Robert McConnell Glen Piper

Glen Piper is something of an unusual tobacco, though in the best possible sense of the word. It is generally referred to as an aromatic, which I think is accurate, though in the context of most aromatics on the market today the term might be a bit misleading, leaving smokers who really fancy those other blends scratching their heads or shrugging their shoulders, while simultaneously putting off people who turn their noses up at anything of the sort. While the largest portion of my personal rotation consists of English blends, Virginias, VaPers and some Burleys, I've been smoking a fair bit of this lately and I think it deserves a little more press than it gets, so I'd like to share my impressions of it with you in the hopes that you not miss out on something you might enjoy.

First off, I have to say that I am disppointed that McConnell (or should I say K&K) has chosen to change the label from the traditional pastoral scene to a generic-looking lime green label with the name in a rather plain font. I assume that as with many European tinned tobaccos, they've modified the design to allow for the obnoxiously specious “Smoking Kills” warning that it seems by law must occupy at least half of the label. I think it detracts from the value of the brand somehow, robbing it of the history that we pipe smokers value. I have similar misgivings about Planta's changes to the James J. Fox labels. It's a minor complaint, though, so long as the blends retain their high quality, which is something I think Kohlhase & Kopp are dedicated to, if not so much to preserving the graphic art.

Once you take off the lid, however, you are greeted with the site of a beautifully colorful, ready-rubbed tobacco that might put one in the mind of an English mixture if it weren't for the rich, sweet aroma of fermented fruit that foreshadows the unique delights to be soon savored in the pipe. The skillful blending of Virgina, Cavendish, Honeydew and Perique, along with their subsequent pressing and flavoring, really do carry this experience through to the tongue, unlike many aromatics whose sweet aroma seems to be only of benefit to bystanders, with a flavor that may still be pleasant but different to the smoker.

From the tin, the tobacco benefits from perhaps fifteen minutes of air time before packing, though it seems it would lose something if allowed to dry too much, so you might want to load your pipe before it gets to the point where it doesn't stick together at all. I am not of the impression that much if any PG is added to this blend to retain moisture, which is unusual for an aromatic, and it will dry quickly in the open and faster than you'd think in it's rectagular tin. I'd recommend jarring this almost immediately if you don't think you'll burn through it in a week or less. The upside is that there is no sign of PG's funkiness in the taste or goop in the heel of your pipe. Packing is a no-brainer given the near-perfect cut, and I've had no trouble lighting and maintaining a good burn even with a little extra moisture.

To me, the aforementioned flavor of fermented fruit is the mainstay of this tobacco, but the rich Virginia base is there in spades as well, which not only makes this aromatic smoke more like a traditional flake or mixture, it adds a real depth to the flavor that is often lacking in Burley- or Black-Cavendish-based aros, where the flavor seems to sit on top and easily goes flat or even sours toward the end of a bowl. In my experience, the fruit flavor holds firm throughout, though the Virginia comes on just a little stronger in the end. Overall, the component tobaccos are well-balanced to do their job together, rather than taking individual bows, and give a consistent mild to medium flavor. It can nip a little if overpuffed, but it's not as finicky as you might expect. Nicotine may well leave you wanting if you require a healthy dose.

Personally, I'd highly recommend this tobacco. It's a unique smoke, in my experience, something to be enjoyed after dinner, perhaps, like a good dessert, or anytime you'd like a nice change of pace, a mild yet flavorful smoke, or a tobacco that others in the room could appreciate without having to compromise too much. I get a sense of history from this blend, as though more aromatics were once made in a similar fashion before the advent of heavy artificial flavorings and the humectants necessary to keep them from evaporating away, although I've learned since I originally wrote this review that Glen Piper was introduced around 1974, well into the era of modern aromatics. If you do try it, come to it with an open mind, as I think false expectations may lead to a less than satisfactory impression of it. It may not be on the top of everyone's list of favorite tobaccos, but I do think it has something for everybody to enjoy, at least occasionally. My overall rating: four stars / highly recommended as an aromatic, three stars / recommended among all styles.

It may be worth devoting a pipe to if you like it, as I could see it distorting the taste of a subtle Virginia flake smoked from the same appliance while Glen Piper itself has a somewhat delicate flavor that could be destroyed by a Latakia or heavy aromatic ghost.