Details
| Brand | Wessex |
| Blended By | |
| Manufactured By | |
| Blend Type | Straight Virginia |
| Contents | Virginia |
| Flavoring | |
| Cut | Plug |
| Packaging | 3. 5 ounce cellophane wrapper |
| Country | Germany |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
None Detected
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Pleasant to Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
3.09 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 11 - 20 of 32 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 13, 2015 | Strong | None Detected | Very Full | Tolerable to Strong |
I bought this at some obscure tobacconist when I was visiting Atlanta and she claimed it was sitting on her shelf for over five years. Not being adverse to buying a straight Virginia with some age on it, I bought it and upon arriving home it was pit in a drawer where it was forgotten for another two years. I found it the other day and thought I would give it a try. I unwrapped it from the cellophane wrapper and found a very tightly packed, brown seemingly dry brick with sugar crystals starting for form on the surface which of course made my mouth water. I cut it into slices which I proceeded to rub out. It was more moist than I would have thought, and was rough cut and all very uniform brown with a rich peaty aroma. I let it dry for a few days, then proceeded to pack a good pipe and sat back to enjoy it.
Right off this was a very strong, bold smoke that to me reminded me of a good cigar rather than a straight Virginia tobacco. Even smells like a cigar in the room note. It is very favorable, goes great with a dark beer or dark roast coffee, but not your standard fare Virginia. I find I cannot smoke this all the time but when I am looking for a strong fill bodied smoke, I do enjoy this blend. It smokes clean, does require many relights, but leaves little if any dottle in the bottom of the bowl and leaves a fluffy steely grey ash. This blend is very limited as to flavor, no highs or lows, just straight up down the middle. Can't say I would buy it again, but nice to experience and move on from.
Right off this was a very strong, bold smoke that to me reminded me of a good cigar rather than a straight Virginia tobacco. Even smells like a cigar in the room note. It is very favorable, goes great with a dark beer or dark roast coffee, but not your standard fare Virginia. I find I cannot smoke this all the time but when I am looking for a strong fill bodied smoke, I do enjoy this blend. It smokes clean, does require many relights, but leaves little if any dottle in the bottom of the bowl and leaves a fluffy steely grey ash. This blend is very limited as to flavor, no highs or lows, just straight up down the middle. Can't say I would buy it again, but nice to experience and move on from.
Pipe Used:
briar, cob, meershaum
Age When Smoked:
7 plus years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 12, 2012 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Wessex Gold Brick … A 100 Gram (brick) plug of tobacco, that must have been too moist, because straight from the package light-up was almost impossible, so for that reason I dried it out some and found the following smokes much less troublesome. As for handling the plug, I just sliced up a nice pile and put in an old tobacco tin and smoked it like any other broken flake, IMO it's well worth the extra effort.
They call this tobacco a Virginia plug, but it is unlike any so-called straight Va. I've tried before; I taste something more than straight Virginia, I would guess it probably has some burley and maybe some Orientals in its mix, at least to some degree. By the way, that is not a complaint; this stuff IMHO is quite good, smooth with little change from light-up to ashes, with no bite even at a increased puffing rate and very satisfying in the Nic. department. Kind of like a especially good Carter Hall, only a bowl of GB seems to last a lot longer.
GB has a pretty much an all tobacco taste, that is just mild enough that I can enjoy a bowl or three at any time of the day. GB should satisfy most of the non-aro smokers out there, that find enjoyment in old time American Virginia style smokes, and of all things it took a German company to produce it. If this sounds like your kind of smoke, I would highly recommend you give this blend a try. I'm hooked.
They call this tobacco a Virginia plug, but it is unlike any so-called straight Va. I've tried before; I taste something more than straight Virginia, I would guess it probably has some burley and maybe some Orientals in its mix, at least to some degree. By the way, that is not a complaint; this stuff IMHO is quite good, smooth with little change from light-up to ashes, with no bite even at a increased puffing rate and very satisfying in the Nic. department. Kind of like a especially good Carter Hall, only a bowl of GB seems to last a lot longer.
GB has a pretty much an all tobacco taste, that is just mild enough that I can enjoy a bowl or three at any time of the day. GB should satisfy most of the non-aro smokers out there, that find enjoyment in old time American Virginia style smokes, and of all things it took a German company to produce it. If this sounds like your kind of smoke, I would highly recommend you give this blend a try. I'm hooked.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 03, 2011 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
The first couple of bowls of this were very pleasant. Bite-free and mild, while delivering the true Virginia flake taste. It reminded me of Orlik's Golden Sliced without so many bright notes.
