The Country Squire Tobacconist Pilgrim's Muse

A perfect way to cap off the day. The strength makes it nice and relaxing, so probably not the best for a morning smoke before a busy work day.

The Latakia and Oriental spices take a back seat, lending extra body to the flavor rather than trying to take all the attention. The flavor and retrohale are full-bodied, sweet, grassy, and a bit fruity (pear or plum come to mind).

In the first third of the bowl, the different flavors skip around playfully and you get a varied experience. After that, all of the components settle down for a consistent and pleasant experience; also, at that point the Virginias add a bit more sweetness and a hint of sweet citrus.

The Latakia adds some smokiness, but not like your typical "lat-bomb"; rather, it is redolent of sitting next to an open fire with your favorite pipe.

The texture of the smoke is rich and velvety. Ideal for blowing smoke rings with a visiting wizard friend.

Quite a tasty blend, sweet but pleasantly so. Very satisfying. Hard for me to judge the room note since I smoke outside and usually by myself..

Posturing with refined complexion, Bag End tenders as an intricate recipe of sweet flue-cured Virginia, vibrant Turkish/Orientals, soft Burley, and reserved Latakia prepared in the standard Scottish tradition. Generally, somewhat milder in disposition, the ensuing aromatic experience builds a savor highlighting the features of a forward mature Virginia nuanced with the affluence of distinct complementing varietals. Overall, the medium strength, medium- full-flavor profile bestowed is characterized by a sweet, graceful tang accentuated by complex exotic spice and warm robust nutty wood. Leaning on careful balance and proper proportioning Bag Ends stand as noteworthy sampling of the Scottish genre.

Unsealing the package containing this bulk tobacco, one is greeted with a handsome matrix of ready rubbed strands and coarse cut fragments displaying a variegation of warm toned hues. Finely cultured strains of red, orange, golden browns, lace generously about the complementing blackened twists filling a brilliant palate of color. Judging from this assortment, Bag End present a significantly Virginia dominant face with what appears to be a level amount of Turkish/Oriental to Burley following by a modest showing of Latakia. What is more, the immediacy of consumption is aptly supported as the tobacco has been conditioned to an ideal level of moisture.

Pulling from lush meadows of the Shire, the preeminent nose that springs from the pouch models a succulent aroma of citrusy sweet Virginian grass. This bold vitalizing fragrance rides atop this distant notation of aged wood, soft tart pungency and docile musty barbequed spice. Breathing in its air the tactile effect is stirring by all accounts, signifying that Bag End’s accommodations should prove to be quite obliging.

In the spirit of true Hobbiton companionship, loading the churchwarden comes with simple ease as the mixture amiably fills the interior of the awaiting bowl. Striking the match, the magical properties of the blend’s true character soon reveal themselves. Categorizing this flair, a deep, dense, and highly complex string of flavorful notes strike the principal chords of Bag End’s gentle melody. This lovely tune resounds consistently to the completion of the smoking session.

Coming in unison with tasteful introduction, a sweetened tart fusty spice softly floats to the forefront, as a fusing of Virginian and Turkish varietals move forward in a delicate feathered manner. More so, the Virginia projects the dominant base line charm of gentle sweet tang, weathered grass, and bright sugary hay. Moving just a half step behind, the Turkish emits a perfumy band of floral exotic spice, fetidly soured moss, and varying nuances of notable pungency conceivably underscoring the use of multiple varietals.

Moving in and out with random registration, the Burley occasionally shows proud of the VA/Turkish leading influence with its toasty almond-like nutty-wood character accented by subtle notes of light mint, dark cocoa, and deep molasses. On the upper and rearmost perimeter of this moving triage of dense flavors the controlled woody, leathered smoky/charcoal annotated presence of Latakia provides the finishing relish. Finally, I suspect some diluted sugar-based casing has been delicately applied within this mixture as there is fleeting evidence of the same.

Essentially the roundness and symmetry of Bag End’s overall softened taste is truly amazing. By skillful blending each varietal is afforded proper equity in the effort to achieve tasteful elegance and harmony. Although the dance of the different strains is quite distinguishable in the registration, the choreography if you will, is quite seamless. Furthermore, the baseline Virginia plays out beautifully as it cradles the moving ambience of tones circulating above, supporting transitions that are silky in effect. For having no Cavendish in the mix, the achievement of smooth variable flavoring is truly a singular accomplishment.

Mechanically Bag End burns contentedly slow, cool, and evenly supporting the blender’s assertion of a prolonged relaxing experience; that it was. Every last ember sears complete leaving a thick gray ash of its memory. The texture of smoke is decidedly creamy and flowing, manifesting neither harshness nor discomfort on the palate. A generous column of lacy smoke rolls outward producing a room note rendered by a warm inviting aroma of soured earthen spice, dark wood, and some sweet barn-like hay notes. The duration of this essence is marked considerably, yet its presence lacks unyielding forcefulness making Bag End’s fragrance pleasantly tolerable. In sum, the blend imparts of charming spent persona.

In closing, although I duly attempt objectivity within my assessments in lieu of potential bias, I must declare that Bag End is one of the finest Scottish blends I’ve yet to encounter. During this trial exercise I found myself lost in the moment, being unconsciously captivated by the experience as it was unfolding. As I became more watchful to the experience, the impressiveness of this blend continued to astonish me. It’s as if this congenial Hobbiton companion had an interesting story to tell. So as not to miss out on any of the wonders of said narrative, I kicked back in my chair and with deep contemplation listened to the telling of the tale. Every nuanced syllable, every complex phrase rung true in merit and the parlance that transpired was truly comforting and most enchanting. To me this is what true pipe smoking bliss is all about. The journey to Bag End took me there and brought me back to a state of joyful contentment without question.

In paraphrasing the official marketing tagline, Bag End is one of those charitable blends that experienced pipe smokers can enjoy sipping in quiet reflection and physical relaxation, a complex and rewarding encounter. How very true these words are my friends. Most assuredly, Mr. Baggins would have extended a long pipe and an open jar of The Country Squire Bag End as a gracious welcome to the comfort of his quaint little Hobbit-hole.

As a newer pipe smoker, I am mainly exploring the different blends (I favor aromatic blends, although I am dipping my toes into the non-aromatic blends now) to find what I like.

Like many others, I am a huge fan for Tolkien! So naturally I wanted to try some of the available themed blends out there. So far as of 2021 the only easily obtained commercial versions are from The Country Squire and Just for Him. This review is for the "Bag End" blend from The Country Squire series, there are 6 blends with a mix of 3 being aromatics and 3 being non-aromatics (Longbottom Leaf sadly is no longer produced and I cannot try this mix).

Opening the bag, what I smelled was tobacco (hay, earthy) with a little spice and some leather.

The flavor I tasted was mostly the Virginia and burley with a bit of spice, the further I got into the bowl the more of the Latakia I tasted.

I previously tried the H&H Black House & White Knight blends and thought Latakia would be on my "I don't like" list, but this was just a sprinkle and I actually didn't mind it as it was not overwhelming. If I can find more blends like this where it is in the background and not in your face I may give them a try.

I did not have to dry this out before smoking, but it burned hot and I had to force myself to slow down to keep the tounge-bite away (probably a good thing, still learning).