Windels Half Grove Semois
(3.57)
Notes: Semois is an air-cured tobacco grown and sold only in Belgium. Similar to burley. Very strong tobacco taste, lots of nicotine.
Details
| Brand | Windels |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | Burley Based |
| Contents | Kentucky |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 50 grams pouch |
| Country | Belgium |
| Production |
Profile
Strength
Strong
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Medium to Full
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.57 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 14 of 14 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 10, 2005 | Medium to Strong | Very Mild | Full | Pleasant |
Recently there was some talk about Semois tobacco on ASP and I got curious. Luckily, a kind Belgian piperster was willing to trade some (Thanks C.!) I have smoked Semois almost exclusively now for a month or so.
This particular brand of Semois is packed in a simple plastic bag with a maroon paper label inside that says: "Semois" and "Grove snede - Grosse coupe" The latter perhaps meaning a coarser cut.... There is a picture of a gentleman with a pistol stuck in his belt standing on a ship deck smoking a long clay. Arrrrr! Underneath him: "A.Windels", which must be the blender or the tobbaconist. Or both.
The cut is thin ribbon, unifom in color, ranging from mid browns to semi mid browns (I should have just said "this baccy is brown"...). Pouch aroma is hard to pin down. Different. It's sweetish and mild, but there's something extra, something herbal, not unlike chamomillle. There could be slight topping, then again perhaps not... Could this be the tonquin flavor?
Packing this cut is easy, but due to fine cut one must beware overpacking. Lighting is a regular a two match job . From the first puffs it produces a fair amount of thick white smoke. The taste is cigarish and creamy yet mildly sweet. Quite different from anything else I have smoked this far. The "herbal" component peeks in every now and then. While Semois doesn't bite my tonque at all, a slower puffing cadence is in order since it does bring out a decent range of underlying notes. I'd like to think Semois as the oboe of tobaccos. The concerto gets slightly dull and a bit bitter in the end though. DGT doesn't do any good for this tobacco, but doesn't hurt it either IMO.
Semois Windels makes a good after dinner smoke, not only because it is somewhat potent in nicotine department, but for it's decent room note as well. Or so I have been told. A Sturdy and satisfying smoke.
This is same time simple and intriguing tobacco. Oh, and did I say it was different.
-- Jari T in Helsinki
This particular brand of Semois is packed in a simple plastic bag with a maroon paper label inside that says: "Semois" and "Grove snede - Grosse coupe" The latter perhaps meaning a coarser cut.... There is a picture of a gentleman with a pistol stuck in his belt standing on a ship deck smoking a long clay. Arrrrr! Underneath him: "A.Windels", which must be the blender or the tobbaconist. Or both.
The cut is thin ribbon, unifom in color, ranging from mid browns to semi mid browns (I should have just said "this baccy is brown"...). Pouch aroma is hard to pin down. Different. It's sweetish and mild, but there's something extra, something herbal, not unlike chamomillle. There could be slight topping, then again perhaps not... Could this be the tonquin flavor?
Packing this cut is easy, but due to fine cut one must beware overpacking. Lighting is a regular a two match job . From the first puffs it produces a fair amount of thick white smoke. The taste is cigarish and creamy yet mildly sweet. Quite different from anything else I have smoked this far. The "herbal" component peeks in every now and then. While Semois doesn't bite my tonque at all, a slower puffing cadence is in order since it does bring out a decent range of underlying notes. I'd like to think Semois as the oboe of tobaccos. The concerto gets slightly dull and a bit bitter in the end though. DGT doesn't do any good for this tobacco, but doesn't hurt it either IMO.
Semois Windels makes a good after dinner smoke, not only because it is somewhat potent in nicotine department, but for it's decent room note as well. Or so I have been told. A Sturdy and satisfying smoke.
This is same time simple and intriguing tobacco. Oh, and did I say it was different.
-- Jari T in Helsinki
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 2016 | Overwhelming | None Detected | Extra Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The smell of the package reminds me very much of a fine cigar - forgive me, I only smoke cigars once a year perhaps. Friendly reminder: this is a very fine ribbon cut, I'm not sure if it qualifies as shag. Maybe there's a reason the package shows beautiful clay pipes with rather small bowls: it burns fast, it burns hot.
Taste is delightful. At first, the first half of the bowl grants you a smoky, cigar-leaf experience, and let me tell you: it's the best of both worlds! Cigars never appealed to me so much, but in this fashion I couldn't be more satisfied. Through the latter half of the bowl it suddenly turns into a festival of nuttiness, even hints of molasses and bread. If you think this tobacco, as old-fashioned as it is, can ever get old, I must disagree. The variety of tastes this traditional Belgian tobacco offers is manifold.
If ever you find yourself in Belgium, take the time to look for this piece of history. I was lucky to have a friend share some with me and I say you must try this.
Now this is real tobacco! If you're planning to smoke this in company, be aware that your peers might get a nicotine hit just from your proximity. Sleepiness ensues...
As a side note - don't inhale if you're trying to roll this 'baccy into a cigarette. You might enjoy the first few draws, but you will regret any further attempts. Gauloises Caporal and Gitanes are soft compared to Semois tobacco.
Taste is delightful. At first, the first half of the bowl grants you a smoky, cigar-leaf experience, and let me tell you: it's the best of both worlds! Cigars never appealed to me so much, but in this fashion I couldn't be more satisfied. Through the latter half of the bowl it suddenly turns into a festival of nuttiness, even hints of molasses and bread. If you think this tobacco, as old-fashioned as it is, can ever get old, I must disagree. The variety of tastes this traditional Belgian tobacco offers is manifold.
If ever you find yourself in Belgium, take the time to look for this piece of history. I was lucky to have a friend share some with me and I say you must try this.
Now this is real tobacco! If you're planning to smoke this in company, be aware that your peers might get a nicotine hit just from your proximity. Sleepiness ensues...
As a side note - don't inhale if you're trying to roll this 'baccy into a cigarette. You might enjoy the first few draws, but you will regret any further attempts. Gauloises Caporal and Gitanes are soft compared to Semois tobacco.
Pipe Used:
briar Bent Rhodesian, meerschaum Billiard
Age When Smoked:
fresh out of the package
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 02, 2008 | Strong | Extremely Mild | Medium to Full | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I'm aware that this fine tobacco is very rare anywhere outside its country of origin, Belgium. I live in Belgium, so if anyone is interested in obtaining this or any other brand of Semois, you can contact me at [email protected]. Happy smoking!
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 29, 2016 | Very Strong | None Detected | Extra Full | Tolerable |
Unfortunately this tobacco is impossible to get where I live. Thank´s to Peter/Pure Impact for getting me one of this! Semois halve grove is a natural tobacco with no added flavoring. I would describe this blen as full, natural, honest, strong, tasty.... Very cigarish taste without being harsh, after midbowl it turns more nutty. Has a very strong nicotine hit and it is a very sedating, relaxing smoke. Perfectly suited for the after work pipe, chilling out and reflecting the day. Definitly no all day blend. Burns fast and hot, no relighting needed. Highly recomended!
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