I'm about 5 bowls into it since then, and haven't been able to recapture that same flavor. It's unoffensive and well-behaved but it lacks any flavor that will make this a staple in my cellar.
Not a bad all-day smoke for the more sophisticated palates.
I'm about 5 bowls into it since then, and haven't been able to recapture that same flavor. It's unoffensive and well-behaved but it lacks any flavor that will make this a staple in my cellar.
Not a bad all-day smoke for the more sophisticated palates.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 15, 2006 | Extremely Mild | Extremely Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I do love plugs. I do love Virginias. I had high hopes for this, and although they are not completely dashed, I'm having some trouble with this lovely looking, tightly pressed brick. Mine is quite dry, despite the well sealed package. No problem. I sliced some fairly thick flakes and rubbed them out to a rather C&D consistency. So far, so good. Packing was easy. Lighting was not difficult, although roast tongue is not one of my favorite flavors. After a false light, tamp and second match, I took two draws and spent five minutes remembering my many Mac Baren trials.
I set the pipe aside and forgot about it for two days. Two more attempts made me wonder why I tried this first smoke in the A.M. (or at all, for that matter)
Then, once upon an early evening, I managed a Very careful lighting technique and enjoyed a pretty mild incarnation of Briar Fox, though it was many moons from the smooth true wonder of that fine blend. It is much sharper, not even close in richness, and, still to bitey, for me.
It is not a bad smoke, really, I think I'm just to picky. If only it had more nicotineous nutriment and a tongue friendly attitude, I might have liked it more. I'm glad however, that I bought only 100 grams. Should last me quite a while. But, don't listen to me, my expertice lies elsewhere. Try it yourself. It might just yank your crank. I'll stick with the Fox.
May the smoke be with you.
I set the pipe aside and forgot about it for two days. Two more attempts made me wonder why I tried this first smoke in the A.M. (or at all, for that matter)
Then, once upon an early evening, I managed a Very careful lighting technique and enjoyed a pretty mild incarnation of Briar Fox, though it was many moons from the smooth true wonder of that fine blend. It is much sharper, not even close in richness, and, still to bitey, for me.
It is not a bad smoke, really, I think I'm just to picky. If only it had more nicotineous nutriment and a tongue friendly attitude, I might have liked it more. I'm glad however, that I bought only 100 grams. Should last me quite a while. But, don't listen to me, my expertice lies elsewhere. Try it yourself. It might just yank your crank. I'll stick with the Fox.
May the smoke be with you.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Sep 14, 2005 | Medium | Extremely Mild | Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
This is very close to C&D's Briar Fox, just a thicker cake.
Must be sliced cross-wise with a knife and cut up into little squares. Thick and does not rub well. Inconvenient. Burns well once started.
An interesting woodsy, sweet and sour taste. Ready to puff right out of the pack. Not hot or bitey but not for all.
I see some brights, reds, and a little stoved. Puffed 15 bowls in a new Brigham's lowlander from the RTDA in N.O. Hope I can find my pipe high and dry in my "old" home now. Should have evacuated with it. I still have a 10 bowl plug sealed in a jar at home.
Enjoy these blends. You never know when they will be your last treat or luxury. Those were the days. But I'll be back. Enjoy this as mana.
Must be sliced cross-wise with a knife and cut up into little squares. Thick and does not rub well. Inconvenient. Burns well once started.
An interesting woodsy, sweet and sour taste. Ready to puff right out of the pack. Not hot or bitey but not for all.
I see some brights, reds, and a little stoved. Puffed 15 bowls in a new Brigham's lowlander from the RTDA in N.O. Hope I can find my pipe high and dry in my "old" home now. Should have evacuated with it. I still have a 10 bowl plug sealed in a jar at home.
Enjoy these blends. You never know when they will be your last treat or luxury. Those were the days. But I'll be back. Enjoy this as mana.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 22, 2023 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
Package note of tangy, grassy and pine. Tobacco is a plug of marbled tan, brown and dark brown. Moisture content is good. A few pipe smokers will want to dry it a bit. Burns slow with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is mild to medium and very consistent, with notes of lemon grass, floral, bready, wood, fermented sour vegetation, sweet hay, orange peel/zest, earth, spices, mild leather, mildly acidic, mildly savory, sugar, creamy, a tart and tangy stewed fruit background note, and a peppery retro. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is good.
