Tabac Manil La Brumeuse

(Originally posted on Reddit in April of 2013)

Leaf: Long ribbons, mostly nut brown in color, with some tans and lighter shades of brown. The leaf is very dry to the touch, which is apparently how it’s supposed to be, although it’s still fairly springy.

Package Aroma: I get a grassy, earthy, almost cigar-like aroma. It has a very raw, natural tobacco smell to it, significantly more so than anything else I’ve smoked.

Taste: the pre-light draw and the first light both present some slightly herbal notes. I’m expecting to tamp and relight after the first match, but the semois stays lit by itself so I run with it. The smoke is smooth and velvety, and the flavors are fairly strong and savory. I think the herbal / floral notes are still there, but they move to the background. It doesn’t taste at all like a cigar, despite the package aroma. All in all, it’s pretty unique and hard to describe, but it’s good. Really good.

However, the semois really shines when retrohaling. I don’t even know how to describe the flavor that comes through when I push the smoke out of my nose—it’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted. The best description I can think of is burnt sweetness, like caramel, mixed with rained-on earth, or something like that. It’s sublime.

Smokability: the tobacco burns really well—it lights and it stays lit. I could probably get through an entire bowl with a single match if I kept up with tamping to keep the ember insulated. Because it’s so dry, it burns quickly, although it never gets too hot and it never bites. And I mean quickly: I packed my first bowl normally and rocketed through it in about ten minutes. Subsequent bowls were packed extremely tight and they lasted about as long as an average bowl would.

One interesting note: the semois leaves my mouth nice and moist, which I’m not used to. Most tobacco leaves me pretty dry, but this one seems to encourage saliva production.

Thoughts: I smoked this out of a corncob, and ended up smoking three bowls in a row, which I never do. It’s a good thing I bought as much as I did—I have two quart-sized mason jars stuffed to the lid and I don’t know how long they’re going to last me if I keep smoking it at this rate. I’ll have to try a briar and see how it behaves.

All in all, this is a fascinating tobacco, like nothing I’ve ever had before. As far as comparisons to other tobaccos, it’s subtler than your average Latakia blend, but that uniquely delicious retrohaling flavor makes it much bolder than a Virginia or even a Va/Per.

update: I've since rehydrated the semois using the old "wet paper towel over a sterile container" method, and it has improved quite a bit. The flavors and nuances are essentially the same, but the tobacco doesn't instantly incinerate upon contact with a flame. I still pack bowls tighter than I would otherwise, but I'm don't have to cram a ton of the stuff in just to get a normal half-hour smoke out of a cob. The end result, of course, is that the tobacco will last me significantly longer; definitely recommended.

Semois (Pure) Thick cut, “La Brumeuse”, Vincent Manil Vancent Manil B-6838 Corbon Medium Cut

Belgium Burley. Very unusual tobacco. Comes in EXTREMELY dry brick. Breaks off in ribbons, almost a shag. Resembles tried hay. So dry is almost impossible to smoke without hydration, smokes too fast and extremely hot. Although it is recommended not to hydrate, I just broke the rules, but so dry took days to sort of hydrate. Hydrated it still smokes very hot and fast. Smoke is very dry, leaves almost no residue in pipe, pipe cleaner comes out clean. Full taste and strength (almost cigar like but not complex like a cigar) Just burley, but a different burley, earthy with some nuttyness, no sweetness. Slightly harsh. Midium-full nic. Best to smoke in a tall bowl, half full, to keep embers from flying out. This is a very dry tobacco. Different than any tobacco I have smoked. Smoked in an estate pipe labeled Dakota Special, not sure of maker. Not really recommended but an interesting change of pace

Addenum: After letting hydrated batch sit in a jar for a couple of months retried, much better experience. I still do not understand the unwritten rule of leaving it so bone dry. Dry it is unsmokeable to me, with embers flying out everywhere and smoking much to fast and hot; hydrated it is much more manageable.

This most recent smoke was at 5:00 am and was most pleasant. The nutty burley stands out, still smokes fast but not as fast or dry smoking as dry. One dimensional but in a good way. Will change to slightly recommended, recommend using a tall larger bowl because of fast burning.

Because it is so dry I am tempted to try and hydrate using some sort of flavored hydrated agent such as rum or liqueur instead of water. The super dryness make soak up the additional flavors.

