Tinder Box Wilshire

As a reformed cigar smoker(well, I still smoke a stick now and again) I've developed a certain palate that I will, hopefully, be able to refine a bit more now that I've started getting into pipes. This is my first review and my first "not-drug-store" tobacco so here goes:

The vanilla in the Willshire seems heavy to the smell...once lit though, the tobacco flavors kick in and remind you that you are, indeed, smoking something. As others have found, I thought this one to be a bit on the wet side and I had some issues keeping it lit through the first few bowls. Of course, as a new pipe smoker that might have been user error as well so I won't fault the tobacco too much.

My wife and friends enjoyed the scent from this one which is a big win since much of my smoking time is around others. I will purchase this again as I really like the fragrance and copious amounts of smoke that it imparts when it gets burning good!

I'd also like to note that I really enjoy reading the other reviews on this site! They've been invaluable to a newbie and I appreciate all the work done by others!

It smells good and tastes good. I liked it and will buy it again. to up the nicotine level I did mix the last litle bit I had about 50/50 with Prince albert, That was pretty good the taste of Wilshire came threw over the prince.

I enjoy Wilshire by itself, but my preference is to mix Wilshire 1-to-1 with Midnight from Tinder Box.

I have smoked this of and on for about 15 years and often use it as a blending tobacco for harsher aromatics. I would recommend it to newer pipe smokers, but I have to say, be careful, sometimes it's a bit dry and may need slight re hydration and then it can be very wet and in need of drying. That aside, it has a very mild vanilla spice flavor and is one of the mildest aromatics I can think of. It remains consistently flavorful from first light to last puff. A good rotational tobacco when going from aromatics to light English blends.

I'm not going to lie, I enjoyed this blend. That said, it is pretty generic (Yes, I know, it's Lane's 1-Q.) in taste and quality. To me, it had a robust, yet very subtly sweet taste, that at times hinted at a cigar-like flavor. By and large, this is a forgettable blend, but while it's being smoked it's a pleasurable experience.

This is a great blend for someone just getting started with pipes: Not too harsh, but just enough spirit to keep you interested until you find something you like better, as you most certainly will.

The very courteous and helpful Tinderbox store clerk confirmed that "Wilshire" is indeed their private label of Lane's 1-Q. It is worth buying Wilshire just to keep the local pipeshops in business. With the new proposed increased federal tobacco tax, they will become a dying breed. I suppose that is how the do-gooders who want the government to control everything want it. Until then, stock up. If you want to read my review of Wilshire, just read my review of Lane's 1-Q - it's exactly the same blend.

Tinderbox recently sent me an email offering a sample of Wilshire if I purchased some other stuff. I've been hearing about Wilshire forever, but never tried any before. Yes this is the Lane 1Q renamed. So what? This is the #1 seller in the US. I let some dry out for 3 hours. It's a very very nice aromatic. No bite. Lots and lots of smoke. No gurgles. The cleanup is no worse than any other aromatic. A wonderful smell and taste. 2 matches and that was it. I can see why this is the biggest seller. There is nothing wrong here. You could smoke this all day and never complain. Probably the perfect aromatic.

Maybe I just got lucky, but the few ounces of this that I bought were not at all goopy. It is a nice smoke that doesn't have an overpowering flavor added to it and you can taste more of the natural tobacco. I haven't had a problem with it keeping lit and it did not gurgle for me too much. There is some sweetness but it is quite pleasing. I will continue to buy this.

I received a 2oz sample from a friend, and decided to try it today on my lunch break. While I'm not a big fan of aromatics, this pouch from Tinderbox, seemed a bit sticky and took a few lights to get burning.

The taste was OK, but not something that I would have in a regular rotation of tobaks. I do enjoy cavendish at times, but this smoke was almost too sweet for me. This might be a good starter for someone who wants to try a sweetish aromatic.

The biggest turnoff for me, was the amount of deposits it left in the bowl and the stem of my pipe. I don't enjoy having to use pipe cleaner after pipe cleaner, just to get all of the residue out of the stem and pipe.

Perhaps I'll try this one again in about 6 months, and see if it has gotten any better. Otherwise, I'll go back to my VA's and VA-Per blends.