Tobaccos G. L. Pease - JackKnife Ready Rubbed (New World Collection)

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	hedgehog (8)	2014-12-08		Overwhelming	Extra Strong	Overwhelming	Overwhelming

Short version: gracious, this is manly.

I light up a bowl of JKRR, and I think, all of us on this forum, whether old or young, black or white, male or female, we're all men here, and this tobacco is an incitement to extreme manliness.

Suddenly all I want to do is chug a couple of handles of Wild Turkey, squeeze off some rounds, club some seal babies, harpoon something endangered, bomb Hanoi, crank up the George Thorogood, copter-hunt some mastadons, scarf a T-bone, litter, bench-press my HumVee, call in some air-strikes and generally get some. That's what a kiloton of Kentucky Dark Fired can do for a guy.

Esthetes and other un-American elements have suggested that there there's some bright-leaf in here, and maybe some sweet Virginias. If there are, I don't want to know about it. I like my tobacco as subtle as a thermobaric charge; this hits the spot and leaves a smoking hole.

Pipe Used: Generally I smoke this with my bare hands.

Age When Smoked: Jail bait.

Purchased From: Adnan Khashoggi

Similar Blends: Bugatti Veyron, fuel-air explosives, Josef Stalin, Death Valley, and the first 15 minutes of Saving Private Ryan.

35 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3022)	2014-11-25		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

The dark fired Kentucky is the star. Perhaps it's a little less spicy than some grades of DFK, but it has enough to satisfy the desire for it. It's very earthy, woody, mildly nutty, floral, herbal, vegetative, dry with a light sour barbecue essence. The red Virginia is earthy, woody, ripe tangy dark fruit sweet, and lightly bready in a support role. The bright flue cured Virginia offers a mild tart citrus, with milder grass and floral notes in the background. Experienced smokers will notice that the processing melds the tobaccos so that you always notice the individual components, which undergo a little fermentation. This mixture is not as complex as it seems because the Kentucky often overshadows the other tobaccos, but it burns smoother than many blends with this high a percentage of Kentucky. The plug version seems to be just a little sweeter and tangier than this ready rubbed version, but it’s not a night and day difference. Has a medium nic-hit. The strength is in the center of medium to strong, while the taste is a step past that center. No chance of bite, and has a few rough edges. This product needs a little dry time. It burns very clean, cool, and slowly, requiring a number of relights. Leaves a little moisture in the bowl, but no real dottle, though you will have to stir up the bottom a bit to burn it all up, unless you really dry it out. Has a mostly consistent flavor. The pleasant after taste lingers a little. Has a strong room note. Not an all day smoke.

-JimInks

20 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipestud (1829)	2014-03-08		Medium	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I much prefer this ready-rubbed version of JackKnife as I am lazy and have no ability to chop up plugs correctly.

My impressions of JackKnife - Deep and earthy in flavor, with a healthy pegging of the strength meter. I do believe that Pease made this blend to age well and I look forward to trying more in a few years. I found the fresh JackKnife that I smoked to be just a little "green" in overall flavor presentation. A nice Burley/Virginia combo using quality leaf.

Pipestud

Pipe Used: Ruthenberg, Weaver, Shurwood, Barling

Age When Smoked: less than 6 months

Similar Blends: Rattray's Hal O' the Wynd, McClelland's Big & Burley, Hearth & Homes Steamroller without Perique..

20 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2016-03-08		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

For what it’s worth, my comments on Jackknife Ready Rubbed in based on just a two bowl sample given to me by a pipe club friend. My feelings are almost identical to my comments regarding the plug. There is a subtle underlying sweetness that accents the very earthy tone of this blend. I find it a tad bit sweeter, but I expect that it is due to the fact that the sample was for some time prior to my encounter. The same cigar notes are there, but unlike my experience with the plug four or five years ago, I now doubt that there is any java leaf in the blend. To me, this is really a Burley blend with the Virginia playing a lesser role. JPP is somewhat reminiscent of an American version of a Gawith Hoggarth Burley Virginia. JRR is cool burning, even when pushed, however I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are sitting in the recliner!

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Beer (345)	2013-02-03		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Not a big fan of Kentucky or of strong nicotine-laden tobaccos here...

Anyway, it's good: intense flavour, earthy, nutty and stout. Burns a bit hot, but not too much.

What knocks me off is the nicotine: I have to smoke this in a small bowl and only once in a while, or it will make me sweat.

Not bad, anyway! If you like the genre, it certainly deserves your attention.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (632)	2013-11-21		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

EDIT 11-28-2016

I am primarily returning to this review to correct one misconception had on the original review. After finishing an 8 oz can of this, I can attest that there is nothing soapy about this.

