Sutliff Tobacco Company Court of St. James

Notes: I enjoyed this blend immensely. Received it from Sutliff for our Austin Pipe Club monthly sample and tore into it. The tin note has a slight vinegar ketchup smell. I broke up the flakes more to smaller pieces and loaded my pipe lighting fairly quickly and enjoyed spicy peppery goodness with a hint of latakia - even though it's not listed, I would swear it's in there. If you like Vapurs, this is for you.

Awesome. Tangy and deep VA's with peppery perqie, and just the mildest hint of Lat for some smokiness.

I didn't know what to expect, was expecting something like Bill Bailey's Balkan Blend, but this is pretty much a VaPer with just the mildest hint of Lat which you can smell in the tin note more than you can in the taste when you light it.

Very easy to load and smoke, different elements come out as you go through, the Perique is very present and noticeable, although more in the early stages.

This is one of their best, a good idea, perfectly implemented, highly recommend.

If you like a VaPer with the spice kicked up a notch, this is a good blend to go to. It isn't loaded down with Perique, but it definitely contains more than other VaPers that I have had. The tin note is light and grassy - almost like fresh hay. This is to be expected I suppose, but I don't find the tin note quite as sweet as some other VA's. The cut of the tobacco is a broken flake, so it might take a little preparation if you have a penchant for smaller cuts. I pack it in most pipes as-is without preparation and it seems to work fine. It takes a flame well and keeps it (only 1 or 2 relights on average).

As for the smoke, it is thick and flavorful. The sweetness of the Virginias is interrupted by the sweet peppery feel of the Perique. It is actually very well behaved and it has yet to bite me. I will admit, however, that I often smoke this in a meer because I find the VA's to fade out a little more than normal. I'm not sure why this is, but smoking it in a meer seems to help prevent this from being so apparent (comparing to briar and cobs). I think the Perique holds my interest the most though, and keeps it throughout the entire bowl. It burns down to a fine ash if it is kept at a lower temperature. Otherwise, you will find some charred chunks that won't really burn (I am assuming this is from the sugars becoming too hot). I appreciated the nicotine kick it provided, which I feel is a little more than more VA blends offer.

I would recommend this for someone like myself who enjoys a variety of smokes. If you like Perique, then this is a good choice. I don't gravitate toward it normally, but it is great for a change of pace. I can't say that I would recommend it to a beginner because of the risk of biting it presents. Not a daily smoke, but one that I won't shy away from in the future.

By the way, when you age it for about a year, the Perique really mellows down - especially during the first half of the bowl.

This tobacco surprised me in so many ways after all of the lack luster aromatics I had been sampling from Sutliff. Sutliff hits a home run 15% of the time with their offerings (in my opinion) and boy did they get this one right.

My recommendation would be to pair this with your morning coffee. It was amazing and made for a largely pleasurable experience. I have an open tin of this in my master closet by the door where I keep all of my tobacco and can't help but open the tin and get a whiff each morning and evening.

The cut is a broken flake and only needs a small rub form me to smoke. As previously stated, the tin aroma is wonderful . There is a perfect balance of latakia and perique against the Virginia that truly bursts with flavor and has a zest to get you going.

Wowee Zowee! You don't run into a blend like this very often, so I had to review it and pass along this gem. Just a terrific, soothing tobacco mix. They really did it right with this one.

Blend Name:Court of St. James

Description on Tin: Spicy Perique with tangy Virginia Flake

Leaf: Virgina/Perique Broken flake

Tin Aroma: Sweet tanginess with a hint of smokiness

Taste: a mild sweetness with a hint of spice

Smokability: the first few bowls were mildly unpleasant but as i visited a week later it became surprising enjoyable, burns to an ash with very little moisture build up.

Room Note: it had a nice solid tobacco sent with hints of sweetness and little smokiness, not any hints of artificial flavors.

Thoughts: Originally I thought it was a little lackluster in the smoke but after the tin had been open a good week it has seemed to developed to very solid smoke, It has a nice mild sweetness and little zest to brighten it up. The tin doesn't label any latakia but the tin note says otherwise, there only seems to be enough to help smooth out the taste. It plays a nice supporting role but lets the red Virginias and perique stand out. The Virginia smoke is mild and doesn't contain much if any bright yellow,

Recommend to: those who are entering into Periques or those looking for a mild solid smoke.

Summary: after a week I found this to be an enjoyable smoke but just needed a little time with oxygen to smooth out the edges. The wife likes the room note

My Background: I am a Chef and rely on scents and flavors and how they interact with each other. I mix liquors and brew beer in my free time. I have been smoking pipes since 2009.

Pipe Used: a variety of shapes and sizes

Age When Smoked: new

Purchased From: Sample