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Post by slowroll on Nov 11, 2018 13:39:20 GMT -5
Smoked a couple of bowls of this to see what it was about. This is partly a reverse review. I have some observations, then I am asking for some comments on what I'm missing.
I find it a pleasant latakia/oriental blend, reasonable smoky latakia flavor with lots of oriental tangyness. That navy Cavendish doesn't seem to have any effect other than adding bulk. My overall impression is meh, to ok. It strikes me as a more tangy version of C&D Byzantium with less latakia leathery campfire. Compared to C&D Engine 99, it has a lot more oriental, and way less Latakia. For me, it probably sits between Byzantium and Engine 99 in flavor profile. I actually like both of those better, Engine 99 at the top.
My question is, since this appears to have a lot of fans, what am I missing? Maybe years of latakia, cigars and Laphroig Scotch have made me immune to anything besides latakia overloads.
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Post by kxg on Nov 11, 2018 13:42:55 GMT -5
"Maybe years of latakia, cigars and Laphroig Scotch have made me immune to anything besides latakia overloads."
There are worse afflictions! But I can't help with your question.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 14:52:44 GMT -5
Seems your missing out on the light rum in the background, ( which you can definitely smell when opening the tin ) that mixes well with the fine orientals used in this fine blend. Steve, add a pinch of Latakia, I believe youโd enjoy more and find more complexity. The blend is best with 3 plus years of aging๐๐๐
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Post by LSUTigersFan on Nov 11, 2018 15:14:41 GMT -5
"Maybe years of latakia, cigars and Laphroig Scotch have made me immune to anything besides latakia overloads." There are worse afflictions! But I can't help with your question. All hail Laphroaig!! |
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Post by Cramptholomew on Nov 11, 2018 15:30:42 GMT -5
Seems your missing out on the light rum in the background, ( which you can definitely smell when opening the tin ) that mixes well with the fine orientals used in this fine blend. Steve, add a pinch of Latakia, I believe youโd enjoy more and find more complexity. The blend is best with 3 plus years of aging๐๐๐ I agree with the rum. To me, it's pretty forward, and brings the whole blend around nicely. |
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Post by slowroll on Nov 11, 2018 15:53:29 GMT -5
I can't taste any rum at all, that's what I'm missing I suppose. I can taste rum in a drink, but I don't detect any in the tobac.
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Post by addamsruspipe on Nov 11, 2018 16:04:26 GMT -5
I have to agree. The rum ties together all the different flavors that are there. I admit I am biased to blends that have rum but Black Frigate really does a good job of letting the rum enhance the blend.  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 16:10:00 GMT -5
I can't taste any rum at all, that's what I'm missing I suppose. I can taste rum in a drink, but I don't detect any in the tobac. Add a few drops of Laphroig Scotch and let air dry. Maybe youโll enjoy the blend more๐ |
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Post by addamsruspipe on Nov 11, 2018 16:22:55 GMT -5
You might have to drink an entire bottle of rum. After which everything will likely taste like rum. Assuming you can even stand at that point.  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 17:04:09 GMT -5
I can't taste any rum at all, that's what I'm missing I suppose. I can taste rum in a drink, but I don't detect any in the tobac. Add a few drops of Laphroig Scotch and let air dry. Maybe youโll enjoy the blend more๐ Sacrilege! Drink those drops! |
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 11, 2018 18:09:26 GMT -5
Got a tin on order based on Duanes' raving about it...should I let it age for a couple years before cracking the tin?
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flybypipe
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Post by flybypipe on Nov 11, 2018 18:15:13 GMT -5
Now you got me wondering about C&D Engine 99!
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Post by Cramptholomew on Nov 11, 2018 18:19:44 GMT -5
Got a tin on order based on Duanes' raving about it...should I let it age for a couple years before cracking the tin? I cracked it as soon as I got it. It was great fresh. I imagine even better with age. |
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Post by Baboo on Nov 11, 2018 18:21:59 GMT -5
I can't taste any rum at all, that's what I'm missing I suppose. I can taste rum in a drink, but I don't detect any in the tobac. Add a few drops ofย Laphroig Scotch and let air dry. Maybe youโll enjoy the blend more๐ Now THAT'S a damn good idea, but it won't be Black Frigate anymore :โชใ |
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Post by Baboo on Nov 11, 2018 18:23:33 GMT -5
Got a tin on order based on Duanes' raving about it...should I let it age for a couple years before cracking the tin? Seal a tin a Mason jar for about 4-6 months... the metamorphosis will being pleasure. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 18:25:43 GMT -5
Add a few drops of Laphroig Scotch and let air dry. Maybe youโll enjoy the blend more๐ Now THAT'S a damn good idea :โชใ Thatโs what I figured. I have a few Burley blends with Southern Comfort that I pressed and are excellent blends now๐๐๐ PS
Steve canโt taste any Rum, adding Laphroig Scotch would make it โ Just Frigate โ....lol |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 18:32:11 GMT -5
Got a tin on order based on Duanes' raving about it...should I let it age for a couple years before cracking the tin? Yo Walt.....I got AJ hooked on Black Frigate. The tin I gave him had a few years of aging. |
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ben888
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Post by ben888 on Nov 11, 2018 18:47:09 GMT -5
I recently opened a 2 years old tin of BF. I didn't like it. Can't really say why, but just not my cup of tea.
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Post by slowroll on Nov 11, 2018 18:56:29 GMT -5
Mighty interesting observations gents. I have to agree with don, i'd rather drink the Laphroag. I tried Scotch in a blend a time or 2, didn't do much for me. I think I'll just smoke more Engine 99. That is a great, leathery smoky blend with deep flavor and nuance, and it's about 35 bucks or so a lb to boot. I'm smoking it now and it's creosote nirvana. Almost as good as the old Balkan Sobranie 759. I might even mix it with my remaining Byzantium.
