Straus Tobacco Sleepy Hollow

I had never heard of this blend until I saw it discussed on a Facebook page, and bought 8 ounces based on the recommendation of a learned gentleman with exceptional taste. I'm very glad I did. I guess the test of a good aromatic, to my mind, is how well the taste matches the tin note ; SH really did it for me. Truly delicious in bag and bowl. Although it is very moist and doesn't dry easily, it took fire well enough and didn't smoke exceptionally wet. It didn't bite me and always delivered a rich, sweet, flavorful smoke. This is only available by telephone mail order in the fall, and I will be ordering at least 8 ounces every year for as long as it's available. An enthusiastic 4 stars.

First off, this does not taste like pumpkin. We should all be glad it does not, because a pipe tobacco that tastes like pumpkin (or worse, actually contained pumpkin) would undoubtedly be awful. Maybe this is pedantic, but it might be helpful to some who get frustrated chasing "pumpkin" and instead focus on the sweetness and spices that make this tobacco "pumpkin pie like." None of this detracts from Sleepy Hollow, which is a very successful, tasty blend.

Unlit, this tobacco smells sweet and baking spicy, with aromas of caramel, nutmeg, and vanilla. It's solidly aromatic, but not over the top. It's a little moist for me, but has no trouble drying down.

The smoke smells great, mostly like the bag/jar aromas, but with a stronger caramel, sugar and nutmeg presence and a decrease in spice. Like most aromatics, the actual flavor of the smoke isn't too bold and the nicotine isn't too strong. Unlike many aromatics, it is no trouble to light or keep lit.

Wow... What an aromatic this is! I was really upset last year when I realized I was too late to get in on the wait list for this seasonal blend around this time last year and I was damned if I was going to miss out again this year. Long story short, I was able to secure 8 ounces of this much talked about blend (I was really into watching the Dagner's Youtube channel at the time). It arrived on 09/01/2016 and I couldn't wait to load up a pipe and give er a whirl. The weather was starting to cool and the season was turning, so it couldn't have arrived at a better time, fall is here! Or so I thought. I was really disappointed with it upon introduction but one thing I've learned after many years of smoking a pipe is to never judge a tobacco from first bowl (give every blend a 2 ounce go before making up your mind). Of course I couldn't help but come up with all sorts of negative impressions and my mantra for the entire bowl was, "what was I thinking, this is just another crappy aromatic... a fart in the wind." I was pretty upset that I bought an 8 ounce bag of the stuff. By the second bowl, I had become a believer! This smells and tastes like fall in a pipe! I can discern the pumpkin, the cinnamon and the vanilla. It tastes like these pumpkin spice pancakes I get around this time of year from a local diner. It's delicious and it has a beautiful room note as well. Yes, it's a little on the moist side and it's far from a natural tasting tobacco but it really hits the spot this time of year. Unfortunately, the fall weather that was developing turned out to be just a cruel tease and the heat came back with a bang. It looks like we have more summer to endure here in Central Texas. I can't wait till the cooler weather hits and the families start to gather cause you can bet your last dollar that I'll be smoking this lovely aromatic when I'm feeling festive. My only regret is that I didn't buy more of it cause this is it folks! This is the last year you'll see this blend on the market. You can thank the F. (freakin') D.A. for that along with all the other hundreds of wonderful blends our friends will be regulating out of the industry.

*Edit (9-10-17) Yeah, I just can't deal with this type of aromatic anymore. There is absolutely no taste of tobacco to be found here and the flavorings just seem artificial and worst of all there is hardly any nicotine. I do find that if you mix some Bogie with it that it makes it more enjoyable but on it's own I just can't recommend it any longer. Sorry for my bipolar review, I just can’t tolerate heavy aromatics like this one anymore. However, it is a top quality aro and I really appreciate the theme of it.

This is a very good smoking tobacco! They gave out samples of this at the party on the first night of the 2015 Nashville Pipe Show (I highly recommend this show by the way). Anyway, I smoked a bowl of this before I read what it was supposed to taste like. First impression was a well tempered aromatic; I tasted vanilla a little bit but also detected some other flavors, all in good proportions. It may be the power of suggestion, but I do concur that it tastes like pumpkin and spice. It was a very pleasant smoking experience from the perspective of one who usually get burned by aromatics, a very cool smoking blend.

Newer to pipe smoking and this is currently the best aromatic I have had.

Very smooth smoke and its smell/taste is awesome.

I had more of the nutmeg smell and taste over pumpkin.

Really enjoyed and would recommend a try

I love this blend, which is odd. I usually don't care for than pumpkin spice type of thing in food. However, its great in a tobacco. Really puts you in a fall mood. Please keep in mind that I mixed this with some strong burley, as I usually do with aromatics.

