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Post by herbinedave on Jul 16, 2018 17:06:54 GMT -5
First off this thread is not meant to bash anyone that writes reviews. I just want to make that clear on my end.
Over 30 years ago I started smoking a pipe. No internet and I was basically in the dark other then a kindly man who owned a B&M in State College, PA. Who told me I was either gonna like or dislike any pipe tobacco from the get go. Well this has worked rather well for me. I stick by the thumbs up or thumbs down way of doing things. It is either good or it is not.
A review is basically one persons opinion. There is so much mental, physical and chemical crap that comes into play, that I would think no two people would be tasting the same thing. They both may like the tobacco, but it could be for different reasons.
I am at a point where I keep a nice stock of the types of tobaccos I enjoy. I may receive a gift from someone and give it a whirl and you never know.
What I am trying to say is if you are able smoke the darn stuff your self. None of us need anyone telling us if a tobacco is good. We are able to figure that out by ourselves!
Also remember this is but my opinion and nothing I have typed is etched in stone.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jul 16, 2018 17:28:18 GMT -5
Good question.
At first, when I was first starting out, I read reviews and thought, 'mmm that sounds great,' only to find that the tobacco smoke tasted of smoke.
People who know me by now know that that's pretty much all I can taste.
However, what I do take note of, is the frequency of recommendations for a blend on this site.
So, for example, I've heard many people recommend Presbyterian mixture or dunhill my mixture 965. As a result, I'm more keen to try these out. They may just taste like smoke to me, but that's no different to any other blend... But maybe, just maybe, I'll find something that's worth reviewing myself.
It's either that or select a blend at random.
So I don't pay attention to the tastes or smells that are described in a review (because I'll never detect those). Instead, I take heed as to whether or not it's mellow or harsh etc. I find those descriptors more universal.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 17:56:59 GMT -5
Reviews are so much more than good vs bad, which is the least important part of a review
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Post by Ronv69 on Jul 16, 2018 18:27:10 GMT -5
Just like any reviews, movies, lawnmowers, etc., I try to read between the lines to find what the reviews mean to me. Give me the information and let me decide. JimInks is very good about this. If 10 people tell me that they don't like it, that doesn't mean anything to me, unless I know them and what their tastes are. I hate when someone who doesn't smoke aromatics posts a bad (or any) review of an aromatic blend. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 18:27:19 GMT -5
Dave, I agree, it’s either good or it’s not, I’ll know after the first bowl usually.
If I notice a pipe smoker that enjoys a similar genre of tobacco’s I do, I would give that blend a try. If it’s a tobacco I really enjoy I try to build a decent back up. I read tobaccoreviews.com and at times I have gone by recommendation, most of the time it’s worked well for me. I’ve smoked many blends, after the first bowl I knew right away I’d never smoke this “ crap “ again! I’m at the point right now I really don’t care to try a new release....One, if I enjoy the blend that means I need too also have sufficient back up immediately due to it being “ no longer in production “ shortly. Two, I have enough tobacco’s I really enjoy for the rest of my life right now, more then I could possibly smoke! So why spend money when I don’t have to, just purchase a few more of the Amphora Original ( even though I have plenty jarred ) and I’m done 👍
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Post by puffy on Jul 16, 2018 18:34:39 GMT -5
Many moons ago (pre-internet)I lived in an area that had several smoke shops close by.Most of them would let you sample a bowl to see how you liked it.I learned that like certain types of tobacco.When I read a review my first concern is what type of blend is it. I've tried a bunch of blends.Some of what I tried I didn't care for. The ones I did like though made it well worth the effort.I say reviews are a good thing keep then coming.Though I may not completely agree with all of them.
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Post by roadsdiverged on Jul 16, 2018 18:38:55 GMT -5
I read reviews on blends that interest me more or less to gather a flavor profile. Jim and Sam do a great job at breaking them down  Reading a review is neither a make it or break it for me. If I like the description of the tobacco, I order 4 oz (because that's what I put in a jar), or a tin. I figure 4 oz bulk is cheap enough and if I dont like it, I'm sure someone here would like it. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 18:43:17 GMT -5
Both comments above are points I was thinking about typing, but I was typing with one hand while navigating a bowl of Linguine. I don't always agree with JimInks on the rating, but that's subjective. His posts are invaluable if you taste something you can't define. Or, big in my book, are his comparisons of one version of a tobacco to earlier or later productions. @truculentfrogs and I were (not planned) smoking similar blends at the same time for a couple months. His reviews on SP are worth their weight in Penzance peterd-Buffalo Spirit Does the codgers, writes reviews, and posts about them in WAYS. Invaluable if you want to compare CH to SWR. Again, it's not so much better or worse, but what you get out of them I have noticed (and I hope it's the same person) haebar reviews on TR, as well as pipestud . I am not as familiar with the former, but am the latter. He brings a different dimension into reviewing tobaccos. More excitable. Sometimes that enthusiasm carries me to the Altar of SP to buy some brand. I would faithfully read The Man From INKS reviews even though I started smoking in allergy season and could taste little. Now I taste something that is barely there. I check Jim's reviews out and find out that his taste buds have gone before me. If your post was to generate opposing discussion, I salute you. You did your job. Edit - Since I started writing the post a couple more chimed in. Pretty much in agreement with theirs, too |
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Jul 16, 2018 18:45:52 GMT -5
I will say this, the reviews of Peter Stokkybye's English Luxury were mediocre at best (and still are).