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 11, 2018 18:57:06 GMT -5
Well, I guess I am gonna try it fresh and get another tin for aging...that way I can see both tastes and see which I like better. Has Black Frigate been around long enough to get passed the FDA deeming regs.?
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Post by roadsdiverged on Nov 11, 2018 19:15:45 GMT -5
I'm smoking it now and it's creosote nirvana. Now I know what I'm ordering this week! |
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Post by Cramptholomew on Nov 11, 2018 19:16:42 GMT -5
Mighty interesting observations gents. I have to agree with don, i'd rather drink the Laphroag. I tried Scotch in a blend a time or 2, didn't do much for me. I think I'll just smoke more Engine 99. That is a great, leathery smoky blend with deep flavor and nuance, and it's about 35 bucks or so a lb to boot. I'm smoking it now and it's creosote nirvana. Almost as good as the old Balkan Sobranie 759. I might even mix it with my remaining Byzantium. I just got some Engine 99 in last week. Had my first bowl the other day. If you smoke that stuff a lot, it's not a wonder why Black Frigate doesn't scratch your itch. Engine 99 is SUPER STRONG stuff! Like the bottom of a French Press, grounds and all, strong - but in a good way. It's probably the strongest English style blend I've tried. I'd imagine it mellows some with age. |
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Post by kxg on Nov 11, 2018 19:19:19 GMT -5
Mighty interesting observations gents. I have to agree with don, i'd rather drink the Laphroag. I tried Scotch in a blend a time or 2, didn't do much for me. I think I'll just smoke more Engine 99. That is a great, leathery smoky blend with deep flavor and nuance, and it's about 35 bucks or so a lb to boot. I'm smoking it now and it's creosote nirvana. Almost as good as the old Balkan Sobranie 759. I might even mix it with my remaining Byzantium. I have been known to dip a pipe cleaner in my Laphroaig and use that to clean my pipe. Not as strong as Everclear, but it tastes so much better! |
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Post by roadsdiverged on Nov 11, 2018 19:19:28 GMT -5
I just read that it is Red Odessa (my absolute favorite) and the unpressed portions of pirate kake, which I love when I want kicked by lat. How did I ever miss this??
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Post by slowroll on Nov 11, 2018 19:20:49 GMT -5
Mighty interesting observations gents. I have to agree with don, i'd rather drink the Laphroag. I tried Scotch in a blend a time or 2, didn't do much for me. I think I'll just smoke more Engine 99. That is a great, leathery smoky blend with deep flavor and nuance, and it's about 35 bucks or so a lb to boot. I'm smoking it now and it's creosote nirvana. Almost as good as the old Balkan Sobranie 759. I might even mix it with my remaining Byzantium. I just got some Engine 99 in last week. Had my first bowl the other day. If you smoke that stuff a lot, it's not a wonder why Black Frigate doesn't scratch your itch. Engine 99 is SUPER STRONG stuff! Like the bottom of a French Press, grounds and all, strong - but in a good way. It's probably the strongest English style blend I've tried. I'd imagine it mellows some with age. Yep, smoke it every day, maybe twice. I never have it long enough to age more than a few months. I buy it 5 lbs a time. I hope it doesn't mellow if I have any lying around long enough. I like it just the way it is. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2018 19:23:40 GMT -5
Well, I guess I am gonna try it fresh and get another tin for aging...that way I can see both tastes and see which I like better. Has Black Frigate been around long enough to get passed the FDA deeming regs.? Walt, Black Frigate is good fresh....a bit better with some aging. Itโs been around for decades....itโs safe๐๐๐ |
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Post by roadsdiverged on Nov 11, 2018 19:27:28 GMT -5
I'm most likely going to order a pound without trying it first. Its red Odessa and pirate kake and I just dont see how I could not like it. If, by chance, I don't, I know who to contact to take it. Walt, if you dont want to open yours, wait until I come down. I have a tin that we can pop. Or if you do open it, I'll give you my tin if you share a bowl of yours. I only bought mine to see what the hype was about. I had no intention of buying more. If you happened to like it, I was going to leave my tin with you anyway |
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Post by qmechanics on Nov 11, 2018 19:32:44 GMT -5
I wonder has anyone ever produced a Latakia blend with Peated Scotch topping? It seems to me that this might be an interesting blend to try.
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chasingembers
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Post by chasingembers on Nov 11, 2018 21:24:31 GMT -5
Well, I guess I am gonna try it fresh and get another tin for aging...that way I can see both tastes and see which I like better. Has Black Frigate been around long enough to get passed the FDA deeming regs.? It's been around since the late '90s. You used to be able to buy one pound bricks directly from C&D prior to the Laudasi buy out. I've been smoking it for twenty years, and it's great fresh and aged. |
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Post by pepesdad1 on Nov 11, 2018 21:28:42 GMT -5
I'm most likely going to order a pound without trying it first. Its red Odessa and pirate kake and I just dont see how I could not like it. If, by chance, I don't, I know who to contact to take it. Walt, if you dont want to open yours, wait until I come down. I have a tin that we can pop. Or if you do open it, I'll give you my tin if you share a bowl of yours. I only bought mine to see what the hype was about. I had no intention of buying more. If you happened to like it, I was going to leave my tin with you anyway OK, Josh. If I get it before you get down here, I'll save it unopened and see what it is all about...much appreciate the offer. |
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