Tobaccos Edward's - Catalina

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2004-05-28		Medium	Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

It is high time I review an Edwards blend!

I have tried several, and find they share many similarites. High quality dark Burley with ample fullness. A light, but noticeable "essence", easy to pack, easy to light, clean and dry burn. It is no wonder this company has been an old staple of many pipe smokers for decades.

Catalina is a nice mixture that is gently aromatic, yet has a full tobacco taste, attributable to the Burley no doubt. I normally despise black Cavendish, but not in this mix. Edwards black Cavendish is much, much cleaner than most, and without that cloying vanilla taste. Catalina is basically a full Burley mix, with a background of Edwards-style black Cavendish, and a slight coffee flavor.

Edwards Burleys all seem to share a light flavoring that floats in and out of the background. Either you like it or you don't. I find them tasty as they are more traditional American burleys with a full tobacco flavor than goopy modern Cavendish.

Try an Edwards blend. You can get them online from Edwards Tampa or McCranies. Give them a call.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Stan (178)	2004-05-28		Mild to Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Oh, another old favorite. A relatively new Edwards blend; it came out in the late 80's I believe. It is mainly burley, with some virginia, and toasted cavendish. But dry. It has a slight chocolate/coffee essence. At least that's what I was told then. No sprays; no junk; no glycerin; no goo. Just a wee cc-g (their chocolate essence -- burley exposed to chocolate scents and used as a blender) plus another. Just delightful ribbons of good taste.

I remember how fond I was of this and I miss it now as I read the new reviews. I will order some more. Ready too smoke off the shelf (been aged by Edwards about a month or so, just right). No need to cellar.

I smoked this one blend exclusively in several pipes, for years. The chocolate and high quality smoke took me in. Smooth; steady burning; easy packing; no bite. A fine blend. I got away from it later in the 90's for just Scottish Moor, then the tobacco explosion of matured virginias took over.

Assuming the same quality tobaccos and essence technique are in use by Edwards (last time I smoked Scottish Moor a year ago they were), this blend is a surprise for you. For an aromatic burley lover, but should suit almost anyone but a balkan vampire. Highly recommended.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2005-05-04		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant

This being my second review, it is great to finally have a favorite to write about. Catalina is probably my favorite aromatic. It has a taste that is truly wonderful. I usually load this in one of my old Custombilt lumbermen, they seem to be the best, at least for me. The room note is at least as good as the taste of the baccy, and it smokes all the way to a white ash on one light for me. It can and will bite if you force it so beware, slow is better for this fine Edwards Blend. 4 Stars for sure. Stud Cricket

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