Tobaccos Tinder Box - Reserve 1928

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2012-03-07		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Reserve 1928 is a lightly aromatic blend with hints of cocoa. The tin scent is that of light cocoa and is not overpowering. I am fairly certain that McClelland tobacco is used in this blend as I can also smell the familiar fermentation scent that is common with McClelland blends. I can easily see how this could be an all day blend for many of my Briar Brothers as it will appeal to aromatic smokers and non aromatic smokers alike. It is a bit monochromatic and there lies my issue with this blend. For me, it is one of those blends that I find tasty for a few bowls, but then becomes less interesting as the tin nears its end. By the time I finished the tin, I had lost all interest. I am in the minority here as many reviewers are fond of this blend and I can see why, but it just isn't for me.

4 people found this review helpful.

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	CTS (138)	2014-11-02		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Tin aroma - hazelnut, coconut, vanilla. Packs well, stays lit on one light post char. Aroma translates to flavor, particularly when sipped. Good base tobacco flavors. Burns clean/dry. 3+*.

Pipe Used: Christiano 405

Age When Smoked: Tin stamp = 192813

Purchased From: Tinder Box, Mishawaka, IN

3 people found this review helpful.

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	Emeritus Account (30125)	2019-03-16		Mild	Medium to Strong	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Another McClelland grand achievement. I can't describe the tin aroma...chocolate caramel like smell with added spices. It smelled good to me and it was the sweetest tobacco I've ever smoked. After sniffing the tin, I thought; I'm going to get bit...not so. It's Very tasty, very sweet and easy on the palaate. It presents excellent burning qualities...not like an aromatic at all.

It simply burns & smokes like any non-aromatic might. Easily qualifies as a four star blend!!! It is not overly abundant in the nicotine department, but a bowlful will supply enough to satisfy & even the gurgle tasted sweet. For aromatic as well as non-aromatic smokers. Therefore, IMHO, Reserve 1928 merits four stars.

Pipe Used: Peterson Deluxe 9S & 11S

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin

Purchased From: Tinder Box

Similar Blends: Nothing Compares to this... not even close...

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	fiorano (13)	2011-12-10		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Excellent. This has the tin aroma of cocoa or chocolate powder and a nuttiness like cashews. The smoke is full, with a natural sweet tone with a few recognizable burley notes with the virginia undertones. Smells great smokes down to a fine ash with no dottle and a pleasant enough nicotine hit. Tried it in a briar and a cob. The briar really worked well-pick itup at the tinderbox I guess that is the only place to find it. It is very good non aro non english just natural sweet smoke.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	CountryPiper (19)	2020-01-30		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

If you have a sweet tooth and are a fan of chocolate then this would be right up your alley. I would consider this an aromatic blend but technically it is not, I could see this being good for a beginner or just someone who enjoys a sweeter blend from time to time. The different Virginia's add a good base with some earth and grass, and the burley adds some nuttiness which pairs will with the cocoa topping. The smell out of the tin is very pleasant and aromatic. It was a little on the moist side requiring a little drying time and it packs very nicely. I would suggest a light packing as this cut can promote a tight draw. While this is a good smoke there isn't a lot going on here, for me it's an every now and then smoke when a change of pace is needed or if I'm in the company of non-smokers. This stayed lit after the charring lite and required few relights. There was very little moisture left in the bowl. If you like a sweeter borderline aromatic tobacco and can find it, this is definitely worth a try.

Pipe Used: Peterson 305XL

Age When Smoked: 3 Years

Purchased From: Tinder Box

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-12-21		Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Full	Very Pleasant

Another McClelland grand achievement. I can't describe the tin aroma...chocolate caramel like smell with added spices. It smelled good to me and it was the sweetest tobacco I've ever smoked. After sniffing the tin, I thought; I'm going to get bit...not so. It's Very tasty, very sweet and easy on the palaate. It presents excellent burning qualities...not like an aromatic at all.