Very dry and brittle in the package. Obviously, this is the recipe for a very fast smoke. Pack tightly and sip very slowly. The smell of the baccy in the package, is one of a cigar, however IMO, it doesn't taste cigar-like. I don't want to repeat what has already been said, but upon lighting and smoking, this is a quentessential "retro hale" tobacco. Honestly, it is very different from all the others & understandably so, due to it's unique environment. To me, it is a little ashy, but with one very noticable flavor. That happens to be "un-buttered" corn. similarly to the first bowl or two, from a brand new MM cob ... but in a good way. Why? because I know that I am tasting tobacco and not cob wood.

For me, this is does not blow me away, as does Le Petite Robin (LPR), which I find delicious. It is interesting that in LPR, I do not taste any corn-like flavor, however when I add a pinch or two of La Brumeuse to LPR, the corny flavor is noticed. It's odd to me, since according to the official discription LPR already has pure semois present. Well go figure.

The bottom-line is that I find the corn flavor, very satisfying in La Brumeuse and when I'm looking for something that is one of a kind ... In this case, when I'm hankering for that unique & enjoyable natural "maize" flavor, I will always return to this.

This tobacco comes ridiculously dry. When you squeeze it makes a nose like creasing paper and yet it’s quite elastic and does not crumble to dust! I guess this is the way it is supposed to be as it comes folded by hand in a sort of aluminium foil that is of course permeable by air.

And yes, it smokes nicely. The tobacco is mild, mild enough to allow inhalation if anyone desires to do so. It does not bite and surprisingly does not get hot! Pack tightly though.

No problems with lighting this tobacco, actually it is easy to smoke a whole bowlful with just one match…

It’s a very quick smoke – a quick fix I would say - but has an all-natural tobacco taste akin to a mild cigar. I’ve never taste a pipe tobacco tasting so much like a cigar before. It is quite interesting as a curiosity but it’s more than this, it’s an enjoyable tobacco that can have its moments. I am happy I purchased it but with so many great tobaccos out there I do not know if I will by buying again. Still it is recommended for a try at least. Furthermore it can be used in blends as a Burley substitute adding a very nice nuttiness to them. I've made a few blends myself which surprised me pleasantly (Semois, Orientals, a little unflavored Black Cavendish and a pinch of Latakia was very fine indeed).

Naturally I was curious to see how it would behave once moistened a bit. When moistened it still smells cigar-like and nutty out of the jar but a green grassy note is also apparent. Smoking is not bettered by moisture, it smokes wetter and hotter and most importantly flavor is not enhanced. Moreover it does bite a bit. So, If you want to experiment with moisture go ahead and see for yourself but I would suggest smoking Semois as dry as it comes.

For purchasing, I have to recommend any shops in Belgium. LCDH in Knokke has them for the half the US price which I think is appropriate for these. US shops are ripping you with double the should be price.

My opinion for this tobacco is that it is indeed a Burley, the kind of leaf that is called "Black Tobacco" or Brun in Europe, but this one is in the milder side in flavor and strength with additional mild hints of flair to them which I guess is from the noted soil that makes them part from other black tobaccos. I get bread and floral notes as the base, occasional pepper a very little sweetness and a little nutty notes. I am a cigar smoker ( Havana Nicaraguan Dominican etc, "Wet" cigars that is) too and I have to deny any resemblance to any "Wet"cigar I have smoked. Italian cigars are made with Kentucky so they do have similar characteristics but they are much stronger and richer, Indonesian or dutch "Dry Cigars" could be the closest to this Semois, not in character and flavor, but in body and the whole experience . I have noticed that Semois are also made in cigar forms as done by Mr.Manil and other producers so that would be nice to try soon.

Many tobaccos are essentially Burley, Kentucky, Perique etc being the most known and also the European black tobacco or Brun are Burleys and they have high nic content but the lack of sugar compared to Virginias make the "Felt" nic level low and this Brumeuse is in my opinion Mild-Med in strength and body.

I would recommend this one to Burley Kentucky and Brun lovers for a mild change of pase. If you are new to black tobacco and let down by the mild body, I recommend you look for French Scaferlati and St.Claude(tobacco), Italian pipe tobacco like Forte Comune or even Italia which has more body and is richer.

One negative note is that it is said recommended to smoke in the dry state that they come, but while the flavors are fine the burn is occasionally violent with small sparks caused by tobacco stems burning. I would have to try them in a increased humidity level to see if that settles without altering the flavor or look threw for stems and get rid of them.

Earthy, natural, clean tasting..

