Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Troost Special Cavendish

I was always a fan of the pipey aroma of Flying Dutchman. However, it took a while for me to master the art of smoking FD since, at first, my tongue couldn't take the heat ! I like the way most Dutch cavendish blends smell and taste, and I've found that evident in Troost Special Cavendish; plus, it's readily more available than FD these days.

I buy it by the 5 pouch pack and generally add them to a glass tobacco jar. I keep the top off for a day since it has a tendency to smoke hot if too moist. Some have stated it is "dry" in the pouch already, but don't be fooled by this. There's enough moisture in the leaf to burn your tongue if smoked too quickly. I have no issues with moisture in my pipe, and the blend burns down fully to a fine gray ash. Upon lighting you are greeted with a subtle top flavor of chocolate. As you smoke it, there is a nice licorice (not anise, but straight licorice) taste as well. This combo of licorice/chocolate remains in the background of what is an exquisite combination of tobacco flavors consisting of Virginia and Burley, and very buttery I might add. In spite of the background flavors, this is no aromatic in the traditional sense, so purists shouldn't be disappointed. The room note has what I call that "pipey" smell, and I'll put my pipe down to leave the room - so that I can re-enter to that wonderful aroma. This effect is great for when I smoke in the car! The taste has a subtle hint of sweetness which I like - not overbearing at all. There is some good quality Kentucky Burley as there is a spicy note while smoking. It truly is a delicious smoke for me. The only difference I have found between Troost Special Cavendish and Troost Aromatic Cavendish is that the Aromatic version has a nice butterscotch flavor in addition, making for a solid smoke for those who prefer more of an aromatic experience. However, I prefer the Special over the aromatic as it is fuller-bodied and the Burley and Virginia stands out more.

Troost Special Cavendish is a solid 5 star blend and in my top 5 favorites - always a must have for me.

UPDATE 1-22-10: With regard to some of the more recent reviews of Troost Special Cavendish, I wonder if the comments are based on the same tobacco that I reviewed. I know taste is a highly subjective matter, but for me, Special is very tasty in the tobacco department with the licorice/chocolate in the background in a non-interfering way. Personally, I can chug on this like a freight train without the slightest tongue annoyance. Yes, it will heat up your pipe this way, but that heat never translated to my tongue or palate. One reviewer compared this to Sail Yellow. I can see the comparison, however, Sail Yellow always smoked hot for me and would bite if provoked - each and every time - so sipping was required. The way things are today with tobacco availability, Special is one tobacco I always have an abundance of. I would be very upset if I could no longer obtain it, or if it was discontinued. I have found Dutch tobacco blends the most difficult to tame for comfortable smoking, but when you do master them, they are a delight. However, I have found Troost to be "Special" in more than name only. My first encounter with Troost Special Cavendish goes back 30 years, and it was like meeting an old friend. There was never any adjustment period. Lucky for me, I guess!

UPDATE 9-18-11: I won several packs of Troost Special from the 1970s in a recent Ebay auction. Definitely the Troost Special I remember from my early days of smoking. Although I enjoy the new stuff (Peter Stokkebye), the original from the original blender is/was far superior. Smoked alone it is simply superb. One pack added to at least 3 of the new incarnation mellows the smoke very nicely. My jar smells like a walk through a beautiful barn - hay-like and wonderful. A simple smoke, with old-world flavor and aroma. If you like a simple, unadulterated offering that delivers pure tobacco goodness...look no further!

I like my tobaccos to be non-biting, mild, easy to pack and light and not full of artificial flavors. While I am on record for liking my Captain Black's, I find that as I mature as a pipe smoker, I like to smoke my Captain's more on an occasional basis in lieu of the Dutch blends.

Troost Special Cavendish is another Troost brand that I really enjoy. It's been nearly 25 years since I smoked this blend, but thanks to a friend who brought back a pouch from Holland for me, I have been able to re-kindle many fond memories associated with this blend.

This is not a moist tobacco and once the pouch is opened it dries even more very quickly and if you don't keep it moist it will burn to nothing in minutes. The aroma in the pouch is slightly licorice which is absent in the room note but delicately reappears in the mouth as an aftertaste.

Lights easily, burns to the end, doesn't bite and has a mild ever so slightly sweet taste and aroma. Smoke is slightly on the dry side but very mellow.......yes that's the word to sum it up.....Mellow. Very little after-taste left in the mouth.

A very nice all-day smoke.

I give it a Highly Recommended!

I stumbled across this online and since I haven't seen any of my local shops carring this brand, I had to get some. When packed right, it gives a slightly sweet and nutty smoke with a hint of cocoa, that is cool and rich. I've been through two pouches of this and have not had a hot smoke yet in both filtered and non-filtered pipes. Reminds me of the old Amphora green. I bought a five pack of this and Im really enjoying it! A good tobacco, period! If you like Sail Green but find yourself looking for a littlle more kick and richness, Troost Special will satisfy the itch. Anyone who bashes this tobacco is either a rookie or doesn't know how to smoke a pipe! Dutch tobaccos are to be savored and smoked slowly to really enjoy them. They are naturally cased, and not confectioned heavily like their Danish counterparts. The tobaccos are always good quality. Better than the slop "Jar" aromatics!

I hesitated to order this after reading the other reviews. I finally broke down and bought a 50 gram pouch over the internet. It is not sold anywhere around the Northwest that I have been. The tobacco is very coarse cut for a pouch blend. It was packed tight like a cake when I broke the seal. I like tobacs that are not too damp and this stuff was just right. I grabbed a pinch and rolled it into a loose ball and stuffed it in a bent bulldog. A very smooth fairly strong dutch cavendish type flavor. A pleasant surprise. Smoked a relatively long time and very clean. Definitely a one-note symphony of flavor but a very tasty smoke. No bitterness detected either. Not at all like the drugstore pouch tobaccos nor what Americans would call a cavandish. Highly recommended as a pleasant change-of-pace. I just wish we could get the Sliced version in the U.S. O.K. bring on the Amphora Red!

A very distinctive tobacco, Perhaps the definitive Dutch blend. The pouch aroma is sweet not unlike spring heather. The pipe should be packed using the Frank technique. This will minimize the number of relights and maximize the unique characteristics of this tobacco. Unlike the usual description of "Danish" blends, this technique opens an entirely new experience. The sweetness is not at all fleeting but is a strong deeper layer of taste to the rich muskiness throughout. A much under expected but delicious experience. Smoked in a medium meer is a rare and exceptional treat.

writeing this review im about halfway thrue the pouch, it grows on you. first bowl was nothing special, but the more you smoke it the more you discover in taste. didnt had any tonguebite and smokes easily down to the bottom of the pipe. for sure this will be in my baccy stash.

Makes you wish the bowl would go on forever. It is only the second tobacco I have smoked since starting. First being Captain black white. To each their own. Capt wasn't for me. This smells good and just makes me wanna keep going. No tongue bite. Little pricey in NH seeing how the tobacco tax is 65% but was worth the price.

I really like this tobacco. It reminds me of a good Navy Blend. It is quite tasty, dries out nice and burns very well. There is not much room note.

The major thing with this blend is the Nicotine content. I must smoke it very slowly and I cannot smoke two bowls of this stuff back to back. I did a couple times, and my head was spinning. I'm a light weight I guess. 🙂