Sillem's Black

I've had this a number of times now after purchasing a tin from Iwan Ries. Great tin design, and as soon as I opened it, the best smoke scented latakia that I've smelled rolled up out of the little black box. My friends agreed and found it pleasing on the nose as well. This was the first pipe I've smoked after years of keeping a humidor full of cigars. Thanks to this blend, I've been seduced into the world of pipes. The fruit that I detected was cherries or dates and it was outstanding combined with the smoky litakia. I also detected the "soapy" smell that others have described as well. However, as soon as I took it out of the bag and jarred it in glass, it disappeared. The intensity of the litakia also came down a little, but the result is a wonderfully tasting and smelling blend that has decent complexity and the perfect strength. Not too soft, but enough zing to keep me very interested. After trying several other blends, this has remained as one of my favorites. It will be my trusted closer coming out of the bullpen in the late innings if I'm in a jam. I know that I can count on it anytime in my litakia dedicated Stanwell Canadian.

Sillem's Black looks like a Harley Davidson, smells like a high school prom queen and tastes like -- well, it tastes really good.

Update: The non-airtight tin and crackly plastic bag let the tobacco dry out rather quickly. I rehydrated a bowl's worth by wrapping it in a damp paper towel and microwaving it for 10 seconds. It smoked almost as good as new (downgraded from 4 to 3).

Update 2: My love affair with Sillem's Black did not last long. I couldn't tame the hot-burning aspect of this tobacco. The taste began to seem heavier and more artificial as I became more experienced. At this point I do not see myself ever buying tobacco from Sillem's again (downgraded from 3 to 2).

28th Jan 2011 - First smoke: Tin arrived this morning and I could not wait to get started on it. It was probably a mistake to start the day with it. I'll be perfectly frank - the overwhelming taste I got was of wax triggering unpleasant memories of 'dusty old churches'. I also took the pipe out with me and I fear I have abused this magnificent tobacco on its first outing by not giving it time and allowing it to burn too quickly outdoors. Even so, I was aware of a fascinating array of different rich and exotic tastes past the midway bowl point. Dull it most certainly isn't!! Extravagant really is the right word to describe the blend. I will try a second, more considered, smoke in the coming days and update this review.

Later the same day - Second Smoke - disaster. I either packed it too tightly or I packed it too directly from the tin not allowing it to dry out a little. Much wrestling with pipe tool, unpacking, repacking, went out constantly, very wet clump of steaming dottle that soured my pipe.

This may not be a beginners blend.

Every now and again, there's a blend of tobacco that comes along that melds all the ingredients together into a superb smoking experience. Sillem's Black does just that.

First off, this blend has only a mild casing added to it. Mostly the flavors you taste are from the interplay of the four tobacco types placed into it. And how well these four play together! To my mind, this is a totally English blend that has also included Burley and Black Cavendish in perfect proportions to yield an exquisite smoke.

Upon first lighting up, there is an unmistakable aroma of marshmallows as the Black Cavendish mingles with the Virginians and Latakia. The burley soon follow with a hint of nuttiness. Finally, you taste the spiciness of the Latakia, blended in perfectly with the others.

What you end up with is a complex, intriguing smoke. There is nothing too heavy here, so those who enjoying smoking the strongest tasting blends might not agree with my assessment. However, I'd suspect that at least 80% of all pipe smokers would find this blend the perfect masterpiece of craftsmanship I did.

I plan on making this blend one of my few regular smokes. To have the smoke change substantially during a bowl is one of the most wonderful qualities about Sillem's Black. I doubt that I'd ever get tired of it and even on my mundane days, I know that Black will continue to bring something very unique to my smoking experience.

Highest recommendation possible. A masterpiece of blending.

Sillem's Black tin is a difficult tobacco to decipher. First off, there's not a word on the tin. Just a blue-studded iron cross on a solid black tin. Needless to say it's obvious that this is a rather German tobacco blend, and it would fit right in with the SS if you were going off of appearances alone. When I asked for a description from my tobacconist he said that it was a "full- flavored, sweet and spicy" leaf. "Spicy" is not a word I want to hear when it comes to tobacco. "Spicy" means there's Latakia in there. I'm not the biggest fan of Latakia, and it doesn't help that I don't know much about the staple tobacco in most English- style blends. It usually smokes hot, harsh, and too strong for my tastes, so I was a little discouraged to hear that such a wonderful smelling tobacco was tainted with the stuff. Sillem's Black however, is different. Sillem's Black is unlike any other tobacco I've tasted. Luxurious and decadent are just a couple words to describe its flavor. The tin note is absolutely incredible, smelling heavily of potpourri and incense. I noticed a rather striking scent of Pine, Jasmine and Patchoulli on top of the smooth, chocolaty Black Cavendish. There are also fruity notes from the Virginia blends as well. The Burley adds a nice creamy and toasty scent like roasted marshmallows, and the Latakia envelops it all under a smoky blanket. Although I could definitely distinguish what all was in this tin of beautifully cut leaf, I also noticed that it all smells very uniform. Nothing really jumps out at you, that is to say that it's rightly proportioned, and that's just how it tastes. The taste: Sweet and spicy, like a nice glass of dark rum, with just a little bit of a flowery, astringent flavor. As if it weren't complex enough, the prominent Latakia component adds a nice peppery bite to this blend. I wouldn't call this full bodied in the context that most smokers would, but I will call it full bodied in the context that there's a lot happening here. This blend is very tasty, with an unmistakable aroma and flavor that's sure to please any pipe smoker and any company he might have. A word of caution though; the nicotine content in this is higher than most aromatic tobacco, so don't smoke a whole bunch at once or you won't be able to walk right for a few minutes. In addition, make sure it stays well sealed. It smokes perfectly right out of the tin, so it's packed a little dryer than most hermetically-sealed tin tobacco. If you leave this stuff to dry it will lose its flavor, and its mellow notes and will burn rather hot and heavy instead. Keep it in the bag it comes in and make sure it's tightly sealed when you're done packing a bowl of Heaven, or it will make your tongue feel like Hell.

Ahh Sillems Black. Its the secons blend of sillems Ive tried and am yet again very pleased. I wasnt sure at first and cation people not to let first impressions ruin this blend. The aroma when I first opened the tin was strange. I cant place it, almost soapy I almost put it down and walked away. The first bowl left a strange taste in my mouth. But I didnt give up. I left it open for a couple hours and the smell began to change. It sweetened and became more favorable. After a couple bowls it began to taste better. A little time in the open air does this blend well. It wasnt too wet but I think a little drying does help though I am now smoking right from the tin with no problems. I highly reccomend this tobacco but caution to not let the first bowl turn you away from it. Open it up and let it breath a while. Give it a few days after opening and give it a go.

One of my favorite tobaccos. Always a pleasure to smoke with no bite. Shows me something new each time I sit down and enjoy a bowl.

Very Very RARE

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The amazing is when i smoke it i feel in the top of my nose a basic element from the "White Musk" fragrance...

WOW...

No comments, Just TOP !

It is an black canvendish tobacco with honey and lemon aromes. The latakia in this blend is a good quality tobacco. It's my 1st aromatic tobacco, and I like it, but I taste John Aylesbury Jubilee, and it's better one, cause of arome of fruit and cognac, that I prefer.

Enjoy it !