Borkum Riff Original

Given the number of bad reviews this tobacco has received I was keen to try it for myself and I have to admit it is not as bad as I thought it would be. It did not bite like a rabid ferret. It is not a vile demon weed, but it's not exciting either. There are no highs or lows, no hidden highlights or subtle surprises awaiting midway through the bowl, no symphony of complex flavours dancing around each other.

The pouch aroma is lovely - it could make a wonderful pot pourri - and the wife tells me the room note is pleasant. In Falcon pipes and corn cobs it smoked reasonably dry and I didn't encounter any bite. So, to my tastes, it's okay. But there's a whole world of wonderful tobaccos out there that are far more than just okay.

If it was the only tobacco I had left, it might tide me over for a day or so until I could get something better. But it does not soothe the soul. It may suit others, but it's a bit too dull and boring for me.

COMMENTARY BORKUM RIFF ORIGINAL: Sometimes Okay Makes For A Passing Grade

Ironically here I sit once again penning yet another write-up on a Borkum Riff OTC pouched mixture. Having sampled their flagship Bourbon Whiskey mix which turned out to be a disappointing exercise, I’m not sure why I decided to pick this one up to be honest, but I did. My official review of the former was rather unfavorable but candidly honest. Subsequent, the image I formed on the brand was, let’s simply say, not impressed. Admittingly my leading expectation of this Original mixture was, therefore, somewhat tainted by that cheapening experience.

Initially when I glanced at the packaging, I mistook Original for my old chum Mixture 79, ah no. Perhaps there was some subliminal force associated with the mis queue that compelled me to fork over six-plus dollars for this probable dud. Such were my thoughts as I exited with the dubious specimen in hand. Having now smoked most of the pouch, I am in a more informed position to assess my perceptions, or rather prejudices, on this Scandinavian Tobacco Group offering. After more thoughtful retrospection, this trial exercise reminds me of the need to maintain a fair objective mindset when donning the coat of an impartial reviewer.

In reference to the base statistics, Original is a simple, but arguably global, recipe. Officially the mix is said to be constituted by a lightly vanilla topped mesh of two-thirds Filipino African Black Cavendish with the balance being a three-strand Virginia assortment originating from strangely enough South America, India, and Africa. Hailed as a strong but gentle fair, Original’s touted renown is made distinctive by the deployment of diligent and unique craftmanship.

The flashy marketing description holds that the mixture separates itself from other OTCs by using highly selective leaf varietals. Yeah, time for a reality check. Not that they are awful, but they are not stellar by any means, largely ordinary by the results of my sampling assessment. Perhaps the definition of selective in this case is the tobacco suppliers market their leaves dirt cheap giving the blender a lower direct cost to manufacture, (i.e., higher margins) as the price per pouch is relatively elevated compared to participating OTC brands. This statement may seem a little harsh, but I do question the righteousness of the product positioning and the cost posed to the customer given the market sector in which Borkum Riff mixes compete. Yet there is clearly a market for the brand, so kudos to STG on that accomplishment.

Within the classic Borkum Riff seascape pouch, one will find a dark matrix of extremely dry tobacco. Scant morsels of what appears to be Yellow, Bright, and stoved Red Virginia are engulfed in a flood of blackish Cavendish. Formally ribbon-cut, Original is rather a rough and coarsely textured sack of jagged shadowy granola. Given the presentation, I would be remiss not to state that the blend does project an intriguing preview.

Nosing the fragrance being released, a sprightly dance of the flavor additives spirals up with significant magnitude. Rich notes of vanilla-fruitiness with traces of chocolaty anise overshadow the forefront aroma. A very low bottom resonance of the Virginias’ bready grass and dark wood circulate from the Burley-based Cavendish, registering only with concerted sniffing effort. The overall nose of the blend is very pleasant, however, as it unquestionably promises a sugary Aromatic smoking encounter.

As expected from the noted pouch airs, the toppings materially dominant the base flavor as the native tobaccos are extremely restrained elements in the background. The blender’s claim of lightness in the application is not necessarily spot on. There is more happening here than just one sweetener as well. In specific, the heavy top note is personified as a smack of vanilla intermixed with an indistinct fruity berry-like flavoring, (i.e., blueberry/blackberry?). Intermittently, the taste accents impart a vague tinge of licorice as a soft spicy adder. Although this confluence of toppings/casings presents an agreeably sweet departure, it tends to be a bit uninspiring given the one-dimensional feature.

