Borkum Riff Original

This is a good pipe tobacco but it burns the tongue no matter how slow you smoke it. I enjoy the flavor, but the tongue burn is a big problem.

Well, well, well ...

First time on this board, and I have to say I'm gobsmacked at the negative comments of my favourite brand. Sad to say, there is probably not a stockist within 50 miles of my location, it's the ONLY brand I would smoke if it was readily available !!!

I like aromatic tobaccos, as I accept that secondhand smoke is not appreciated by everyone and one may as well be kind to one's audience!!! Borkum Riff Original, in my opinion, is the most favoured aroma in my 30 years of pipe smoking as long as you use a 'clean' pipe ...

In the pouch, it smelled very fruity and rich. Smoking it almost made me throw up -- it tastes worse than can possibly be described. Repeating the experience ever again would be pure masochism.

If you want to know what it tastes like, but don't want to waste money on it, crush some cigarettes in an ashtray and mix with asphalt to make your own Borkum Riff Original.

I only did this to myself once, and it's not an experience I care to repeat.

Smells good in package and in the room, but during smoking it's very poor. Burning fast, makes a lot of ash in the bowl and not tasting a good taste during smoking.

This is an updated review, the tobacco has around 8-9 months aging in the jar. From the jar, mild vanilla, chocolaty and fruity aromas are detected which pretty much are consistent with the flavor when smoked. No drying time needed. I pack the tobacco relatively dense in a non-filter corn cob. It does need more than an average number of relights in the process. It’s mildly bitter, though you get the notes of the toppings - but these toppings are not overpowering the blend, you can also taste the tobacco. If smoked gently, there is no tongue bite, and the pipe does not get hot, it can give pretty much a pleasant smoke, which is very much opposite to the general impression you will get if read carefully many comments; it’s little underrated blend; I would give 2.5 stars out of 4, and would round it to 3 stars, given that the toppings do not -overpower the tobacco, you get a mild reasonably good smoke. It’s an honest blend, it delivers what you experience from opening the pouch/jar, it stands in a very hostile environment, in terms of comments, and once this 20 grams jar empties, I will not hesitate to take a new pouch and keep it for some occasional smokes. Take a well-worked corn cob of medium size, say a country gentleman; fill the tobacco and push each layer to make it dense. Smoke it gently, you may be rewarded as you go to the bottom of the bowl; it leaves finally little ash, it’s consistent. A mild aromatic which can be an all-day smoke for aromatic lovers, or a choice for occasional smokes for English/Va lovers.

As I stated in a previous review, Borkum is the stuff of legends within the pipe community. Not for being good, but rather how horrible the tounge bite is. I decided to try it, just for the sake of it, after about 16 years of working up the coruage. Boy was I disappointed in not trying this stuff sooner, because it is amazing. Much like Captain Black, it is sweet but not overly so. It also carries a rare distinction of acutall tasting like what it says it does. Chocolate, prune and fruity notes are all accounted for. It is really pleasent to smoke and I have gotten not a single bit of bite. I did experience a bit of the tounge coat people mention but it wasn't unpleasant enough to not rate this highly. Give it a go.

The Borkum Riff Original is composed by 60% of Black Cavendish and 40% of Virginia as written in the pouch description. Once openend the aromas are dominated by the added flavour of cocoa and plums. The ribbon cut is easy to pack and to light. The smoke is imprinted by sweetness and raisins.if stressed it does not tend to overheat excessively. In conclusion is a tobacco for who like flavoured.

Acrid One-Star Material

The burley is the most evident tobacco and its nutty-earthiness is the only redeeming part of this blend. The brightness of the Virginia varietals turns into an acrid mess when merged with the plum/prune topping—even when using a long stem pipe.

So far, this is the only tobacco I cannot recommend.