Boswell Pipes & Tobacco Spice and Nice

I had been wanting to try Boswell aromatics for so long after reading their many praises here and elsewhere. I worked out a sample trade with a forum friend a while back for around 8 of them and was left unimpressed by all. The one I liked the most of those sample was a cherry blend of all things. And I certainly did not like that one too much either.

I was about to give up hope with these until another forum member surprised me with this one. I begrudgingly tried with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised on what a great aromatic it was. This one was right up my alley. First off is the subjective feelings on this which is so important for an aromatic as our tastes in toppings are as varied as our tastes in scents such as colognes and aftershaves and such. This one was very much to my liking. I would describe it as slightly molasses with a touch of fruit. Spices akin to those used in an apple pie, but no tastes of apple (which is a good thing to me.)

The topping was not overwhelming, I would say it was just right. Another important consideration with aros is how the topping hangs through the bowl. Sometimes a topping is not so pleasant and it starts to dissipate and get better. But when the topping is to your liking as this was to me, you want it to last. Some of the other Boswell aros, to me were left flat bout mid bowl as the toppings flashed off leaving an all too familiar, taste of hot air. Not with Spice and Nice. It hung through well. I am not too sure I got too much of the underlying leaf or if it just played so well with the topping it was hard to discern where one began and the other left off.

I was very impressed with this one as you can tell and highly recommend this for a nice change of pace aromatic.

Ok. When this one arrived, I literally sat in my favorite leather chair and inhaled the aroma no less than 2 dozen times to try to comprehend what the topping/casing was on this blend. I was at a loss....

So I asked the wife. She usually has the same 3 responses: 1. Chocolate covered cherries (all aromatics smell like this to her) 2. Campfire smoke (Latakia blends) 3. ketchup (McClelland Va's) She answered differently, and more specifically on this one. And she hit the nail on the head. Blueberry. It has a forward blueberry scent with an unknown spice (allspice?) in the back ground.

Pouch appearance: Thick, large chunks of black cavendish dwarf the thin ribbon cuts of sweet Virginia. out of all the Boswell blends I've smoked, this one seems to have the most moisture content.

Initial light takes a few tries due to moisture. Once the charring light is completed, you'll still need an occasional relight. This is a perfect example of a "classic aromatic" pipe tobacco. It reminds me of childhood when we would stroll by Churchill's tobacconist in Twelve Oaks mall and smell the aroma of the gentlemen smoking pipes in the store. Zero bite, never harsh or bitter. As an indoor smoker, the room note is very pleasing, never once heard a complaint. If you're an aromatic smoker, you owe it to yourself to explore all of Boswell's aros. Don't forget this one!