Stanwell Melange

ilike this tobacco for one reason .you can mix it,with burley 1q bca etc.4 ozof melange 6oz 1q 2oz bca,let itsit for a week then dry to taste ,your in paradise.haunting to say the least .try it.

I like aromatics - I can even appreciate the really cased ones as occasional dessert smokes (i.e., Blue Note). But this stuff? Tastes like a cheap apricot-scented candle and burns your tongue like one too. Truly disgusting. If this was the last pipe tobacco on Earth, I would stop smoking.

Thank goodness this was only a free sample pouch - at least I did not pay money for this. STAY AWAY!

I just got a sample of this from the guys at Iwan Ries. I found it to be very "FRUITY". I think that Apricots does best describe the flavor. Let me also say the flavor is PUNGENT. This is however, A European Aromatic not an American Aromatic. Translation- It tastes a lot more like Cellini Classic than C&D's Apricots and Cream. So, with that being said, We can proceed. A really visually appealing blend. Full of Color from light to dark. The aroma is heavenly. Takes the first light very well. Smokes very smoothly till the end. The Apricot flavor remains constant throughout the smoke. A very dry blend indeed. I find that If you add approximately 1/8 Iwan ries 3 Star Ebony to the mixture it greatly enhances the flavor profile and it gives it some depth. Actually, I rather enjoyed this offering from Stanwell. 3 of 4 European Aromatic Stars.

14 years ago, this was the very first aromatic tobacco that charmed me to start my pipe smoking journey. For the sake of trying new tobaccos every time, I did not return to this on. Until now. I cant tell how disappointed I was. I had so high expectations, but the results were just, meh... Artificial smell from the pouch, artificial smelling smoke. Hot and unpleasant. Reminds me of Vauen tobaccos, that I avoid of all costs. I regret trying it again. Should have left the memories of a good smoke in my dreams...

After smoking english blends for years, I decided to try this blend and am enjoying it so much I am going to stick with it for a while and buy some more.

Stanwell - Melange has an apricot and peaches aroma with some citrus and grass tin note. The smoke is burley forward for me, it is nutty and earthy, The VA's are a little tart and tangy with notes of grass, the black cav has that brown sugar note that comes and goes but when present often competes for the lead. The Orientals trail all of this and are way in the background but detectable and are slightly floral, with their expected sour note, I pick up a few herbal elements which likely come from them and a very minor spice note, that pops in occasionally. The apricot and I am guessing the peach notes are forward and mute the tobaccos a little, as should be expected. The vanilla is much further in the background. It is not quite as complex as my notes make out but a very good blend that I am sure most will enjoy; however, as it turns out I guess I don't enjoy the apricot and peach toppings all that much and the room note is far from great, it reminds me of the cheap gas station peach flavored cigars. The wife did not enjoy it either. If you like them, this is likely a home run for you. I can only somewhat recommend this and have no plans to purchase it again.

Very subtle flavoring. The tobacco comes through prominently. With a slight apricot, citrus flavor in the background. Definitely an aromatic for those that like it lightly topped. Quality tobacco as well

Strong and mouthwatering apricot scent coming even from the unopened tin. Definitely stood out among the tins from my last order.

Tobacco is slightly damp but can be used right away. Brief airing out for 5 minutes recommended but not necessary.

Easy to light. Smokes relatively cool and evenly. Almost no relights needed. Some gurgling, but not a nuisance.

Mild smoke throughout the bowl. Room note very pleasant, that's where the aromatics shine. Caught myself "sniffing" the smoke right after exhaling because it smelled so good. Wished the taste had been just as flavorful. Taste peaked at around first 1/3 of bowl but remained good and noticeable till the end.

Left the tin paper on my desk, it served as quite a nice air "freshener".

If I had to criticize anything about this blend, it's that the aroma smells a tad too artificial and you can definitely tell here and there that it's not fully natural.

WOW! Fruit salad in your pipe. I really like this stuff. I'm not usually into fruity tobacco but this is done just right. Not heavy handed in the casing department but not to light either. The flavors other reviewers have noted are all there. Peach, apricot, coconut and I think I even detected a slight banana flavor. The vanilla reminds me of marshmallow flavor hence the fruit salad reference. The flavor remains constant throughout the bowl with no harshness or bite. I can't believe it took me 35 yrs. To try this blend. I wish I had done sooner. Well done Stanwell.