4noggins Down by The River

I am working my way through some of the 4Noggins blends. Down by the River has to be the finest aromatic I have ever smoked. It is the only aromatic I have found that actually tastes like it smells. Yes, the maple flavour is there, all the way through, but without dampening a great burley taste.

I am a relatively late convert to burley, having wandered like some lost soul in Balkan and VaPer country for many a year. I used to sneer at aromatics, but DBTR is not like any other aromatic. Call it a flavoured codger blend -- the boutique version of an OTC. I still like the Balkans, and this blend gives a great contrasting alternative.

No bite, but I wouldn't say it can be smoked without attention. Puffing too hard seems to weaken the maple notes and reduce the fantastic burley essence. Another thing is that unlike most aromatics, DBTR does not lose its topping taste half-way down and turn to ash. Clearly, 4Noggins is using very high-quality leaf and genuine flavouring, not some sprayed-on synthetic casing.

I don't know how it will age. I have jarred about a pound and a half, and will be ordering more. It is said that aromatics do not cellar well, but with this one, even if the maple casing fades one will still be left with a fantastic burley.

I just stumbled onto this one and had to try it, being a Burley lover. This one shines in a very specific way. The description provided is dead on and gives the reason for its greatness...absolutely tolerant of pipe and how it's smoked. I've tried it in three very different pipes and it's the same - start to finish - great nutty Burley flavor, medium strength, burns readily...smoke it down without any particular atention being needed...shoulda called it "Brainless Burley Blend" in a good way. All of the above go toward making it one of the great all day Burleys out there. Add to that the amazing service provided by 4-N's and it's a winner. I'll second the "check out their website" comment - LOTS to choose from. One of the very few sites I've ever found "Kendal Kentucky" in stock. 🙂 A solid four stars for this blend and it's source!

**Original Review:** From the first puff i loved this blend!

Excellent tasting Burleys, with a slight flavouring. I would describe the flavouring as "christmas cookies" mayba a little maple-ish. Paired with the very nutty and slightly sweet Burley its a 10/10 pointer for me.

Id guess even natural Burley fans would find joy out of smoking this. Aromatic Fans MUST try it, even tho the flavouring is in the background.

---

**Re-Visit:** My palate must've changed, as I perceive this rather as an aromatic nowadays! And I'm puzzled how it is categorized as "Burley Based", as this is what I'd call "aromatic" ! But "very, very good aromatic!!" the kind you rarely find out in the wild! The kind that leaves a bit of spiciness on your tongue to remind you "it's tobacco you're smoking!".

Nutty, with a flavoring that reminds me quite a bit of "W.O. Larsen No. 32 Curly Cut", as I find it to be "Butter-Cookies"-ish! Caramel, Maple and a hint of Vanilla. Paired with the nuttiness of the Burley..... perfect aromatic blend! Great for the morning hours or for times you have/want to mind the room note - which is excellent!

One thing from my past review holds true: "I guess also natural Burley lovers will like this" - these days I consider myself a "natural Burley lover" (C&D Burleys mainly... Pegasus, Burley FLakes, Haunted Bookshop, Big N Burley) and: YES, it's a treat for me, really! It packs the essence of burley in it, but mixes it with a distinct flavoring that matches the tobaccos well - albeit for me it could be a tad more spiciness in this blend... still...4 stars!

This tobacco is better than its reviews. It is a delicious Burley mixture with a very light flavoring added, which seems to be a cocoa and a very mild cherry, though not all detect the cherry note. The flavoring is detectable more in the tin note than in the pipe or the room note.

Excellent burn, great nutty taste and a decent nicotine hit (mild to medium) make this one a real winner, and I always keep some around. Burley lovers: you have to try this. Those who like high-quality aromatics should give it a whirl, also, if you do not insist upon tobacco drenched in a flavoring. And if you enjoy good Burley with just a bit of added flavor, you will love it.

Great and simple Burley , this blend burns cool and have a nutty taste with some sweetness.

A simple straightforward Burley in the Carter Hall tradition...which is a big plus in my book. And there's a place for a good honest smoke like this. Complexity has its place for sure, but this is a down to earth, all day tobacco. Another good reason to shop with the man from Middlebury. Check out his website....you won't be dissappointed!

Neil Young forever:-)