Peterson Irish Whiskey

I did not find this tobacco to be as strong as some of the other reviewers have. As the tin says, I found it to be a mild, well-balanced blend that smoked evenly all the way through the bowl. The flavoring is light and I did not get any bite from this blend. I would recommend it as a morning or an all day smoke. The tobacco has a nice color, tin aroma and room note. If you like this, I would recommend McClelland's 221B Honeydew also. When I need a change, I smoke both as an occasional departure from stronger English blends and Virginias, which I smoke on a more regular basis.

I just finished two bowls of this back to back and I'm high as a kite! Seriously though, this is tasty smoke in addition to being potent in the nicotine department. The tin aroma reminded me a little of royal yacht with its rich, raisiny aroma but there's a beautiful chocolate dimension here too. Upon lighting, burley notes are at the fore and she's a wee hot, but the weed shows it's true virginia colors down the bowl much to my delight. As noted by other reviewers, the whiskey business has little to do with the flavour in the end--but don't let it scare you into thinking that this could be one of those borkum riff whiskey abominations! Not an all day smoke and not for a large bowl, but well worth a whirl, if you like whirling off into space as much as I do.

Wow after a couple bowls of this my body hair increased by 30%. This a strong but smooth tobacco. It reminds me of Gawith Hogarth's sweet rum twist which I also like without the sweet. I can't believe I like this, dare I say my tastes are growing up. You can taste the virginia's and the burley keeps the bowl going. I like this because it's easy to keep lit, is not at all harsh to the throut, slow puffing brings out the mellow earthy sweetness and it burns to the finest ash/powder I've ever seen. I also notice it gets more delicious as it ages a trait of quality leaf. Not an every day blend but a nice diversion every now and then. I agree with pipestud only serious smokers need apply, cause this ones for the man cave...

Some folks say this is strong without having lots of flavor. It is true that this blend does have rich base tobaccos - a brownish virginia and kentucky burley among others, and the taste and flavor are clearly mild to me, at most a light medium near the end of the bowl. I smoke this mainly outside taking my dogs for long walks. So I guess the fresh air is a way to dilute any stronger effects. But I've smoked it inside some too. It has a delicate taste accented by the spirits.

I can compare this to a few other liquor-like tobaccos. It has more body than the ultralight Scottish blend of Davidoff. It is not nearly as sweet or spicy as the McBaren Scottish whiskey,spiced cavendish Mixture in a rectangular tin. Nor is it a sweet as the CAO import called Malthouse Reserve (which can be a wee bit hot at times if care is not taken but a good flavor). Note: I generally don't review tobaccos I don't like pretty well or can't smoke much of, but I can use many blends -- some good, others not as good -- for comparison purposes, without reviewing them all individually. The three noted above are still fairly good smokes.

I have smoked this Irish Whiskey blend mostly in a large Peterson bent house system pipe -- which I bought from my local Metairie, La. Tinderbox and have held onto for over 10 years for such an occasion as this -- and in a few bowls of an Irish Second bent (also from Peterson) for comparison. The whiskey serves more to smooth and soften this blend, but it does leave its slight essence in the taste. Upon finishing one tin from Tim at PaylessPipes, I demanded another.

Cool, extremely mellow, fairly dry, and steady burning. The base tobaccos give the blend body but only a light flavor due to aging with the whiskey I imagine. If you want a little more whiskey in the flavor or more heavy virginia flavor, try McBaren or Gawith & Hoggarth, respectively, but this is a fine middle of the road example of a cool virginia mix with a touch of rich tobaccos and of spirit for a good long stroll. My Peterson is very happy!