House of Windsor Briggs

The tin aroma of this beautifully fabricated mixture of cube and flakey chunks is of a sweetly vegetal tobacco scent topped with something vaguely seedy: perhaps coriander or fennel.

This blend falls on the light end of the spectrum: a gently sweetened mixture of light burleys and gold VAs with a touch of dark cavendish for variance. The brightly sweet, gold VA takes the lead with the burleys quietly adding background huskiness. The sweetener smoothes any edges while the evanescent topping is virtually transparent.

Another thoughtfully and scrupulously produced House of Windsor triumph, Briggs epitomizes the best tradition of burley/bright american mixtures. It is phenomenally suited to the all-day puffer seeking elegantly flavorsome and austere simplicity. This seemed best in a narrow gauge chamber.

Now that the House of Windsor has taken over many old classics, and now that P&T magazine's Summer 2003 has featured them, I was a sucker to purchase them all. So far, I have fallen in love with Country Doctor and have great respect for Union Leader. Briggs Mixture is right up there with those two.

Briggs Mixture looks like chunky, broken up pieces of cardboard in the tin. Very unusual presentation. Very cool burning, it is straight forward in taste with little variance in flavor as you work your way down the bowl. Though topped with something, the topping is so light it is almost undetectable, but somehow enhances the flavor and made for an enjoyable and unique smoke.

"When a Feller Needs a Friend" Briggs is a great choice!

For me Briggs is a standout light Burley, golden Virginia mixture. It is surely deserving of 3 or 4 star billing - a superior rating that many elitist or "tin" only aficionados among our ilk cannot possibly fathom providing to a lower than low "drug store" blend. Very, very taken I am with this Altadis "match" version purchased at the Habana Premium Shoppe (PipesandCigars.com) in Albany, NY. Mr. Russ Ouellette, their iconic master blender, told me to come over and bring my pipe for a sample. But I trusted Russ and just for the memories bought an 8 oz. bulk sack on the spot. No buyer's remorse.

Reviewed as a House of Windsor and P. Lorillard blend on tobaccoreviews.com, PipesandCigars.com website reports, "We've added (Briggs match) from our friends at Altadis who have taken the time to blend matching tobaccos for some of your old time favorites...previously discontinued." I must say that this is as true a replication of the Briggs "back in the day" in the early 60s when as high schoolers we stole an illicit smoke or two down behind a sub rosa place known as "The Rock."

Previous reviewers use such descriptors as "bourbon," "vegetal," "apple," "fennel" and "coriander" to describe some of the many exquisite aroma and tastes emanating from this mixture. I distinctly remember a "sweet metalic" flavour coming from my old boxed pouch, and the same secret aroma right after char light. Never thought this feller would ever need such a fond memory from an old friend. Very pleasant. Happy hunting...

From first introducing itself to me as an occasional 'treat' blend, this has become one of my favourites. You might even say, my signature blend/brand of choice, though expensive for my budget. I'm a burley smoker, mostly, though I'll smoke English, and very rarely an aromatic. Briggs is aromatic enough for me, although really a burley with a subtle topping. It does tend to smoke hot if you don't keep it firmly tamped, but you won't find yourself having to re-light it every few seconds, if ever. (Have you ever observed that pipe smoking is sometimes less smoking, and more playing with matches?). My wife, who is rather fussy about room odours, always speaks well of Briggs. There was once a cartoonist (Clare Briggs) who drew a cartoon series that was the same as the motto on the Briggs tin: 'When a Feller Needs a Friend', and his signature at the bottoms of his cartoons bears a striking resemblance to the Briggs label. I wonder what the relationship to the tobacco and the cartoonist may be?

Burley fans unite and celebrate Briggs! This is a very well made blend that is unique amongst other burleys for its flavor, aroma and taste. Be advised that this is a MILD smoke, but one which will stand out from others if given attention. This is amongst my favorite tobaccos and is a fine example of House of Windsor's excellent work with burley. If you are enjoying a good book, a drink on the deck or simply taking a leisurly walk this is the tobacco to indulge in. Brigg's will always have a special place in my heart as it eased me through a stressful time with the birth of my first son a year ago. Someday when my boy is old enough I will share it with him. "When a feller needs a friend" couldn't be a better or more apt slogan for such a relaxing and pleasant smoke. The only minor complaint I have is it that it is a little dry for my preference out of the pack/tin. This, however, can be easily fixed. Buy some and remember I told you so!

I'm getting to like the "Drug Store" blends more and more. I bought the eight tin sampler of HOW re-issue blends and found smoking them to be a pleasing experience. Okay, Briggs does look like broken up cardboard a little bit but I like the larger bits of tobacco. I further agree that it is a great first pipe due to it's characteristics. I might buy the sampler again (with the nifty three pipe tote) from Thompson's but will probably pick up a large tin o' Briggs next time I am at Iwan Ries.