Stanwell Melange

Now this one. The ethalon of all aromatics. Haven't met any smoker yet who wouldn't like it just a bit. Interesting fact, I've consantly asked other what does it smell like raw and I haven't got two identical answers. From peache to chocolate, from caramel to coffee, I got everything. Turns out, the taste is somewhat everything, but mostly caramel and some apricot, so I've felt. Few precautions though: first, if you prefer to feel the taste of tobacco, leave it be. The topping's so strong, so dominant, and although it weakens proceeding to the bottom of the bowl, it never disappears. Secondly, I wouldn't give it to a newbie. The reason is simple: after a hefty aromatic everything tastes bland, empty and so he'd miss out lotsa things. All that being said, I love it as an occasional blend. After it I always smoke sungold or other tasty non-AROs to get my taste back to default. It shines all day long, in every setting, every weather, it's room note is absolute best, even better than some air fresheners. As of drinking, you ought to choose something mid-to-strong, as it will dominate most teas and the heavenly sweetness just doesn't feel right with water or beer. Irish coffee is king but scotches or liquores work just as fine.

This is my go to aromatic. I smoke English blends daily. But when I'm in the mood for something sweet and mild I smoke this. The room note gets compliments from all. The tin note smells delicious! The taste as stated in the introduction is of apricot, and nutty burley. I enjoy this at least once every other month with a tin always on hand. Very low nicotine. And it is very reasonably priced in the U.S.

Upon opening the tin, a delectable scent fills the room, reminding one of caramel & cream...which is to say, the tin note is fantastic! This is a real aromatic, so you will not detect any natural tobacco scent. The tobacco is a nice mix of colors: red & gold virginias, black cavendish, brown burleys, etc.

Melange is a bit too moist right out of the tin, so I'd advise you to dry it before filling your pipe. If not, it can pack too hard, making it impossible to smoke. It may take you several lights to get this tobacco going, and it will go out on you, requiring a relight. At first, the smoker is rewarded by mild hints of the flavouring in the smoke, though they remain elusive, which is frustrating, considering the tin note. The room note is fabulous and will be certain to please a crowd. But I am only givng Melange 2 stars, because about halfway through the bowl, despite careful sipping, the smoke turns acrid, spoiling the smoker's pleasure. This is very unfortunate, as Melange is a tobacco I really wanted to love, but just could not... It is not a bad tobacco, but it would not be among my top 10 aromatic choices.

Excellent aromatic, right humidity, so you can light it up upon opening the pouch! Burns to the end smoothly, doesn't heat the pipe, no tongue bites at all. I wish though it had a bit more “body” Light it up, close your eyes and you are in the middle of an apricot orchard! Highly recommended!

I don't smoke a lot of aromatics but I do enjoy the good ones. This one rates right at the top. Packs ok, a little moist but not goopy, amazing room note, no bite, fruity yet with a sound tobacco taste. Is there a pipe tobacco group of Aromatic English blends? If so, this would be one of the pack leaders. My plan is to keep this on hand, cellar some for aging and find a pipe to devote to this blend. Not because it ghosts but because I don't want anything to ghost it. My angel wife gives this one two thumbs up.

This is definitely one of my favorite aromatics. The tin note translates very well into the taste and the wonderful room note. It reminds me of apricot cheese cake or panna cotta with apricot sauce and a cafe au lait nuance. Creamy, nutty, fruity, lightly citrus, ...simply delightful.

I don't do sweet aromatics very often AT ALL, but this one is really fun for a casual afternoon smoke. It's really a modernized version of the Lane 1-Q. Many of the same apricot fruit notes. It's slightly less incense-forward than the 1-Q, and a little richer on the actual tobacco notes.

Frankly, it's very nice. I've starting mixing it down with a basic virginia blend, but that's just personal preference. The tobacco flavor does come through even without blending it down, and the sweetness is not cloying or overwhelming.

For some reason, I really prefer this in a briar. I've tried it in clay and meerchaum also, but there's some nice combo with a briar that I can't fully explain. Your mileage may vary. It will ghost a briar somewhat, though -- not terrible, but noticable. Just FYI.

Nicotine is mild, smell is awesome in the tin and the room.

Sweet, but not too much. Like that pie that's balanced on sweetness so you want to keep going. Somewhat earthy too.

I like more pungent tobaccos, so I can't give it the maximum rating.

Also, the room note is non-existent. I can't detect it at all. It's not weak, it just doesn't seem to exist. Maybe it's so weak that I don't notice it, which is the same thing.

Anyway, it really is better than drugstore aromatics like 7 Seas etc. A step above them, I would say.

For those who like mild but quality aromatics, go for this.

QUITE...A...SURPRISE! I got a tin of this due to a "passaround-tobacco-box" we have going on, and when I grabbed the tin I was sure: Nope.. this aromatic isn't for me (not an Aro-guy at all), but I dared to take a sniff... and fell in love with the scent!

First I thought it was the wrong tobacco and I got the "Classic" Stanwell, because the tin note is mostly of vanilla and coffee with a generous spoon of cream. Apricot? Yea, slightly in the background! JimInks mentioned 'peach' as one of the flavorings, and I think this is not too far fetched!

What I find interesting about the Stanwell aromatics: They often are not the "Virginia/BUrley/B.Cavendish" tobacco base, but often add Turkish/Orientals to the mix, which I like! Couldn't help myself but too fill a generous clay-pipeful of this blend.

In the smoke the apricot flavoring is more obvious than in the scent. Apricot and vanilla take the main stage, deliciously accompanied by a very tasty coffee/latte-ish aroma in the background. It's a full-grown aromatic, but leaves a bit room for the tobaccos as well. What I notice most is the toasty, nutty burley. The Orientals tend to shine through by times with a smooth exotic, dry spice. Has quite some body for an aromatic!

The flavourings are rich, yet smooth, unobtrusive and natural-feeling. The tobaccos do shine through and perfectly melt with the smooth flavourings to create one unique smoking experience and an aromatic, that appeals even to me, as someone, who get's highly sceptical when it comes to flavored blends. But this one just works. Great morning smoke, great after-dinner treat along with coffee, tea, or a hot chocolate..., yup, 3,5 stars!