Wilke Pipe Tobacco Rumcake

I suspected that this was another rum flavored blend. You know the type: sweet, very wet, tasting like a piece of hard candy. No. Not even close. I picked this as part of a sampler, figuring that that if I don't like it, I'm not out much. But, it quickly rose to the coin flipping stature of tied for favorite. The taste of rum is subtle throughout the bowl, it seems to dance behind the scene letting the Virginia and burley take the limelight. I could, however not forget it's presence. The taste, for me wasn't anything that I can describe as ice cream or toast. It was earthier, sweet, but not in an overpowering way. My shop odor, which is usually a mixture of wood and steel, was replaced by a blanket of rum and a Virginia/burley nutty sweetness.

It packs easily, lights well(and stays lit!), but will bite if puffed hard. I may well order a half pound.

7/13/2014 - I still smoke my Rumcake daily. The trick I have learned with this over the past 10 years is to mix Rumcake half and half with another blend to spicen that blend up. I just received another 8oz of my Rumcake / Nut Brown Burley blend and its still fantastic!!! BTW you can ask Carole to add more Rum, Maple , Vanilla whatever topping you want added to any blend. Rumcake not rummy enough? Ask Carole to add more topping. I always ask for more to be added as I really like Rumcake extra aromaticy. (I know I made up that word). Now is the time to try Pipeworks & Wilke as she's been doing this for a very long time and I would think would want to retire eventually...

UPDATE: 7/13/04 I like my Nut Bwrown Burley mixed 50/50 with Rumcake so i asked Carol to fill a 8 oz jar with half NBB and half the Rumcake and top the blend with the rum topping. She through in a couple of leaves of perique for more flavor and nicotine and viola. What a treat!

1/06/2004 I purchased some of this when i ordered more Nut Brown Burley to cellar. I love rum, whether its rum cake, rum raisin ice cream or a cold rum and coke so this blend was a no brainer for me. Pipeworks and wilke blend every batch per order, so this was so fresh that i could tell they used top shelf rum. I stuck my nose in several Bacardi bottles in my bar and it most resembles Bacardi Gold. Definatley not a blend full of rum flavored chamicals.

Mostly darker leaf, with lighter shades of brown and yellow. You really have to try this if you love the taste of the islands. Reminds me of my trips to Cancun and Puerto Rico. Its funny how you must keep this in a sealed jar. I left my first sample in the bag, and after a week the rum was gone. This is real spirits folks, it WILL evaporate (like it should)

I mix this half and half with Nut Brown Burley. A nutty navy mix. Great all day blend...

I have said it before and I will say it again. Wilke is one of the highest quality pipe tobacco blenders on the planet, and this one fits right in with the others.

This comes as a thicker ribbon cut (but not as chunky as some other Wilke blends). Mostly darker black cavendish pieces with a smattering of lighters pieces added. It has a bag note of very strong alcohol, like tickle your nose strong. This does not come as moist as most aromatics, but it still performs better for me with a little air time. Once dried out a little, it packs and burns beautifully.

The rum flavoring is very present at the start of the bowl, but slowly and almost imperceptibly gives way to some other flavors, mostly a vanilla type taste. The tobacco gains a fair amount of gravitas as the burn moves toward the heel, and at the end you get a nice full round tobacco flavor.

This blend does what few aromatics can, it lives up to its name. It claims to be a rum blend, and when you light it, it tastes like.....well, a rum blend. Excellent quality and taste. I will be getting more.

For me this blend really came into it's own smoked in a meerschaum.

This is the type of blend I would recommend to people who claim to hate aromatics.

Four stars all day.

Oh my! There be rum here!

Wilke Rumcake is pure deliciousness. No other way to describe it. It's a little tobacco with your rum. Yes, it is.

But that isn't bad. No, sir. The flavor profile is like a holiday rum cake. And who doesn't like rich cakes at the holidays? And the best part is, you don't get any calories from this cake. And can enjoy it all year long.

Aromatics are looked down upon, so it seems, as being something inferior. And I don't see why. I understand the allure of Lady Latakia and Lady Virginia. And even Madam Burley. But give me the sweet kisses of Princess Aromatia any day.

Wilke Rumcake is dessert in a pipe and I love dessert. Who doesn't? And no calories.

Rumcake is a high class aromatic. It's smooth, rich, and delicious. Nuff said.

Embracing the full flowing charisma of the distilled spirits that inhabit the famed Montego Bay district of Jamaica, comes the thirst-quenching entry from the splendid Wilke Pipe Tobacco the acclaimed Rumcake. Originally inspired by the preferred amusement of Basil Rathbone himself, this celebrated mixture of black and gold Cavendish, assorted Virginia and a modest spritzing of Burley is served within a lively cocktail comprised of pure Jamaican rum, inviting butter, complementing vanilla and perhaps a few other patented ingredients.

Carrying a profuse forward spinning aroma of a delectable, grained rum, the blend’s nose projects a secondary posturing of sugary vanilla enveloping quietly sweetened spices. Buried deep are the airs of tart native grass and funky wood as they work to waft their meagered impressions upon the eager senses. Rumcake’s moist collection of excessively darkened tobaccos is mustered by a mound of beefy blackened Cavendish muscle, long twisted red-golden Virginian ribbons and a scattering of dissimilar flecks of multivariant Burley browns. The amassed appearance of these constituents is generally healthy and densely clustered, yielding the promise of a well cultured and feasibly enjoyable adventure.

As measured, it is apparent the additive coatings stand proudest in the presentation of the overall taste profile. Granted I would be remiss not to clarify that the native strains, nevertheless, do provide a solid foundation resting underneath, performing tastefully well in harmonizing with the assortment of applied top-level ornamentation. Subsequent, with a determined slow sipping of Rumcake, the smoker experiences a considerable volume of deep sweet boozy savor, a real joy to be precisely exact.

