Iwan Ries Dr. Bradley

I've seen this Dr Bradley described as an "American English". I would agree. Great tasting, well balanced (but just slightly leaning towards the sweet side). There's Latakia here, but just enough so you taste it - it doesn't overpower. Comes out of the pouch a bit wet (which is better than the alternative I guess). Tobacco packs and burns easily, and is medium-dark/dark as far as color goes. I reach for Squadron Leader or this when I want Latakia. Iwan Ries calls it a "traditional crossover" and their site says this about it - "One of our premier creations. A rich tasting tobacco has hints of an aromatic, however there is no aromatic taste or aroma- just quality and character." Sent some of this to a friend and he rightly pointed out that it has some burley in it, some VA, some topping (cherry perhaps?), some latakia, and some orientals. He also mentioned it might make a good blend for beginners looking to get past the traditonal starting point of Burley and Aromatics.

UPDATE: now that I've smoked many more blends of tobacco, I have to lower the rating here by one star. The "bar" has been raised for me by some of the fantastic tobaccos I've smoked. This is still good stuff, and inexpensive too, but there are certainly better blends out there. Still worth trying, and especially great starting point for rookies.

This reminded me of old time tobacco. It is simple, pleasant, easy to smoke and delightful. I first smoked a pipe in the 60s and when I smoked the first bowl of Dr. Bradleys it brought back memories of blends whose names I no longer remember. I have been very impressed with the quality of the tobacco from Iwan Ries.

This blend has become my one of my daily smokes. Balanced burley with a light berry casing, virginia with alittle latakia. The topping shows up in the room note, the flavor is quality tobacco with no bite and no bitter aftertaste. There is an creamy quality that is enjoyable. If you enjoy "American Engish" blends, you will enjoy Dr. Bradley.

An English-Aromatic hybrid of some note. Pleasant and non-biting. Worth a try.

I hadn't smoked Dr. B in a long long time. I got nostalgic when I was visiting the Iwan Ries web page and ordered a pouch. It rekindled some memories and I was somewhat amazed I could say, "Yep that's how I remember it". I thought this had to be a testament to consistency in an age where everything seems to be changing.

This is a nice tobacco. It didn't bite or burn. It is a straight forward tobacco blend without a lot of complex development throughout the smoke. I also detected a small about of Latakia and liked the lighter amount; some blends beat you over the head with it.

This will be a part of my rotation again.

An excellent no nonsense smoke.A lot of natural tobacco flavor. If you are a fan of COUNT PULASKI you will love this blend. It has a perfect balance of Burley,Virginia,Latakia, and Perique with an absolutely fabulous topping gently applied. It is a sweet/smoky blend that will satisfy all but the Vaper lovers. I believe the topping is a cross between chocolate and anise. A very similar blend to Count Pulaski in all respects.This is a must try for true pipe smokers. 4 of 4 stars!!

DB is like America — a kitchen sink of tobaccos who choose to blend to make a new thing. The ingredients list has most everyone present.

What I actually taste is burley. No obvious topping. Some bit of Orientals. Someq this and that. Serious tobacco taste in the best way that pure tobacco presents. Everyone plays an instrument but there are no solo performances.

I have a few other blends like DB. They are all solid. Good. Tasty. But older. Long before GLP and C&D and more nuanced blenders came along. There is nothing bad about DB than to say nothing about it stands out and draws you in.

America is great! We are defined by our decision to be a blend. In 2023 we are hearing voices that want some newcomers not to be here — this impatience with new folk is not who we are. DB is an American blend precisely because it stands on its own and is just fine.

I’d give it 3.5 stars but will round down to 3. It’s worth having around.

Kind of strange. I don't love extremely heavy latakia blends, but this seems to have just the right amount, which is to say not a whole lot. Depending on the pipe, I get varying levels of sweetness and berry/plum. I've probably smoked this more than any other single tobacco I've tested; I don't think I'd call it transcendent, but it's consistently pleasant, and I never regret lighting up a bowl, wishing I'd chosen something else.

Excellent, unique flavor. Just a touch enough of each type of tobacco to give you a strong but smooth flavor profile. Hard do describe the flavor - burleys and Latakia are most noticeable to me. They compliment one another well.

Came bone dry when I got it but was able to get the moisture back up to where I like it. Usually doesn’t bite, but it does happen now and then.

A good medium-bodied, Smokey blend.