Smokers' Haven Cognac Mixture

I bought a tin to sample since I thoroughly enjoyed and rather adore Exotique. I smoked a number of bowls in various briars. Conclusion, this blend packs and combusts great, as most Germain blends do; however, it was a bit of a let down. A bit heavy, muddy/muted, not much development. Not a bad blend, but not great.

I certainly prefer Pembroke, brighter with better balance. Cognac harkens considerably to 1820 which I prefer as well, and somewhat to Royal Jersey Latakia which I don't care for all that much.

Exotique is the stellar-star thus far and I'll continue to try all of the Smokers Haven/Germain tins.

This is much better than Krumble Kake. I actually enjoyed this stuff. It's a cross between the 1820 and Royal Jersey. I don't think there's really any cognac in this, but if there is, thank goodness, I couldn't taste it. I generally hate liquor and tobacco blends. To be sure, it's a Germain product, and they did well for Smoker's Haven. Only problem is, they don't sell this in smaller 2 oz tins, then I would've bought some at the Chicago Pipe Show. I don't like it enough to purchase an 8oz tin at $25, as I like smoking a variety of different products and don't commit solely to one. If SH will package this in smaller quantities, I'll buy some.

Three of five stars

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2007 update - Revisited this one as well, and I?m still not crazy about it. I love the retro tin, but that?s about it. It?s smoky but it nips the tongue. If there is cognac, I don?t taste it. Again, my general low opinion of boozy blends continues.

Two of five stars

I do sometimes enjoy cased tobaccos, but not this one. I am not a cognac drinker, so I cannot say if this smells like cognac or not, but if it does, I won't be drinking cognac anytime soon.

The good base tobacco was drown out by the casing, which I did not care for. Might be tasty to those who enjoy cognac.

OK, so I took a while to review this blend. And boy am I glad I did. This stuff is gooodd!

The pouch aroma is delightful, although my coworkers think it smells like iodine. No accounting for taste I guess. Upon opening you can definatly smell the liquor casing.

Packing is a bit tough in smaller bowls due to the stringy virginia, but nothing to hard.

Upon lighting you are greeted with a burst of flavor. The cognac seems to rush out of the pipe, followed by the almost sweet nutty syrian latakia. What an expirince. I've had a bowl or two seem kind of thin on occasion, but I think that was mostly me not having it lit well enough. Three or four matches seems to be pretty standard for this blend.

As you progress down the bowl, the other aspects of the blend make themselves know. The virginas add to the sweetness of the blend, chiming in wonderfully. The turkish seems to peek in now and again, bringing a spicy tang to the tobacco. Nearer to the end of the bowl, the virginas really kick in with a round rick sweetness. The casing never dispates completly, but cetainly settles down after a bit.

I've smoked this in big and small bowls, and enjoyed every bit of it. The only bad thing about this blend is that its not made anymore. So, if you see a can of this some where, buy it.

A rare and deliscious smoke.

11/24/03 I just got a note from the Smoker's Haven. They have contracted with Germian to begin supplying this blend again. Too cool. Gonna run over there one afternoon and give it a try.

Cognac has the characteristics of the other Germain-made Smokers' Haven English blends--a thin ribbon cut of Virginias, Orientals and Syrian Latakia. Like the others, it burns slowly and cooly, leaving a whiteish ash. Cognac has some topping, ostensibly Cognac, which, for this reviewer, detracts slightly from the fine qualities of the source tobaccos. Consequently, I give Cognac 3 stars rather than 4. But, overall, a fine tobacco.

I tried this blend after some pleading from a friend. I had actually won a tin of this twice at a pipe show and because Premil of Smokers Haven is such a great guy he traded me any tin of my choosing at the show. I really wish I would have kept the tins now. I think this blend is the Exotica blend with the Cognac added to change up the taste a bit. I can not say that I would have ever thought that was a good idea, but it just works!!! THe Cognac is sweet and slightly spicy but does not detract from the excellent "real tobacco taste". It also helps in the room note department. The Latakia is somewhat diminished by the casing but it is still very much in play here. I absolutely recommend this blend so any English smoker, but also encourage all aromatic smokers to try and venture out of the shallow end of the pool and try this hybrid blend*.

*A note to all aromatic only smokers: your tobacconist is holding out on you. Just kidding, cheers.