Dan Tobacco Salty Dogs

The pouch aroma is very similar to Escudo but delivers a stronger Vitamin N blast. I've been out of the pipe hobby for around 5-6 years & decided to make a comeback because I missed the varied flavors of pipe tobacco blends. I barely detected the Rum aroma but noticed a slight hint of it from a whiff. It is a very moist, dark block... with the consistency similar to a hard, chewing tobacco plug. It is very well sealed within a small plastic bag within another well sealed plastic container inside the pouch. It should last for years as packaged. I sliced about 3/16" from the end of the plug & rubbed it out which seemed to work OK.

Initially, I tasted both varietals in the first puff along with the slight Rum infusion. I noted the Virginia, noticed very little Rum but it probably added the slight sweetness to the blend along with the natural sweetness of VA & a slight, sweet, fruity note from the medium apportioned Perique. It is a fairly potent blend, well processed & closer to the strong threshold with & a slight harshness that dissipated after a few tokes. I rubbed it out, dried it to an almost crispy state & stoked a small bowl. Burns better if properly dried out and smokes down to a dry, gray dottle. After my first sample in a small Danmore I wanted to try something different.

Next bowlful: It has been suggested to smoke this in a smaller bowl... I guess because of its strength. I wanted to find out why. This time, I used a sharp knife to peel off a flake from the full length of the block which facilitated the removal of a few unwanted stems and found this to be the best method of preparation. The thickness of the flake was enough to fill a much deeper, regular sized bowl. I then took the Fiskars to it because it is difficult to rub out in its tough, moist state & doesn't break up easily. I then dried it out to the proper moisture content over the stove burner in a small, stainless steel measuring cup, stirring occasionally. At the charring light from the deep bowl, there was no bite or harshness & it presented a smoother smoke plus, I was interested in the melding process as the smoke progressed. I wasn't able to accomplish this in my smaller pipe.

OK... I've just passed the halfway point & there really isn't much of a melding process happening. It smokes about the same throughout but increases in strength as the smoke progresses. It is a fairly cool, slow burning blend which requires picking, tamping & relights. Now, I understand why a smaller bowl is recommended. I'm thinking a tapered bowl might even be the better alternative. By the end of a large bowl, a newbie's head would surely be spinning & I was becoming extremely "relaxed" myself... just rocking back on the celestial plains of life, as it were & ready for a strong cup of coffee. I think I'll try this in my smaller cobs from here on out which will extend the life of my plug since a little goes a long way.

I thought this was a fine tasting & satisfying plug of tobacco & would probably even make a good chaw. I purchased 1/2 dozen pouches & it has mated with the top five in my rotation. I truly enjoyed it, needless to say. Try some if you get the opportunity & you won't be disappointed. If you like Escudo or other similar blends, you'll be amazed with Salty Dogs. Great stuff!