Boswell Pipes & Tobacco Countryside

A nice english blend from Boswell's. This is a very balanced english. Can't use the term "balanced" enough to describe it. Very smooth, smokey flavor, smokes cool, and no bite.

I would say strength and taste is a 1/2 step below medium. A little moisture halfway through the bowl. An all day smoke. Would be a good english to start with for those wanting to venture that way.

3 stars

From the rolling pastures of the bountiful agrarian landscape, appears Countryside a plush commixture of proud Turkish/Oriental, primary Virginia, and modest Latakia bounded in a pairing bed of sweetened Black Cavendish. As an exemplary American style blend, Boswell’s creation intertwines the standards of a proper English with soothing and tasteful aromatic culturing, as it endows a lighter bodied/mild- medium intensity experience. This mixture stands as dainty recipe of original tobaccos tendered by a minimalistic brushing of complementary accenting ingredients, (more to follow on this mystery). With customary gentility, Countryside individualizes itself as a marginally sweet blending characterized by pungent tangy floridity, spicy peat, sugared nuttiness, and charred retiring wood.

Visual inspection of this pouched bulk varietal revealed an aspect of impressive substance. An excessively darkened blanket of primely groomed ribbons encompassed posh Turkish/Oriental, aged Latakia and ample Black Cavendish encased by a base of red-golden strains of the Virginians. Merging handsomely together, these tobaccos form a dense presentation of blending opulence. Grabbing a pinch of the tobacco the feel was very supple and well textured. There was an inkling of moisture to be found, but in general, Countryside requires minimal set-up for consumption.

Catching the swell of Countryside’s pouched essence, I was immediately greeted with a welcoming sweet tartness. Leaning into this aroma, more scrupulous acumen uncovers lush notes of smokey Latakia, floral Oriental spice, sugary native Cavendish, and a tangy grassy/sweet bread emitted by the Virginia. Additionally, there was a definite tinge of vanilla, delicate plum, and diluted vinegar intermingling in the body of scent. No apparent nor recognizable zest from an alcohol additive could be registered, however, despite the official published commentary concerning the flavorings.

Based upon the roster of composing ingredients, I would argue that Countryside is an involved recipe by default. As with any mixture of marked complexity, there is that fine line of balancing mechanical science and blending craftsmanship to arrive at a product that achieves the final targeted character. Often, with these English varietals, I experience motion in the flavor. Specifically, the streams of divergent taste cascade around randomly throughout the smoking, which is a key feature of the genre that many find appealing.

With Countryside, however, I felt that spread of the simple taste band was kept very consistent and tightly controlled. Yet at the same time the registration enfolded some refined complexity. How this plays out is contingent upon the skills of the master blender. Obviously, Boswell has made the appropriate selections for the source, age, and grades of constituent tobaccos. The art of selectively metering ideal ratios of the same disposes the achievement of the design effect. All be it well controlled and a tad simplistic, Countryside was not colorless by any degree. What it truly demonstrated was an honest core persona that endowed aromatic liveliness and charisma borne by a well-designed/well-balanced convergence of mix-faceted tobaccos.

So, what was this captivating flavor? Although essentially an Oriental-forward experience, the bottom line of Countryside’s flavor is provided by the citrusy sweet, tang of Virginian strains which favors a stoved woodiness/barn hay-like humor. As I as smoked the blend in a mixed modality of assorted pipes, the range of peripheral Virginian tones surfaced quite nicely. Sometimes prouder and others not depending upon the pipe, regardless the dominant tang was steadily spot on. In specific, rich caramel undertones, brightness, raisin, and sweet bread notes highlighted the foundation in lovely contribution.

As I stated, the Turkish/Oriental is the principal forward element, which I deemed to be so colorfully sharp on the palate. To a large extent its presence underscores one of the primary departures from Boswell’s Northwoods recipe, which engenders a parallel but heavier character. Vibrantly floral and herby in constituent, the strain also projected a bitter cruciferous vegetal air much like a soft cabbage which added notable resonance to this botanic shading. Additionally, I discerned a basic darker mushroom pungency and punchy sour spice as typical of this variety.

The amount Latakia in the Countryside was generally secondary in nature, providing a twin festive complement to the profile. With an apparently conservative balance of aged Cyprian, the registration calmly denoted a subtle leathery charred wood, gentle smokiness, and a dash of saltiness residing in the middle rear sphere of flavor as a dignified contender.