A forum friend had sent me the sample below and the best I can surmise is that the baggie that he sent me must have been in close proximity to a soapy blend or perhaps in a jar that formerly held a soapy type blend.

I had never previously thought this possible, but another friend of mine despised the Ennerdale he bought and sent me the remainder of the four ounces he purchased. Along with it, he included a bunch of samples of some C&D bulks he bought. I'll be damned if every sample did not taste a little like Ennerdale. This is what I believe must have happened somewhere along the way with the first sample of JKRR that I received and reviewed below.

This is a problem with reviewing samples sent in baggies. I apologize for any confusion that caused.

ORIGINAL REVIEW 11-21-2013

I tried the plug and found that me with a knife and a plug combines to create a terrible cut of tobacco. I muscled through the two ounces I bought and wasn't super impressed, but blamed myself rather than the tobacco.

Well a forum buddy sent me some of the RR and I am glad that he did. This is much better. Odd thing that I never tasted with my attempt at the plug is a bit of a soapy taste that is there in the first quarter of the bowl or so.

Needless to say I really enjoyed it and smoked the rest of the sample while deer hunting last week. I even shot a doe while puffing on some. So maybe the ladies like it as well. I will definitely buy more of the rr and avoid the hassle of the plug.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2013-01-28		Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I added this blend to the database so that reviews for it wouldn't be mixed in with the plug version and now realize I forgot to add "New World Collection" to it, thereby making it hard to locate. The best laid plans. I'll shoot an email to correct this.

As for the blend, I much prefer this sorta-broken flake to a plug any time, and I had more success loading and keeping lit than the plug version. That said, this dries out very quickly in the tin and should be jarred upon opening. The flavor is very similar to the plug, and I found the same earthy, tobacco-y upfront flavor here with the hint of sweetness. This very subtle sweet character didn't show up with each puff, however. It was fleeting. It seemed as though just about the time I was about to wear out from the deep Kentucky flavor, the lemon VA would kick in to console me. Basically this is a blend for those enamored of the taste of tobacco and aren't interested in nuances. This is a bold blend, full tasting, and robust. Not quite what I'm looking for, but well worth a try. I could use a bit more virginia in this one, but it's still a well-done blend and produces the kind of flavors that were intended.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AC (19)	2018-03-19		Strong	None Detected	Very Full	Tolerable

I love American-English blends, most of them found in the great Cornell and Diehl blenders. Still, I decided to buy JackKnife once more (this time ready rubbed), for I had not smoked it in years.

I loved the Ready Rubbed JK in most respects. The reviews on this page describe very well its rich and intense character. However, something was missing for me. I went to bed, and at around 3:30 AM I woke up and I had the solution.

The next day, I added a pinch of C&D's Latakia to my JK bowl, and this became a heavenly smoke!

Pipe Used: BP JUM Bullmoose

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Fazby (66)	2015-12-08		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Hard to follow Hedgehog's review...

This was good. Strong but good. However, it didn't send me, and I didn't finish the tin. It wasn't the strength, just the flavor. For my money, Triple play is the way to go.

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: new tin

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jevverrett (104)	2015-03-29		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable

I bought this on a whim bc I like dark fired KY and red VA.

Tin presentation is not bad. The tobacco is a thicker ribbon than normal, a lot of darker strands to it. It doesn't pack well for me without a bit of a rubbing out. I like that it has a good strong flavor like a plug, but is easier to prep.

Smells kind of sweet, but dark and earthy. Takes a good char and a rest to get it burning well. It tastes great btw, very strong manly kind of blend. Goes good with highland scotch or bourbon. I have not as yet gotten it to burn down cleanly.

I would recommend this for smokers who prefer a darker, stronger blend. It may be a bit much for those just getting started.

Pipe Used: Peterson x105 sportsman

Age When Smoked: Fresh tin

Purchased From: Smokingpipes

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wibblefishofdoom (139)	2013-09-03		Very Strong	None Detected	Very Mild	Pleasant

I've been interesting in trying some of G.L. Pease for a while having heard generally good things online about his blends. They are. though. a rare oddity in the UK, being available, along with a few other of Mr Pease's offerings, only from the fabulous Gauntleys of Nottingham. Also, at £16.50 a drum, half as much again as most tobaccos here, it is not a leaf I can purchase regularly. However, a rare gap in my normally all to limited finances allowed me to purchase this and a couple of offerings. I must confess that my choice in tobaccos was largely dictated by stock levels as there were only three blends not awaiting replenishment, JackKnife RR just so happened to be one of them.

