Tinder Box Philosopher Blend

Picked this up from the nice folks at the N. Myrtle Beach store, along with some Sherlock's Choice...

My first thoughts when smelling this was "Squadron Leader!" It has that oriental-forward kind of smell that was reminiscent of SL, however the tobacco itself is more of a hearty, rough cut, rather than a nice ribbon cut like SL.

Anyways, I don't want to give this blend the injustice of comparing it to SL, because on its own rights, it is a great blend. Very light in both body and strength, which makes it an ideal morning blend for me. Very oriental forward, with the latakia and virginias playing a supporting role. Also, I detect some cavendished tobaccos in the mix as well, which gives it an easy creaminess that makes it great for the morning time. Did not bite, but I have noticed some goop in the bottom of my bowl a few times, which is not a good thing. Hopefully this will go away as the blend dries out a bit (it is fairly moist). Overall, a high quality leaf.

Everything you want in a light bodied morning balkan blend. I'm sure there are better light balkan blends out there, but this one is great for the price. Give it a try next time you're at a Tinderbox.

2021 Update: Yes, another rare update, and, again, what are the odds? it's a good one! I hadn't smoked this blend since the summer of 2017. I enjoyed it then, but after a couple years of sitting in a jar, this blend has improved. Some sweet notes have arisen, and the blend has smoothed out beautifully. Very nice, indeed. It's amazing what aging can do for some tobaccos, and this one surprised me!

One correction, if any one's interested, the description above (as of February 11, 2021) says this blend is a broken flake. This is clearly incorrect. Unless the blend has changed, what I purchased, at least in 2017, is a ribbon cut, not a flake.

Original post: Why the hate on this blend? I'm lovin' it. Not too strong, not necessarily weak, just right in the strength department for me. For a bulk english blend, not prohibitively expensive, I'd say this blend is a deal, and it's found a home in my rotation. I enjoyed it very much, not the best out there, but a cut above many other blends. And, I can't help but think of Lee Van Cleef, a damned fine actor, a great bad guy, every time I smoke this! It makes me want to go buy a replica of his noted pipe (which I did in late 2017 FYI). Good stuff!

Keep on Pipin'!

It is easy to become prejudiced against bulk pipe tobaccos, particularly in today's market where many, many, fine "boutique" or "designer" English blends are available in fancy tin format. Of late, I have been working on avoiding that stereotype and wanted to try some bulk blends.

So the other day I visited a local Tinderbox store. I grew up going to the Tinderbox when, during the 1970s, I would go with my dad who was an avid pipe smoker (for decades he smoked Tinderbox Cavendish and Lamplighter blended 50/50). His son, on the other hand, loves Latakia. Anyway, I bought 2oz. of Philosopher. Is this a Lane? Don't know for sure, but either way I very much enjoyed it.

To my taste, Philosopher is generally an English/Cavendish blend (e.g., Frog Morton). A mix of black and brown tobacco with hints of light tobacco. Smokey pouch aroma with hints of sweetness (like BBQ sauce) from the Cavendish. Easy to light and burns well. The ash is mottled with a bit more dottle than I prefer. Dry and fairly cool burning. Yes it has a humectant of some sort.

The flavor is generally medium in body with a gentle sweetness, not bitter, and a mild Latakia smokiness. Not much "nuance" (I think "nuance" is French for lawyer) but flavorful nonetheless.

In sum, Philosopher is a tasty, readily available, medium English that is slightly sweet. A good one for everyday puffing or as an introduction to English flavors.

I bought this at the Palm Springs Tinder Box (great store by the way!) This blend is a very nice, typical English blend. The smokey Latakia is the dominant leaf in this blend. The Virginias are really seldom present but the orientals make a little spicy entrance midway through the bowl. This blend packs easy and burns to a dark grey ash. There is something sweet, like maple, I can only assume those are the Virginas coming in. This is toward the end though. Overall, it is a very nice blend. It is simple but not bland. Recommend

I enjoyed this blend it was the second tinderbox flavor I've had the first being midnight which I would not recommend. In brief though the tobacco never lost its flavor and burned with only a little maintenance. This blend of tobacco did not burn hot and it burnt slow enough to enjoy on a nice night outside

I try to feed the local Tinderbox despite their dearth of tinned tobaccos. They have about a dozen jars of "custom" blends (Lane) with names that sound like either donuts or hookers. I was offered a free couple oz. with a pipe I bought there last year. I reluctantly accepted a sample of this.

Jar aroma: slightly sweet, slightly oriental, slightly phenolic (think band-aid.. how my nose perceives latakia). Trace of alcohol topping possible.

Appearance: typical oriental? shreds (light) about 10-20%, sticks 5%, heavy dark brown clumps and shreds, balance. Somewhat moist in a cavendish way.

First light: English, sweetish. Latakia sure seems to be there, as does cavendish. Orientals there in minor amounts. Mild tasting, like Aperitif-light. Trying hard to taste VAs.

Development: orientals stronger, sweetness stronger. Sidestream smoke curiously bland. Vague sense of autumn burning leaves. No further development. No bite, flavor mild overall.

Final call: actually, I liked it. I often enjoy mild tobaccos. I disagree with the stated description of ingredients, unless cavendish counts as a Virginia and latakia gets classified as an oriental. I haven't smoked Lane's Crown Achievement, but I suspect this is it, relabeled. A good light English (Scottish?), dainty almost. Bland, but in a good way. An English for people who don't like English, a wise offering to the customers of Tinderbox, judging on the rest of their offerings.

Latakia, yes, but not too much. Orientals, yes, but again, not too much. At one time, I found this tobacco to be too rich for me, but as I have traversed the pipe tobacco world...and aged....I have changed my mind about this stuff. It will never be the great Godsend blend for me, but it has a fantastic smell, burns well, and has a great taste. again, Tinder Box Latakia blends are quite good.

It has been so long since I tried my first and last pouch of Philosopher that I do not remember much about it other than it made me a pipe tobacco fan after a few failed attempts in years prior.

Pretty decent for a Lane bulk English. Reminds me of Dunhill Early Morning. My only issue: too much moisture or PG right from the tobacconist's jar. It dried out, but not quite as much as it should have - indicative of PG. Aside from that; good, rich, mild / medium bodied oriental taste with nominal spiciness.