Wilke Pipe Tobacco Wilke No. 515

Being a fan of Basil Rathbone, especially in his role as Sherlock Holmes in the movies made by Universal in 30's and 40's, I just had to try this blend. The mixture is as described above with a top note of rum. It is soft - not sticky and ready to smoke - the moisture content was perfect. There was no tobacco dust or broken leaf in the 2 oz sample Carole sent me.

On the charing light there is a nice tobacco taste, mild and spicy. The Black Cavendish does not dominate, as in Mixture #191, being a more subtle background note. The taste of a brown spicy rum is present. As this settles into the middle third, the sweet Virginia comes calling. The Virginia appears to be a bright flue cured variety, and there may also be a Turkish varietal present adding its magic. The brown leaf may be Maryland.

This is a nice smoke. It burns to a grey ash leaving no goop in the bottom of the bowl. It does not burn or bite providing a mild sweet spice that lights easily and stays lit. I normally smoke Virginia flakes, but like this as a change. I will order more and the next time I see Rathbone as Sherlock with his bent pipe, I will feel a little closer as a brother smoking the same weed.

I ventured out to the pipe club after a hiatus and a nice gentleman brought some of this in. I got a generous sample of about 4 to 5 regular size bowls and gave him some Astley’s #99 that I had just purchased. I fired some of this up tonight in a couple of Peterson’s and this is a really great light aromatic blend. The tin note was lightly sweet smelling with some describing it as vanilla (me), maple, butterscotch, etc. This is supposed to be rum as described by Wilke sisters, "exotic tobaccos aged in a rare Jamaica Rum” which I am sure it was back in the 1930s and 1940s as Basil Rathbone, the famous actor who portrayed Sherlock Holmes in 14 movies from 1939-1946 smoked this blend. Present time and no reflection on the current Wilke, who really knows. Times change, tobacco crops change, brand of rum may change, etc. But I digress. I have yet to find a Wilke blend that I do not like and this one has met the challenge and I enjoyed the heck out of it. I have said this before with certain aromatics but to me this is a nice, light natural tasting blend that if I did not have such a stash would definitely buy more. I have a few more bowls left and cannot wait until tomorrow afternoon after work so I can finish the rest of my sample. Regardless of what the flavoring is, this is definitely worth trying in my book.

An everyday tobacco Basil Rathbone (Sherlock Holmes) approves! If I plan on smoking the same blend all day long, I wouldn't want it heavily flavored. Wilke 515 fills that request. A very high quality mild, pushing toward medium blend that does not bite. A light sweet buttery rum is the flavor I get and it is fantastically blended into some very fine tobacco leaves. Only thing else I could add is BUY IT and TRY IT! I don't see how this could disappoint anyone that likes the taste of Buttery rum. it's Elementary. For something a bit fuller in flavor and stronger try their RumCake. Wilke #515 is a winner by the pound!

Those Wilke sisters really hit the nail on the head with thier description of this blend: "Exotic tobaccos aged in a rare Jamaica Rum - smooth, mild with a delightful aroma".

As with most aromatics you will want to let this sit out to dry a little(1/2 to 1 hour). You will then be greeted with something very special, mild yet flavorful, naturally sweet and aromatic, oh ya Rum. I truly believe that this is a blend that everybody could enjoy !

For more strength add a little Perique, you might be amazed ! For something similar and more aromatic try their Rumcake, its grrrrrreat!

This is one of the best pipe tobaccos that i have smoked, hard to compare with other tobaccos, it is sure a winner,thank you for making this blend. Dutch

I’ve been smoking P&W English blends for years...#78 and High Hat.....after many years I started trying out a number of aromatics....some of the old school drug store blends from my youth (first pipe in 1968)....tried #515 out of curiosity....I think it’s a great tasting easy to smoke blend.....wonderful aroma....I discovered the art of discovery....I recommend 515 if you want a truly enjoyable tobacco....sorry I’m not more scientific....just know what I like

Beautiful looking, tasting and smelling mix. Smokes great right out of the bag. Exceptional customer service. The aroma and thick creamy smoke are enticing with a back note of dark rum

Just smoked a bowl of this while editing my next novel.

There be rum here, that's for sure; but not overpoweringly so. After all, this is meant to be an all day smoke. A little rum will do ya. To riff off the old Brylcreem commercial.

The taste is pleasant and flavorful, which is what one wants in an aromatic. The tobacco is there, but not overpoweringly so. In fact, it's not overly noticeable. But it is there.

In 50 years of pipe smoking, I've gone full circle: started with aromatics, and have come back to aromatics. With the occasional non-aro change up.

Lady Latakia has been given her own bedroom. She is but the occasional mistress these days.

Wilke 515 is a delicious smoke, and I can see why Basil liked this stuff. There's nothing not to like.

I’ve had this, the half shot (only half the rum) and the double shot (double the rum). While the others are good, it’s the original that really hooked me and keeps me hooked. The Virginias and Cavendish provide a creamy base for the rum and spices topping. All components are well balanced and provide an anytime smoke that is both comfortable and exotic.