The Cavendish most likely facilitated the smooth tapering of mixed streams to achieve a gentle smoking English. As such, its presence within the overall taste was slighted, merely revealing a dash of brown sugary zest and some earthy nuttiness much like baked pecans. I felt, however, that the casing applied had some sugary plum essence to it. Although the recipe calls for the additive of alcohol, I did not overtly taste it. Conceivably this stated plum note spoke to some dilution of wine or flavored spirit? Moreover, there was a gentle soft creamy vanilla note that rode consistently as a finishing highlight. Compared to Northwoods this last flavoring was a bit more prominent, not stark but vaguely sweeter.

On a further note, halfway through the bowl, I felt the Oriental picked up steam, kicking more firmly as it served to dissipate some of the noted sweet additive flavorings. Furthermore, the blend seemed to take on more woody and earthy feel upon my palate. The cohesiveness of the tobaccos in general were extremely smooth with roundness of edges and a feathery disposition. Overall, the flavorful taste holds true for the duration of the smoking. Cob or briar, this quiet mixture proved to be enjoyable and reliably consistent.

Finally with respect to the basic mechanicals, Countryside’s suppleness facilitated peaceful loading of the pipe as the assorted tobacco gracefully conformed into a dense wadding with the bowled chamber. As to the burn characteristics of this low nicotine mix, I found the cone moved splendidly along in a slow and easy manner, quite befitting the motif of its namesake. The smoke texture itself was velvety soft producing a healthy plume of blue-grey vapor that felt comfortably cool within the mouth. Substantively, Countryside delivered a thin bodied classic English spicey aroma marked with extra mellow tanginess and creamy warm sweetness

Bag note smells like an English blend. I do detect a slight topping, maybe some alcohol, it’s slightly sweet but I wouldn’t immediately say this is a cross over type of blend. Packs and lights just fine.

The taste is more of a proper English blend. More so than Mild English which was more sweet with a very noticeable sweet topping. Country side had a slight sweetness but not where near Mild English. Country side also has orientals making it more of a proper English blend.

The Latakia is very much present, musty herbal woody smokey. The orientals are detectable and are sour woody floral. The Cavindish and topping tones it all down a few notches. It’s quite nice. A very easy smoking all day English blend. Not I would say into the realm of a cross over, the topping is very light, a tiny bit of sweetness, while mildly retarding the tobacco flavors without imparting much other flavor. Sweeter and milder than a strong English/Balkan but not sweet or flavored like Northwoods, Mild English, or Military Force. Almost boring but in a welcome home cooked meal sort of way.

Slight mouth tingle, no bite. Retrohale is Latakia and oriental forward. Smoked as fine as a tobacco can.

First Boswell English blend that I have tried. Very pleased. This is a nice medium English that can very easily be an all day smoke for me. Packs well, lights well with very few relights. I do not do a very in depth review of a tobacco when I write one. Just not me. I can almost every time after smoking the first bowl of a blend if I will be buying more of it. This blend will be one of those that I will be buying more of. Plain and simple-if you like a medium English with a great taste look no further. This along with Northwoods right now are two of my favorite blends of all the other blends that I have tried. Looking forward to trying other English blends from Boswells.

Not quite sure how this blend eluded review, as I thought I remembered reviewing this 2 oz pouch the same time I did the others back in April I believe. Oh well. Down to the last bowl of countryside and again, Boswell hit another homerun!

Pouch appearance is smaller, finer cut chunks than most other Boswell English mixtures. Not an issue really, the pieces are still large enough they aren't sucked through the stem when puffing. Appearance is Dark brown and black leaf, with light tans and medium brown of equal proportions.

Initial lighting does sort of have that Northwoods sweetness, but I notice a bit more toasted notes here than Northwoods. The proportionate amount of Turkish offers a noticeable floral note, which is perfect for this blend. The minimal latakia added, rounds out this blend to make it an all day Americanized English, even in the hot humid weather like we've been having in SE Michigan. I however, fail to recognize any alcohol/misc topping as stated.

Won't bite or get harsh, even when pushed. Burns clean, cool and very flavorful to the end. Very few relights. Perfect for an intro to American English blends, but really perfect for anytime/anyone/anywhere.

A few days ago I reviewed Boswells' Northwoods, stating that it was a "mild" blend. Well this would be even more mild or "lite" than its counterpart. Though the sweetness from the topping and Virginias are the main stars, the Latakia's smokiness and the Oriental's spiciness are always in play. I'm not picking up a liquor flavor however, which I am ok with; it simply comes off as a sweet addition. A solid, beginner English blend yet enjoyable for the intermediate and veteran. 7/10

A love the sweetness of latakia that dominates this blend. Half way down you will start to taste the oriental as well.Smokes cool - a great way to start your English "tour"..!

Nice light english. Could be an allday english. But every time I pack a bowl I crave more strength/flavor and it could just be that I am not really a mild kind of person. It is enjoyable though