D & R Tobacco Rimboché A.B.

I don't understand why D&R pipe tobacco is not more popular. Dollar for dollar, Mark Ryan produces some of the finest tobacco available today. His leaf is top quality and his blends are original and quintessentially American.

Rimboché A.B. is a perique lovers dream. From start to finish, the perique-processed dark-fired leaf is the star of the show. Upon light up, one is presented with the most delicious fruity perique flavors, without any of the spiciness that sometimes overwhelms heavy-perique blends. Midway through the smoke, the flavors become more nutty. It took me a while to figure exactly out what I was tasting -- pecans and walnuts. Toward the end, the flavor changes subtlety, reminding me of a fine cognac.

The Virginias are a co-star, providing a welcome note of toffee-like sweetness that becomes more pronounced toward the second half of the smoke. The Latakia is very much in the backround but nevertheless felt. You never really taste it but its presence makes itself known by adding a depth of flavor that one does not find in any other VaPer that I have tried (and I've tried many).

As delivered, the moisture level is perfect. Loaded using the gravity method, it lights easily and burns as cool as any tobacco I have smoked. It burns to a light gray ash and leaves no moisture in the bowl.

If I had to classify Rimboché A.B., I would call it an aromatic. While it contains Virginias and Perique, it is much more flavorful than your typical VaPer.

Rimboché A.B. is a sipping tobacco. Smoke it slowly and savor it. I guarantee you will not be disappointed.

A very unique and interesting tobacco. The Virginias are sweet hay. The Lat is a mild smoke in the background. The star is the Acadian Black. Usually, when a Burley has gone through the Perique process, there's no nuttiness left in the flavor. Here there is a nutty, earthy note along with the usual dark fruit associated with Perique. Also a nice spice hit and an extra bit of tang from the dark firing process. This stuff has a lovely flavor. I think I better stock up on this one.

Medium in body. Medium to full in taste. No added flavoring. Burns very well.

A gorgeous blend, again with no additives which is something I just love about D&R's stuff. The bright Virginias are good quality and make a perfect base for the Acadian Black perique. The hint of latakia with it really adds a nice complexity without overwhelming the blend also. I usually pop a 72% boveda in the tub if need be, but it's never been overly dry for me. Having no additives or casings these tobaccos just require a little extra care in storage.

Smoky, woody, touch of sweetness initially. 2/3rds of the way into the bowl the bouquet really blossoms. Taste of raisins, fig, sweetness. Even got a taste of butterscotch here and there.

Burns well leaving a fine white ash. Required no relights, the humidity of the tobacco was perfect out of the bag. I had to swab the bore a couple times with a pipe cleaner.

An excellent tobacco. At this price (20$/lb on sale) it’s a steal.

Super dry without being dust. I loaded a bowl then breathed through the pipe for a couple of minutes to introduce some moisture. Boy, oh, boy! Smokey, earthy, slightly sweet, leathery, and spicy. Less sweet but still sweet enough. The Acadian Black Perique is a bit tamer on the tongue and nose. Latakia is a player, but this is not a lat-bomb and mingles well with the forementioned components. I could not smoke this all day, but some could. One of the most relaxing blends I have had in a while.