The tin note was very good, very upfront with the cinnamon. On light up, the pumpkin and cinnamon are coming through and the vanilla files in after, into a nice tobacco flavor. Very good!

And so, my dreadful tale begins. By way of a recent excursion, I found myself within the remote countryside of Westchester County on sequestered mid-evening’s stroll amid the wooded hills and vales that charitably touch the swift rolling currents of great Hudson River. Not yet being precisely sweater weather, the abiding air was nonetheless crisp as October’s chilly timbre was gingerly at hand. From the cordial serenity of a quaint little Dutch villa known as Sleepy Hollow, my sojourn had led me along a forested path of brilliant autumn splendor. There is something uniquely special about the Fall with all its colorful ambience that ingratiates my heart with a defined level of added humor.

As I sashayed along in tranquil gait, I soon observed that the openness of the woodland lane that I presently traversed was made increasingly narrow by a stand of ancient trees, that in effect, formed a natural arboreal closure. At the approximate distance of about fifty yards from my rooting these jagged oaken sentinels stood twistedly tall with a somewhat menacing influence. The abridging doorway arranged by their gnarled and knotted limbs arguably contained the entrails of a decidedly disputable looking partition of the hollow lying directly ahead.

On the sudden there came an insurgence of breeze whereupon the night’s sky grew exceeding dim almost to the state of unnatural darkness given its usual daily course. With that quickening, the closing day’s air gave way to a heightened ominous chill. I shuddered to its piercing embrace as a biting authority set to harrowing upon the rear side of my neck.

To my right, I was distracted shortly by the glimpse of a dazzling cascade of dried and decrepit golden leaves as they swirled erratically over an errant pumpkin patch, of which seemed to appear from virtually nowhere. Either my cursed eyes had failed me or there is something unmistakably incorrect about this matter I reasoned with myself.

Somewhat shaken by this peculiar development, I fixated with more discernment on this run of vegetation with its officiously green elephantine leaves and menagerie of tentacle-like vining. Straightaway I stood aghast. You see the spread of bulbous melons assumed a creepy luminous glow of flaming orange opulence against the backdrop of the now threatening blackened horizon. To make circumstances worse, upon these assumingly harmless tethered fruits, I watched as apparitions of wicked Jack O Lantern features appeared to statically flash and as God is my witness, registered the low sound of primeval giggling. Then I heard it, a thundering of more dire infamy.

From the deeply dark interior of the presumed peaceful hollows came the shrieking terror of piping lore, eek gad! In violation of all human vision, I spied a fiery-eyed steed charging relentlessly towards me as it bore the sinister blackhearted phantom of renown himself. And within this headless devil’s eerie grave-rotted hand, clutched a scarred pouch containing the celebratory seasonal haunting of legendary namesake the frightening Sleepy Hollow. The revenant Straus Tobacconist smoking banshee that pairs a tasteful mélange of assorted Cavendish, spooked Burley, and sweetly moaning Virginia. A foreboding stew delightfully spirited by a ghosting of tasteful autumn flavorings.

With a rather pensive and dreadful gaze, I looked upon the advancement of the mild-bodied bogeyman. Coming to quarters with a forceful halt, it now stood over my entirety, solemnly poised upon the insidiously thumping and snorting muscled steed. I found myself dwarfed by the terrifying bigness of its horrid attendance and a genuine fear began to painfully wretch within my internals. However, there was something strangely alluring just at that. Yes, something indeed that compelled me investigate the contents of the ethereal fiend’s purse.

Thrusting its grim member freely, the saddled monster slowly swung the coveted satchel within foreseeable reach, which caught me gawking in bizarre curiosity. Selflessly grasping the weathered sack from the ghoul’s possession, with a degree of unsettling trepidation, I saw that it revealed a vexing figment of variegated tobaccos. By all accounting the substance queerly floated forward shadowing my vision with a lustful ribbon-cut pillage of darker reckoning.

Witnessing the whole of this Sleepy Hollow blending now, I spied a handsome mixture modeling the colors of the season, golden yellow, burnt orange, decedent brown, and a blackness straight as the pitch of the evening’s looming sky. The leaves showed every inch of fine culturing and fermentation. My hopes were that perhaps this was a clear indication that the poltergeist held within came in earnest with a promise of flavorsome bliss.

Regaining my immediate senses, I was alerted by a memorable wafting essence the seemed to sing. A burst of bright pumpkin spice bundled with traces of cinnamon, nutmeg, lively allspice, and healthy ginger refrained in my presence, gayly harmonizing with a chord of tender creamy vanilla.

A further distant hum seemed to be coming forth by way of a remote citrusy tart voice and some warmer nuttiness accompaniment. Just as I registered these notes a spellbinding arpeggio crossing a scaled aberration of brown sugared root beer spice, bittersweet anise, and determined chocolate overtone sounded with a whispering echo. And finally, a bit native zest formed the crest of the mixture’s enchanting song. To all the heavens, what a perfumed tune this banshee sang friends!