Upon receipt, I was pleasantly surprised by the packaging, a nice shiny drum with a loose label gently wrapped around it, perhaps not quite as slick as tins from more notable brands but had a good "cottage industry" feel to it. Diving straight in to the drum, I was immediately impressed by the look of the tobacco inside, chunky rubbings with a rich brown colour. The smell, too, was wonderful, a lovely barbeque sauce flavour. A quick pop in the pipe led to a flavour much the same, it made me want to order a pizza just so I could order that bbq sauce with it to dip the crusts in. the fun did not end there, it has a nicotine kick like no other, save for the other Pease tobaccos I bought. This tobacco I found, however, seems to be at it's best when at it's freshest. The flavour has faded quite quickly since then and there is now little of that barbeque sauce flavour. There is still some pleasure from smoking it, just not as much as when I first tried it.

On the whole then, a good tobacco that doesn't seem to hold it's flavour. It could be me, maybe I'm not storing it right, even though it doesn't seem right to remove it from it's cute little drum. As things stand with my finances and all, I am in no hurry to order some more. If things change though, like a turn up in my financial fortunes, I may well invest in a new tub and stash it in a jar and give it another chance. To be honest, I think it deserves it.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2076)	2019-03-19		Very Strong	None Detected	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

G. L. Pease - JackKnife Ready Rubbed (New World Collection).

Obviously, similar to the plug version. But this lacks the tough preparation of a plug!

The tin contains a plug which has been reduced to the perfect consistency to smoke. Well, perfect for me; looks like a coarse broken flake/VERY chunky ribbons. The aroma sets the precedent for the upcoming smoke: robust. As my hydration's perfect it's a case of, imminently, load and light!

A bowl ignites, easily, and gives a delightful smoke. Like it's twin, JackKnife Plug, the Kentucky is at the forefront in the smoke, but the fire-curing doesn't subcleef or monopolise the smoke. It isn't a harsh, bitter, or fiery experience; full, not 'toxic'. The Virginia gives a some dark fruitiness, but I note none of the more 'vibrant' Virginia qualities; I don't identify any citrus/grass/hay. Because of the cut it gives a slow burn, cool smoke, and remains free from bite throughout.

Nicotine: I know a few pipers who like to eat rubbish nonstop throughout their smoking day; good idea with this, it will churn an empty stomach! Room-note: not too bad.

JackKnife Ready Rubbed? A definite winner, to me. So, four stars it is:

Highly recommended.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: 22/12/18

Purchased From: Smokingpipes.com

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mike10 (17)	2014-12-23		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

This nice blend of classic American tobaccos took a little getting used to, but as expected turned out to be quite good. Judging by its tin aroma, it turned out to be as rich and smoky as expected. It may not be the strongest of tobaccos, but I do find it on the strong side. Like most tobaccos, it's best to smoke gently and at a restrained pace (especially considering its high nicotine content). The room-note is very satisfying, and others have told me it has a rich, cigar-like aroma. Stronger and better overall than some other blends containing Kentucky dark-fired tobacco.

Pipe Used: Stanwell, Butz-Choquin

Age When Smoked: unkown

Purchased From: online

Similar Blends: Mac Baren Stockton.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Goose55 (33)	2019-04-02		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I love bold Virginia-Burley blends and the flavor punch of this one reminds me a lot of a Gawith, Hoggarth & Co blend, Brown Flake (unscented), which has similar components. But JKRR is an amped up version. It is mouth-wateringly good. I find it has a good deal of complexity & depth, and the sweetness of the lemon Virginias comes through beautifully. Leaves a pleasant aftertaste & a pleasant room note. Seems to smoke best in a larger, wider bowl pipe.

I left this tin in the back of my hallway cabinet "cellar" and forgot about it, so I am lucky to be smoking a tin over 3 years of age. Pease does design his blends to age well, and so I can personally attest to that being true. I've never had this new, so I can't compare, but this 3-year old tin is celestial. If you can find an aged tin of this somewhere, grab it up. You won;t regret it.

Pipe Used: A Falcon & a large Artisan Brandy

Age When Smoked: 3 years +

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars

Similar Blends: Gawith, Hoggarth & Co bulk Brown Flake (unscented).

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	gahdzila (61)	2017-03-20		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable to Strong

A little on the dry side - not bad, not quite crunchy, but definitely ready to smoke. It's medium chocolate brown in color, with a few lighter and darker flecks. The cut is broken and fully rubbed flake. Tin note is neutral tobacco, hint of sweetness, hint of sharpness.

I found Jackknife RR extremely well behaved in the pipe. It will go out and require a relight if I set the pipe down for a few minutes, but as long as I'm maintaining a normal smoking cadence, it never goes out. I think if I were careful, I could smoke a whole bowl on a single paper match! Smokes cool with never a hint of bite.

The flavor profile actually reminds me of a rich spicy cigar. Spicy, not peppery...I consider these to be two separate sensations, though they often occur together. No pepper, just spicy, and rich tobacco flavor. If I really slow down and REALLY pay attention, I pick up a tiny hint of sweet chocolate, which is a very nice surprise. But the main flavor player for me is rich dark fired Kentucky tobacco. That sounds boring, but I assure you it is not!

