Gallaher Limited Condor Long Cut (Brown)

Hmmm, I’ve not had Condor in years, lockdown made me get some flake and see if it has changed and, as far as I can tell, it barely resembles the old Gallahers incarnation at all.

It is moist to the point of gloopy; more a broken flake than the flake that I remember my Grandad hiding under his hat so my Gran wouldn’t find it. “Break seal gently for that Condor moment” it says on the packet but, in my humble opinion, there is no Condor moment, which is a shame because there used to be one.

This seems very generic these days - it smells a lot like St Bruno, Original (Walnut) flake - a strong vinegary pouch note. I’m not getting any alcohol...just a big hit of Sarson’s. Even Erinmore seems to be going down the vinegar path these days as well - are there any UK OTC blends that haven’t changed though?

It does smoke slow and cool and it’s very easy to sip at it for a long time but there is none of the “soapy” floral ness that I remember of the old blend. I find that Gawith and Hogarth’s Spring Dew (Rich, Dark honeydew in old money) has more of the taste of the old Condor blend to me which raises the question: was it honey that gave the old stuff that floral quality that was like Marmite to so many smokers.

Condor used to be at the cheaper end on the cost spectrum but 2oz’s cost me £16 near enough which is the going rate for all OTC blends these days.

All in all: disappointing - because I remember how it was.

Without knowing the old blend what would I think? It’s alright but tastes like other blends and doesn’t have any stand out qualities. I’ll happily smoke the rest of the pouch but I won’t get through it in a hurry...unless there’s another lockdown and I’ve no other choice.

Everyone should try this but it’s not like the old beast, in my humble opinion.

I'd never tried this before, despite its being a readily available OTC in the UK (or maybe because - tobacco snobbery on my part), and have been very pleasantly surprised. It's dry- tasting (which for me is good), full-bodied, and with a hint of dried fruit. The soapy taste, mentioned by others, is detectable, and i could happily do without it, but it's within reasonable limits. It seems to be less noticeable in a meer or clay than in a briar, so I may smoke it only in them from now on. I think it will become a regular smoke for me.

[Edit] I don't think this baccy is very good for briars: it seems to have done for my Invicta Rhodesian. When I smoked 'Squadron Leader' in it recently, after two smokes of Condor, it tasted nothing like it should. Therefore, I'll reserve it for my meers and clays, and give the Rho a longish rest to recover.

Having smoked it a few more times since, I've re vised my initial enthusiasm: it's not bad for an OTC, but that's not saying much. It can be good, but sometimes is too soapy. I've down-graded my recommendation to 'somewhat recommended'.

25 gram packet. Not sure I smoked enough to get to know this one really well. I did not find the heaviness in strength and nicotine that other reviewers found, but it did ghost a pipe pretty thoroughly with its heavy flavoring.

I love the idea of an "OTC" flake. This flake came cut thin and loading was a breeze using the fold and stuff method. It burned quite nicely if I dried it properly. The flavor was of typical Brit florals and "soap".

A lot of virtual ink has been spilled comparing this to St Bruno. The only comparison I can make is that they both come in pouches and both originated in the UK. This is no St Bruno. Where that blend produces a flavor burst of natural tobacco with a floral topping, this one goes overboard with the flavoring... WAY overboard. The taste was medicinal throughout most of the bowl, and this flavor did not change much until it turned ashen towards the bottom. There were times when it settled into a groove that was quite enjoyable but eventually the thin, artificial taste returned. Whereas most Lakeland blends use flavorings sympathetically, this one seemed more discordant.

I probably will not try this one again anytime soon. However, I think everyone should. It has history, it has a following and it has the "Condor Moment". Unfortunately, I found that moment too momentary. As always, your mileage may vary.

If you like a thick smoke with nicotine power and robust tobacco taste you would like this one. And I might add, it has also a soapy flavor, too.

The flakes need to be dried as they reach in a well moistened grade. Lights easily and it is easy to keep it lit. It burns very slowly and offers a long lasting pipe smoking experience. It has a good nicotine kick which overwhelmed me in the big bowled pipes when I've reached the bottom.

The robust and soapy taste/smell of the tobacco gets into your pipes and stays there even if you puff a half bottle of pipe cleaning spray into these pipes. So I recommend using dedicated pipe(s) for this blend. Do not use your best pipe before you assure yourself if you are going to be a fan of Condor!

I personally like tobaccos with much more classical Virginia sweet, true tobacco taste. So Condor is out of my list for now.

Definitely worth a try if you're into "Lakeland" style tobaccos. Straight out of the pouch, I found it smoked a little moist and did require several relights. However, I experienced only a hint of tongue bite with gentle puffing. Condor is medium to strong on nicotine, so quite a satisfying smoke and the Lakeland taste is there in spades.

Overall, a decent smoke and a nice change of pace from my usual staple of Latakias, orientals & aged Virginias. However I'm giving just two stars because when I'm in the mood for a Lakeland style smoke I prefer the offerings of Gawith Hogarth and Samuel Gawith.

Surprising find in the darkest depths of an Asda kiosk. They dragged this out of a drawer rather than out from behind the metal shutters used these days to hide tobacco products. Sad that I actually noticed this tobacco pouch on sale in Coronation Street's 'classic' episodes from the 80's and 90's, watched by my sister-in-law on occasion, while I listen to Prog Rock on earphones.

It is the flake version of Condor RR, as is the St Bruno flake to the St Bruno RR. I don't think there's much to choose between them really. Indeed Condor isn't a million miles away from St Bruno in my opinion.

They both share a similar pouch fragrance and a similar look. They are different of course and experienced pipe smokers will tell you the difference straight away. This condor blend is, as so many of the reviewers have mentioned, a virginia with a huge helping of something alcoholic, malty and to a degree almost saucy, and is a shade sharper in taste than St Bruno.

A strangely satisfying blend with it's unique taste of god-knows-what, it is not a tobacco to smoke every day or indeed all day (as the old buffers back in the 70's and 80's used to). No, this is something to get out every now and then when you are to bored to tears with straight virginia blends like Gold Block, B & H Special Virginia or these newer Johnny-come-lately blends like Bayside or North Star.

I find one bowl is enough for one day and only one sitting at that, as this is quite potent and, again as reviewers have said, best to have a dedicated briar. I have discovered it is utterly vile in a Meerschaum. But this is a ghoster and you shouldn't get your favourite pipe anywhere near it.

Forty years ago Bristol Rovers played at Eastville Stadium and Condor was a rich, dark flake. Strong. A real mans smoke.

Time goes by and the stadium now retails furniture and Condor is made in Poland. By the Japanese. Although it's rich and dark, it seems lightweight, a bit middle of the road.

Perhaps Condor has changed or perhaps I've become a man.

This review is based on a fresh 25g pouch. I think I have two of three flakes left, but I have very little desire to smoke them as I didn't really enjoy this blend.

Whilst I thought the tobaccos were of good quality and burnt well, I couldn't really taste them over the flavoring. The flavoring was not at all to my taste and I found it quite unpleasant. I do get moments of soap which I don't dislike, but there's another taste besides that which I just don't like.

I doubt I shall buy this again or try the ready rubbed.

I also don't understand why so many people have compared this to St Bruno. I don't see a connection other then they are both commonly found flakes sold in pouches in the UK.

I'm not saying this 'is' a bad tobacco, just that it doesn't agree with me.