Objectively I must admit, within the assorted trials of this quality Wilke production, I discovered the featured rum topping to be exemplary to the class of similar aromatic concoctions. Mainly, a beguiling and consistently colorized note of exquisite Jamaican rum provides the overarching bravado of this recipe. True to the end, the decorated flavoring is genuinely sweet and spiritedly spicy.

More appropriately, what expands within the folds of this rum characterization is a notable grainy caramel undertone laced with accents of what I perceived to be tropical fruits, and rich molasses. I am no expert on the categorization of these spirits, but my better judgement leads me to conclude that the base rum alcohol employed is of the golden or dark spiced classing. What is more, the element itself provides voice as there is an abiding presence of sizzling murmurs as the rum finds purpose in de-gassing during the ensuing burn. This latter development is received well as an interesting exchange in pipe smoking related chatter.

In addition to this forward rum facing, complementing streams of wispy vanilla interlace with a nuance that registered as a cross between a natural butterscotch and that of a buttery maple which only boosts the enhanced sugariness residing within the trails of the highlighting garnishments. Furthermore, I noted a distinct sweet floral-tonka bean like quality to the coating embellishments, which leads me to concur with the postulation of JimInks that is posted on the Wilke site proper, in effect surmising that there might possibly be a secretive dose of deer tongue residing within the recipe. On that last note, there is no denying that this aspect is very much Crooner-like in its taste configuration and experienced recording.

Regarding the accompaniment of natural tobaccos, for all practical purposes it is the Virginian and the Black Cavendish in particular that shape the forcible edge. The gold Cavendish and the Burley periodically arise with a show of indifference, existing primarily in a state of remote passivity. For the Virginia, evidence revealed a steadfast persona marked as a basic herby dry grass enameled with light citrus tart, modest raisin affluence, delicate lemony shading, and certain mature spiced wood. Holding the weighty girth of the bottom layer’s flavoring, the Black Cavendish, most likely cased with a diluted vanilla, brought a charred darkened earthiness, rustic wood, and a bit of light airy zest.

And as I previously alluded, the third element of notable potency, the Burley, hides way back in the rear middle staging finish, just managing to poke its head into the mix with a gentle inkling of sugary nutwood, emphasized by some standard molasses renderings. As to the gold Cavendish it did not distinguish sharply at all, maybe adding just a little heightened caramelization to the melding of general sweetness as its registerable influence on the flavor overall.

Let me just point out, upon receiving a positive comment from my wife regarding the mixture’s fragrance, which never ever happens just so we are clear, I about fell over in a rattled state of amazement. Specifically, the unsolicited comment centered on her assessment of how “nice and mapley” Rumcake’s room essence was presenting itself in the moment. With its expending, the blend does sincerely emit grand clouds of thick serious-minded smoke that commandeer the immediate vicinity that is true. Yet given the rarity of supportive feedback in this case, I believe I am good in suggesting that the resulting room scent is most definitely very pleasant.

Additionally, she was absolutely correct, there is for lack of a better description, a sweet maple-butterscotch like fragrance that is rightly experienced. This representation further combines with a buttered note of comforting elixir spice, mainly being the residual deposit of the Jamaican rum that is. Together they glide aromatically over a thinner odor configured by sweet zestful wood and smokey citrus. Truly an unprecedented development in my long annals of pipe smoking, the wife’s approval, wow! Proper recognition concerning the quality of Wilke’s blending efforts is further reinforced in the demonstration of Rumcake’s solid mechanical properties. Essentially the tobacco performs well with an exceptionally cool temperature, even though we are entertaining a spirit-doused aromatic laced with considerably extended top-coatings. For itself, Rumcake is candidly mellow in a rousing offer of a well metered tempo effectually supporting an enduring aromatic treat. There is no specter of nicotine or rueful harshness encountered that serves to spoil the relaxing presentation of its sweetened treasure.

3.6 Pipes ,

The toppings enhance rather than sublimate the tobacco. It's hard for me to separate the flavor of the vanilla and the rum. They blend and complement each other very well. The Virginia offers a sweet, grassy taste, and the burley offers a nutty, deep flavor. The cavendish deepens the flavor, adding mouth feel to the mix.

This is one exceptional blend. The flavors synergize; making the whole greater than the sum of its parts. Generates a good volume of smoke, and will not bite. I can smoke multiple bowls in a day without becoming overwhelmed by the flavor. Average amount of relights, burns to a fine white ash, minimal moisture in the bottom of the bowl.

This would rank high in the running as one of my desert island blends. A very fine room note, which receives complements from those around. Leaves a slightly lingering aftertaste. Top notch.

OUTSTANDING!! Best rum/Rumcake/rum flavored blend out there. Seems better when set out to dry a bit, but it is top top quality leaf with a beautiful taste, flavor, and aroma. Christmas is Rumcake at my house, but now, Christmas is year round! Great job, Pipeworks!!!

I like the Rumcake better than 191. It is sweet, but not cloying. There's some kind of spice I really like that provides a nice bass note: ginger? nutmeg? That, combined with the rum, makes this really tasty. There is a creamy base that I attribute to the Cavendish and maybe the butter flavoring. The subtle Virginia taste comes through, particularly as you work your way down through the bowl, and the flavor mix changes slightly. But you always taste the rum and the vanilla. It is wet, and I don't know how to dry it without losing the rum. It burns fine anyway, only one or two relights. It burns down to a nice ash. I do not think this is an everyday smoke for me; I am more of a VAPER and VA guy, but a terrific change of pace, really outstanding.

I really love this one!! The room note relaxes me and everyone else in the room. its smooth does not burn hot and i suggest you give it a go