It simply burns & smokes like any non-aromatic might. Easily qualifies as a four star blend!!! It is not overly abundant in the nicotine department, but a bowlful will supply enough to satisfy. For aromatic as well as non-aromatic smokers. Therefore, IMHO, Reserve 1928 merits four stars.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Postie (9)	2010-03-28		Very Mild	Mild	Very Mild	Very Pleasant

The tobacco has a nice aroma, and was fairly dry in the tin. It lit well and burned evenly with a cool smoke and finished with a fine white ash in the bottom of the bowl. There was no sour after-taste, which was nice. Although I liked the tobacco, I wouldn't go so far as saying it was great, even so, I'm giving it high marks. I think it's a great all day smoke, and really a good tobacco for new pipe smokers. I would buy it again, but I am beginning to enjoy English blends more, so this goes on the shelf to share with friends.

1 person found this review helpful.

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	Emeritus Account (30125)	2010-02-03		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Very Pleasant

A wonderful tobacco with pleasent sweet undertones that tantilize the palate and stimulate the senses. Upon opening the tin and giving it a wiff, it reminds me almost of a candy bar containing chocolate and coconut. The taste is pleasent and has a delightful aroma to it. Worthy of giving to a fellow friend.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TonyC (13)	2009-12-09		Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

For my first review, I thought I'd stick with a simple choice.

This is a very nice, smooth smoke. It smells a bit nutty and rich in the tin, and smokes the same way. The Burley comes thru gently during the smoke, with almost no bite whatsoever. My tin was at a great moisture level, just a bit on the dry side, but still springy; it packed and smoked well from the first bowl.

I was merely OK with this after the first bowl, but in the last two weeks I've found myself hankerin' for a bowl, so I guess it's grown on me. It is a tad pricey, but is certainly worth the cost.

Tony

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-10-15		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Full	Very Pleasant

Oh my! Simply delectible! My tin was dated 2008 & exuded a sweet, chocolaty aroma with "maybe" a slight touch of rum. I didn't know I was buying an aromatic when I purchased this blend but found it as tolerable to the palate as a straight VA blend. Comparable to Marlin Flake in that respect. The ready rubbed leaf seemed a little moist. I dried it out a little & it burned well enough...a few tamps & relights, no goop & no overwhelming detracting casing...just right! So very mild with lots of smoke, sweet flavor, very pleasant aroma with minimal tongue/palate discomfort...ie., the harder you push it the worse it bites, like a straight VA might bite. Picking & tamping indicated that it may be good for building a quick cake in a bowl but will probably leave its "ghost" offinere. A "few dollars more" through Tinderbox but well worth it...to me, anyway. If you're looking for a nicotine bomb, this isn't it. However, a full bowl delivers enough to provide a relaxing & satisfying smoke. A very, very sweet smoke that I enjoyed. Therefore, IMHO, Reserve 1928 merits four **s!

1 person found this review helpful.

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	Geoffrey (3)	2009-07-08		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild	Very Pleasant

Oh God, this is good stuff!

And that's all I need to say.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DeadMensPipes (38)	2009-07-08		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild	Pleasant

In the search for pipe tobacco nirvana, this one comes close. I wish they would not be so stingy with it. Reserve 1928 is a bulk tobacco loosely packed into little aluminum cans with pull-top lids. The can reminds me of those little cans they pack "Vienna Weiners" into. The diameter of the can is not wide enough to comfortably pack a pipe without making a mess. Keeping the same depth of the can, but increasing the diameter by about two inches would make a huge positive difference. Better yet, sell the stuff in bulk packaging and save us the cost of the tiny cans, which unnecessarily increase the cost.

As for the tobacco, when you pop open the can, the aroma is very pleasant. I cannot describe the fragrance exactly, but it has that old-fashioned "grampa's pipe tobacco" smell to it. It looks wonderful - a mixture of various shades of golden and dark brown, in a thick ribbon cut. The moisture level seems perfect, though after my first bowl, I recommend letting it dry out a little for a trouble-free smoke.