Pipe Used:
Peterson Bard Rusticated 221 Fishtail
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2021 | Mild to Medium | None Detected | Mild to Medium | Unnoticeable |
Wessex Gold Brick - Tastes and looks like a blend of Gold , Red and Brown Virginias. There is very little grassiness and citrus in this tobacco. A light fruity note is present most of the time . A little nutty and bready .A wee spice and tanginess . Has a lovely caramel sweetness that is very subtle. It has a creamy natural woody flavor . Smooth as silk . Very easy on the throat and tongue . No bite . It is very similar to marble kake for me . I like this better as Marble Kake bit the crap out of me . Very rarely does any blend bite me . Great Virginia blend . Not quite a four though . 3 1/2
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 16, 2020 | Mild to Medium | Very Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
First thig I noticed is the heftiness and the density of this plug. It is packed tighter than an NYC Metro.
Aroma of tangy, citrusy Virginias, with a note of pine and unknown spice. As DK recommends, slice against the grain for best results. Appears to be comprised of 3 different Virginia leaf: Bright, maybe some red, and a generous supply of dark.
Packing is easy, as the moisture level is perfect for me. works well in a variety of bowl shapes, I prefer a short wide bowl.
Lighting is a standard lit tamp light, and it stays lit. Surprisingly, not a lot of spring to this leaf. Initial flavors of the bright leaf with a nice tang, sweet, but a slight astringent note almost a soapy Lakeland quality (which isn't a negative to me). Stays pretty level throughout the entire bowl. Not many highs or lows, but if sipped slowly, the dark fruit aspect really shines through.
This is a great hot summer's morning blend paired with a black coffee. Also works well in the afternoon with a glass of sun tea or fresh brewed sassafras tea.
Solid blend!
Aroma of tangy, citrusy Virginias, with a note of pine and unknown spice. As DK recommends, slice against the grain for best results. Appears to be comprised of 3 different Virginia leaf: Bright, maybe some red, and a generous supply of dark.
Packing is easy, as the moisture level is perfect for me. works well in a variety of bowl shapes, I prefer a short wide bowl.
Lighting is a standard lit tamp light, and it stays lit. Surprisingly, not a lot of spring to this leaf. Initial flavors of the bright leaf with a nice tang, sweet, but a slight astringent note almost a soapy Lakeland quality (which isn't a negative to me). Stays pretty level throughout the entire bowl. Not many highs or lows, but if sipped slowly, the dark fruit aspect really shines through.
This is a great hot summer's morning blend paired with a black coffee. Also works well in the afternoon with a glass of sun tea or fresh brewed sassafras tea.
Solid blend!
Pipe Used:
several
PurchasedFrom:
smokingpipes.com
Age When Smoked:
2 years
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 18, 2019 | Very Mild | None Detected | Mild | Pleasant |
It was highly respected in China a few years ago.
Old pipers say that aging for more than 6 years will become the best. (Too many years, so the new pipe is not bought)
It has been 5 years, I can't wait.
My approach is to cut from top to bottom, covering all floors. Cut into falke and make a ribbon with my fingers.
It is easy to burn. I was surprised that this is a very cool smoke. Very sweet and elegant. Nicotine is rare, I can smoke one all day.
It will be one of my favorite Virginia.
Very lucky, I have a lot of inventory.
Old pipers say that aging for more than 6 years will become the best. (Too many years, so the new pipe is not bought)
It has been 5 years, I can't wait.
My approach is to cut from top to bottom, covering all floors. Cut into falke and make a ribbon with my fingers.
It is easy to burn. I was surprised that this is a very cool smoke. Very sweet and elegant. Nicotine is rare, I can smoke one all day.
It will be one of my favorite Virginia.
Very lucky, I have a lot of inventory.
Pipe Used:
celius
Age When Smoked:
5 years old in lock&lock
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 16, 2018 | Mild | None Detected | Mild | Unnoticeable |
Basic unflavored Virginia. Mild and a bit bland but okay for a morning smoke. Burns well if well rubbed out. No bite. Seems low in nicotine.
Pipe Used:
Various
PurchasedFrom:
Auction
Age When Smoked:
Several years
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