Tobaccos Moonshine Pipe Co. - XXX Blend

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3047)	2015-10-01		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

The Kentucky bourbon topping is mildly applied, and has a nice flavor, though it does weaken just a mite toward the finish. The smoky, woody, earthy, musty sweet Cyprian Latakia is a team player, yet occasionally tends to stand out above the other components without sublimating them. The Smyrna is woody, buttery sweet, floral, earthy, with a touch of spice, and is a little more obvious than the Virginia. The Virginia is grassy, and tart and tangy citrus sweet. The earthy, woody, nutty sweet burley plays a minor role, and doesn't show itself in every puff, but adds a nice dimension when it does. The strength is just past the center of mild to medium. The taste almost reaches the medium mark. The nic-hit is just short of the center of mild to medium. Burns cool and clean at a reasonable pace with no bite, and a moderately consistent flavor. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires an average number of relights. It has a pleasant after taste that slightly lingers. The room note is a tad stronger. Can be an all day smoke.

-JimInks

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DeathMetal.org (231)	2015-11-17		Mild	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Summary: a light English blend with warmth and sweetness from its Bourbon topping, good for casual smoking but too aromatic for many.

This light English blend emphasizes Latakia and Orientals, mostly the former, which when sweetened with this heavy Bourbon topping becomes a honey-like smokey flavor. The result is a mild smoke with what makes aromatics popular: it is difficult to burn too fast, smells good when it burns and provides a constant sweet flavor with tobacco overtones. More natural flavor comes through than in most aromatics, but the topping may still be too heavy for exclusively naturals smokers.

Thanks to Pipes Magazine forum member "aggravatedfarmer" for this generous sample.

Similar Blends: Hearth & Home - Dunhill BB1938 Match.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	guitar2mw (92)	2015-03-03		Mild	Mild	Medium	Tolerable

I know Jonathan, and I know that he has a preference for Frog Morton's Cellar. Whenever I heard that he was going to be coming out with his own signature blend, I was expecting a Latakia-laced whiskey blend. I enjoy FMC as well, so I figured I'd order a sample of this to give it a shot. Upon opening it the pouch, it the note was definitely bourbon whiskey. THIS is what surprised me. It smelled like a well-aged bourbon: sweetness, smoke, caramel, wood...it was all there.

The tobacco was fresh from the pouch and a bit moist, so I let it dry for a few hours before packing some in a cob. It took a flame well and never required a relight. The bourbon is present from the beginning, and teams up with the Latakia to give it a sweet smokiness that tastes delicious. The addition of Burley is also present, as it starts to show a bit of nuttiness around the last third of the bowl. It was well balanced and satisfied both my sweet tooth and my Latakia craving.

I would certainly recommend it to anyone looking for a good all-day smoke, or anyone who wants something different from the standard English blends. This one shouldn't disappoint anyone, as it is a perfect balance. I think Russ and Jonathan hit the nail of the head with this one. I'm interested to see what other goodies come from the Moonshine shed.

Pipe Used: Cob, Various briars

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

Similar Blends: Frog Morton's Cellar.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Ryan G. (5)	2015-03-18		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

Outstanding blend, rich, flavorful, cool and smooth. An aeromatic light English with a hint of Bourbon. An instant favorite! I cannot wait to see what He comes up with next.

Pipe Used: Parker Bulldog

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Pipes@cigars

Similar Blends: Frog Morton's Cellar.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2017-02-25		Mild	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This is pretty nice. The English portion is very solid. The Lat and Orientals are nicely balanced with the Virginias providing a firm backing. The Burley is hardly noticed. The bourbon topping is mild, but strong enough to leave no doubt about what it is. Has a nice sweetness to it as well. Burns cool and burns well. Overall, a pleasant smoke.

Mild in body. Medium in taste. Flavoring is mild.

Pipe Used: MM Little Devil Cutty, Little Devil Acorn, Marcus

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	jedibastard (37)	2016-10-30		Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

WOW!!!! What a disappointment. I hate to say it, but, its true.

The aroma of this out, and in the bag is phenomenal. Not too moist, and not dry either. Great little ribbons of gold and deep browns.

Then its time to light.

I thought a piece of plastic was caught in the tobacco, or something. It tasted like straight chemical, nonsense!!!! Then it went away. And i got a very faint tobacco taste, followed by more of that chemical taste.

So i smelled the smoke coming out of my pipe. No......no weird aroma, just really good smokey burnt tobacco. Almost like the bag note, but better.

I then tried a few more puffs. Same thing, burnt plastic. I couldnt puff any more.

Man....talk about a let down. I remember seeing this when it first came out. I am a bourbon fanatic, and an even bigger latakia fan. I didnt buy a lot, so i guess its not a huge waste. Ill just sit on this and see what happens down the road.