Reserve 1928 packs and lights perfectly - but take care not to pack it too tightly. And, this is a case in which the fragrance of the tobacco in the tin is a clue to what it will smell & taste like burning - "unique to the nose and pleasing to the palate." Remarkably, the smell and taste of the fresh tobacco in the tin came through in the smoke and lingered all the way through to the end of the bowl.

It did not burn clean to the end, however, like most good English blends do. I had to mix it up at the end, as the last fifth of the bowl or so became soggy. But after mixing it up, it burned to the bottom of the bowl, leaving clean grey ash and some larger pieces of carbon dottle. Again, if you let the stuff dry out just a little, I am certain it will burn clean to the bottom of the bowl without having to mix it up.

Reserve 1928 is a great mixture for those who regularly smoke English blends but would like something with an 'aromatic' room note for a change of pace. It is also a great smoke for those who prefer aromatics but are put off by the gloppy mess left at the end, the overheated bowl, and the tongue bite. 1928 just does not bite, and burns cool. And, it does not leave a "ghost" perfumey or syrupy smell in your pipe, like so many aromatics do. In fact, the smell left in the pipe reminds me of the scent after smoking an English blend without latakia.

So, although technically I would classify Reserve 1928 as an aromatic blend, it does not have the negatives typically associated with aromatic blends, which makes it almost the perfect blend. Almost.

The search continues.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-02-27		Mild to Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

This one is just O.K. It's better than most Tinderbox blends, but it's still fairly flavoured. It has a nutty, sweet taste- it's about 75% Burley and 25% Virginia with a nice flavouring added to round it off. It tastes nice, but leaves your pipe wet and soggy. Also, the taste is very one dimensional. If you like aromatics, I'd try it, but it doesn't do a lot for me. I bought a 2 oz tin before Christmas and smoked a little and just put it away. Smells great if you want to impress bystanders.

1 person found this review helpful.

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	WillBrown (137)	2022-11-19		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I've been sitting on this tin for several years. I purchased this at the original Tinder Box in LA, CA (or so the sign outside the store said). Apparently, this blend was originally blended by McClelland for the Tinder Box.

Upon opening the pop top tin, none of the trademark McClelland bbq scent was present. The blend was slightly on the dry side, but it packed well. My first impressions after firing it up, were a bit humdrum, but as the bowl progressed some very nice nuances came through. A hint of vinegar at the back end, very subtle. There were some interesting flavors weaving in and out of the blend, some sweetness, some smokiness, some alchohol flavoring, too. Quite nice, really. Some of the flavor profiles reminded me of a combination of red VA's and burleys. I don't see this baccy as a pure aromatic, rather it's a crossover blend.

Overall, this was a pleasant smoke. Indeed, I wish I had purchased another tin back in the day. It's a pleasure to experience a hidden gem from your own tobacco cellar.

keep on pipin'

Purchased From: The Original Tinder Box, LA, CA

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2019-04-20		Mild	Medium to Strong	Very Full	Pleasant

Another McClelland grand achievement. I can't describe the tin aroma...chocolate caramel like smell with added spices. It smelled good to me and it was the sweetest tobacco I've ever smoked. After sniffing the tin, I thought; I'm going to get bit... not so. It's very tasty, very sweet and easy on the palate.

It presents excellent burning qualities... not like an aromatic at all. It simply burns & smokes like any non-aromatic might. Easily qualifies as a four star blend!!! It is not overly abundant in the nicotine department, but a bowlful will supply enough to satisfy & even the gurgle tasted sweet. For aromatic as well as non-aromatic smokers. I wish it were still available.

Pipe Used: Peterson Deluxe 9S & 11S

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tins

Purchased From: Tinder Box

Similar Blends: Unique... in a class of its own. Nothing else could compare...