Instinctively I set loose my calabash feeling heartedly possessed by this maniacal aromatic-centric and decapitated figure. A disembodied voice resounding pure phantasmagoria came thus forth, calling to me in a tone of unchambered acrimony it bellowed, “you must smoke my elegant offering dear sir, lest befall to the ills of my unforgiving wrath”. What could I do for heaven’s sake, for I am not of imprudent upbringings. With a nod of consent, I quietly acquiesced to the beast’s bulled warning.

Pinching a pillowy wadding of this spectral concoction I stuffed the bowl of my pipe in quick haste. To the touch it felt not of this world, yet I felt a shroud of comfort fall upon me. How odd this seemed to me, easement posed by the injunction of fear. Is there truly such a thing?

My trembling hands struggled to light the pipe for fear of the potentially horrific outcome should I not submit to the horseman’s command. Mustering every ounce of bravery within my being, I managed to collect my wits and overcome this troubling moment of arrestment. Much to my elation, I was instantly hailed with a wonderfully complete celebration of savory “autumn-esque” flavor.

The serendipity of the Fall quickly swooned over my palate as a fantastically tasteful obsessing of sweet aromatic flavor lent the masterful hand. Rather than mortally horrifying, the prime top-coatings of this Sleepy Hollow mystery were quite amiable in their temperament. For the most part, a politely obliging sweet earthy pumpkin registered as the dominant element within the melee of housed spirits.

Still yet further, deliciously additive spicing materialized, obviously a curious result of some secretive black magic played out by the gruesome rider. Namely, the tasteful gamut of culinary seasonings of note were evoked, dancing beautifully with the foremost pumpkin featuring. With this autumn-like affluence, I was genuinely taken aback by the exquisiteness of its inner soul. Truly enamoring was its triumphant effect!

Continuing on with this spritely indulgence, I soon came to bear with a transient remarking from an indistinct goblin that was manifestly reminiscent of soft baked goods. Perhaps a tell-tale sign of Virginian bread within or some hidden sub-phantom lurking in the shadows of the mixture’s recipe. Additionally, more determined notes of dark strapping molasses and toasted sugar came forth with extraordinary fervor. And as I proceeded to relish the discarnate nature of this specter’s registration, I became further perplexed by a wave of mottled and graceful colorization brought on by a strong basting of fructuous honey, mellow vanilla, and a residing souffle of muffled chocolaty swirling. Fullness of consistent flavor in a word can only describe my relieved reaction.

The impact of the spell originating from the native varietal was of minor disturbance. However, as the bowl progressed the invocation of roasting Burley nut joy and the sweet grassy tang dressed in floral tart of the Virginia grew with added merit. Last there was trailing haunted gasp of eroded zest emitting from the collection of Cavendish that this uncanny spook had aptly administered. This embellishment showed its force at the close of each drawl as it curtained the flowing matrix of flavor throughout the endearing experience.

All in all, Sleepy Hollow’s memorable impressions were orchestrated by the accentuation of the melodiousness and grandeur of the additive coatings rather than embolden native varietals contained within. Nothing frightful at the end of this unsuspected course but rather sheer sweet piping contentment is where the mixture soon found me.

As one should imagine the fragrance evoked by the thick spirited clouds of smoke was as enchanting as the blend’s pouched nose and reveling taste. It posed a heavenly aroma not unlike grandma’s kitchen on a day of delightful pumpkin pie baking for that matter. Although I must attest that the horse-riding phantom did in fact assure the dashed infusion of some alluring earthen citrus spice and dauntless wood as a smiling complement to the lavish bouquet. A most pleasant air by most plausible standards.

Much to my overwhelmed relief, the phantom’s concoction showed no inclination for bite. Nor were there any vile signs of tedious roughness in its lovely texture. As one would have it, the delectable weed singed at a most comfortable cool pace despite the select gratuity of tasteful dressings that had been applied. Clearly a most enjoyable piping adventure in retrospect. Figuratively I lost my own head over its aromatic excellence. Do you reward yourself well with a sitting spell of this fiendish ensemble, for the season is ripe for all its pleasantly haunting goodness. 3.5 Pipes

3rdguy

Not a big aromatic smoker but this is one of the best and 1 of 2 aromatics that I cellar. I have to dry it for 4-5 hours for an easy smoke and no flavor will be lost.

Smoking out of a 14 month old jar and flavor holds true to this point. Actual smoke holds up to the tin note which is rare in an aromatic. Wife enjoys the room note.Burns to a white ash.

If there is a downside it is hard to come by, must call to order and Straus can sell out on this fast. I grab it by the pound when the stars align.