Robert McConnell Mature

This review is of a round green tin I bought from Germany. On it there were two descriptions, the first stating that it contains Virginia tobaccos in combination with Orientals, while the second, a little more elaborate, mentions the Virginia leaves’ provenance from Africa and Brazil and the Orientals’ from Greece and Turkey. It also describes the blend as sweetish and rich in aroma and flavor. On the site of the shop from where I bought the tobacco (Esterval’s Pipe House), there is yet another description, supposedly from the manufacturer, which states: “ Four different provenances Virginia and a portion of a sour-sweet Oriental tobacco are fermented together with the addition of a traditional subtly fruity fig casing in the press and then stored for ripening. A classically inspired flake, slow smoldering with cool smoke and gentle-sweet taste.” And from the Kohlhase & Kopp site Robert McConnell’s Mature tobacco is shown on a rectangular tin, it is described as consisting of dark, spicy, hand-grated Virginia flakes. And lastly, here on tobbacoreviews.com, it’s also shown in a rectangular tin, not round, and is described as consisting only of Virginia and an anisette flavouring is also mentioned.

So, what actually is the case? Is this a pure Virginia or an Virginia/Oriental blend, is it cased at all, and if yes with what, figs, chocolate or anisette? The safer guess, I think, is the tin description as the tobacco might have changed recipe through the years. But it does not mention a casing. The tin note on the other hand is quite fruity (haven’t had Erinmore for many years, but it kind of reminded me of that tobacco) and suggests to me that there is a (mild) casing. Anisette for sure it is not and I do not think its chocolate either, but it is possible that there could be some chocolate in it. The fig suggestion seems plausible but the aroma is sweeter, so to go along with the fig option, I’d say it smells like some kind of fig liqueur.

The cut of the tobacco is a broken flake, very similar in appearance to Scottish Cake. It consist of several hues of brown tobaccos and it is on the moist side. It is ready to smoke but it also gives one the option to dry for a few minutes if desired. Packs easily and after the initial char it smokes great without need for many relights. Great burning to the end, whether you dry it or not. It also has a nice medium strength with enough nicotine for a satiating smoke.

Taste is medium but nuanced. It’s mostly of a juicy, mildly tangy and yeasty natural tobacco with a delicate sweetness and the fruity topping is felt only mildly. The taste is mainly of tobaccos, not of the topping. At times, especially after relights or when the tobacco is smoldering I get some beautiful nutty notes. I cannot taste the Orientals per se but I have no reason to doubt their presence and they very likely are responsible for the nuttiness and might also add the sour note mentioned in the description.

Overall this is an excellent blend, and I recommend it highly to smokers of natural tasting tobaccos, not to those who smoke aromatics.

Here is another of my top 20 pipe tobaccos. Solid as a rock. This is a strong smoke. It lights well burns slow and brings forth a wonderful aromatic fog. I admit fully that I cellar a large stock of this tobacco. I like to smoke this over the weekend and I get more comments on the room note.

This blend is such a combination...broken frlakes from matured virginias and orientals topped with anisette..once the tin opens a wonderfull aroma comes out.citruses and spicy woods are combined with the unique anisette topping giving a very appealing smell.the broken flakes are very moist and some drying time is needed.packs and lights easy if dried and several relights are needed.while smoking the flavours are clear,natural and pleasing from the beginning till the end.virginias are in the front being citrusy,grassy and with some bread notes.orientals add some interesting florall notes,spices,woods and some earthy notes.the anisette topping supports the flavours without subtlimating them making it a unique smoke.burns slow and medium hot to ash with some moisture at the filter.nicotine level is almost medium and the aftertaste is sweet.nicotine level is almost medium with no chance of tongue bite.an all day plaesant blend.4 stars for the flavours and for the general idea for creating and processing this blend!totally recommended

This has easily became one of my favorite blends for sure. Almost full flavored dark Virginia with a deep cocoa sweetness and spice from the anise. I do get some allspice and clove notes too. The orientals add a fuller body with a lot of creaminess, honey oats, and seems to kill the acidic notes that are associated with virginas. Burns cool, clean, and has good nicotine content. This is definitely a sleeper blend that I could enjoy all day long.

Questo è un tabacco che nel tempo è stato (secondo me cambiato) da aromatizzato è diventato un aromatico. L’Anice descritto in confezione è solo un vago odore.

Questo è uno dei tabacchi poco conosciuti e, sempre a mio parere, ingiustamente snobbati dai più.

Il taglio è bello grossolano come ci si aspetta dal Broken. Gli aromi a crudo sono sensibili e variabili, da un fruttato, floreale dei Virginia, all’aspro, speziato degli Orientali.

Carico la pipa in piccoli tocchi sino a riempire tutto il fornello e creo una brace uniforme, lentamente. Questo tabacco per esprimere il meglio di sé deve essere fatto asciugare molto, quesi seccare. Gli aromi che arriveranno al palato stanno vari e mai monotoni. Innanzitutto lo speziato dell’Orientale subito seguito e superato dal virginia, molto fruttato ed erbaceo; proseguendo a fil di fumo il composto di uniforma, un lieve pepato al retronasale che appaga e quella frutta che varia dalla frutta secca alla mela; si la il dolce acido della mela. Ottimi i Virginia utilizzati. Gli Orientali sono la colonna della miscela danno il nerbo al fumare impedendo che la dolcezza del Virginia possa diventare, alla lunga stucchevole.

Credo che il Mature sia un tornare al fumo all’antico, quel fumare la pipa che si ha nell’immaginario collettivo. Il fumo è pieno avvolgente e a tratti anche cremoso, si lascia fumare, anzi ti seduce. Dopo una carica ne cerchi subito un’altra rimanendo sempre appagato, sazio di gusti ed emozioni.

Va fumato in meditazione. Richiede una quota di attenzione. Come quella bella donna con la quale sei in dolce compagnia che non puoi non dedicare tutte le attenzioni e cure.

Fumato frettolosamente si deteriora, diventa acido ed aspro, invece fumato a fil di respiro si esalta e ti da gioia, ringrazi di essere nel mondo della pipa.

Se lo si abbina con un buon tea costruito con te neri d’Assam, dello Sri Lanka e dai tè neri forti kenyani; insomma la miscela british, il gusto si esalta restando li inebriati.

Lo consiglio a chi ha esperienza del fumo della pipa in quanto va studiato e scomputò nelle varie tonalità di aroma che giungono al palato e al naso. La nota ambientale è piacevole.

Una miscela pomeridiana, da pausa.

Voto? 4,9/5