Sutliff Tobacco Company R-Blend

Another free sample from an internet buddy. This is supposed to be like House of Windsor's Revelation. It certainly looked and smelled in the bag like it. There were some similarities in the smoking - enough so that I could tell it was a gallant effort. The fruity topping was there but not overbearing. The other tobaccos blended together fairly well and each was individually noticeable. The perique was a bit more present in this one.

Once again, the dangers of blend cloning appear. Revelation had a "signature" that's just not present in this one. As with their Barking Dog match, the flavor in this one just didn't live up to the HoW version. It just seemed contrived here, while Revelation is more natural and unpretentious. More harmonious. This one smoked hotter as well. It didn't bite but the temperature just seemed elevated. A bit of the typical Sutliff chemical flavor as well, which HoW did not contain, and the burley wasn't as rich here, either - a bit of cardboard taste that many Sutliff burleys have. Once again, in head-to-head competition, the HoW wins by a landslide. But I don't think that's a product of HoW being "better" than Sutliff. I think it's more that if one is used to the original, usually a copy doesn't suffice. I applaud Sutliff's attempt to bring back out of production blends but they may want to just stick to making their own originals. This is not a bad blend, but it doesn't stack up to Revelation.

The tin reads "MILD and MELLOW", and that is exactly what it is. The flavors of the various components are there, but this is a mild/medium blend. Not a bad entry in a crowded field.

This seems to me as the "Mild and Mellow" version of Sutliff CD Blend (Country Doctor - same components), which is a stronger tastier blend.





So read the comments below, all are correct.

Thought I'd try some of this being a big fan of Revelation (the now departed HOW incarnation). I didn't expect it to be a "replacement" and, IMHO it isn't. I agree that after popping the top on this stuff it looks and smells a lot like burley. It loads and lights easily enough. It offers a nice smoke, not what you'd call remarkable. It's the basic burley flavor with the latakia and perique there in the backround. No harshness or tongue bite. Similar to what I recall of Revelation but not as much "oomph". I've enjoyed the stuff and can't find anything negative to say. But there are a number of similar mixtures around that are as good or better. Will finish my tin and then move on.

Upon popping open the tin, the aroma said to me in no uncertain terms: "Burley". A very light colored mixture, any latakia or perique was well hidden. The cut could marginally be described as "coarse-cut", but contained quite a bit of small pieces. I tried this blend in one of my old reliable pipes: A 40+ year old Brebbia that agrees with most any blend.

The tin aroma was well reflected in the flavor, which had that slightly nutty burley taste. But other flavors were indistinct and did not come forward as I went down the bowl. It smoked a little hot, but not alarmingly so. No real tongue bite.

In short this is an inoffensive blend, perhaps suited for those who just want a tobacco with no dominant overtones. But not one I would reach for again.

I may be mistaken, but this blend is topped with...something... and, in combination with tongue bite, cements this product in a 2-star rating. My impression is that Sutliffe/Altadis over-blended this one, throwing in too much of everything except Latakia. Not much of a Latakia presence, to say the least. The ad blurb calls this "an equally complex mixture..." that I can only describe as a mish-mosh that results in an unappealing smoking experience.

I tried this blend rather out of curiosity then conviction. Sutlif R-Blend most likely was made for those who like smoky and salty flavour in their pipes. There is a combination of Burley, Virginia, Latakia and Perique, yet Latakia takes over and leaves aftertaste. It was fun the first time, and I notices strong nicotine content which is just fine and I liked it, but then on the third time I realized that it eventually does smell and tastes like burned tire that just run over a fruitcake. Some people will love it, some will hate it. Now, how do you figure your reaction to R-Blend is up to you, because it is very personal feel and touch. I am certain Sutliff made the R-Blend with the thought of addressing particular audience but I know it is not me since I like my tobacco to taste like tobacco I can identify and enjoy. The Perique taste is there and lots of it, the strength is there also, but after novelty started to wear out, I put the rest of it in the shed to have it ready to make strong bug spray for the trees in the spring. This blend comes a bit dry from the paper can, burns rather hot, very little bite, makes fine dark gray ash, does not clog pipe, will blend well with your barbeque and will make your woman kick you out on the porch. I also believe for the money I can do way better with Mac Barren Latakia based blends that simply have more logical proportions. I post Sutliff R-Blend as Somewhat Recommended because I know that few people out there will love it. Got to try anything at least once, don't we?