Pipe Used: Moonshine pipe co stoker

Purchased From: P&C

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2016-09-06		Mild	Medium	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

I didn't like this one so much. Hearing the comparisons to frog Morton cellar, I thought I would give it a try. Although I wasn't a big FMC fan, I found it alright. I found this to be less interesting.

I thought it was overly topped to my tastebuds and while the Latakia and Oriental was detectable, it had very little impact on the overall flavor. To be fair, I have not really found too many whiskey topped blends that I have liked. There are some such as HH Highland, C&D Pennington Gap and Peterson's Irish Whiskey that stand out to me. I would rank this one at the bottom of such whiskey laced blends, with blends such as Borkum Riff Bourbon Whiskey. Truth be told, I actually enjoyed that one more than this.

This does have its fans though and it was not repulsive in the least, Just boring. I will not reorder this one and gave more than half the 4 oz. I had away.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	ColinK (15)	2015-02-24		Mild to Medium	None Detected	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Looking for this to be a balance between FM Cellar and McClelland's Stave Aged 35. Definitely a spiciness right off the bat, but the sweetness never fully came in. The taste was a definite earthy sort of hay flavor with just a subtle hint of whiskey. Not an aro- so I think I may have been a bit let down by the strength of the whiskey, but a good tasting tobacco and a good first foray for Moonshine. Worth a shot for sure.

Pipe Used: MM Cobbit

Age When Smoked: Jarred for about two weeks

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

Similar Blends: Centered between FM Cellar and Stave Aged 35..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PiperRic (3)	2020-04-25		Mild to Medium	Mild	Mild to Medium	Pleasant

As a rookie pipe smoker, I may not distinguish one tobacco from another. I have smoked over 1 lb. of this blend and I can say that I like it. For me, it is a smooth blend, nice flavor and, for what my wife says, it has a pleasant aroma. I have to be careful and puff gently, otherwise it starts to bite and my pipe tends to gurgle. Overall I do enjoy this blend and I might consider ordering more. Cheers!

Pipe Used: 1

Age When Smoked: 46

Purchased From: pipesandcigars.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	rap (9)	2019-10-11		Mild	Mild	Medium	Very Pleasant

Moonshine is truly one of those hidden treasures among pipe tobaccos. It seems to me to be very reminiscent of a Balkan but the inclusion of a touch of burley and a very light bourbon topping really make this a special, standout blend. In the jar it is easy to pick up the latakia and the bourbon but they are by no means overpowering or oppressive. Very light, but ever present. So too, in the smoke. The latakia is always there but never dominates. It adds a nice smooth, smokiness that contributes to the depth and complexity of the blend without ever taking over. To my taste, the orientals really shine here, bringing a wonderful incense and floral aroma and flavor that is lightly sweetened by the virginia. The burley adds some nuttiness but it is never really obvious unless you search for it. The bourbon top note is more present in the jar than it is in the smoke but I think it helps set this blend apart from other balkan style blends. Always smooth, mellow and flavorful, this can easily be an all day smoke but really is best savored as an occasional treat.

Pipe Used: Savinelli KS320 and Savinelli 207

Age When Smoked: 1 year

Purchased From: Pipes and Cigars

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Appalachian Chef (52)	2015-05-17		Mild to Medium	Very Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant

An excellent blend. Smokey and smooth with just the right balance of Latakia. This one will live in my rotation for a long time! Sweetness comes in late, but you must sip slow to acquire it. Spiciness is up front. I love this blend and can't wait to try future blends from this talented artisan.

Pipe Used: Falcon Billiard

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: On-Line

Similar Blends: Frog Morton's Cellar.

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TLM (1)	2015-02-05		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

"Out of the gates with Authority. First blend from Moonshine Pipe Co. and Jonathan walks onto the scene demanding attention. From that first bourbon note upon opening the bag to the very last wisp of smoke that issues forth from the stem firmly clenched between your teeth this is a blend that requires your attention. Not an overpowering, chemical laden stew of flavors but a slowly developing, sensuous smoke. This is a solid English blend. But, it doesn't stop there. That hint of latakia smokiness blends smoothly with the burley to provide a cool, satisfying smoke that leaves you wanting more. Don't approach this blend ready for a quick smoke, Moonshine Pipe Co. XXX blend deserves to be savored and enjoyed. The only mistake you will make here is not buying enough, so get more now."

Pipe Used: Moonshine Pipe Co. Rocky Top

Purchased From: Pipes & Cigars, www.pipesandcigars.com

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	pylorns (14)	2015-02-05		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Immediate notes of strong latakia, and an immediate spice kick right off the charring light. After a few minutes the burbon sweetness came in and the latakia took the back seat to what I would call an english aromatic. It's surprisingly sweet and enjoyable.

Pipe Used: Brebia Sun

Age When Smoked: Week

Purchased From: pipesandcigars

Similar Blends: n/a.

Nobody has rated this review yet.