Peterson Special Reserve 2009

Sort of bland. Meh. Vanilla from the Cavendish and a dash of dessert wine. Not terrible but very very mild flavor. S'okay. Smells better before lit like it's going to be a Planta Anno and then.. fizzles in flavor immediately. Mellow.

This blend was a dissapointment, and especially painful because of the price. This tobacco was too tempramental. It took a god awful amount of time to light and was horrible at staying lit. Out of the tin, it is much too wet and needs drying (about 15 minutes). This tobacco bites when you do more that sip the most gental amounts. I really expected more of the Peterson Special Reserve blends.

Just bought this 5 days ago and smoked two pipes with it. The reviews seem to be axagerating till now. But I simply find this mix much to sweet. Too much perfumed and I have difficulty in smoking this dry. I think I go back to my favourite Skandinak Exotic.

An almost wine like character was evident from the moment I opened the tin, loaded the leaf and then set fire to it. A very mild smoke with no bite. The Burley was so soft, in fact, that the included Virginia leaf had a hard time making its presence known. A quality aromatic for those who prefer getting hit with a soft pillow rather than a sledgehammer.

My tins been unopened for almost 4yrs until now. I found it on line and figured "what the hey". It was SUPER dry. Go figure... These blends are not sealed. It burns hot, so I pack it loosely, and smoke it really S-L-O-W. I love the full aero flavor and the liquor flavor it has. The smoke smells great and adds to the flavor. I can't smoke it daily, because my mouth can't take the abuse. It's still a great Limited Edition tobacco and, one of my favorites. I've "rehydrated" it, which mellowed the bite and made it more enjoyable. It'll be a sad day when it's all gone, but the jar will soon be filled with the 2012 Special Reserve.

This blend is simply delicious!!! In fact, I would say it was one of the top three Peterson aromatic blends, IMHO of coarse. Great fruity aroma, excellent tobacco flavors, smoked dry and clean to the bottom of the bowl. Peterson aromatics can be bitey, but with a little drying time, for me, this one had NO bite at all. Like I say, very rare for Peterson. Except for the Xmas/New year blend (I have a tin ready to open) I've smoked all of the Peterson aromatic offerings, these are my top three(no one favorite).

Special Reserve '06 , Special Reserve '09 , Connoisseur's Choice

Oh ya, with all due respect to our brother john1179,

I FOUND THIS BLEND TO BE ONE OF PETERSONS BEST OFFERINGS !!!

I FOUND THE THIS TOBACCO TO BE ONE OF PETERSONS WORST,THAT I HAVE TRIED. IT WAS VERY MILD AND HAD VERY GOOD ROOM ROOM NOTE, BUT SEEMED TO HAVE ALOT OF BITE TO IT. THE TASTE WAS OVER BEARING. FLOWERS! ALL I COULD TASTE WERE FOLWERS NOTHING ELSE. I DO SMOKE MAINLY AROMATICS, BUT THIS ONE WAS NOT FOR ME. I COULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS ONE, ALTHOUGH THE TIN IS VERY NICE.

This is a top quality aromatic blend with a wonderful fruity and sweet tin aroma,the aroma is the same as Sunset breeze with strong amaretto flavor, the smoke is floral and mild

I am an occasional heavy aromatic smoker, I do enjoy the “sweet candy” flavor and the positive reaction from people nearby me, that's what pipe smoking, is all about.

I do not do many reviews although I would like to start doing more of them. I generally stay clear of aromatics. This is an aromatic obviously. I went to the local B&M today and purchased this and the Peterson 2009 Holiday Blend. I loaded a Jirsa that has prevoiusly only had GLP Union Square and Solani 633 in it so the taste was sure to be true.

The tin aroma is pleasantly sweet of vanilla and cherries. The taste after it is burning is very much the same. There is to me still somewhat of a high quality tobacco taste. Aromatic smokers should like this very much as well as the non-aro smoker who enjoys a sweet dessert once in a while. Usually as sweet as I can handle is the PS Flakes or Annie Flake. I did enjoy this and look forward to working on the tin. My SO when I returned said I smelled of cherries, she likes the scent of Pirate Kake on me better.

The first Peterson blend I reviewed was Sherlock Holmes and was "Not Recommended". This is different. It is a delightful and unique aromatic that is right up my alley. The presentation of this quality blend is exceptional. The true test is not in presentation, but in the bowl of my pipe. I prefer to write a review with my first impression while smoking a new blend. If necessary, I edit at a later date. My first impression is usually my best written review of a new experience.

I can taste tobacco and enjoy the aromatic enhancer. I smoke English, light aromatics, non-aromatics and flake tobacco's. While my taste range is broad and my experience is pushing 47 years of pipe smoking, I know immediately when I don't care for a blend.

The various factors consisting of presentation, tobacco cut, moisture level, quality of leaf, blend ingredients, flavor enhancers and burning characteristics all meet with my approval for SR 2009. I like it and I am enjoying it.

If you want to try a "premium aromatic", this one is unique and worth your while. The flavor is not wine to me but more of a slightly sweet, cotton candy. But, please don't pre-judge the words "cotton candy" if you are not a fan of such. As with many of the most popular aromatics available, they are typically complex with numerous flavor agents, unidentifiable because of the combination which remains a protected secret of the Blender.

Make no mistake about it, this is a quality aromatic pipe tobacco that should please a discriminating aromatic smoker and those around you.