet and Prince Albert. They were $2.49 each for a 1 1/2 ounch pouch. That is $1.65 an ounce, or $26.24 a pound. So, neither is a cheap tobacco, either in price or in quality. There are a number of bulk "premiums" available online for that price.

Velvet is definitely the milder smoke and easier on my tongue; though neither caused that much of a problem, PA was hotter on my tongue than Velvet. I was able to puff away to my heat's content and suffered no bite for my vigorous efforts. The scent in the pouch is pleasant. One match and it smoked like a dream to the bottom of the pipe. I had no problem with condensation or "gurgle."

But Velvet did not have the strength of taste or scent that I was hoping for. If I was on the road and out of tobacco I would buy it. However, I will not go looking for it. Velvet must be doing something right for enough people though. It has been around since I can remember and I can remember back about 50 years.

Packs and lights easily. A one dimentional blend that has very little flavor or anything else to offer. A blend that will leave plenty of goop in your pipe. Even though a drugstore tobacco, it sinks to the depths of tobacco hell like no other I have smoked. A total waste of time...and pipe cleaners.

I don't really care for this blend. The aroma from the pouch just didn't agree with me. I thought that it had a sour mash smell to it. Whatever it is, it's too much. It certainly does stay moist, no matter how much exposure it gets. I open my pouch and check the contents each day and it's still fresh after a few weeks. It smoked well but once again, I didn't like the slightly sour taste and aroma. Maybe it's just my taste buds but I won't try it again. If I want a simple, pure Burley smoke I'll stick with Prince Albert. "Different strokes..."

What a surprise to see this tobacco reviewed twice today! I have only just finished a bowl of this tobacco myself. About two years ago, I purchased a pouch of this in an Albertson's grocery store in Montana. I tried a few bowls, found it dull, and put it aside. Somehow it found its way into my suitcase when I moved to Asia. Earlier today, I came across the small, red, wrinkled pouch, and was amazed to find it moist and aromatic still. I tried it again, and now I wonder why on earth I was so dismissive at the campfire in Montana. It is not an exciting tobacco, but it is a smooth, mild smoke that does not demand very much. Velvet is a memorable burley, with a slight, enjoyable sour taste. Unfortunately, this tobacco seems to become rather bitter after about half a bowl. This suits me fine, however, for by this time, I've usually had enough. It is a perfect companion to a good book or some mellow jazz. Velvet will, I think, always have a place on my shelf.

Codger time! I tried a bowl of this last night and found that I enjoyed it. Great nutty toasted flavor to the burley on the light. Tried my hardest to sip but still ended up with a bowl hotter than the sun and a wee bit of tongue bite. I liked it nonetheless. I'd be happy if it's all I had on a dessert island. The flavor is wonderful.

I picked up a pouch of this the other day because my great grandfather smoked velvet his whole life. Nothing else. The pouch was only 2 dollars or so. The box says America's Smoothest Smoke and in it's defense the tobacco did produce a lot of smoke, however with not much flavor. When you open the pouch there is an overwhelming smell of cherry and almost a rubber smell. Someone likened it to the smell of cherry nibs from twizzlers, and I could smell that similarity. However, once smoked there is little cherry flavor at all and more of a smoky "industrial" flavor. Some people say plastic, I kind of tasted rubber or motor oil or something. Don't know how my great grandfather smoked this stuff all day. For whatever reason, my bowl burned awfully hot from the start.

If you really want to try it for yourself, it's not pricy at all, but my bet is you could find something you like for not much more money.

I smoked some of this given to me by a friend. He went on to throw away the pouch. The bite that Velvet provides can be intense no matter how slowly it is smoked. It has never failed to leave my mouth feeling a bit scorched. In addition it tastes rather bland and does not have a pleasant room note by any means.

For a drug-store brand this is pretty decent, the flavors are basic and it stays lit easily. It smokes good no matter Sophmore smoker. My Personal Notes give this a 6.1 if you want a better starter go with Carter Hall.

First there is something really bad about this tobacco, I could hardly stomach it, it started to taste very acidic in the back of my mouth, I kept wanting to drink something to get rid of the flavor, I had to downgrade this to a 1 star and a .2 out of 10.

I have also done a video review of this tobacco. view it at

http://www.myspace.com/elemental_pipes

or at

http://www.youtube.com

just search Pinkerton Pipe Tobacco's Velvet