Sillem's Black

It's quite strange, a latakiya blend with strong aroma of cherry, makes this blend a smokey cherry aromatic. I really don't like the tin packaging, is not good. The smoke is great but must enjoy it slowly, must draw slowly and longer to get a good smoke.

I purchased this tobacco thinking that it was a lightly flavored latakia mixture. I guess I was also swayed by the ratings, which at the time were very close to averaging four stars. As it turns out this is more of a heavily cased, fruity blend that happens to a have some latakia in it, but probably not very much.

To Sillem's credit, Black seems to be made from quality tobacco and I am sure this blend will appeal to some. However, I am always concerned when a manufacturer doesn't seal their foil pouches or tins. To me this tends to speak to the use of a humectant other than water in processing.

I am torn in my opinion here because strangely I like the flavor of this blend which is slightly sweet with an appealing zestiness. However, the room note is reminiscent of frangipani incense, an aroma that I have have never particulary cared for.

FIrst off I am not a latakia fan, but after reading the reviews here decided to give this blend a shot. Like all the blends I have tried with latakia in it, its always overwhelming. Overall this is a pleasant smoke, no bite, burns well, and smells wonderful in the pouch as well as when burning. Well behaved tobacco and if you like latakia then you probably will enjoy this blend. I detected no floral taste, nor chemically taste of any sort. I will cellar this and smoke it on rare occasions when I want a change of pace.

Hmm, what to say here...

This was one of the first blends I tried since I started up pipe-smoking again a few months ago. (I used to back in 2003, but very lightly. Now I'm into it full-bore.) At first, I really liked this. However, that was before I tried other English blends. Since then, I came to realize this was an English/Aromatic, and it almost seems like it's low quality tobacco with simply some sort of flavoring added.

Another reviewer mentioned a soapy taste (or smell?). I get this too, and even if I let it air out for a while, it's still there. The flavor of the blend is good, but I can't get past that soapy/floral thing. I gave the rest to a friend in case he likes it.

Wow...What can I say...Wow! A Neo-English indeed. The blenders found a way to compliment the Latakia in a way I never thought possible. The Black Cavendish truly makes this blend shine. This blend made it up in my top five within the second draw of the first bowl. This is a very sweet blend so if ya don't like the sweet with your smoke than stay clear but if you're a fan of the English blends and you're looking for something progressive and unique than dude, you gotta try this stuff! Well worth the price. I actually think this will appeal more to the younger generation of pipe smokers, for our numbers are growing. This hobby is coming back in a major way. Oh, and yes i can taste the toasted marshmallows! Essential.

Edit 11-17-17. Well time goes by and tastes change. I'm changing my review from a 4 star to a 2 star mainly because I just can't smoke blends like this anymore. Too much added flavorings and too little nicotine. I still recommend this to beginners but I prefer more stout blends these days. When I first started smoking a pipe (10-01-2009) I was very fond of Latakia blends and German aromatics, these days I prefer traditionally scented Euro baccies like Condor Plug and St. Bruno so my tastes have obviously changed. I still think Sillem's Black is much better than most of the American style aromatics out there but I can't highly recommend it anymore.

I concur fully with DrumsAndBeer's review. I didn't expect this to be so heavily cased, but I liked the room note and it was a nice change of pace. However, I don't think I will buy this again...at least for a few years.

Soli Deo gloria!

I tasted a bowl yesterday (as if takis, the big-spender, would give me a second one). I didn't like it at all and I surely wouldn't categorize it as a Latakia blend. Very strong aroma, probably flowers. A sense on the tongue and some stinging on the gums (I do not know how and if it can be explained) gave me the impression that it contains many chemical additives. All aromas disappeared after the middle of the bowl as well as the hint of Latakia, which means for me that all chemical additives evaporated. Maybe it could help those who are not fond of Latakia begin appreciating the potentially enormous enjoyment this specific tobacco variety could lead to.

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).

This tobacco has a strange smell in the tin. I could not recognize it, however someone else told me it smelled like potpourri. He was spot on. This tobacco has, by far, one of the weirdest tastes to it. Weird not in the sense that it tastes bad, but in the sense that the taste is something I couldn't recognize.