Boswell Pipes & Tobacco Dan's Blend

One could almost say that anything the Boswells blend approaches perfection. I say "almost" because I haven't tried all their blends--yet--but those it has been my happy experience to smoke have never failed to please. Enter Dan's Blend, a truly superlative expression of what a Virginia can be. Mild it is, and those who find that objectionable will certainly wish to look elsewhere, but if they do, they will miss out on the complexity of this exceptional blend. Sipped slowly, this tobacco reveals fine shadings and nuances of flavor usually reserved to stronger blends, but this one stands up to a careful scrutiny of all its subtleties. A few have warned against puffing too fast, but I can't comment on that, as I was enjoying my languorous experience too much to want to speed anything up. I express my deepest appreciation to Russ who showed me what to look for in this blend, and kudos to Dan for creating this eponymous tobacco.

This is a wonderful Virginia on the mild side. If you are a fan of stuff like Ashton Gold Rush and MacB's Virginia No. 1, you will love this. These tobaccos always feel like ticking time bombs. The flavor zen is only maintainable if you meter your puffs super carefully, and there is always that possibility of stoking it over the edge to a tongue burning mess. Dan's blend from Boswell's allows you to enjoy great light Virginia flavor without this risk.

The cut is a fine ribbon that packs and lights with ease. Initial third of bowl offers a sweetness that reminds this smoker of toasted white bread crust sprinkled with sugar. It then settles into familiar light haylike notes with subdued sweetness. Bottom third has a little tang. Very clean burning and tasting.

Mild tobaccos can be monotonous. This is not. The flavor changes are subtle. If you are looking for more intense flavors, seek elsewhere. Otherwise, a most amazing smoke.

The Virginias offer quite a bit of hay and grass with some citrus, very light dark fruit and a touch of earth and spice. There is a topping, actually more than one, as I sense a hint of vanilla, caramel, and sugar. I can’t quite decide if the honey hit comes from a topping or one of the gold Virginias, but I suspect the latter. There is a slight chemical note and thinness of flavor to the toppings. The nic-hit is barely noticeable. Burns at a readable rate with a consistent taste, and though I didn’t experience any bite, I find it gets a little warm on the tongue when smoked beyond a moderate pace. Requires few relights, and leaves little moisture in the bowl. The after taste is short lived. An all day, very gentle smoke that suffers from lack of body and depth in addition to the aforementioned chemical note.

-JimInks

I am updating my review of this blend as I have been through quite a bit of it. Now first, and foremost--if you are looking for a power house, strong grab yah by the throat blend---this is not for you. First off---nice yellow/golden/blonde ribbon cut Virginias. As a bulk blend even after aging it has a VERY subtle vanilla, natural hay like tone. Packing my pipe, and a nice charring light it starts out nice. As I smoke this, and allow a nice slow smoke--be it morning, noon, afternoon, or evening I notice that subtle flavor of the Virginias--like fresh mowed hay in the field. It has perhaps a slight vanilla hint, but folks I am a fanatic when it comes to Virginias--I love them. Dans blend delivers a superior mild all day smoke that is low in nicotine, does not bite back, and I find myself loading my pipe often through the day with this as it is a VERY SUBTLE tobacco that has a detectable flavor, but is far from over whelming. Some say it lacks character, flavor, and is like smoking air---I firmly disagree---take your time--enjoy that VERY subtle hint of freshly mowed hay with a ever so slight hint of vanilla--I do not know if this is natural, or added, but this baccy is wonderful if just gently smoked as an all day pipe of baccy. Give it a chance---I have--smoke it regular now for several years--even in hot, humid weather---this stuff does not have the smack of the heavy blends---thats why I like it. I love heavy Latakias, and other stuff, but this tobby is one that when smoked is like leading an old horse who is your best friend around. It doesn't bite, kick, or misbehave---GREAT all day smoke. Just smoke it slow, and allow the the natural flavors to develope.

To cut it short i could say if you like it, go buy mv1000 or captain black gold for that matter! If you are after the virginia then you came to the wrong place. It is an aromatic and not very good at that. It is your typical american virginia cavendish with vanilla, burns ok but have to be dried some. It is an ok blend but certainly over priced, i would give it a 2 stars out of 5 but sadly its a 4 star rating and 2 is higher than what i think of it. Al janabi

This blend, with a little drying time, is certainly good enough right off the bat. Put some aside on the shelf for a while, however, and you'll then truly reap it's rewards. After cracking a jar of Dan's Blend open this evening, untouched for two and half years, I've enjoyed one of the best bowls I've had in months. Just a wonderful smoke!

What a tasty little collection of Virginias! It's exactly as they describe on their website. It's a well bodied blend that is an excellent cool smoke. The thin ribbon cut is a pleasure to pack and smoke. It doesn't bite and has a very pleasant room note considering the natural flavors that come through. It's got a warm, meaty, full flavor and is really nice all the way to the bottom of the bowl. Relights are just as pleasant and the sweetness of the Virginias comes though, though is not overpowering. I tend to walk a fine line between natural flavoring and aromatics. This falls a little too far to the natural side for me, as I miss the sweetness of some Black Cavendish in this blend. But for what it is, it's quite nice. My biggest complaint is that the aftertaste of Virginia tobacco is quite prevalent. And since I don't smoke every day, it's a little too much on the back end for my liking. For someone trying to move away from aromatics, or looking for a Virginia punch without the dryness or kick- here's a great blend. Overall- not one of my favorites from Boswell, but it's also not really the type I normally go to.

This a solid no nonsense golden Virgina. The taste is rather bland, but thats what i love about it. There is no trace of topping or outside flavors; just mild mild Virginia.

Some may find this blend rather dull and unexciting if your used to highly cased aromatics. I find my self reaching for this tobacco more and more. If your busy and don't want to spend the time to discover the nuances of complex blends, this is a definite go to.

Dan's blend is an all day smoke thats definitely worth giving a chance.

Dan's blend is one of my favorites i've ever ordered from Boswell, i've been told it smells like caramel & vanilla by people that do not smoke pipes. it is a definite crowd pleaser. i recently stopped buying it only so that i wouldn't get sick of it, I wanted to try a few of the other blends they offer which i am reviewing one at a time. I will most definitely be buying Dan's blend again!

i'm a firm believer that pipe tobaccos generally won't give you tongue bite once you learn how to smoke them although this is not always the case. therefore i generally won't discuss this matter in my reviews. most of Boswell's blends will not give you tongue bite and i refuse to type that time and time again.

Just received three of my pipes back from Boswell,s after being cleaned and having the stems repaired. Boy -do they do nice work! Included was a sample of Dan's Blend. On opening the pack I noted the uniform honey gold color and pleasant aroma of Virginia/Burley tobacco. It looks like all Virginia. Ribbon cut and easy to pack. Reminds me of Sail.Easy to pack and light. Very mild. No nicotine kick whatsoever.From first puff to last the nutty flavor was quite subtle and without any tongue bite. Very pleasant room note - it smells like it tastes. I would order this as a nice change off from time to time. Still like Granger as my all day smoke.