Scandinavian Tobacco Group (STG) Escudo Navy De Luxe

This is a nice smoke for my taste. Presentation is really smexy la di da. If it came looking like someone just took it out of the litter box I'd smoke it. So what.

Great mix of sweet and spicy. I get that sort of sweet apple juice tang hit me in the back of my mouth while realizing a nice creamy spicy finish on the puff. Works really well for me. Great quality. No troubles burning or biting, moist or dried. A little tough to fold and pack fragile coins but whatever.

The seasons are changing here now so I've had the benefit of smoking this in the summer and winter all in the same week. Ya I know. This is a summer smoke for me. Perfectly matched with a tall cold glass of Hefeweizen, or three. I mean perfect! In the colder crisper air I find it doesn't cut it.

Three stars for being an enjoyable smoke. I can't say I'd keep it within arms reach for the 4th star. I'll always have something similar around but I don't think this is the one. An occasional smoke for me. One that I will enjoy more with time in between.

No matter how carefully I pack the bowl, the super fine ash seems to sneak through the tobacco and into my mouth by about mid way through the bowl or even sooner while I'm puffing on this blend. The ash has a very peppery taste. After reading a few reviews here I am wondering if what I think I'm tasting is not really ash but the characteristics of the Perique Tobacco? I am not confident enough in my pipe smoking knowledge to be sure if the peppery flavor is really coming from the ash or the flavor of the smoke. Maybe somebody can help me to understand what I am experiencing with this tobacco ...

At any rate, this is a quality blend that has been balanced so perfectly in a way that is different from anything else you will try so that this blend finds its way into the category of blends that every serious pipe smoker should try at least once. In fact dedicate a pipe and smoke an entire 50 grams so that you can call yourself a true pipe smoker without any quilt of exaggeration. 🙂

I tried the bulk version first, which was horrible. Just another proof that bulk versions are not always the same tobacco...

The tinned version was pretty good, nice and spicy. I enjoyed it.

Absolutely delicious! Moisture is perfect. One and a half coins are the perfect size for a bowl. I take the whole coin and roll it over the half coin, like a scroll or a burrito. It fits right in the pipe. Then I tamp and light. This blend is bursting with flavor. Sweet, exotic, aluring, with a hint of pepper. I could smoke this all day.

I am not sure if this is my favorite VaPer, but I do really like it. My only complaint is that it has been a bit dry for my liking. Not the highest quality tobacco on the market, but there is a reason that so many people buy it.

6-24-10: I finally had a chance to try this blend last night. It seems to be one of the all time greats, so I had to give it a go. I was a little apprehensive b/c I tend to have a bad reaction to blends with perique. The perique in this blend however did not bother me at all.

I fully rubbed out Navy Deluxe. It lights easier than most tobaccos. It truly did burn down to a fine white ash. I had no trouble smoking it all the way to the bottom.

This blend got a little hot for me at first, but it cooled down after I took it a little easier. The taste was very natural. Not overly sharp as I find some virginias to be. The somoke did not have a tremendous amount of flavor. I smoked this in a Peterson XL02. At the very end of this larger bowl, the nicotine hit me a little harder than I like, but I tend to stick with very mild (in the nicotine dept.) tobaccos.

Overall, I do recommend this blend. Especially if you are not crazy about perique, but would like to gain some more experience with it. I will not be adding this to my rotation, but it is certainly a quality smoke.

WOW! The absolute best VA/Per I have ever tasted. This is definitely going to stay in storage and on my shelf for as long as this blend exists...... which I hope is a very long time!

I just keep going back for more. This is outstanding tobacco. I grab a couple coins and fold right in. Wonderful Va/Per blend that is so consistent and flavorful. Outstanding!

I have just finished my first 50g tin and this is the 'queen' of tobaccos. I do remember the old Three Nuns but this is better. A really satisfying smoke. No nasty bite and burns down to a fine dry ash without dottle.