Rich's Meerschaum

I bought this to season my new meerschaum pipe. I turns the color much quicker than regular pipe tobacco's. the color is a burnt orange. At first smoke I didn't think much of it but the more I smoked it the more flavor I could taste. To me it tast very similar to Romeo and Julieta Habana Reserve. That may sound strange for a pipe tobacco, but it does. I can't describe tobacco flavors like the sophisticated group because I've never tasted leather, coco, coffee, or even shag carpet in my tobacco. I've talked with many smokers who share the same view. Here's the best I can do with this one... there's a spicy cedary tast at first which follows with tones(middle C I think) Of uncertain origin (probably the Cuban), The cedary spice continues through the smoke and ends with the common flavor of bottom of the bowl tobacco. Seriously it's a very good smoke.

It is so difficult to describe the wonderful blends produced at Rich's.I will start by saying the following: They all have a unique herbal quality to them. Now, on to the review. I normally do not smoke Meerschaum pipes but was intrigued by this blend. I have a general aversion to Virginia based tobaccos . They do not agree with me. I spoke with Steve@ Rich's and asked him about Burley based English Mixtures. This was 1 of his suggestions.When I left NYC 17 yrs ago I took only 2 things with me. They were the unmistakable accent and my love of Wilke, Nat Sherman, Conossieur, and Barclay Rex Tobaccos. Well, 2 of the 4 are now very corporate and the other 2 are not easy to get. Rich's blends these OLD TIMEY blends with a definite WESTERN twist. Meerschaum is an example of this.It is a smoky/sweet mixture with the Latakia in the background. It has an herbal quality that stays throughout the bowl. The blend starts sweet and then the Latakia kicks in. However, it is only a small kick. I believe this is Syrian. The smoke never develops to a complex level but remains slow and steady.Very similar to the Wilke Burley based mixtures but w/o the scented signature cavendish. This is Barking Dog done right! I believe that McClelland and C&D could learn a thing or two from this 100+year old shop. Please try this if you wanted Barking Dog w/o the BITE!! 4 of4 American/English Stars!

Meerschaum is an unusual light english-style tobacco in that it is burley based, with VAs added as condiments. It was designed by master blender Steven Books for the enjoyment and coloring of meerschaum pipes, but is also quite tasty in a briar.

The theory is that the Kentucky red burley burns cooler (and more alkaline) than virginia-based blends. There are still nicotine and other combustions products for coloring, but it does not have the heavy carbonized sugars of a virginia mixture. I can say that the mixture does color meerschaums a light tan with orange-red tints.

Pouch note is very clean and redolent of latakia. The smoke is dry with a cool, light sweetness and mild nuttiness from the burley that plays well against a background of latakia smokiness and mild orientals. This remains remarkably consistent throughout the smoke which has a light-to-medium body. The finish is clean and leaves a mildly sweet, but not cloying aftertaste.

This can be smoked all day without bite.