Peter Stokkebye Highland Whiskey (No.38)

This was one of my two first "go to" blends, the other of course being 1-Q. Although I haven't had this one in some time, I can still remember the pleasant peaty taste, I actually ended up aging some of this for two years and it held it's flavor. I felt that the tobacco and flavoring married nicely over that time and it was an excellent smoke when I came back to it, even though it was very one dimensional, it was still quite enjoyable around the campfire with the guys, I would pass out some cobs and then pass around a baggie of HW and we would all have a brew. Good memories! I would recommend this to anyone as a first smoke or to those who prefer aromatics! Has a nice smell and a decent room note!

I tried this as a sample early last spring and found it tasty but didn't order it in bulk until later when I found that about all my favorite online sellers were out of English Luxury. Grabbed five pounds and have about three cellered. For me it is a very nice flavorful tobacco with a nice room note. No gurgle no tongue bite. In short I like it a lot and would recommend it.

PS always comes through with good tobacco and this is no different. I can taste virginia from start to finish with a hint of whisky to keep it interesting. Room note is soft and not and not real smokey( I like smokey though) Nice change of pace, but won't be in the rotation.

A good friend gave me a sample of this fine blend from a tobacconist in Carbondale, Illinois ("Yesteryear"). I always find the range of aromas available in the pipe-game amazing; this tobak smells sweet and toasty, as most Cavendish's do, but with a warm breath of whiskey barrel at the bottom. At first light, there is nothing too special, and throughout the bowl(s)I only got wiffs from the dram that comes through the smoke like mellow drops of whiskey on your tongue. It comes and goes. The tobacco seems top notch, and smokes clean to the bottom. What astounds me is the price; between $1-$2 a bulk-ounce makes this a sweet deal. A mild aromatic for those who don't do..."aromatic".

I bought this bc it smelled good and was recommended by the man working the counter. I also got the pipe used to smoke it for this review.

Looks nice, mostly dark. Some ribbon and cavendish and some rubbed flake. Moisture was good when I got to it. Bag note is sweet, whiskey and slightly confectionery. This takes a bit of work to get burning and did need some relighting. I was smoking it in the car, partly on a long drive. I found it worked great with a lighter pack, as the flake bits expanded. After the initial whisky flavor explosion dies down a bit, the flavor is very consistent. Mostly whisky and confectionery taste to it. Cocoa and molasses and vanilla. Not a very sweet topping, the tobacco is pretty present. It is a well made mild aromatic blend. The man who suggested it was correct. It started to nip my tongue a bit after the 4th bowl of the day. The first few bowls burned down nearly completely. The car note was almost pleasant, and surprised me when I noticed it. It smells much sweeter than it tastes.

Overall, I like it. It’s not my favorite of the whiskey genre. It is my favorite mildly aromatic whisky blend. I think it’s worth trying, and it may be somebody’s favorite go to whisky blend out there.

The bag note is a sweet boozy raisin and nutty aromatic tobacco smell. Moist but not sticky black and tan pieces ready to smoke. Packs and lights just fine.

So after the first few puffs after lighting the tobacco settles in. It’s a rather pleasant alcohol whisky (yes without the e) flavor with the usual aromatic raisin/nutty tobacco flavors. The whisky tang stayed till the end along with the sweetness. Huzzah for that! Nothing special but not bad at’tall. Did leave some moisture in the pipe as expected. Mild tobacco after taste. Did not bite me even puffing away on a walk with the hound. A fair and above average boozy alcohol topped bulk aromatic. Would happily smoke again.

First and foremost, I’m not one to compare the subject blend of discussion to yet another in all rational fairness. However, this one comes somewhat as, let’s call it, a brother from another mother. Specifically, Peter Stokkebye presented us with two whiskey-infused blends that is kind of forcing me to deviate from my own standards.

Earlier this year, I crafted a critique of Stokkebye’s Whiskey #2, giving it an overall 2.5 pipes rating. Now enters Highland Whiskey #38 as a comparative offering. My conclusion is that there is significant equivalency between the two recipes in terms of the base components used. The key difference lies in the respective let-down ratios of the individual varietals and of course the featured whiskey additive. Primarily Whiskey #2 is injected with a sweeter bourbon versus the spicy malt of the subject Highlander counterpart. And I do believe Stokkebye has secretively spikes both mixtures with blackberry, vanilla, and maybe just a drop of caramel.