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2018-12-30		Mild	Strong	Extra Full	Pleasant

Another McClelland grand achievement. Tin aroma... a chocolate caramel like smell with added spices. It smelled good to me and it was the sweetest tobacco I've ever smoked. After sniffing the tin, I thought; I'm going to get bit... not so. It's very tasty, very sweet and easy on the palate. It presents excellent burning qualities... not like an aromatic at all. I got a bit of condensation in my mouth while puffing & it even tasted nice & sweet... unbelievable for any tobacco. One of the finest aromatics ever produced.

It simply burns & smokes like any non-aromatic might. Easily qualifies as a four star blend! It is not overly abundant in the nicotine department, but a bowlful will supply enough to satisfy any aromatic as well as non-aromatic smokers. I bought four tins back in 2009 for less than $30.00. If you could find one tin today, it would cost more than that.

Pipe Used: Peterson System 312

Age When Smoked: Fresh Tin

Purchased From: Tinder Box

Similar Blends: Unique. Nothing like I've ever tried before..

Nobody has rated this review yet.

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	babysinister (55)	2012-12-22		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

I like it. Fine base tobacco, mostly burley and some virginias. The topping/casing/whatever is fine and doesn't bite. I smoked my first bowl in a Bjarne brandy, and followed up with the Nerrup Selection pipe, another brandy shape. That bowl shape seems to work fine with this blend. I like it that it's a bit one-note, as the one note is good and grows on you, a sign of a potential all-day smoke. Subdued is good for this one. As a previous reviewer noted, this is an aromatic for non-aromatic smokers.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2011-11-16		Mild	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I am not a big aro fan, but this is just a good blend. If it were a wine it wouldn't be too sweet or too dry. Rather than being pleasing to a few it would please the crowd.

This is the aromatic go to for a non-aro smoker.

You can taste quality of the tobaccos, and others can enjoy the smell.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	morphijuana (17)	2011-07-23		Mild	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

What a fantastic blend. The tin aroma is amazing, for me its of cocoa and mint. The room note is just as good. And a very tasty blend.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

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	The Persian Slipper (30)	2010-03-10		Mild	Medium	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

I tried this one simply because it received so may positive reviews on this site. I ordered it and waited with bated breath at its arrival. When it did show up (quite quickly too), I immediately opened the can. The aroma out of it was like coffee with french vanilla creamer in it. I love that smell. I grabbed a meer, filled and lit it. The taste was not what I expected. Perhaps I got my expectations up so high from the reviews, that I expected too much of it. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the blend very much, but I didn't find it to be such a special tobacco. Also, I found that it was difficult to keep lit. I relit my bowl several times during the whole affair. All in all, it is a very solid aromatic that was pleasing to the palate and the nose. I would recommend this blend to aromatic smokers.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2009-03-31		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

This stuff is wonderful! I got a tin from my cousin for christmas, it was a great gift. I opened the tin and smelled the wonderful virginias with a nutty aroma. This stuff packed well, was not too moist, and lit well. Smoked great with no dampness or burning out, no bite either. The flavor was pretty full, very nice medium tobacco with a nutty sensation, one you could smoke all day. So far this is my second favorite tobac next to DAN Black Velvet. I will be buying more soon!

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	Emeritus Account (30125)	2008-11-21		Mild to Medium	Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

This is a very nice tobacco. It is my normal daily smoke and what I take with me on trips where it is all I will have to smoke. The aroma is nice and there is never any bite. If you haven't tried the blend and happen across a Tinderbox pick up a tin. You will not be sorry you did.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Classical (13)	2008-04-02		Mild	Medium	Mild	Very Pleasant

On vacation in Tucson, I picked up a tin of this as a salute to the Tinder Box chain and its history. The flavor and quality is very good, with a mild, creamy almond-like aroma and taste. Once well dried out, it does not bite and is quite pleasant. Room-note is great.

I won't go out of my way to buy any more, but if you come across at tin of this and enjoy good aromatic tobaccos, then certainly try it! Just don't listen to the pretentious label description unless you go for that sort of thing.

