Boswell Pipes & Tobacco Bear Blend

This is the 2nd Boswell Blend I've tried and it made for another great smoke, but not my favorite. The description fits the blend well and it tates as good as it sounds ands smells. In the pouch, the aroma has a soft sweetness and kind of smokey with hints of the cherry. It tasted great, it won me over right away just like the other Boswell blends. It packs well, lights right up and smokes like butter. I defenately noticed the carmel comming through and that laid the foundation of the flavor. Pretty much a smokey taste of maple, carmel maybe a touch of vanilla with subtle cherry accent that really came together after a few minutes. It can be a stronger, bolder and somewhat smokey flavored blend. I didn't know what I was really tasting at first but now that I've tried a few English blends...it has to be the Latakia giving that bold creamy smokey flavor. It's there in the begiing of the bowl if you look for it and then gives away to more cherry towards the bottom. Its a great first bowl of the day, it goes well with a cup of coffee. It was also not bad on relights. I thought this one also has a little "kick" to it and makes for a very satisfying smoke. Good stuff...a nice "hybrid" blend or cross blend since it smokes like an English but with other aromatic characteristics.

This is a very interesting "cross over blend" for those of you who are not quite satisfied with an aromatic, but cant go with a full English blend.

J.M. Boswell has some of the finest tobacco's on the planet with regards to quality and taste. Bear Blend lights up easily, and smokes relatively cool all the way down with wonderful flavors of cherry and carmel with a hint of Latakia for good measure. The room note is simply wonderful with great comments from everyone around. In fact its the only blend my wife does not object to me smoking in our home.

I discovered this blend a few years ago, after sampling several of Boswell's aromatics. I wanted someting more substantial, but was not, and still not ready to go the full english route. There was a point where I could not get enough of this stuff, until I discovered Shortcut to Mushrooms, and Pipemakers Choice. It remains in my permanent rotation, and never lets me down. Highly recommend with four stars.

Preparation & Burn: 5/10 A bit damp. Cheap course cut. Burns average, no bite. A few re-lights required.

Taste: 1/20 Artificial sweetness with a cherry note. How can anyone smoke this?

Mildness: 10/10 My idea of a good smoke is a relaxing, low nicotine session. Therefore, the milder the better. I barely detect any nicotine here. But I'm pretty sure there's no tobacco in here either.

Total: 16/40

The Bear Blend from Boswell is a good smoke from start to finish. The smoke is mild with a light sweetness and earthy taste. The aromas are full and sweet smelling. If the tobacco is stored correctly, it does not require a relight many times. I recieved a shipment and it was in great condition, humidity was perfect! Overall, I have smoked plenty of Boswell Tobaccos, and this is my favorite so far. Consistent, good quality, mild a pleasureable smoke!

I ordered this after reading many good things about it. I read the Description on Boswell's website and was expecting a very bold tasting tobacco. After it's arrival I have smoked two bowls and realized that I am a little disappointed. It tastes and smells good, but I was not blown away. I will continue my search for an awesome BOLD tasting aromatic. I will still recommend this tobacco to everyone, and probably even order some more. It's a good everyday mild smoke. Lit easily and smoked cool all the way through.

I ordered 4 boswell blends recently- Bear blend, christmas cookie, Penn dutch treat, and northwoods. After smoking about an ounce of all 4, one thing i noticed was how cool all the blends smoke with bear blend being the coolest smoking tobacco. Lit up well and stayed lit throughout the whole bowl. Smoked fairly dry as well. Left no aftertaste at all. I highly recommend this blend to anyone looking for a very finely crafted tobacco. Boswell's sure has it down!