Expanding my position, Highland Whiskey brings considerably more Cavendish and apportioning towards the Burleys. Presenting a face enmeshed by a weave of ribbon and knotty coarse shredding, the blend’s tartan is formed by a hearty gradation of complementing hues. Namely bright tans owning to the White, chocolate brown Dark, reddish-brown of Zimbabwe Virginia, and a healthy standing of ebon Cavendish define the pattern, much more attractive than #2 by all measures. Additionally, this mix yields with optimum moisture, meaning the caber tossing fun is immediate.

An even netting of bright sugary annotations combine with some independent bitter earthy spice to define the pouched nose, a much richer presentation than the alternative. Gentle in temperament overall but powerfully attractive, nonetheless. There seems to be quite a bit going on with the measured flavorings. A remarking of fruitiness peeks through with a blackberry-like appeal, only to be jostled by the prime whiskey note’s throw of the big hammer. This spiritually sauced air spins with an intensely grained degree of right-smarting punch.

Additionally, some wafts of brown sugar/caramel and vanilla are bashfully doting within but are compressed to mere tinges by the surrounding ingredients. The native element shows its game with a parceling of lemony tart and a strong sour bump coming from the African, while a buttered nuttiness of the White pulls with even force. Finally, a recognizable bracing of earthy Cavendish zip can be denoted circulating on the bottom.

For an aromatic, I must admit that the orchestrated taste profile is well balanced between the top-coatings and the constituent native varieties. No question the coatings do in fact lead the flavor, but they do not squelch the registration of the latter disproportionately. Highland Whiskey confers an inebriating tastefulness that is more consistent in obliging savor as compared to the fleeting sweet smack of the Whiskey #2.

With the flame, the initial forward character is a pocket of condiments softly sweet and peppy in composure. Obviously, the whiskey note is the key feature expelling some gripping alcohol chariness and poignant malty spice that hits boldly at first, then beautifully tapers off the finishing tail. It is bundled, nonetheless, within a nice off-setting frame of berry-vanilla charm that softens the sharp bite found in typical Scottish spirits. . As the toppings occupy the top half of the forward profile, the hardy Burley and Virginia tobacco come together in tandem partnership providing a densely thickened baseline character. For the most part these two elements stand harmoniously on equal footing. However, the Burley postures largely to throw the leading leg, while the Virginia is content standing a step or so in the background. With the Burley an unfailing persona of toasty nuttiness is decorated by timbres of dark molasses, brown sugar/cooked caramel accenting.

Bringing a degree of maturity, the African Virginia strain counters with a pleasant citrusy weathered grass and bit of floridity that is reminiscent of a crisp juniper/evergreen embellishment. This Zimbabwe leaf is unique in that it’s tenders both creamy and a little on the spicy side. Underneath this confluent stream, the minimally cased Cavendish faithfully shadows the blended flavors with zestful, sugary nativity as it enhances the smoky emphasis within the mixture. Optimum characterization of this mix seemed to be engendered best by a hardwood Ozark cob.

A colorfully fancied room note is warm and richly aromatic in presence tending to taper off with a modest accord. The general impression is a buttery sweetness built in height by a mingling of the assorted and complimenting top-coating garnishment. A full charge of alcohol-like spice declares its influence while churning over supporting native hardwood, citrus, and rich candied nuttiness. Most definitely pleasant to the sense and easily badge as extremely fragrant in nature.

This blend generously produces prosperous clouds of dense vapor. The smoky texture whirls in beautiful columns of gray-blue plumage, as the tobaccos burns nicely dry with regulated temperature and a slower tempo. Although cool and reasonably smooth on the palate, Highland Whiskey can demonstrate a bit of sting on the forward palate if your fling gets too high stepping as the combination of the spirits and the Virginia will trip you up. Yet in sum, the blend is a mellowing enjoyable encounter.

So, what’s the end game? With some genealogical partiality on my part of course, my objective assessment is that Stokkebye’s tartan-cladded one is much more impressive and invites a darn sight more colorful experience. Surely, the Inverness laddies would fame Highland Whiskey #38 a gusty belter. Catch the spirit of the Scots and let Highland Whiskey’s tasty jig thrill the good life into your bowl. Slainte Mhath! 3.0 Pipes