Wessex Original
(2.50)
Naturally aromatic pipe tobacco flavored with traditional West Country Cider.
Details
Profile
Strength
Mild
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
2.50 / 4
|
Reviews
Please login to post a review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 18, 2013 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Wessex makes some great, often underrated blends, so I was excited to try the original. Upon opening the tin, I was reminded of my grandfather's wine cellar. While I have fond memories of that cellar, that fondness didn't transcend to this pipe weed. This blend just didn't work for me. I found it to burn on the warm side and the flavor was off putting. The tobacco is of good quality, but like most aromatics, if you are not a fan of the topping, it doesn't matter if the quality of the tobacco is good. So, if you like cider in your tobacco in addition to your glass, then it's worth a try. One other thing I noticed that lovers of aged tobacco should be aware of and that is the packaging of the older tins. I had a tin of original from 2004 that was labeled “Wessex Brigade” with “Classic Virginia” on the top portion of the label. If you are looking for an aged tin of the “Classic Virginia” this can be confusing at best. Buyer beware.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 28, 2017 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
Wessex - Original Fragrant Virginia
This is a light aromatic or crossover aromatic in the sense that while it has not been heavily topped there is definitely an added flavoring that enhances the taste and particularly the room note.
The base tobacco is a sort of chop, small portion of gold virginia, larger portion of brown virginia and largest share of what appears to be black cavendish. This base has a warm, nutty, slightly earthy taste. To this is added a very typical Danish style flavoring, possibly sugar water or honey, and a second flavoring that is somewhat distinguishable as apple, slightly bittersweet. Not much nicotine. Not a very complex taste. Have not noted any bite ever but does tend to burn quickly. It's good but not outstanding by any means. A peaceful, mild blend. If you're looking for good virginia flavor, go for the Red Virginia Flake or Campaign Dark Flake instead. More a two-and-a-half star blend than two even.
This is a light aromatic or crossover aromatic in the sense that while it has not been heavily topped there is definitely an added flavoring that enhances the taste and particularly the room note.
The base tobacco is a sort of chop, small portion of gold virginia, larger portion of brown virginia and largest share of what appears to be black cavendish. This base has a warm, nutty, slightly earthy taste. To this is added a very typical Danish style flavoring, possibly sugar water or honey, and a second flavoring that is somewhat distinguishable as apple, slightly bittersweet. Not much nicotine. Not a very complex taste. Have not noted any bite ever but does tend to burn quickly. It's good but not outstanding by any means. A peaceful, mild blend. If you're looking for good virginia flavor, go for the Red Virginia Flake or Campaign Dark Flake instead. More a two-and-a-half star blend than two even.
Age When Smoked:
At least five years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 19, 2019 | Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I fully expect to smell some damp hay from the barn when popping a Virginia tin, but I was not prepared for this one's added horse manure and rotting apple bouquet. The cider flavoring is quite real here, but be aware, these apples fell off the orchard some time ago. If you want to smell something earthy, look no further.
The shredded cut was perfect. Packing the bowl with nice long tendrils was quite satisfying (even if my nose was still in the horse's exhaust port). The bad smells didn't carry over to the lit product (as expected), in fact the cider takes on a light sweetness which is pleasant. The smoke is mild and bite free with some decent nicotine behind it. I kinda thought the Cavendish would be a vehicle to take this Brigade into the Aromatic side of the battlefield, but it really wasn't.
If you get past the initial odor, you get a good quality Virginia product, which for me, is 'fine', but not my go to tobacco.
The shredded cut was perfect. Packing the bowl with nice long tendrils was quite satisfying (even if my nose was still in the horse's exhaust port). The bad smells didn't carry over to the lit product (as expected), in fact the cider takes on a light sweetness which is pleasant. The smoke is mild and bite free with some decent nicotine behind it. I kinda thought the Cavendish would be a vehicle to take this Brigade into the Aromatic side of the battlefield, but it really wasn't.
If you get past the initial odor, you get a good quality Virginia product, which for me, is 'fine', but not my go to tobacco.
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 02, 2004 | Mild | Mild to Medium | Mild | Pleasant |
Wessex Original is long well-cut ribbons of Virginia and Black Cavendish with a unique and pungent fruity aroma in the tin. If I hadn't known, from the labelling, that the flavoring agent was "regimental cider," whatever that is, I wouldn't have been able to identify the aroma. There is a bit of musty hay-barn Virginia smell as well.
On lighting, you are treated to a uniquely tart and often sweet-and-tart smoke that bites like a badger and often turns grousy and bitter along the way. I have tried this in many kinds of pipes, large and small, briar and meerchaum, at every puffing cadence, and can't get it to work. Maybe you can. It is certainly a unique smoke and I think it could be delicious under conditions I can't seem to provide.
I plan to let this dry out **drastically**, which may take some months as we are now in steambath weather here in Dallas, and I'll try it again. Wessex makes some good blends, and I think they wanted this one to be good, so maybe it's worth another shot. Updates later if anything changes.
On lighting, you are treated to a uniquely tart and often sweet-and-tart smoke that bites like a badger and often turns grousy and bitter along the way. I have tried this in many kinds of pipes, large and small, briar and meerchaum, at every puffing cadence, and can't get it to work. Maybe you can. It is certainly a unique smoke and I think it could be delicious under conditions I can't seem to provide.
I plan to let this dry out **drastically**, which may take some months as we are now in steambath weather here in Dallas, and I'll try it again. Wessex makes some good blends, and I think they wanted this one to be good, so maybe it's worth another shot. Updates later if anything changes.
target="_blank"
