Sutliff Tobacco Company Match Field & Stream

I have never had the original Field and Stream so this is a review on the strengths and weaknesses of this match blend by itself.

When I opened the humidor I was greeted by the smell of Licorice with a earthy background that also consisted of wood, vanilla and a touch of liquor. The Tobacco was not too wet or dry and I still put it out on a paper towel for 45 minutes which I do for every tobacco, more or less depending if it is a aromatic or not.

Filling the bowl it seemed to be an odd assortment of chunks, ribbons and pieces. The tobacco seemed to burn pretty evenly except some of the chunks took longer to burn. IT burned down to a nice gray ash with no bite or even a hint of a bite. The smoke was nice and billowy even though I was sipping this slowly to savor the flavor.

Upon lighting the flavor of Licorice that was pleasant and not overpowering appeared. The Burley was a beautiful medium strength and full flavored and smooth. I could taste a hint of liquor, citrus and grass with a earthy and woody taste with some honey in the background also. A sweet tasting smoke. Now, I was enjoying this and then a little more than halfway down the flavor changed instantly. Vanilla to the forefront and the Burley became deeper and richer in flavor. A slight Soap taste with a bit of floral came through. The taste did not get harsh like some tobaccos and remained smooth and pleasant. When done there was a small amount of moisture in the bowl. Average amounts of re-lights.

There was a pleasant aftertaste that lasted a hour or so after finishing this bowl. The pipe used for this was my WEBER SHELLBROOKE.

I am very pleased with Match Field & Stream. I do wish I had some original to compare to. But, on its own this tobacco is well on its way to becoming a favorite, if not THE favorite in my rotation. It was a pleasant smoke that was smooth, gentle, with different flavors that played well with each other and at no time overpowered the tobacco flavor but enhanced it. Definitely going to buy more of this and will be a permanent part of my rotation.

Well as an intro to this review i have been trying as many of the "classic" reproduced - dicontinued- brands-your grandfather-smoked - tobaccos as i can. It has been fun and considering these bulk brands are less than $3 an ounce each it is an affordable hobby. Most are ok, that was fun now what? This however was different, this is an actually delicious blend that i am compelled to praise. I wish i could describe what and how it tastes but I don't do well describing. Trust me its better than you think. The smoke is smooth, mostly burley but slightly confusing. I never smoked the original but I really like this.

This blend is not only comparable to House of Windsor's version, it's actually a bit better. A nice, mild Burley with a sweet advise flavor. It just works. One of the best bulk tobaccos I've smoked.

Sutliff Field & Stream Match is a excellent blend and one that i keep about a pound of at all times. It comes as a course cut of chunks, ribbons, and "fish flake" texture with a medium moisture but benefits from a bit of fry time In my opinion.

The flavor they say is Anise and i agree, although it doesnt taste like Black Licorice or strong Fennel notes, rather it is a sweet anasette flavor somewhat similar to Mixture 79 but find the flavor of F&S a bit stronger and better to my taste. I would highly recommend this blend to anyone that likes old school OTC's like Granger or SWR, Micture 79, Sutliff Great Outdoors, or Holiday Mixture Match as they all seem to share a similar quality of flavoring.