I sought out a pack of this after reading about Semois on a forum. Pipes & cigars had this brand so I decided to give it a shot. Its quite pricey but after reading how its grown, processed and packed on one farm I paid the premium for the artisan factor. I found it worth it and I'm glad I bought it.

Appearance: This comes in the pack you see above wrapped in foil. Upon opening the foil you find a rough chunky cut tobacco. It arrives bone dry and this is its intended state. I was expecting this and though I generally prefer my tobacco on the more humid side I did not try to rehydrate. It smells like plain natural tobacco.

Packing: I have read that this should be packed very tight and found that to be good advice. This very dry tobacco will burn very quickly if not. Don't be afraid to really cram it in the pipe.

Smoking: La Bremeuse takes to flame very easily due to its dry state. 1 light and tamp and its unlikely you will need to relight at all. I can only describe the taste as pure tobacco. It reminds me very much of Cotton Boll. Natural pure tobacco taste. Very easy to smoke and you must watch your puffing cadence or you will overheat it. I don't think this will bite, but if you over puff it you'll ruin the taste. Its to be sipped slow. When smoked properly you will be rewarded. Pure natural enjoyable smoke. Taste "clean" Some people report that Semois has a cigar taste. I dont get that flavor however. Flavor is consistent all the way to the bottom. This is a one dimensional smoke that will please Burley fans but that may turn some off. Don't look for complexity here you wont find it. It will burn down to a dry ash with no dottle. This could be a good blender if you're trying to improve the burning characteristics of another blend. Natural tobacco room note that I doubt will win you many fans but for me its fine. As for Vitamin N I'm basically immune fwiw..

Conclusion: Pure, clean, natural burley taste. Don't look for a huge heady complex smoke its not here..If you're not a Burley fan don't bother. Worth trying.

Oh one more thing, People say Semois could ghost a briar but I dont see how that could happen..its just natural tobacco. Theres no strong flavors here. Perhaps thats other brands??

Like some of my favorite John Patton blends, this tobacco is quite dry but still smokes perfectly. Talk about getting your money's worth! The overall flavor is very reminiscent of what you would find in a decent Connecticut wrapper cigar.

When lit there are a few delicate spice notes along with an ammonia laced, "hay in the barn" like aroma. La Brumeuse burns quick, but somehow it manages to remain incredibly cool. Tongue bite just isn't in the cards here but this Semois does have some impressive strength. There's enough nicotine at play to give my mouth a good tingle and my throat a right quick lump. It's rustic, earthy, almost devoid of sweetness, but still quite flavorful and almost unlike anything else I have ever smoked. It does share some common traits with strong burley blends like G&H Dark Birdseye, but Manil La Brumeuse Semois is different enough to stand on its own when compared to most stout American or British burley offerings.

It’s difficult to find fault in something so strong, flavorful & pure but I do overall have a preference for sweeter and more complex tobaccos. Now that my curiosity for this exotic pipeweed is satisfied, I don't think I will pursue it any further. There's no doubt about it, La Brumeuse is good. But knowing my preferences I just wouldn't smoke this tobacco very often. However, I am very happy to have had the pleasure of sampling it.

The first time I taste this tobacco, I find it really strong and unsmokable ! But you have to smoke it in different way than the other blend. This tobacco burn really well, so you have to tamp it very strongly, and smoke it slowly. And then you will have all the good taste, and you will enjoy it very much !

For those of you that are familiar with this tobacco "blender" you will know this is a unique experience. I have smoked this and Le Petit Robin and they are both in a category of their own. Neither are what I think of when I am thinking " I want a pipe", I am a cigar smoker that moved to the pipe and that said I do like these. The brick/jar note is very light, slightly floral, grassy and dry hay notes are what I get. This will be easy to review in the flavor department, so I will start with mechanics. This stuff is bone dry, as in crumbly, mash to dust dry, as such you need to pack this stuff super tight so it doesn't flash to ash in 2 seconds. I prefer large bowls packed to about the 3/4 point, I have a meer the size of my fist and this is the best it smokes in by far but large cobs and briars are best. This to me tastes like Macanudo cigars. Like a carbon copy to my taste. Earthy, vegetal, hints of leather. It is not very complex there are subtle hints of Turkish tobacco in here, woody at times. I'd say this is a steady Eddie from start to finish. It will get nasty if you puff fast so be forewarned. Very interesting and I work in in when I am craving a cigar but don't have time for a cigar. Worth a try for the cigar lover, one to avoid if you don't like cigars.