Accompaniment: Ravel's Tombeau de Couperin.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-10-06		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

i recieved a small sample of this a few weeks ago to take home and taste. It has a good flavor and an aroma which is not TOO sweetened. This is not what would be known as a "Chick Magnet" tobacco, but a good change.

If you are only into the heavy aromatics like Cpt Black or blue note (Both exellent tobacos, but I like ADVENTURES in pipe smoking), then you may not really like it. This is something different.

Don't smoke it out of your pipes dedicated to aromatics either, since it will mask and ruin the the flavor.

If you want to have an "ADVENTURE in pipe smoking", other than Cpt. Black and try something wiht less artificial sweeteners and casing, but don't want to "Go full English", This is a good one. Come Pay Day, I am going to get me a can.

I would definately say give it a test puff.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-08-24		Mild to Medium	Extremely Mild	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

I work in a tinderbox and usually am an english man but during the summer I try to enjoy a tobacco that is a little sweeter on the palate. When we got this in, I was overjoyed (a quality smoke I dont have to go to Iwan Reis for) and when I opened the tin and popped the metal guard I was welcomed by the smell of virginia and burley with an exteremely pleasent hint of caramel corn. Upon first light I could taste a very distinct sweat taste that seemed to be coming from the tobacco and could hardly distinguish any casings. The entire bowl went down smoothly with subtle variations in flavor and intensity, I couldnt be happier with this and would agree that no matter what you smoke you can greatly appreciate the light sweet flavor this blend gives forth and anyone around you will be able to share in the delight.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Satc001 (67)	2007-08-23		Mild	Mild	Mild to Medium	Very Pleasant

This is a really good blend. The sweet and tangy virginias are set off by the warm, buttery burley and the subtle topping in this blend. It makes for a pleasantly sweet tobacco flavor on the palate. I found this blend remained fairly consistent throughout the bowl. It is very smooth and has no bite if smoked at a reasonable pace. Very good stuff, especially as an all day smoke, but has enough flavor to be that relaxing smoke in the evening. I give this blend high recommendation. I will probably be putting a tin or two away to see how it ages. Give this a try.

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	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-02-17		Mild	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I picked up a tin of 1928 Reserve while on a trip to Tinder Box to look over their newest stock of Ascorti pipes. I usualy dont smoke aromatics, but was told this Tinder Box exclusive blend was mostly quality McClelland virginias and that the casing was light and "unabtrusive". And so it is.

The taste upon lighting is of a smooth sweet virginia with a little bit of nuttiness from the burley. I struggled to find/figure out what the topping is, as it is so light and compliments the natural tobacco. Very well done.

It remains smooth and toasty and begins to pick up creaminess towards mid bowl. I tend to puff on the fast side and this tobacco stayed cool, fairly dry and didnt bite me even when I hit it hard. The room note is typical quality sweet virgina smell.

The suprise came in the bottom third,.. several quick succesion puffs a couple times a minute rewarded me with a sweet carmel pastry flavor! Not an artificial topping kind of flavor, but a sweet natural tobacco explosion. Truly delicious. A gem of a smoke. I'll be keeping this stuff around.

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	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2007-02-16		Mild	Mild	Full	Very Pleasant

When I first popped the top and inhaled the tin aroma, I was shocked that I didn't smell any of the traditional McClelland "ketchup" Instead you get this wonderful sweet smelling tobacco. I mostly smoke blends with heavy Latakia these days so I was going into this with the opinion that I wouldn't like this. I was wrong! Lighting up I was hit with a massive blast of sweetness. This sweetness lasts the entire bowl. As your bowl progresses you get hints of buttery biscuits & other baked pastry goodness. Never once did it want to bite my tongue. It has an almost aromatic quality to it. In fact I thought it was way too sweet to just be Virginia & Burley. I asked Mike Spicer from the Tinder Box and he confirmed that there is added topping/sweetness to the Burley. I would recommend that everyone from the English smoker to the aromatic smoker give this a try.

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