Sutliff Tobacco Company Blackthorn Shillelagh

Slip-jigging in spryly for your grand Paddy’s Day celebration, bounces a nifty mitt-twirling affair from the Sutliff Tobacco Company, the suitably branded Blackthorn Shillelagh. With the presentation of a generous cannister, a rollicking tricolor wrapper finds “bold as brass” Seamus standing true to form, pipe in gob, flailing that attention-getting stick of infamy. Complying to the tin note proprieties, yer man is properly reeled for some serious arse-drubbing mischief. Craic to the core, even Brian Boru himself would foot a happy march for a pipeful of this festive tempered stew. Erin Go Brah!

Comprised of a feasting combination of true Virginian character, mixed Burley, and obliging Black Cavendish, this special St. Patrick’s Day production is heartedly soused in a healthy portion of spirited Irish whiskey and a few other choice shenanigans I am thinking. Rising from that lovely can, springs a scrappy coddle indeed, yet a fine thing at that. Blackthorn Shillelagh rises high and wide with a gracious display of mixed cut coarse shards and varying proportions of romp twisting ribbons. An inebriating plaster of solemn black, bruised browns, tarnished ginger, redheaded copper, and a bout of schnockered golds fill the complements of proven color.

Normally, I attempt to accurately describe to you the resident airs that are to be experienced with the subject blend. Frankly, just go stick your virginal nose directly in a bottle of stone-cold Jameson’s. Not quite off your face hammering, but darn close. Namely, the biting spicey tingles of a bawdy Irish elixir locks you full out. Is there tobacco here, maybe so? Well okay, once the swill of alcohol finishes chaffing your nose, just a peek of tarty earthiness, plum/raisin fruitiness, light nut, plus a modest tang meekly form against a backdrop of cocoa sugar juicing with the sweet essence of something caramel/maple and a desperately resolved molasses. Nevertheless, a rather tall shot glass seems to be the order upon breathing in this one.

After opening the crafty tin, I will say the first few bowls of this seasonal tobacco tendered a little too green with the shamrocks. Mainly the flavors did not come together in being inset with a well-tailored melding. As such I was a little doubtful about whether my Irish eyes would in fact be smiling. But, in letting this compote harden and breathe for about a week or so, the nicety of the fusion progressed into a cheerier aromatic profile of true merit. What eventually availed was a lively spirit-laced offering of pleasing depth and character. Overall, the body of the blend encounters heavier and darker for a common aromatic.

Here is the deal. That promising delivery of the full shot of Jameson’s paddywhacks largely the initial remarking of taste. It seems to me that some kind soul should have cut old Seamus off about five rounds prior. Jaysus, talk about the rocky road to Dublin! Boldly spiced, the distilled nature sweetly shines in graininess, cultured malt, succored with clear projections of honey and a vanilla-teased fair. What is more, there is a kick of oaky pepper seasoning that thumps you on the back as if it were from the encouraging hand of a grinning Irish pub mate. Generally, this full-tilted whiskey element assumes a more sobered condition but maintains a constant garnishing hold for the balance of the bowl only moderating towards the close.

Further cavorting in this celebratory reel spins the coloring enhancements of a few additional nuances worth noting. You do come to record a run of solid molasses, some subtle residuals of vanilla-maple-like sugars, and the splicing of kitchen spices that lend themselves to a mix between cinnamon and cardamon all be told. I guess you could say that fortune’s smile is well earned with the dressing of this tobacco.

As to the native constituents, yes, you can record a handsome amount of their apparent mixed charm and there is some relative movement especially within the middle band of flavor. Overall Blackthorn Shillelagh lands its features as gentle sour-tangy fruitwood sparring with a developed orange citrine grassed character. And as I previously stated the registration is denser and meatier in nature. This upright remarking glides consistently within the width of the primary profile in a fairly steeped fashion due to the combination of extended Virginian and Burley components.

Regarding that, the registration reveals a Red Virginia fronting that is characteristically of rustic seasoned wood, with chases of plum, progressed caramel, and sincere tarter spicing. There is also a flash of a green herbal tinge that favors the bitterness of sage as well as softer black pepper improving the vibrancy of flavor. As for the Dark Burley, it comes into the Paddy’s Day merriment expressing a complementing charred sour earthiness and distressed darker wood, accented with an imprint of altered cloves.

It is a delicate call but if I had to choose which one in particular is more commanding, it would most likely be the tangier Bright leafed strain. This little more stepped-up presence is additionally evidenced by a thread of modest saltiness, hints of crusty baked bread, the traditional Irish soda sort of course, and a thrust of sweeter lemon peelings. Spooling in close quarters follows a projection of toasty brown sugared pecans and convincing cocoa that places the fluctuating influence of the White Burley component. Moreover, clearly the Burley/Cavendish overall adds some textualizing zest and a lighter menthol effect that stimulates the palate.

Thick clouds of creamy grey-white plumes enliven the smoking adventure like the endearing graces of Mother Machree. A bit touched in its room essence, Blackthorn Shillelagh floats about with an honest wisp of that saucy booze but generally bestows a soft pleasing sour nature. It is a tad woodier than anything else spruced by a gentle mocking of sugary airs twined with a steely herbal earthtone. And finally, admirable mechanical performance on the whole with a tolerable endowment of riddling nicotine.

So, there you have it, my take on this short-run Paddy’s aromatic delight. As the Irish will tell you, no morning’s sun can last all day. Meaning, as you can still bask in the warming pleasure of this fierce tobacco, then I suggest you grab a tin while you can. Perhaps Sutliff will opt to make this a standing tradition, a blessing worth the taking. And so, as it seems, this blend got on the right side of my Irish, and like Muldoon, being a solid man, I will embrace it with 3.5 Pipes.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day me boyos!