Sutliff Tobacco Company Hill of Slane

Not long ago Sutliff revealed they had sighted a little rascal in and around the factory, turns out it’s Henri a rather rowdy and impish sprite known in the tobacco world to know his leaf. But like most sprites ( the Irish call them Elves and Fairies) he is fond of a drop or two of spirits especially considering he’s been known to hang with the odd Leprechaun…believe me they can be odd…where he picked up a habit for finding fine liquor and for hiding surprises and little treasures here and there. Rumor has it not only did he get his Spritely hands into this blend of leaf and liquor but that he also snuck a special coin into one tine that can be exchanged for a special gift so good luck! He even imposed his image dressed as leprechaun on the label!!!

Well Henri and the folks at Sutliff have put some fine stuff in all the tins so really, coin or not, every tin is a treat. They started off with some very good Virginias that give a bit of tang and tart citrus sweetness, hay, bread and a light flowery note. Then they put in some lovely burley to add its nutty robustness along with a loamy, woody flavors and of course being burley it thickens the smoke and adds to the mouth feel which is pretty good. Now when I opened the tin I noticed a few things, one the above tobacco is cut into thin soft fluffy ribbons that pack well and a smell of liquor and at what at first my nose thought was cinnamon but turns out that some fine vanilla to make up the Irish Cream flavor. Now that flavor is a mix of liquor, cream, vanilla, a touch of cocoa or chocolate and sweetness. The topping does vie for the lead with the tobacco but they have decided to cooperate in to a very pleasant tasting balanced blend. Taste is mild to medium, with no chance of a bite. Nicotine wise it is light and much the same in strength.

Those soft ribbons pack well and burn cool and smooth yielding a pretty steady creamy, sweet, tangy, nutty and slightly fruitiness and touch of bitterness from the cocoa. The taste lingers a bit and like the room note both are pleasant. In a cob it leaves no noticeable moisture but may in a briar it might. Lights well and relights are needed a bit more often than some blends. It’s a very enjoyable blend and goes really well with a coffee for a sort of Irish coffee mashup and it could easily be enjoyed all day. I am leaning for 3-1/2 stars as it’s a nice aromatic.

Dave da Dragon

The various grades of Virginias provide light tart and tangy citrus, grass, bread, sugar and floralness as the lead component. The nutty, earthy, woody burley is a supporting player. The sweet Irish Cream offers mild vanilla, a few nuts, and a light, bitter cocoa note. It tones down the tobaccos quite a bit, but doesn’t totally drown them out. The strength and nic-hit are mild. The taste falls a step short of the center of mild to medium. There’s no chance of bite or harshness. Has a few very light rough notes. Burns cool, clean and slightly slow with a very consistent creamy, tangy, mildly fruity, nutty, lightly bitter flavor that extends to the moderately lingering, pleasant after taste. Has a pleasant room note, too. Barely leaves any dampness in the bowl, and requires a couple more than an average number of relights. A fairly easy going all day smoke. Three stars.

-JimInks

This is an aromatic that lays in the dry side.
The tin note is a faint cream/vanilla/chocolate/cocoa that doesn't hide the tobacco smell. Easy to light, easy keep it lit. Smokes cold for an aromatic, the cut is not that even but won't annoy you when filling the chamber.

Once again, this is not a strong aromatic, during the smoke it shows us a strong sweet taste that i believe came from the casing. The topping are there but the strongest flavor here is tobacco.

No fear of ghosting, the nicotine level is a step below the medium spot. It has a good room note and burns well til the end.

I´ll give it a solid 3 stars.

Tin note of sweet cream, vanilla and spices. Tobacco is a wide ribbon cut of orangish tan and reddish brown. Moisture content is ok, most pipe smokers will need to dry this a bit first. Burns fast with a few extra relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. Flavoring is medium, with notes of Irish Cream. Flavoring begins to fade at the 1/2-way point where it drops to the background where it remains. Taste is mild to medium and moderately consistent, with notes of vanilla, creamy, sugar, nutty, dry bitter, spice, floral, cocoa, molasses, graham crackers, wood, sweet hay/vegetation, tangy dried fruit, mildly savory, a sweet bread background note, and a smooth retro. Virginia is leading with Burley and Flavoring supporting. Room note is pleasant, and aftertaste is good.