Wilke Pipe Tobacco Nut Brown Burley

This is not a bad smoke by any means, just a johnny-one-note. The taste is typical of a good burley, but from the first puff to the last, there is no subtlety. To me there is no nuttiness. I enjoy blended tobacco, aromatic or not, and even though the blender says this includes Virginia and Turkish, I taste nothing beyond the burley. It smokes well, doesn't bite although the smoke is quite warm in the mouth, gives off ample smoke and continues to burn with no relights down to a very fine ash perfect for building cakes. But, I prefer more variety in flavor. I will smoke all of my 8 ounces, but when it's gone it will not be missed.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, let me also say that this is one of the finest burleys I've ever smoked. It compares favorably with C&D Morley's Best, a burley I didn't think could ever be equaled. NBB has a bit more sweetness in the taste, which is also reflected in the room note. There may be just a bit of maple casing here, when you first light up there seems to be a faint bit of a maple undertone in the flavor. The other taste that's really noticeable is a really pleasant natural nutty flavor, hence its' name. It smokes well in all my pipes, but I have a large bent Boswell that is used exclusively for this blend. The tobacco and nicotine strength are not too high, and this makes NBB a good all day smoke. Lighting and burn characteristics are both above average, too. NBB is a fairly expensive bulk tobacco, with the price of a pound at $33.00. Carol is nice to deal with and gets her orders out quickly. Since I've gotten my pound, a lot of my other tobaccos have sat languishing. Hope they don't get jealous! Four big stars for Nut Brown.

Cut/Appearance: Cube cut brown burley with small strands of light Cavendish Virginias and some possibly small pieces of exotic oriental tobaccos for added spice.

Casing/Aromatics: Slight detection, but probably lightly topped. Difficult to detect what flavors may be used. It has that characteristically light, sweet Wilke background.

Pouch notes: Pleasantly aromatic. Deep, rich burley quality with notes of raisins and hints of spice and molasses. I detect a similar undertone in the more aromatic, sweeter Wilke Bohemian Blend and Gotham Court.

Room/Burn notes: Burley is most pronounced. Richness of burleys come to the fore, with a deep, beautiful scent of ginger snap cookies or molasses bread. A very American, light aromatic. Because this is perfectly blended, there is no heavy or sickening sweet aroma as is the case with most commercially produced and jarred blends ala Lane Limited.

Taste: Distinctly American tobacco. Rich, raisin scented Kentucky burleys ala Sir Walter Raleigh, but more skillfully blended with finer cuts of tobacco in a more thoughtfully prepared mixture. A little tongue bite as with most burley-based blends, but it leaves a delicious taste on the tongue and the palate begging for more. The only problem that really keeps it from being a superior tobacco is that it sears the tongue, especially if smoked a little too quickly.

Comments: Easy to pack and keep lit. This is a superior burley tobacco, probably the best I?ve ever smoked. It has down home earthiness. It?s warm, toasty and inviting, like molasses bread fresh from the oven. Though I have never been to Vermont, I can almost picture the quaint shop that lovingly prepared this stuff along with the rolling, snow-capped hills, dales and forests of the surrounding area. Though I?m an English lover, shying off from aromatics, this is one blend worthy of attention. It?s probably the standard by which all burleys are measured. This would probably taste wonderful with a caramel stout.

Three of five stars

I am not a regular burley smoker but I have really enjoyed Barbary Coast and Penington Gap. Nut Brown Burley is definitely a quality tobacco and is a great change of pace for me. I am a Va and Virginia/Perique lover. NBB is a very easy blend to smoke and is very enjoyable. It will not become an every day smoke for me but I will definitely enjoy it when I do. I would have to agree with Burleynut above on the qualities of this blend.

"Out of all the burley joints in the world, I had to find you." This is without question, IMO, the finest burley blend ever. This blend has a wonderful pouch aroma, and the taste is even better, with a wonderfully nutty, smooth taste, in this slow burning tobacco. This has replaced Barbary Coast in my daily routine, as it has more of a natural burley taste without the brandy. If you enjoy a burley, this is the one to try. You will not be disappointed. This blend is a must have for me.

Appearance: A mixture of ribbon cut and small cubes. Color is a fairly uniform medium brown.

Aroma: Obviously a Burley, but I detect a trace of something else. It?s either a minute quantity of a sweet Oriental (Basma?), or a bit of Deer Tongue.

Packing: Packs easily into most pipes with no problem. The combination of ribbons and small cubes pack with just a light touch on the top.

Lighting: Lights easily and starts burning nicely. Sometimes no charring light.

Initial flavor: POW, the Burley here is superbly tasty. The characteristic nutty flavor is quite intense, and there is cosiderable body to the smoke.

Mid-bowl: Maintains a spontaneous burn, just breathe with the pipe. Stays cool and flavorful, with slight variations in the flavor. Needs to be tamped only lightly. This could be a great tobacco for a smoking contest.

Finish: Nice right to the end. Just a slight increase in strength. Leaves a clean gray ash.

Summary: This is the ?cream of the crop? of Burleys. Good anytime of day or night. Even a good change of pace for the Latakia guys. Call today and get some, you won?t regret it.

I was delighted to see that my review of NBB years ago led MShelor to this top-flight Burley blend. I used to buy it at the old Wilke store on Madison Avenue, from the beloved sisters, many more years ago than I'd like to count. And apart from its quality what impresses me is its consistency. It is also a remarkably subtle burley blend, changing flavor and richness through the smoke. Four stars, for sure.