Iwan Ries Three Star Blue

I have mixed feelings on the Three Star Blends. It is with fond memories and great appreciation that I recall the days in the 1960's when the staff at Iwan Ries introduced and educated me on the finer points of pipes and tobaccos. Back then, the only three Star Blend was "Blue". It was offered as a straight, non-aromatic blend. Shortly thereafter, they announced that it was, in fact, an aromatic and relabeled many of their other blends as part of the Three Star line. This is the first time in about 25 years that I have tasted these blends. During this time, I have migrated to non-aromatic, latakia type mixtures. I cannot make out the component tobaccos in Three Star. There is no hint from Iwan Ries on their makeup. They refer to their blends as "full", "balanced", "light", "rich", etc. without any mention of a single tobacco component. I do remember that, way back in the 60's, they told me that it contained Deer Tongue. The number one feature of this line is the aroma. They are crowd pleasers. They have the aroma that makes one think of taking up the pipe. Both smokers and non-smokers seem to enjoy the whiffs in the air. It is as if they first created the aroma, and then blended some tobaccos to fit it. The cut is composed of very small pieces of dark and light ribbons and flakes that always seem to have the perfect moisture content. Unlike other aromatics, they are not goopy. They burn dry and clean to a fine ash. However, they tend to bite a bit. The pouch aroma is a bit musty with an aromatic that I cannot define. It is unique being neither like vanilla nor rum cased blends. I can neither taste the tobacco, nor the aromatic as they seem to blend into an indefinable flavor (Spearmint or Juicy Fruit Gum is close). There is a twang in each puff that may be due to the Deer Tongue if it is still used. However, the aroma controls the smoking experience. I only smoke these in my "anything goes pipes", as both the flavor will linger in the briar, and the aroma will definitely linger in the room. Some of the Three Star blends are identical with the only difference being the strength of the aromatic addition. Three of the blends that I have tried are almost identical with Three Star Red being mild on the aromatic, Blue-medium, and Gold-heavy. I would no longer consider any of the Iwan Ries tobaccos as a regular smoke, but I often turn to them when I want something really different that just smells great. Since aroma is a major component of taste, that might just be the secret to these blends. I would recommend Three Star to those that do not mind aromatics, and to those that just really want something different with a great aroma. They are my love-hate blends.

Under my Grandmother's maxim of "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything" I usually avoid reviewing aromatics. I'll have to change that I suppose, can't stay a dinosaur forever, curmudgeon, maybe. I decided to dabble my feet in the "aromatic" world with a so-called crossover. A tobacco that has both aromatic and non aromatic properties. I've been promised "English for you, aromatic for them". Three Star Blue is the top seller by a long shot out of the Iwan Ries lineup. The packaging that I have is a "perma-moist resealable package" containing 7 oz of the stuff. Appearance: No excess moisture, predominantly blond & medium brown burley tobacco, with a little black, which at first, assumed to be a BCA essentially. But I tweezed and lit, and seems (I repeat seems) to be a very dark Virginia, based on burning odor. The package aroma is unusual to say the least. Aromatic, unquestionably, with hints of plum and small amounts of vanilla. Not overwhelming Pack: I an very impressed with the pack, the package moisture is just right for a "trickle" load Test Drive: Fire hits weed. Lit well releasing a muted vanilla/ juicy fruit taste, not as heavy as most aromatics that I have been around. My LSW likes the smell saying that it's the 'most pleasant smelling tobacco that I've smoked in a while". It smokes very dry and burned well all the way down with nary a gurgle. I found the smoke to be a tad "bitey", with many similarities to Edgeworth ready-rubbed, sans Anise Conclusion: If you are a fan of Burley based aromatics and would like something a little more muted than say, a Lane 1Q, give it a try. It burns well and is very reasonably priced. It just isn't my cup of tea, however, and I wouldn't recommend it to my nonromantic pals Room Note: 7 Pack, light and burn:9 Taste:4 Overall: 5

Bear