Sutliff Tobacco Company Vanilla Custard Z92

My review is based on a free pouch sample I received along with a recent tobacco order. I originally asked to have this blend added for review and described it as a coarse cavendish cut with some black. After fingering through the pouch I noticed a bit of ribbon and some partially broken flakes (very minimally on both counts). The first thing noticed upon opening the pouch was a very pleasing, but strong buttery-vanilla aroma. The use the term “buttery” first since that was very overwhelming, however, after lighting, there is no true butter-like flavor. There is a very prominent but pleasing vanilla taste throughout and a bit candy-like. It was very different from other vanillas I have smoked over the years. I would have preferred the buttery aspect that I noticed in the pouch aroma to translate more in the taste.

I suspect that due to the very strong, sweet-tasting vanilla, there was little hint of tobacco flavor. There was no bite throughout the entire smoke, and only a minimum of moisture/gurgle present while smoking. Surprisingly, with the very prominent vanilla casing, I expected more moisture along with a hot, bite-y smoke. As stated, there was none. There was some chemical taste as the bowl progressed along with an ammonia-like smell to the burning tobacco. This smell was most evident after putting the pipe down for a bit and smelling the wafting smoke. In spite of this, it was not much of a turn-off. As the bowl progressed it became a bit bitter, but without harshness to the mouth or throat. For those aromatic-exclusive smokers, you would be hard pressed to find a better vanilla. As such, easily a 3 star smoke. For those like myself, if you want more of a tobacco flavor in your smoke along with some cased aromatic flavoring, Mac Baren does it better with their Vanilla Cream and Honey Chocolate blends, as does Dan Pipe with their Milonga. That being the case, my personal rating for Vanilla Custard is 2 stars. For those who want a more natural tobacco experience, this one will not suit you and therefore I would not recommend this blend for that group. An on occasion smoke for me at best.

Sweetest smelling blend I've encountered. Didn't even taste like tobacco. If you really like the smell of vanilla, this one's for you. If you like vanilla a lot, don't miss this. I'll pass however.

The aroma is exactly as the name suggests. It comes pretty wet, so needs ample drying time. A pleasant overall sweetness with hints of vanilla coming through every now and then.

Like Hawaiian pizza, most will either love or hate this, depending on how they feel about aromatics... This is sweet, very sweet. Buttery vanilla cream is how I would describe the taste; no tobacco at all. The note is much the same. It required only a few relights and brief drying time and did leave a small amout of dottle in the chamber.