But it is a damn fine, smooth, mellow, English smoke with a lot of very subtle complexities that I enjoy daily.
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Post by SCF Dan on Jul 16, 2018 19:06:37 GMT -5
Count me as a proud member of the JimInks and Wolfman fan clubs.
I use reviews, but largely in the aggregate as opposed to individual reviews. I do appreciate the time and effort that folks put into their reviews.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 19:10:57 GMT -5
Count me as a proud member of the JimInks and Wolfman fan clubs. I use reviews, but largely in the aggregate as opposed to individual reviews. I do appreciate the time and effort that folks put into their reviews. Thanks. I had a brain fart and forgot Wolfman 's in forum reviews. I have tried several tobaccos on his words alone |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 19:13:46 GMT -5
I will say this, the reviews of Peter Stokkybye's English Luxury were mediocre at best (and still are). But it is a damn fine, smooth, mellow, English smoke with a lot of very subtle complexities that I enjoy daily. I’ve stated this many times prior on here...” everyone’s palate is different “! To me Scotch tastes like after I vomit. Others have that acquired taste and will spend $200.00 on Johnny Walker Blue. “ TO EACH THEIR OWN “. |
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Post by unknownpipesmoker on Jul 16, 2018 19:18:36 GMT -5
I will say this, the reviews of Peter Stokkybye's English Luxury were mediocre at best (and still are). But it is a damn fine, smooth, mellow, English smoke with a lot of very subtle complexities that I enjoy daily. I’ve stated this many times prior on here...” everyone’s palate is different “! To me Scotch tastes like after I vomit. Others have that acquired taste and will spend $200.00 on Johnny Walker Blue. “ TO EACH THEIR OWN “. Well every once in awhile I run into a piper who can't stand Virginias, or even Burley! But I respect people's different tastes. Give me a good bowl of Ready Rub of Virginia Flake any day, though! |
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Post by flyinmanatee on Jul 16, 2018 19:26:41 GMT -5
I will say this, the reviews of Peter Stokkybye's English Luxury were mediocre at best (and still are). But it is a damn fine, smooth, mellow, English smoke with a lot of very subtle complexities that I enjoy daily. I’ve stated this many times prior on here...” everyone’s palate is different “! To me Scotch tastes like after I vomit. Others have that acquired taste and will spend $200.00 on Johnny Walker Blue. “ TO EACH THEIR OWN “. Read somewhere someone described a particularly smokey Lat blend as tasting of bacon vomit. Since it had bacon in the description I really didn't know how to take it. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 19:28:55 GMT -5
Above me^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ that’s hysterical 👍
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Post by Deleted on Jul 16, 2018 19:30:35 GMT -5
Every review is totally subjective, I like to take a concensus of all the reviews to average things out but put the most emphasis on comparisons to other tobaccos I'm familiar with.
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Post by peterd-Buffalo Spirit on Jul 17, 2018 4:22:53 GMT -5
… reviews are interesting reading...and are sometimes thought provoking...however, I don't rush to try any tobacco based on reviews...
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2018 5:30:02 GMT -5
… reviews are interesting reading...and are sometimes thought provoking...however, I don't rush to try any tobacco based on reviews... Like Peter, if I were to buy every tobacco that had a 3.5 or 4 star review I’d have at least 4 times the amount of tobacco’s I have now. The reading is interesting on other pipe smokers perspective but I surely don’t go run and place an order for the blend. I’ve smoked 4 Star reviewed tobacco’s and for me I’d be damned if I ever smoke them again. Also, one pipe smokers 1 Star review could end up being one of my favorites, you’ve all been there I’m sure. Example: many pipe smokers “ RAVE “ about Penzance as the holy grail, I have some but I can take it or leave it, ( every pipe smoker should try it for sure ) for me it’s on the blah side, here comes those “ nasty “ PM’s for my honesty...lol. My holy grail is either Stonehaven or any of Motzek Strang’s blends. Here we go again with the word “ subjective “, you get my point. |
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Post by william on Jul 17, 2018 7:31:58 GMT -5
I enjoy reading the reviews at TR. I know my taste in tobacco is far from mainstream, so I've wasted money on highly rated blends that I thought were horrible (Escudo, Mac Baren Navy flake, anything Esoterica, etc.). I found one reviewer who seemed to enjoy many of the blends that I do, so I tend to trust his reviews and always read his review of any tobacco I am considering. So thank you "Gentleman Zombie"--whoever you are. |
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Post by william on Jul 17, 2018 7:57:32 GMT -5
I should mention that I enjoy Sam's reviews that he posts here. He reminds me of the story about Mark Twain who wrote a lengthy letter to a friend and ended it with something like "forgive me for writing such a long letter, I did not have time to write a short one." I think his point was that when writing, concise and direct language is a virtue. That's why I like Sam's reviews--he gets to the point quickly without excess verbiage.... |
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Post by cgvt on Jul 17, 2018 8:07:02 GMT -5
As I try to expand my understanding and tastes in different blends, I will read reviews when I see a tobacco in the WAYS thread that I don't know to see what type of blend it is and if I may be interested in trying it.
