D & R Tobacco Rimboché A.B.

D & R Tobacco - Rimboche A.B.

The tobacco arrives a little on the dry side. Not 'crunchy', but could do with being moister. The ribbons are mostly medium brown, there's a few darker or lighter ones, and they're fine in build.

The dark fired Perique really fills out the flavour, and is easily the strongest of the leaves; giving quite a full taste and a good amount of nicotine! The Virginia has nowhere near as much flavour, I guess it could be described as filling out the build but not the taste; the heavy Perique smothers the Virginia, somewhat. Now the Latakia? I can't identify any smokiness from it, the dark fired leaf takes that crown, but a woodiness comes through after a quarter bowl. The fine cut and dryness cause an inadequate burn: too warm and quite fast. I get no bite.

Nicotine: above medium. Room-note: quite strong.

If I were rating A.B. on flavour alone it would easily score four stars. But, because of the dryness I'll rate it with three. I can't go any lower when the taste is this good!

Recommended.

There was nothing about this tobacco that needed hydration. I got the 3.5oz plastic tub. Mine was the right moisture, neither wet nor dry, and ready to smoke straight away.

I can't be sure what it smelled of in the tub, perhaps some 'woodsy' fragrance. It was pleasant to smoke with a certain balance in which none of the ingredients overplayed its hand. There was sure some spicy sweetness to it that let off a fairly strong nicotine content. It seems to me that it is one tobacco that can also be used as an RYO (roll-your-own) blend though it's cousin, Three Sails which is a 'shag' seems to fit in that role more appropriately.

All in all, a good blend especially given that it comes at a bargain.

I was somewhat disappointed with this blend. After having smoked a tin of Rimboche S.J., I was expecting more in this tobacco blend. It was just OK in my opinion. The sweetness I was hoping for was not there and the taste of any Latakia was almost nonexistent. Maybe I am too picky, but when a blend description says there is Latakia I really want to taste it. As for the dark fired Perique, it seemed minimal as well. The Virginias offered not much in the sweetness department. I rated this with two stars because some who want a very mild smoke may like it. As for me, I'll finish my 40 gram tin and not buy anymore. (one day later) I hate to admit when I am mistaken, but I must reevaluate this blend. When first I smoked this last night it was not a fair test. I had just finished another pipe of my favorite VaPer so the memory and taste of that blend was fresh on my mind and in my mouth. This morning, bright and early, I refilled my pipe and lit up again. The outcome was decidedly different. I found the smoke to be full of very pleasant flavor. The Virginias shown through with a very sweet taste, but the Perique and Latakia were very much in the background. Personally I like more of each when I smoke a blend with these two components present. My evaluation therefore is moved upward to recommended. It tastes good, but not my bowl of smoke.