It is quite strong. I wouldn't call it harsh, but it is not quite as clean and smooth as other dark fired Kentucky blends like Old Dark Fired and Irish Flake.

I have also smoked the intact plug version of this blend. I could detect no difference in the flavor profile. The plug is perhaps a hair smoother and burns a little slower, and has a bit more moisture out of the tin. Personally, I prefer the ready rubbed simply out of laziness, and the fact that they are almost identical to me.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JJ Sir Emmitt (40)	2017-04-23		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This was a blend recommended to me because of my love of cigars and my ever increasing interest in the pipe. The tin note is one of a typical Virginia blend. The tobacco was on the dry side but certainly not too dry. Immediately upon lighting I see why it was recommended to me. Instantly it reminded me of a Sam Leccia Black cigar. Which is good because that just happens to be a favorite of mine. This blend is a strong blend with just the right amount of intrigue and subtly to make it a complex and very interesting smoke. With flavors of hay, pepper, citrus, and toast. With subtly hints of milk chocolate, cream, and a mild earthiness. What really sells me on this blend is the pepper on the forefront continues in the finish, leaving a nice tingle on your tongue through each puff. Very reminiscent of a good cigar. This blends behaves very well in the bowl, it burns nice and cool, and does not require much attentions. Allowing one to set back and enjoy. Beware there is a nicotine kick with this one, not for the feint of heart! This will be a cornerstone in my tobacco “cellar” for sure.

Pipe Used: MM Cobbit Elf

Age When Smoked: 3 Months

Purchased From: Tobaccopipes.com

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	natibo (169)	2015-03-26		Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Good, not great. The tobacco has that ketchup smell often found in McClelland blends. It's quality tobacco, and packs well. It's much better towards the end of the bowl. There is just no pizzaz to this stuff. No topping, no perique. Just plain old Virginia. Some folks will love it. I like a little more to my blend.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30125)	2021-09-06		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Mild	Tolerable

Gregory Pease is a wonderful blender, but the problem is that he used lousy virginia leaf in this blend. There are lot of small crumbs in the tin. It is bitter, sour and bites the tongue

Pipe Used: Ser Jacopo pot, Parker billiard, Bari dublin

Age When Smoked: 010314

Purchased From: 4noggins

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Chili guy (14)	2021-01-02		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

I ordered this tin recently to compliment a pipe and make minimum shipping. I’ve smoked it before as well as the JK plug. I prefer the RR as it’s easier to deal with when loading a bowl. For my taste, it works best in a deep, narrow bowl of ordinary dimensions. A little extra rubbing out seems to help by reducing relights. Shallower bowls and careless packing will use a lot of extra matches or butane. As with most that originate as plugs or flakes, there’s plenty of residual moisture that’s not apparent so a bit of drying doesn’t hurt. I’m using this as a break in tobacco for a recently purchased Savinelli Punto Oro Gold with deep narrow bowl and thick walls. Fir me it’s about the perfect combination, easy smoking, easy to keep lit and cool burning to ease the break in discomfort. I love DFK and Red VA so the combination to me, is very tasty with a rich thick smoke and sturdy tobacco taste. I have several tins aging on the shelf but didn’t want to open them yet so I went with my fresh purchase. Mr. Pease never fails to deliver a really fine blend and this is no exception. I’ve smoked many of his blends and this one keeps retrieving my attention...it’s just right for me. It’s in rotation with C&D’s burley Flake #5 and while they are of differing flavors, they’re very similar. If you enjoy a good full strength ready rubbed tobacco and have the right pipe for it, this stuff is great.

Pipe Used: Peterson Xl22, Savinelli punto oro

Age When Smoked: 6 months

Purchased From: Smoking pipes.com

Similar Blends: C&D burley flake #5.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (442)	2023-01-30		Strong	None Detected	Full	Tolerable

Tin note of sweetish barbeque and spices. Tobacco is brown and light brown Ready Rubbed. Moisture content is good, but drying may be preferred for some. Larger pieces may need attention and rub out easily. Burns slow with few relights. The strength is strong and nic is medium to strong. No flavoring detected. Taste is full and very consistent, with notes of wood, dry vegetation, floral, bitter, bread, nuts, spicy, rich earth, mildly sweet, mildly oak smoky, a mildly tangy citrus background note, and a peppery retro. Kentucky is leading with Virginia supporting. Room note is tolerable, and aftertaste is good.

Pipe Used: 2016 Northern Briars Premier Rox Cut #4 Prince

Age When Smoked: 4 years

Purchased From: smokingpipes.com

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