About halfway through the bowl, some of the natural tobacco registration does finally come through as tart-woody Virginia and the processed Burley brings light chocolatey roasted nuttiness as both are kept in check for most of the smoking session. The tone seems to be a tangy cedar-oak quality in the feel of native taste. On a positive note, this quality is pleasantly amusing but does materialize very subtly overall.

Furthermore, Original is very much a light bodied-mild strength affair not even being remotely stout in lieu of the manufacturer’s proclamation. Even so, I did experience some roughness in the blending quality and a bit of harshness in the texture but nothing too overt or hateful. The effects of nicotine are minimal if nothing to speak of at all. On the manufacturer’s suggestion of softness in character, yeah, I tend to agree with that statement based upon the complete trial exercise.

Original does produce a fairly hearty plume of smoky vapor. Given the level of top dressings and the inherent trait of Virginia, the mix does burn considerably hot and rather quickly. Consequently, there is ample room for tongue discomfort and stress if the drawling of the pipe is too earnest. From my experience a cob tends to get super warm roaring with profuse heat in short time. As such the more likely venue is a thicker walled briar for optimum smoking comfort.

Coming to the room note, I would dare say that its presence is pointedly light and airy. One does experience a warm softly sweet nutty-wood essence. The sweetness seems to be a creamy berry perfume with a dash of suppressed citrus. The permanency of the fragrance is rather short lived as the evidence of Original’s company peters off in quick-step. Nonetheless, the general strength of the smoke would be tolerable to most, of that, I am sure.

My final thoughts on the trial lead me to conclude that unlike Borkum Riff’s champion Bourbon Whiskey, Original surprisingly proved to be a reasonable diversion, being much more enjoyable than the supposed market leader. I would not rate this as a must have varietal but in all honesty being somewhat boorish, its generally “okay” by my standards. Once again, I did not find the quality of tobaccos, nor the processing used to be singular by any means.

As an even tempered casual all-day blend, I suspect that the Aromatic enthusiasts would rather appreciate the experience that it has to offer. Relative to other OTCs as it relates to quality and price, Original does have a few drawbacks in my opinion. Will I purchase it again? Maybe under the right circumstances. As always give it a try to see if Original is a welcome addition to your own smoking preferences.

THE POUCH DESCRIPTION YOU CAN FIND ABOVE IS UNFINISHED: AT THE END THERE IS ALSO WRITTEN - FLAVOUR: CHOCOLATE, PRUNE AND FRUITY NOTES.

Really a good scent, taste so and so. Not wonderful not bad. Of course this is a flavored blend, but you can taste the tobacco too. Mixture Original is the new version of Borkum Riff Ultra Light, but it is not exactly the same blend. First of all it is stronger than Ultra Light and second in Original Mixture the main ingredient is Black Cavendish (not so in Ultra Light). Also the flavoring is different. In the pouch is written flavour: chocolate, prune and fruity notes. I believe there is also some rum in this blend. Chocolate is evident, prune and fruity notes less. In my opinion Original is better than Ultra Light, more tasty, more rich, with a middle perfect strength. Finally, in my personal rating system (from 1 to 10) my score is 7 and two stars.

This is a tobacco to smoke very gently. It has a subtile taste, it can become sharp easily. Not my favorite but ok. The smell directly above the bowl is delight.

burns good, taste could be a bit more intense though. could bite as well, better stay on the slow side. malt or even orange from that brand are better.

Drug store level blend. Easy to pack, lit, almost dry smoke, one relight, but nothing special at all. if you don't have other choice, just drug store blends buy it, its not a worst choice.

When in the pouch the aroma is really pleasant, very natural and not chemical, is it possible to feel the virginia's smell. The thing is when smoked all the aromas felt before disappear remaining just a small tobacco taste and a lot of tongue bites.

As per my review about BR Vanilla Chavendish, I would say this is good blend for beginner, won't hurt my wallet at all. But after a while when someone introduced me to Latakia blend tobacco, my interest to smoke this tobacco started to fade away. Somehow I still keep it 1-2 pack in stock just for refreshing my memory of why I started to smoke pipe tobacco..

This blend has taken a lot of bad reviews, but I decided to give it a try anyway. It is by far not the best OTC out there. I would buy again if there were only OTCs to choose from and there weren't any others in stock. It burns way too quickly and the flavoring just doesn't transfer to the taste buds outside of a cigarette-ish taste towards the bottom of the bowl. It lights easily enough and stays lit if tended to properly. Hardly any nicotine to it at all. It does burn to a nice ash at the bottom of the bowl. Moisture level for an OTC is quite low surprisingly. Just enough to put it to 2 stars. Recommended, barely.