Butera Pelican

Without doubt, one of my all time favorites. An English blend that always keeps me coming back for more. So pleasant a smoke as to rank up there as a trusty friend, It's been said it reminds one of Squadron Leader, Penzance and Westminster. I agree. Possibly one of the most enjoyable smokes I've ever had. I get a hint of orange every time I try this stuff. Simply heaven.

This is my first review here on TR dot com, inspired by this tobacco. At first I was put off by the high moisture level of this tobacco when I first opened the tin. It made it hard to smoke properly, hard to light, and I had to leave the tin open for a few days to let it dry out. Even after two days, I put the lid back on and set it aside, it was still hard to light and keep lit. All this time, when I did smoke it, I knew I was missing something amazing, I just wasn't getting all of the flavors but I could tell they were there. Once I packed a bowl and my girlfriend demanded I go with her to go shopping (arrg). I ended up leaving the packed bowl in the pipe for another two days, then lit it up on the first warm Sunday morning of the year, and wow was I happy. The long wait from packing the bowl to smoking it dried out the tobacco until it was almost crunchy. This was the secret. The bowl lit beautifully, there was no moisture build up in the pipe, and the flavors really sang. There are notes of cedar, citrus, nuttiness and tobacco. This stuff is just as amazing as I had been told, I just had to treat it right. I highly recommend this tobacco, and also recommend drying sufficiently before smoking. You will not be disappointed.

Orange creamy tartness and citrus notes (Virginia's) are present in this blend, it's quelled however to a moderate level by superb orientals that are buttery and spicy, and finishes with a Latakia that is woodsy, smoky and a bit of earth and a mouthfeel similar to that of eating an animal cracker mixed with an Oreo and you have Butera Pelican! One of my favorite blends.. has some nice peppery bite to it if you push it / don't dry it thoroughly. But if smoked slow and given time to dry it's tame. Got 2 more tins coming! Rating should be much higher on here.. I think ppl are just butt hurt they can't find more of it. If anyone has any kingfisher I'd love to try it/trade/buy!

If you like Lat bombs this mixture is not for you. It is a balanced mixture similar to King Charles and Squadron Leader except it is a tiny bit sweeter. The sweetness of the Virginia, the spiciness of the Orientals and the smokiness of the Latakia are in good proportion. Good stuff.

I have read many mixed reviews on this tobacco and I don't understand the one and two stars. I would love to know what they are comparing this tobacco with in order to give it such a poor rating. With that said, I fell in love with it from the start. I could enjoy this tobacco any time of the day. It could be my morning smoke paired with a cup of coffee, a bowl for the drive home from work, or to aide me in my reflections before bed time. I love the complex flavors that are locked away in this tin of tobacco and I hope to enjoy it for some time to come. If you are a fan of English blends, you must give this one a try!

This is an English blend for those who enjoy English blends. If you don't care for a quality English then look elsewhere. It is a ribbon cut, the moisture level was not a problem. The tobacco packs easily, and lights without difficulty. I have smoked two tins of Pelican and have not had any negative experiences. The flavor is rich in orientals, Latakia, and Virginias. The flavor was there from beginning to end with only a gray ash to remind me that tobacco had been there in my pipe. Of course there was also the smile on my face in knowing that I can still get a good English blend even if it is made in Denmark. This blend can be ranked right up with Westminster, Squadron Leader, and Penzance.

I am a little surprised that most of the previous reviewers do not mention other classic oriental blends, like Red Rapparee, for example. This Pelican is very much of that ilk, similar to other oriental-heavy "medium English" blends like Squadron Leader. It is smoother and smokier (more latakia I guess). The virginias are sweet and citrus.

A very easy smoke, delightful right to the end of the bowl (it gets a bit acrid right at the bottom).

I will smoke more and post again, but I am really pleased with this tobacco.

This is one I smoke infrequently so as to not get burnt out on Latakia. This would be a true four star tobacco if it weren't for a slight excess of flavoring that seems common in English type blends. G.L. Pease Blackpoint tobacco is more user friendly with a similar makeup. Still in all an excellent smoke.

Edit: Years later, and this has become a favorite of mine. It just needs to be smoked in a meershaum or calabash. The only other balkan blend that has this trait for me is (was) Balkan Sobranie, which was my previous favorite blend. Rating upgraded to Highly Recommended.

Original Review: I've been puzzling over this blend for a few weeks now. I'm a diehard BS White fan that is down to his last few ounces, and this was recommended to me by several reliable sources as exactly the sort of tobacco I was looking for. According to Butera this is an attempt to replicate Sullivan's, which I remember as being vaguely Sobranie-ish. All in all, I really wanted to like this blend.

Pelican is certainly a nice enough tobacco, with many elements of a fine balkan blend -- the virginias are mild and play a supporting role providing a touch of orangey sweetness to counteract the drying affect of the orientals. There's the spiciness of the orientals providing a nice middle palate that the smoky latakia is missing. There's even a hint of that saltiness that I love in Sobranie.

The problem is, I'm getting nearly all of this from the aroma -- the mild flavor is tantalizing but offers only hints of greatness. It does seem to vary a bit from pipe-to-pipe; it is nearly completely tasteless in my Ashtons, thin in a Boswell freehand, and reasonable (but still underwhelming) in an Upshall. It is also the most heat-sensitive tobacco I have ever smoked -- smoke it cool and it tastes like diluted spiced orange pekoe tea, smoke it hot and it begins to show its balkan underpinnings.

According to the wife, the room aroma is nice and reminiscent of oranges.

Butera supposedly designed Pelican as a replacement for his beloved Sullivan's. Several hats older and more experienced than myself indicated that he had indeed hit the mark, possibly surpassing it a bit.