Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Escudo Navy De Luxe

There is a reason why this tobacco is reviewed so often and reviewed with such praise. Escudo may be the king of the Vapers. I think the key as Red stated before me, is balence. A little sweet, a little spicy and no dominate player. Since there isn't much to add, I would just like to point out that after reviewing the A&C production side by side with the Stokkebye, blender to blender, the taste remains the same. Often attempted in the tobacco world but seldom happens. If I could note one very slight difference, the A&C was a touch sweeter, but that was most likely due to the age on the tin. I am not a big fan of the Stokkebye Bull's Eye Flake, hopefully Escudo is maintain its integrity in the years to come. Highly Recommended!

This may not be an exceptional tobacco, but it certainly is a very good one. There is something of the old Three Nuns here: a tangy and piquant sweetness, and an enlivening Virginia aftertaste, rich but sober. As it happens with many good tobaccos, Escudo gradually grows on you. It has a remarkable balance between the matured Virginias--without these being too sweet (as in Dorchester, Astley's No 2 or Solani's 633), and the Perique, which I don't find particularly aggressive (as in Dunhill's Elizabethan mixture). Medium strength, cool, it is easy to break up or to pack the discs as they are straight into the bowl.

I had only once tried this blend before, under the Gallaher name (c. 1992). Perhaps my palate has changed, but I remember it to be slightly stronger, the Perique more prominent and the Virginias a bit on the raw side, with an overall monochromatic taste.

I am glad I gave the A&C Petersen version a try. It is now one of my favorite Virginia/Perique mixtures, together with Stokkebye's Navy Flake, Peterson's Irish Oak, and Fox's Dorisco (the strongest of the lot). A nice, quiet smoke, with a sharp woodsy flavor and a long lasting peppery under-taste, that lingers on nicely.

Tin note: fantastic. Rich, umami-fermented goodness. Even my wife liked the smell.

Light-up: no issues

Smoking experience: the perique adds richness, complexity and balance which, when combined with the Virginia, provides a great overall flavor profile. Notes of ripe fruit and figs. Clearly has earned its place as a best-seller.

Prep: The coins come a bit on the wet side but I found drying unnecessary. I fold n stuff for a longer smoking regimen.

Description: It's hard to add to what has already been said about this blend. The aging and the darker leaf contents make this a predominately dark fruity concoction. Though hay notes are evident early in the smoke, stewed and dried fruit notes take center stage. The Perique "pepperiness" is constant but not strong, as in other Va/Pers, but continuously supplies further prune-like sweetness to the blend.

The popularity is understood. 8.5/10 https://youtu.be/oUXQewc4v64

I'm a daily smoker, who enjoys depending on a day 1-3 bowls. Occasionally I smoke a stoggie.I smoke all kind of tobaccos, least of them aromatic ones. The Escudo blew me away, before I've tried let's say 10 Vapers , none of them was the perfect one, these includes Ascanian no2, Louisiana flake by GH,Peter Stokkebye,several SG and so on! Let me tell you something about this blend, is a pure perfection, when I opened the can the flavour that I acquired was heavenly, figs,fried fruit,milk powder, spice. I smoked it fresh, imagine what is going to happen with some maturation. Smoked it in a Briar pipe custom made by Henryk &Mateusz" Worobiec" dedicated for Vapers. Doesn't need any drying ,lights up very easily, doesn't need any relights,first puffs take you on, perfect balance spice of Perique married with sweet Virginia.Great and pleasant after taste, no bite, White ash at the end of the bowl.Beautiful room note. Let me share with you that from now on its my winner among Vapers. Strongly recommended for all, won't be disappointed.

I really enjoy Escudo. Here are the top four reasons why:

I love the tin note. The Virginias and perique give off a wonderful grassy-bread-like aroma.

The moisture level was perfect right out of the tin and the blend is a high quality smoke—all the way down to the bottom of the bowl.

The curly cut/coin can easily folded or can be rubbed out. I prefer the large size and the thickness of the escudo coin over the smaller coins in 3 nuns.

For me, Escudo has a good balance of Virginias and perique that keeps me coming back for more. The spiciness of the perique seems to build the further down the bowl you smoke.

A nice blend worth a try.

What can I say that hasn't already been said? This has got to be one of the best VaPer blends around. I usually bring this out for a special relaxing smoking experience.

If this tobacco was a cocktail, it would be a martini. This mixture, it isn't that it's not complex, it's just that it's to cool to be complicated. Martinis are a classy drink. I've never felt as classy as when I've had a martini in my hand! This is how Escudo is. It's the James Bond of pipe mixtures. As James Bond is to his many lovers, Escudo is satisfying!

I think on another Virginia Perique mixture I love. Samuel Gawith's St. James Flake. If Escudo is a martini, St. James Flake is an old Bordeaux. The complexities of that flake seem never ending. It satisfies too. Read my review of it if you'd like to hear specifically what I think of it. Both are excellent, but with Escudo I get the feeling that it's not trying to impress you, it just knows how cool it is and doesn't really give a shit what you think.

To look at it from another angle. Are you living in the west coast? More specifically, are you living in an area where there's an In-N-Out Burger? Sometimes you may want a beautifully crafted Kobe Beef burger, with a soft brioche bun, with organic, locally grown heirloom greens and tomato, with house smoked applewood bacon and three year aged white cheddar on it. Other times, nothing can satisfy your craving like a Double-Double with Animal Style fries and a shake!

Escudo is In-N-Out. If you're in the mood, nothing else can quite satisfy. By the way, yes I do feel classy eating A Double-Double.

Martinis, Double-Doubles, just sit back and feel classy.

Escudo Navy De Luxe

There is not much that I can add to what has already been said about this classic blend, but I will say that I have a nice stock of very old tins, as well as tins produced by STG that are 7-8 years-old, and STG does an excellent job keeping this blend consistent with "the old days". I enjoy it very much fresh, and age is only a bonus.