New York Pipe Club Jack's Shanty

This was my first experience with a blend that had cigar leaf in it. I was at the tobacconist and asked for something with cigar leaf. Gentlemen pointed me right to this tin, the flavor is outstanding and very very exquisite. My taste buds are on the shot side from smoking cigarettes for many decades, this blend makes me really taste that something is going on. Spicy and pleasant at about once you get down to about a half of the bowl. Stays lit really nice, once I finish the tin I will get another. Not strong like knock you down, a pleasant mild smoke for late at night at 3am on a Sunday morning as I listen to music and the world is asleep.

One thing I noticed is that I was surprised at the moisture content, it is absolutely perfect out of the tin. Another thing I noticed is the other tobaccos work very well together and the cigar leaf comes out throughout the bowl consistently and not necessarily signing like a choir but more as a support to hold everything together and keep the conversation going. Does not taste like a cigar, but the note and effect is there, a highly intelligent communication mechanism between very good tobaccos and the cigar leaf is going on, the cigar leaf is not overpowering at all, it is very chill and laid back, part of the overall quality experience.

Russ Ouellette just seems to have a great touch with blends containing cigar leaf! Virginia Spice, Stogie and now Jack's Shanty are all very good to excellent blends. After plowing through a large sample from the Chicago Pipe Show and now into my first tin, there's no doubt he has another winner here. Jack's, like many of Russ's blends arrives on the dry side which is perfect for my taste, as it is "pipe ready." It's easy to pack and it is one of those blends that just seems to produce a large volume of smoke. The flavors are somewhat complex and medium to full in flavor. If you like cigar blends where the cigar leaf is leading the way, Jack's might not be what you are looking for because for me it seems to enhance the overall flavor rather than take it over. Jack's has a nice underlying sweetness that is present throughout the bowl. I am not sure if it was lightly added or is a result of the leaf used. Either way, it tastes great. I do get more high notes to the blend, but it is not lacking in depth. Congrats to Russ and the folks at P&C on Jack's and the other NYPC blends! Highly Recommended!

My only disappointment with this blend is the fact that there aren't many reviews for this yet. I haven't been a fan of other cigar leaf blends that I've managed to try so far, but this one is absolutely delicious. The Virginias and Latakia dominate, but the cigar leaf shows itself to the extent that it is neither obtrusive nor evasive. It adds just the right amount of dark undertone that makes the entire blend that much savorier. It has its nuances, but above all, it's tasty.

Also, though I tend to smoke outdoors, I do get a whiff of what probably would be the room note. It's a very attractive scent, a mix of the smell of Virginias and a light scent of cigar, with a pleasantly sour note.

this comes at ideal smoking moisture, and stays lit fairly easily. The flavor remains quite consistent, even if you rest in between lights. No tongue-bite though few blends bite for me. The nicotine content is moderate, slightly higher than your standard Virginia.

Jack's Shanty has certainly turned out to be one of my favorites, even since my first couple bowls, and I definitely will keep a good reserve at hand. Many thanks to Russ for another exceptional blend!