Stanwell Melange

I was given a two bowl sample of Melange and Vanilla so this review is based on only a very small sample. The blend is quite sauced and lives up to its namesake. It burns dry and is sweet throughout. But, I simply didn't find it to my liking. It burned much hotter than other aromatics that I enjoy. It could be a body chemistry thing or the size of the sample as I generally want to know a blend more before reviewing it, but that would mean buying more and that won't happen. I also didn't like the aftertaste. A lot of folks like it, so you may as well, but it's not for me.

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.

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

I am not as impressed as some are with Melange. I found the tin and room note pleasant and the tobacco had a proper amount of moisture. However, the taste was a letdown, tasted too grassy.

Pleasant tin smell, with the apricot/peach notes mentioned by other reviewers. What puzzles me are the many very enthusiastic reviews, as I just find this a so-so smoke, neither notable or objectionable. There are many aromatics available which are superior to this, including Stanwell's own Vanilla. Doubt if I would buy this again, but wouldn't refuse a free tin!

This was my first can of pipe tobacco, it almost turned me off to becoming a regular.

The tobacco can details an apricot flavor, I can not sense anything close to apricot just many types of creamy vanilla.

Smoking this stuff is a challenge, it burns hot and spicy, if you smoke it too slow it doesn't feel like you're getting a consistent puff, and smoke too fast it will tongue bite you hard.

People compliment the smell regularly, I've yet to get anything but positives on this. I had a bicyclist stop down the street just to tell me it smells AMAZING.

I recommend if smoking the Stanwell Melange to not take big puffs, you will be disappointed with the taste and effects on the throat.

This was gifted to me by JonesyPipe, thanks Jeff! The tin note is akin to a coconut cake or a caramel coffee creamer. The flavoring or scent that they are using is quite strong in the tin note and room note when smoked. The actual taste in the mouth is quite lite as well as the nicotene content.I am not a normal aromatic smoker so I could only see myself smoking this on a rare occasion that I go to an aromatic. This is not a bad blend in my opinion it is just that there are so many other great blends out there. When I go to an aromatic it is typically a C&D blend which most are superior to this in my opinion. I would recommend this to an aromatic smoker to try or maybe to someone who is very conscious of non smokers around them.

Nice aromatic, take a small pouch with me once a week as a change up has a little bite definitely a keeper.