Borkum Riff Mixture with Bourbon Whiskey (Bronze)
(1.64)
Selected quality, bright aromatic Virginia and rich, cool smoking burley tobaccos are blended to give an exquisite taste and aroma, enhanced by the finest Kentucky bourbon whiskey traditionally matured for over eight years to develop its full complex flavour. Serious yet dynamic, Borkum Riff Bourbon Whiskey has a unique, captivating taste and aroma. Infused with eight year old Kentucky Bourbon, it combines the natural flavour of the tobacco with a distinctive aroma that is both traditional and discreetly masculine.
Notes: Used to be Virginia and burley. Now is Virginia and black cavendish. The new pouch description relates: The Bourbon Whiskey recipe consists of 35% black cavendish from Africa, Europe and the Philippines mixed with 65% Virginia from Brazil and Africa. And as a final treat genuine Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey is added.
Due to EU regulations this is now known as "Bronze".
Details
| Brand | Borkum Riff |
| Blended By | Scandinavian Tobacco Group |
| Manufactured By | Lane Limited |
| Blend Type | Aromatic |
| Contents | Black Cavendish, Virginia |
| Flavoring | Bourbon |
| Cut | Ribbon |
| Packaging | 42.5 grams (US) 50 g (Canada) pouch, 250 grams tin |
| Country | Denmark |
| Production | Currently available |
Profile
Strength
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild -> Overwhelming
Flavoring
Mild to Medium
None Detected -> Extra Strong
Room Note
Tolerable
Unnoticeable -> Overwhelming
Taste
Mild to Medium
Extremely Mild (Flat) -> Overwhelming
Average Rating
|
1.64 / 4
|
Reviews
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Displaying 281 - 290 of 311 Reviews
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 04, 2023 | Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Very Pleasant |
So I am exploring the wold of aromatics after a lifetime spent smoking mainly flakes. I always enjoyed Players Whiskey flake (sadly long gone) and I have a soft spot for whiskey flavored blends. Borkum Riff gets a bad press generally, but I thought I would revisit it in its latest incarnation, (Black Cavendish taking the place of Burley) having tried it last in the 1990s. I was somewhat prepared to be disappointed, and was in actuality pleasantly surprised. On opening the pouch, I was met by an aroma reminiscent of Clan with an obvious boozy overtone and some implication of vanilla and sherry cask type sweetness. It is not a gloopy American style aromatic, but more akin to Dutch and Scandinavian mixtures. It needs little drying and packs easily. It lights fairly easily too and smokes down to a fine white ash. The flavour is sweet and has a tangy edge provided by the bright virginias, with a citrus note complementing that of the Bourbon flavour of the Cavendish. The room note is actually noticeable whilst smoking and is very pleasant and lingers a fair while. I enjoyed the experience overall and it makes a pleasant diversion from VaPer and Straight Virginias. I can see it biting the novice and unwary smoker, but applying the breath method will help keep it in check. This is premium tobacco and it is far from the firey demon that it is made out to be. Addendum:- I have decided to add another star for this blend. It has surpassed my expectations and has provided a great consistency from one bowl to the next. If packed with a modicum of care, it provides a very easy going smoke and it is able to maintain that barely lit smoulder that gives a cool smoke with plenty of flavour. 4*
Pipe Used:
Falcon
PurchasedFrom:
Smoke King
Age When Smoked:
Fresh
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Apr 14, 2023 | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Mild to Medium | Pleasant |
I think this is one of the better current OTCs that is available at non-tobacco stores today. Here's the problem with it (and Captain Black too): You can order less expensive stuff that is way better. The only reason you should buy this is if you have no local tobacconist, and shipping to your location is illegal.
Borkum Riff: $9-16 pouch=$6-10 per oz
Sutliff SPS 2007: bulk=$2.50 per oz
Sutliff bourbon street: bulk=$2.50 per oz
Cao Moontrance: $10.70 tin=$6 per oz (same price, and this is metal tinned)
Super Value Bourbon (same quality as BR IMO): $4.29 pouch=$3 per oz (though some of my local stores mark this one up too)
And more...
You can usually buy 3-4 times as much tobacco for the same price, and most of it is definitely better. If I were selling a new car for the same price as three or four other new models, if it's not tremendously superior in some regard, you would not buy it. Why do we do that with pipe tobaccos? In my opinion, its a rip off and they are capitalizing on the availability of their distribution, which most people can easily work around by just ordering online or buying something else (that's better) from a local tobacco shop.
Borkum Riff: $9-16 pouch=$6-10 per oz
Sutliff SPS 2007: bulk=$2.50 per oz
Sutliff bourbon street: bulk=$2.50 per oz
Cao Moontrance: $10.70 tin=$6 per oz (same price, and this is metal tinned)
Super Value Bourbon (same quality as BR IMO): $4.29 pouch=$3 per oz (though some of my local stores mark this one up too)
And more...
You can usually buy 3-4 times as much tobacco for the same price, and most of it is definitely better. If I were selling a new car for the same price as three or four other new models, if it's not tremendously superior in some regard, you would not buy it. Why do we do that with pipe tobaccos? In my opinion, its a rip off and they are capitalizing on the availability of their distribution, which most people can easily work around by just ordering online or buying something else (that's better) from a local tobacco shop.
Pipe Used:
Grabow
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 04, 2020 | Medium to Strong | Extremely Mild | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Tolerable |
Smells extremely faint of whiskey, tastes of terrible tobacco.
