House of Windsor Argosy Black

Update: While still a great no frills smoke, the inconsistancy of availability and recent hike in HOW's prices have led to this being removed from my rotation.

08/22/2006 I purchased a 10 ounce tin of this on the recommendation of my local Tobacconist. I am so glad I did! Argosy Black is an honest, no frills all black tobacco, with a rich chocolate flavor and exquisite aroma of a creamy vanilla. Think roasted marshmallow. It's sweet, but in no way cloying, burns exceptionally well, super dry, cool and clean. Unlike the experience of other reviewers here, it did not come overly moist out of the tin. The moisture content was just right for me and I prefer my tobacco on the dry side.

It loads and lights with ease, tastes great from the charring light to the last pull and is very well behaved in all aspects. It burns down very clean, into a very dry fluffy mottled ash. It also has just enough nicotine content to satisfy. Everyone around me while smoking it has commented positively on the aroma and asked what it is. I just opened my third 10 ounce tin and while it is definitely not complex by any means, its flavor and aroma have been consistent and dependable from tin to tin. That happens to be a favorable trait in my book. A great smoke by itself and also a good choice as a blender.

I must admit this is certainly one of the best dark cased aromatics I have ever enjoyed. As a rule I don't like chocolate cased blends.

This is a mild flavorful chocolate/vanilla cased burly with a hint of anise. This tabac burns vary mild in a cob but is perfectly suited for a brier that is routinely used for aromatics. The burn for this tobacco is very mild with copious amounts of smoke. It is a purely fun tobacco to smoke and often complimented for its room note. I love to smoke this one in the evening on the veranda and blow smoke rings for the kids. It burns to a nice mottled grey ash and only has a small deposit of mostly dry dottle at the bottom of the bowl. This smoke is very moderately priced and available at most tobacco retailers.

This one is most certainly a 3 out of 4 blend in the aromatic/burly category. Hats off to the House for an outstanding tobacco!

09/30/2004:This is a good, honest tobacco that also happens to have a rich flavor. My guess would be a chocolate note with a hint of vanilla. Very tasty and not goopy or overly sweet. It smelled good to me and my S.O. didn't specifically complain (which constitutes a ringing endorsement) about the smell so it must be o.k. If you never smoke aromatics then this blend is not for you. However, if you like an occasional change of pace that includes some aromatics, give this a try.

11/16/2006 Update: Down-rated due to many better Aromatics available. Still a nice aroma. Just not rich enough for my current tastes.

House Of Windsor- Americas Most Overlooked Tobacco! I cant decide why more people dont smoke this, They do lack in distribution. Soft, Mellow, Smooth, a little chocolate, a little toasted marshmellow, some vanilla, all in fair balance. Its CHEAP, traditional dust cut ( a how exclusive, dry with actual snuff like dust...)

I like this better than Captain Black. It's flavor is that of vanilla and cinnamon. Smokes cool but is moist, get it lit good. Aroma is to die for everyone loves it and asks what it is. It is soft on the tongue like all black cavs. This is as close to Black Clipper you will get. Damn I Miss That Tobacco!

I found a pouch of Argosy Black at a local liquor store recently. I had never even heard of this before so I purchased it to give it a try. Wow! Vanilla overload, this black leaf smelled wonderful in the pouch and was almost fragrant in the air. I believe you could successfully sell this as vanilla potpurri, it smells that good when burned.

As for the taste, I cannot be so kind. I found the flavor lacking a depth I would expect from such an overpowering aroma. Rather flat and one dimensionial. I can recommend this for the smell alone however. If you like vanilla aromatics, you must try this blend once.

It's a bit over the top for me, topping-wise. VERY '70s! Disco Stu puts this in his pipe.

I regularly experiment with this blend, using it as a condiment to cheer up Calvinistically austere blends. Sometimes it works. It makes a great blender with Gawith's Chocolate Flake; it intensifies an otherwise easily overlooked chocolate taste.

Blackest flakes I ever smoked. Looks like chipped tar paper. Room note is indeed a crowd pleaser.

I bought this on the recommendation of a shopkeeper because I liked Captain Black. He gave me a whole mess of different tobaccos, but this was definitely my favorite. The room note of this tobacco is amazing. My girlfriend loves the smell. It also has a great taste and a good deal of nicotine. I'd definitely suggest this if you are looking for a tobacco that will please those around you.

An aromatic in every sense of the word. This stuff was so moist in the tin that I expected to find standing water at the bottom!It did load quite easily,did'nt smoke wet,stayed lit after it got going and had no artificial after taste.I would call it a grown up and refined Capt'n Black.The flavor was quite good, all-be-it a bit one dimensional.It smoked best in a medium sized bowl.It's characteristics may appeal to someone who needs a nice smelling blend to apease the wife/girlfriend or in a social situation.For lovers of more natural blends & english's however,keep looking...

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**Recomended for Aromatic Lovers** prep *****UPDATE***** Sept. 1st "04" I make a practice of leaving a tin of this at work and have been enjoying this blend almost daily.I did hear lately on ASP that the "House of Windsor" has ceased production.I do hope this is'nt true as this is one of the few aromatics that I enjoy...