I have found that, although I am not nearly at his level, I find a lot of the same flavors that JimInks finds, so I look at his review first. I also like the fact that he explains what he tastes in his reviews more that most reviewers. It also helps that I have learned enough to know what he means when he says something like "I find this to be more Virginia forward than English blends tend to be". A review of "this is great tobacco" doesn't do me much good, but saying what flavors make it a great tobacco help me decide if I may like it or not.
Sometimes I will try a tobacco and then read the JimInks review to see if what I taste and what he tasted jibe and if I should be looking for something I missed. For example, I was fortunate enough to get to visit Low Country Pipes and Cigars (the smokingpipes.com guys) in South Carolina last week. I tried a bowl of Peter Stokkebye Luxury Twist Flake while I was there. I liked it so I bought a pound. When I got home I had another bowl and was surprised by the very noticeable coconut topping that for some reason I didn't place when I smoked a bowl in the shop. I went to TR to see what others thought of it. Out of all of the reviews I read, only JimInks mentioned coconut. This really surprised me because, to me, coconut is a dominant flavor (it fades about a quarter of the way through the bowl).
I guess, to make a long story short, if I want to know how a particular tobacco will taste to me, and if I think I should try it, I trust JimInks' reviews to help me make that decision.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2018 8:10:05 GMT -5
A fair to middling amount.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jul 17, 2018 8:40:34 GMT -5
One other thing to say is that, for me, the number of reviews plays a part. I would trust something that's been reviewed 300 times over something that's been reviewed a handful of times.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2018 10:30:14 GMT -5
Well, let's just put it this way, most of the time if the reviewer states how great it is I won't like it and if they state how bad it is, chances are that it'll be my go to tobacco. Maybe it's because the way they write their reviews with all those words they search their Thesaurus for, which maybe what their tasting but, I certainly don't or rarely. Very few reviews come across to me to be even near what they taste like to me. Tobacco taste maybe to complicated or they make it complicated. To me it's not the sipping of fine wine, it's a good cup of coffee and I certainly don't try to make that complicated as some do. It's either good, too strong, too weak just bad. I've always gone by the rule K.I.S.S. (Keep It Smile Stupid) and that way it makes it much easier to explain and to enjoy. So, what I reckon I'm saying is, Reviews do me no to little good and I've found that just seeing a list of what is in it helps me choose something I may like. Lord knows I have a cellar of crap I don't like already and don't need anymore. Sorry but, you did ask!  |
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Post by herbinedave on Jul 17, 2018 13:38:23 GMT -5
Thanks for keeping this civil! We must always remember opinions are like bungholes, everybody has one!
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2018 13:59:01 GMT -5
Thanks for keeping this civil! We must always remember opinions are like bungholes, everybody has one! That’s like some people are a$$holes and most aren’t 👍👍 |
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Post by mwps70 on Jul 17, 2018 14:10:35 GMT -5
Before I order a new tobacco I read both Jim's and Pipestuds reviews. I love Jim's attention to the subtleties of his pallet. I don't have that distinguished of a pallet or haven't achieved that yet but I get a good idea of the flavors involved. I read pipestud because my tastes are much in line with his. I agree with the majority of his highly rated reviews. But in the end it comes down to your own taste buds as well as trying the tobacco in all of your different pipe options that you have. I make sure to try a blend in every style/shape that I have to find the most successful option. That is the proof in the pudding.
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Post by Cramptholomew on Jul 17, 2018 15:55:43 GMT -5
I read reviews. I don't take them as biblical truth though. Taste is definitely subjective. Pipe tobacco, much like vape liquid for vapers, is NEVER a sure bet. Someone swears by a vanilla custard based liquid, and all someone else tastes is Play-Doh. Same for pipe tobacco. Right now, I'm not a huge lat fan unless it's in seriously condimental amounts. So, if there's a 4 star review for something, and I find out it's heavy on the lat, I usually pass. If there's a blend that sounds good, and someone writes a review of a blend containing lat, and laments the lack of lat in the blend, I can usually discern that it might be just enough lat for me. There are bad reviews for some of my current favorite blends, and some of my favorite blends are between 2-3 stars on the reviews sites. I usually read several reviews, and average them. Then it's up to me to buy and decide for myself.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 17, 2018 16:43:19 GMT -5
Thanks for keeping this civil! We must always remember opinions are like bungholes, everybody has one! I think some people have two!🤡 |
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Post by Baboo on Jul 17, 2018 17:14:57 GMT -5
96.7% of the reviews perused, I take with a hardy dose of salt; the other 3.3% I take on appreciative advisement. No such thing as a "Gospel" Review.
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Reading a review is neither a make it or break it for me. If I like the description of the tobacco, I order 4 oz (because that's what I put in a jar), or a tin. I figure 4 oz bulk is cheap enough and if I dont like it, I'm sure someone here would like it.