There is no flavour whatsoever and the blend is harsh and bland. This is probably the worst pipe tobacco I've ever had in my life.
There is no flavour whatsoever and the blend is harsh and bland. This is probably the worst pipe tobacco I've ever had in my life.
Pipe Used:
Tomato Churchwarden
PurchasedFrom:
Corner shop
Age When Smoked:
New
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 19, 2020 | Mild to Medium | Mild | Mild to Medium | Pleasant to Tolerable |
My first review. I'm new to pipe smoking and had mostly tried aromatics until a recent visit to a tobacconist. Borkum Riff Bourbon Whiskey is one of a dozen I've purchased and tried now, giving me a perspective that I needed in order to write a thoughtful review.
At first I hated it. It smelled nothing like the promised whiskey, and it after having tried several other aromatics, I didn't see any value in smoking this tobacco - even considering throwing it away. With a cost of $35 CAD, I decided to keep it but in a mason jar. Being my least favorite, I left it sealed in the jar for a couple of months and bought new tobaccos to try.
Now, after those months of aging, in a sunlit room, the tobacco has improved. The moisture is right, and it packs and lights easily. Packed properly and sipped, it burns relatively cool.
There is still no taste of bourbon, and the tobacco flavors of Virginia and Cavendish take over. It's much more pleasant the second go around, leaving a spicy note over a toasted bread halfway through. Towards the bottom, the spiciness turns to a mild tongue bite, and there is a chemical taste that unfortunately covers the better notes.
At first I hated it. It smelled nothing like the promised whiskey, and it after having tried several other aromatics, I didn't see any value in smoking this tobacco - even considering throwing it away. With a cost of $35 CAD, I decided to keep it but in a mason jar. Being my least favorite, I left it sealed in the jar for a couple of months and bought new tobaccos to try.
Now, after those months of aging, in a sunlit room, the tobacco has improved. The moisture is right, and it packs and lights easily. Packed properly and sipped, it burns relatively cool.
There is still no taste of bourbon, and the tobacco flavors of Virginia and Cavendish take over. It's much more pleasant the second go around, leaving a spicy note over a toasted bread halfway through. Towards the bottom, the spiciness turns to a mild tongue bite, and there is a chemical taste that unfortunately covers the better notes.
Pipe Used:
Pearwood Bent Apple pipe
Age When Smoked:
New, then months old
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 27, 2011 | Medium to Strong | Mild | Medium to Full | Tolerable |
I Just started smoking a pipe 2 months ago. I've only had Captain Blacks Cavendish to date(being a newbie). I got this(Borkum Riff-Bourbon) and a new briar for Christmas. I love my new briar but am sorely displeased that I put this crap in my new briar as a first tobacco. It burned my tongue like I've never felt before and leaves the tip kinda numb for about 15 minutes after. It smells kinda like cat piss and smokes a little on the damp side. I deeply regret putting this crap in my new pipe. I can only hope that it doesn't linger. I'm no expert or old hat at this stuff and I still say "This stuff sucks butt" I will make sure it is not bought in this house again! One hard lesson learned and now it's time to get informed so I can put out 'brand' requests for next Christmas.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Dec 13, 2011 | Extremely Mild | Strong | Extremely Mild (Flat) | Strong |
God. Awful. In just about every way. This tobacco will bite even the most experienced smoker. HARD. Absolutely zero nicotine content. Sickeningly sweet pouch-note. Tastes like old cigarette butts and makes the rest of the room you smoked in smell the same way! Avoid this blend at all costs! And if you happen to find yourself in the ownership of this blend, dispose of it immediately! You can thank me later.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| May 29, 2011 | Mild | Mild | Mild | Pleasant to Tolerable |
I saw the "Bourbon Whiskey" and had to give it a try. No bourbon taste, no whiskey hint, no hint of anything really. Burns easy and fast, but I may of just got an old dry bag. Gave it to a friend, and he didn't care for it so much either. Kentucky gentleman from out local Straus tobacconist is much better, and actually has a pleasant hint of whiskey.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Mar 09, 2011 | Very Mild | Very Mild | Mild | Pleasant |
Has anyone ever used a mixture of Borkum Riff Whiskey and Old Drum by Grant's, a Tabacco store in San Francisco,Calif. ??
I smoked this blend 30 years ago and it was outstanding. My wife and anyone around me really enjoyed it. It had a light chocolate smell. I am starting the pipe again and wanted to see if anyone out there has heard or used on this mixture.
I smoked this blend 30 years ago and it was outstanding. My wife and anyone around me really enjoyed it. It had a light chocolate smell. I am starting the pipe again and wanted to see if anyone out there has heard or used on this mixture.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Nov 23, 2010 | Mild | Very Mild | Very Mild | Unnoticeable |
Personally, not a big fan, very dry and similar to a non-filtered Camel cigarette. This is the first "drugstore" brand in which i've not found one likeable quality. Pass on this one.
| Reviewed By | Date | Rating | Strength | Flavoring | Taste | Room Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
| Aug 14, 2010 | Strong | Strong | Medium to Full | Strong |
terrible. as others have said, i wanted to like it. it SMELLS great in the pouch. someone out there probably likes it, if they like the taste of wet, salted vegetables. it burned well though, but bites hard and stings the next day. hate it. every few weeks i mix it in with some cavendish, and ruin an otherwise good smoke (i still have no idea why).
dont buy it. it sucks.
dont buy it. it sucks.
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