Low Country Pipe & Cigar Santee

I was mislead by the cut description above in that what I had in my tin was not a flake that I typically smoke but rather a coarse cut of medium & light brown, yellow and black tobaccos. With that, it burned much faster than my usual smokes even though the tin mositure content was ideal. However, there was no bite and a cool, dry smoke was enjoyed. The apple aroma from the tin faintly carried thru to the smoke but was not overpowering as with some other aromatics. I'll stick with non- aromatics but this was a interesting change of pace.

I'm not normally a huge aromatic fan, but this is a superior example of the style from Low Country Tobacco. Better even than most of C&D's virginia-based aromatics, it features lots of tobacco taste and a delicious apple flavoring that leaves all other apple-themed tobaccos I've tried in the dust. Based on the tin description, I was expecting a mild sipping tobacco that would be tolerable in the summer heat, and this blend delivers what it promises. It burns well and has little bite, although you should keep in mind this is a Virginia blend and treat it with some respect.

Quality-wise, this is on equal footing with Autumn Evening and should appeal to the same crowd. Think of it as Autumn Evening "lite" -- not as heavy but just as enjoyable.

This easily earns a 3-star rating, but I can imagine upgrading later.

I'm one of those guys who likes the idea of smoking an aromatic. I smoke burley, Virginia (with and without perique), English, and even the occasional Balkan. It would be nice to have an aromatic to turn to on occasion, something to smoke around others, but still feel like I'm smoking tobacco. I keep trying aromatics thinking I'll find one that tastes like it smells, won't burn my tongue, or leave my pipe wet with propylene glycol. Up until now I've been out of luck.

Santee is composed of bright leaves, some broken brown flakes, and black cavendish. My tin has been open on my desk for a month or so. My buddy Bill Withers, that many of you know, left it behind after one of our Saturday morning smokes. I smoked a bowl that morning and found it unremarkable. Since, I've had maybe 6 or 7 bowls. It's at a perfect smoking moisture now, and I remember it being pretty good when I first tried it. The flavor is a little fruity, as the tin claims, but still tastes like good Virginia tobacco. The burn is excellent, clean and dry all the way to the bottom of the bowl. I get absolutely no tongue bite at all.

I think I like it. It doesn't burn my tongue, leaves my pipe clean and dry, but I just don't know if it tastes very much like an aromatic. The flavoring is very subtle. This morning on my way to work I thought I tasted more aromatic flavor, but now it tastes pretty much like a typical light Virginia. Craig and Sykes did a good job with this one. I need more time to decide if I've found an aromatic that I can smoke on a regular basis. I want to like it. I really do.

Nice apple aroma very full. Nice looking blend, blonds, woody, with a few black flacks and twists. Mild taste, stays lit very well. Just the right amount of moisture. Packs very well & smokes the same. Recommend to Va smokers that like some flavoring.

Tin note of apples, spice and maybe apricot. Tobacco is a mix of ribbon of tan, light brown and a few pieces of black. Moisture content is good, but some pipe smokers will want to dry it a bit. Burns moderate with few relights. The strength is mild to medium and nic is mild. Flavoring is mild, with notes of vanilla and apple. The Vanilla is sporadic and mild. The Apple is very mild and other than the charring light, it was mostly a background player. Taste is medium and moderately consistent, with notes of sour apple, sweet grass, vanilla, sugar, tangy citrus, floral, spices, orange peel, mildly bitter, wood, earth, mildly savory, acidic, a mild semi-sweet fruity background note, and a mildly peppery almost smooth retro. Virginias are leading with Cavendish and Flavoring providing minimal support. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is good.