Missouri Meerschaum Country Gentleman

This may be the ultimate codger blend, and that's not a backhanded compliment. No muss, no fuss, slap it in a cob and go. Clean burning, mild tasting, biteless, all day VA good 'un with just a tinge of St. James spice. A Legend bowl full is just about right for a work smoke break. If this pouched product could be considered a "drugstore" blend then it's head & shoulders above that funky bitey bunch. Mr. Russ done good.

I got this out of curiosity. MM being a solid company, I figured their tobaccos would be good. It's a Russ oulette blend, of which I have tried only a few.

The moisture content is good to go out of the pouch. Odd bc it's not sealed on arrival. I did bump that up a bit eventually, to great effect. Otherwise it smells good in the pouch. Not much out of the perique nose- wise. The cut of the leaf is good. It packs well, and it burns well. Usually one relight is about it, and it increases in flavor a bit in doing so. It's tasty, but not outstanding. The dark fired is there. As are the red vas. The perique is just a dash I think for flavor and not a good kick.

I would and have recommended this to others. The pouch is convenient and it works well that way. It could be an all day smoke if not for a small tongue burn I get if I go nuts on this puffing away. The price point is great too.

An Anglo-American blend made Yankee by the addition of Burley (nuttiness and butteriness with texture) and Kentucky leaf which gives it a dark but smooth aroma with a base of light or “bright” Virginias that keeps the whole thing nice and mellow. Many in these categories do away with all Oriental leaf while others use it sparingly in the background along with the standard Perique and/or Latakia.

In fact- I think it's time we all bite the bullet and divorce these blends from the "English" catch-all, if anything, as a testament to Gregory Pease, Russ Ouelette, the boys at C&D et al. in really taking a once-corner of the pipe-tobacco world and it to the fore of both acclaim, respectability, and an indelible part of the pipe-tobacco tapestry.

If Missouri Pride is a straight American (VA+Burley) and Patriot an English then Country Gentleman is squarely what I would categorize as an "American-Bayou" blend with its addition of Perique.

Always smooth this tobacco impressed the hell out of me and has quite a following- smokes and tastes like something much more expensive and rare. Blended by one of the rock stars of the Pipe Tobacco world (think Michelle Rolland) Country Gentleman is tailored-made for Perique lovers who still are looking for something balanced and complex.

Is it a Va-Per? Sort of-- except for that Kentucky in there which makes it a very different smoke, from a body and flavor-profile, than the typical VaPer (and so I do not consider it one... ) Can get a little bitter and dark if puffed too enthusiastically and the Perique certainly throws freshly-ground black pepper into the palate. It's a hearty pour-yourself-a-bourbon smoke at home with an Old Fashioned or a straight Rye.

I am relatively new to pipes after switching from cigarettes 6 months ago. Enjoy trying all the blends I read about on TR. Mainly a Vapr fan. I do not have the palete or ability to smell hay and grass in the tobacco or determine when the other blended tobaccos kick in but I follow JimInks guidance on the blend notes. I focus on what the tobaccos taste like to me. This tobacco is delightful, priced right and available. Nice presentation even if it is in a pouch! Smooth as sweet tea on ice with a rich taste. Also get a nice sweetness as the smoke advances in the bowl. The N is there if you want it. Can give the buzz if you are so prone. For those new to pipes or vapor's this is well worth giving a try. I agree with the reviews here that this is a good all day smoke.

Honestly this is really nice. Would recommend as a starter VA/Per. Nice peppery note from Dark Fired and Perique to contrast the smooth, sweet Virginias. Fantastic in a Cob. No complaints!

This baccy has a simply beautiful natural smell in the pouch. It comes perfectly dry to smoke. It tastes very mellow. The flavour almost reminds me of a captain black “blonde” cigar. Very easy going, makes a good gift to go a long with a fresh cob to a beginner piper!

Ok I'm trying this blend to see what I think. So far it's not bad if you like cheap Vapers. The Perique is mildly spicy and the Virginias add some body and natural sweetness. There is some kind of casing that reminds me of caramel - but it's not cloying or overly sweet.

So for what it is - it's good.

This blend would work in any kind of pipe - so if you like Russ's blends - I say give it a try - albeit it is nothing like AnniKake, Louisiana Red or Va Spice. Mild

I've been having a little trouble getting a good full light with this one, probably due to some stems. Early smoke requires several tamps and relights. Starts off grassy with no sign of the Kentucky and a slight touch of the perique. Once fully underway at about 2/3 down it settles in nicely with all the flavors apparent. The Virginias in the front, followed by a nice touch of perique to add some spice, with the Kentucky sitting back to fill in the gaps. Burns a little hot as expected but no bite, and leaves a mostly fine white ash. Overall and enjoyable smoke once you get it going.

I've said this on all of my other MM pouch tobacco reviews: this one would be a great introduction to this type of blend. If you already know and like VaPers, it might not do it for you, but it wont be a bad smoke either way.

Package note of mildly pungency, sour fruit and spices. Tobacco is a mostly a ribbon cut of orangish tan, brown and a little dark brown. Moisture content is ok, most pipe smokers will want to hydrate it a bit. Burns moderate with a few relights. The strength is medium and nic is mild. No flavoring detected. Taste is medium and moderately consistent, with notes of sour fermented vegetation, dry, spicy, sweet bread, plums, spices, woody, earthy, hay, tangy and tart citrus, acidic, orange peel/zest, floral, moderately savory a lemon grassy background note, and a peppery retro. Virginia is leading with Kentucky and Perique supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.