Torben Dansk Blue Note

The tobacco in question presents itself in the tin as fragrant, sweet and rich in flavor...all good, indeed dare I say ...wow!

I am not a super-estimator of aromatics. Anyway, I try to get some to load my pipe with, after letting it dry for 30 minutes, since it was quite moist.

What can I say...smoking it is a whole different thing than smelling it in its packaging. It can have good room taste, but I usually don't smoke tobacco for room taste. The flavors twist into a mere burnt sugar taste that lingers in the mouth even after smoking, and at least for me, it's not very pleasant. It warms a little, did not bite my tongue.

Definitely an aromatic , sweet ...very sweet... if not too much .

I will definitely not buy the second tin and I think the rest will be trashed...

When I first began my interest in pipe smoking, it was (and still is) common advice to start with aromatics. The question of how profitable this advice is is to be answered elsewhere. But one aromatic that kept being brought up was Dan's Blue Note. Though my experience with it did not make me a convert, I can certainly see why this blend is popular.

First, both the tin note and room note are decadently appealing; to smoke this will make whatever nook you are in smell like a fine bakery that is loaded with the sweetest cakes and confections. To taste it renders a similar result, with swirling vanilla notes up front and taste of dried berries present in body and finish. The smoke, much like the flavor, is creamy and mild.

But like any sweet, it is not something one will want to enjoy all the time. None of the Virginias or other tobaccos manage to express themselves, doused as they are in saccharine. The body is very thin and taste mild to the point where one sometimes feels the need to puff more strenuously than necessary to tease out some depth of flavor (always a bad idea, especially with aromatics). Some others have stated they enjoy this blend because of the variety of flavors present, but I find them to only intermittently show up, like a shy girl trying to get a word in a conversation, only to be drowned out by louder (and almost never more interesting) company.

Even so, I don't want to come down too hard on this blend, because there is much to recommend to it. For beginner smokers or aromatic enthusiasts, there is much to love here: the blend smokes coolly, the taste is mild and sweet, and the room note is second to none and a real crowd pleaser. In fact, I like to keep some handy just in the off chance I may find myself smoking with a crowd sensitive to tobacco, as this is the one blend that manages to avoid offending even the most sensitive to smoke. There are other aromatics out there that are more enjoyable to me, but this blend still has its merits and rightfully has its vocal fans.

The -ne plus ultra- of aromatics! (Room note wise anyway) This has a most wonderful room note, even out-doing the White Captain Black. As far as taste goes, it’s not anything I would smoke on a regular basis. It’s a bitter disappointment and a goopy one at that. Only a dedicated pipe (s) should be used for this, as it will treat a briar same as Mixture 79. Only recommended for smoking for room note impression to satisfy the non smoking crowd. (Which it will)! I keep this stuff around just for this reason.

This review is based on a fresh tin I sampled back in 2009 before I rejoined TRs. It still remains in my cellar, still fairly fresh & moist with the PG humectant & tobacco stain on the paper inside the tin. Same thing with Solani's 131. I love a good aromatic but I was unable to finish these off. It had a very sweet taste about it but it was more like eating candy than smoking tobacco. I didn't taste the tobacco at all. The room note is awesome however and folks around you will probably start salivating & might consider soothing their sweet tooth just from smelling the smoke aroma.

I prefer aromatics that are topped with a flavoring rather than these types with heavy casing & humectant. If you're an aromatic lover & that's your daily routine, then you can't go wrong with this. It's like candy in a pipe bowl. The tin aroma is enticing & smells heavenly and is as stated on the tin description. It reminded me of a fresh baked fruitcake. Drying out is a must & a bit of rubbing out is required as there are pieces of flake mixed in with the loose stuff. It burns cool with no tongue/palate discomfort. It burned about as good as any non aromatic and I didn't experience the goopy dottle that some have attested to.

However, I did enjoy Blue Note until I got into various other types of blends. My favorite aromatic today is Erik Stokkebye stuff, especially their 4th Generation Family Reserve. If you are in the market for a highly flavored aromatic, treat yourself to some BN. Two thumbs up for an aromatic with plenty of sweet flavor! Recommended only for lovers of aromatics.

Excellent aromatic.

One of the best. Sweet and smooth smoke.

As noted in the description, and erroneously noted in some of the preceding reviews, there is no bourbon in this blend. It is Bourbon Vanilla, a variety of the Vanilla plant which has nothing to do with alcohol.

That said, nothing overtly strikes me as vanilla in the flavor. Instead, it’s very reminiscent of pink cotton candy. It’s really delicious when it hits its stride.

* Highly recommended to dry this out before smoking. My preferred method is to place the tobacco on a piece of aluminum foil, and put it in the toaster oven for about 5 minutes or so, at a temperature of roughly 175 degrees Fahrenheit with the door open.

* I believe a nicely broken in meerschaum pipe provides the superior smoking experience. and suggest trying again any blend you may have previously disliked with such a pipe.

This review is based on a fresh tin I sampled back in 2009 before I rejoined TRs. It still remains in my cellar, still fairly fresh & moist with the PG humectant & tobacco stain on the paper inside the tin. Same thing with Solani's 131. I love a good aromatic but I was unable to finish these off. It had a very sweet taste about it but it was more like eating candy than smoking tobacco. I didn't taste the tobacco at all. The room note is awesome however and folks around you will probably start salivating & might consider soothing their sweet tooth just from smelling the smoke aroma. I prefer aromatics that are topped with a flavoring rather than these types with heavy casing & humectant. If you're an aromatic lover & that's your daily routine, then you can't go wrong with this.

The tin aroma is enticing & smells heavenly and is as stated on the tin description. It reminded me of a fresh baked fruitcake. Drying out is a must & a bit of rubbing out is required as there are pieces of flake mixed in with the loose stuff. It burns cool with no tongue/palate discomfort. It burned about as good as any non aromatic and I didn't experience the goopy dottle that some have attested to. However, I did enjoy Blue Note until I got into various other types of blends. My favorite aromatic today is Erik Stokkebye stuff, especially their 4th Generation Family Reserve. If you are in the market for a highly flavored aromatic, treat yourself to some BN. Two thumbs up for an aromatic with plenty of sweet flavor!

Smells like strawberry and vanilla in the tin, but likely has a few more than just that. It smokes well but is a little bit bitey. It smells like a heavily flavored coffee in the room, abd will get everyone asking about it. Tastes like your standard cavendish with brown sugar, very sweet, but is a little bitey in an unfiltered pipe.

Hmmmm... Mixed reviews abound. My tin was opened tonight...after resting in the closet for at least three to four years. I read about bourbon vanilla, but my nose said coconut. Descriptions said ribbon cut, but my fingers said broken/cut flake which needed only the slightest bit of rubbing. The toasted coconut was only a suggestion as the VA leaf was a star here, but not a powerful leaf, if that makes sense.

I just cant get this blend to stop biting, and gurggling in the pipe. As far as the room note goes, its exquisite, but thats pretty much it with this blend.