|
|
Post by Cramptholomew on May 7, 2019 14:31:14 GMT -5
Good guess kbareit , but it's just Sutliff Matured VA (515 RC). I did think that after I posted it. I just haven't had the 515 straight and fell into the trap. I'm going to have second smokes of the other two tonight to see if I can narrow down some of the flavors. I got a 1lb bag of it last month and the vinegar almost knocked me out when I opened the bag. Then I stoved some of it with Perique, and let that sit a week. It was SOUR. I love the stuff, but it needs a little airing out fresh. |
|
|
|
Post by roadsdiverged on May 7, 2019 14:45:18 GMT -5
The tartness is what led me to the blend that I mixed up. Dont get me wrong, I love the taste of it plain, but I wanted to tone it down some and add a little something extra to it.
I need to send you some.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wolfman on May 9, 2019 9:02:44 GMT -5
kbareit Blind Sample #2 When I first opened the bag I had no clue what I was in for. The bag note was not recognizable. It wasn’t offensive, it was unknown. The tobacco looks as if it were once attached to a plug or cake. I’m mildly curious. Here goes . . . Upon lighting, I get a strong tang-like sense. It’s sour, vinegary, and mouthwatering. My face lights up. I realize I’m smoking a bowl of red Virginia and this makes me happy. The Red Va isn’t alone, because I’m sensing a tingling, spiceiness on my tongue. It’s also slightly sweet. I’m going to guess this is Perique. The burn rate is quite slow and consistent. Even better. I get more time with my beloved Red, and I get to finish my book. The nicotine level is mild. I’m going to guess this is Sutliff Crumble Kake VaPer. If it’s not, I need to buy this like there’s no tomorrow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Wolfman on May 9, 2019 15:45:59 GMT -5
kbareit I smoked blend number 1 about two hours ago. This one stumped me. I noted vanilla. It was ever present. I’m going to give this another try tomorrow.
|
|
atison
Junior Member
Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
Favorite Pipe: MM Cobs
Favorite Tobacco: Whatever I am smoking at the time
Location:
|
Post by atison on May 11, 2019 13:13:43 GMT -5
First bowl of #3. Going to wait till I can have another bowl to give my full review but some thoughts. Bag note is smokey. Kind of latakia but not quite right.
Upon lighting, very cigarette like. Reminds me of camels. Was dreading the rest of the bowl....then.... Boom. It hit its stride after first tamp. Walnut and slight sweetness. Not as smokey as the bag note. No latakia detected in it once lit.
I am not running to buy a pouch/tin of whatever it is but I also ain't kicking it out of bed for eating crackers. Pleasant smoke that stayed pretty one dimensional. Definitely burley and maybe a touch of Cavendish and potentially something flu cured or stoved.
Bowl 2 should tell me more.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cramptholomew on May 11, 2019 13:20:56 GMT -5
First bowl of #3. Going to wait till I can have another bowl to give my full review but some thoughts. Bag note is smokey. Kind of latakia but not quite right. Upon lighting, very cigarette like. Reminds me of camels. Was dreading the rest of the bowl....then.... Boom. It hit its stride after first tamp. Walnut and slight sweetness. Not as smokey as the bag note. No latakia detected in it once lit. I am not running to buy a pouch/tin of whatever it is but I also ain't kicking it out of bed for eating crackers. Pleasant smoke that stayed pretty one dimensional. Definitely burley and maybe a touch of Cavendish and potentially something flu cured or stoved. Bowl 2 should tell me more. aaaah, this is gonna be good... |
|
atison
Junior Member
Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
Favorite Pipe: MM Cobs
Favorite Tobacco: Whatever I am smoking at the time
Location:
|
Post by atison on May 13, 2019 7:43:30 GMT -5
Ok, so had my 2nd bowl of #3 and this was a different experience. Not as cigarette like as the first bowl. This time I was picking up on some oriental notes. Didn't get as much of a burly aspect as before. It burned extremely cool which allowed me to get it trucking along a little too much and it fell a bit mute. Once I slowed it down the sweetness returned and I got more of that walnut but with an oriental type backbone.
Again, I am not running out to buy this one but it is intriguing. I am not a big burly smoker but I am guessing it has burly in it and some kind of oriental. I also picked up on an aftertaste that makes me think it has a topping, and not a real quality topping as the aftertaste wasn't very good. Maybe some cavendish, I don't know.
I got no guess on this one. Maybe I will put myself out there and say it is a pouch tobacco of lesser quality and not up to John Bull's standard. But thats all I got.
Sooooo Cramptholomew, what say ye.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cramptholomew on May 13, 2019 10:45:12 GMT -5
Ok, so had my 2nd bowl of #3 and this was a different experience. Not as cigarette like as the first bowl. This time I was picking up on some oriental notes. Didn't get as much of a burly aspect as before. It burned extremely cool which allowed me to get it trucking along a little too much and it fell a bit mute. Once I slowed it down the sweetness returned and I got more of that walnut but with an oriental type backbone. Again, I am not running out to buy this one but it is intriguing. I am not a big burly smoker but I am guessing it has burly in it and some kind of oriental. I also picked up on an aftertaste that makes me think it has a topping, and not a real quality topping as the aftertaste wasn't very good. Maybe some cavendish, I don't know. I got no guess on this one. Maybe I will put myself out there and say it is a pouch tobacco of lesser quality and not up to John Bull's standard. But thats all I got. Sooooo Cramptholomew, what say ye. THIS was Esoterica Margate. One of the most sought after blends out there. It has no burley. Just lat, orientals, and VA. I included it for this very reason. While I like Margate, it didn't blow my socks off either. It may also need a lot of age, since what I sent was only 4 months old. But, with a blend of such pedigree, you'd think it wouldn't need it. |
|
atison
Junior Member
Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
Favorite Pipe: MM Cobs
Favorite Tobacco: Whatever I am smoking at the time
Location:
|
Post by atison on May 13, 2019 11:48:33 GMT -5
Wow. That is a surprising choice for a blind tasting (appreciate you putting it in) and a perfect example of what these blind tastings can show us. I would like to think I wouldn't be swayed into liking it more if I knew what it was going in but we all get caught up in pedigree over actual experience.
This has been a blast. Now get going on your #3 and report back.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cramptholomew on May 14, 2019 19:28:02 GMT -5
Wow. That is a surprising choice for a blind tasting (appreciate you putting it in) and a perfect example of what these blind tastings can show us. I would like to think I wouldn't be swayed into liking it more if I knew what it was going in but we all get caught up in pedigree over actual experience. This has been a blast. Now get going on your #3 and report back. You know, I don't know if you have another bowl full left, but maybe spark it up and think of it this way - smoking it, it almost tastes less of SMOKE than it does of the tobacco that it's made from. That, in itself, makes it unique to me. The other Esoterica blends I have are somewhat the same way. They're fairly nuanced, but delicately. |
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on May 29, 2019 11:47:47 GMT -5
I've received Josh's blind tasting samples and will be smoking these before the weekend. Please look for some posts on my thoughts around then. Josh also graciously sent me a sample of his RD Mix, which I haven't tasted yet and look forward to, and some Two Friends Redwood, which I have tasted and find an interesting blend. More on that one later. Thanks, Josh.
|
|
|
|
Post by pepesdad1 on May 29, 2019 15:51:16 GMT -5
I've received Josh's blind tasting samples and will be smoking these before the weekend. Please look for some posts on my thoughts around then. Josh also graciously sent me a sample of his RD Mix, which I haven't tasted yet and look forward to, and some Two Friends Redwood, which I have tasted and find an interesting blend. More on that one later. Thanks, Josh. , if that is what he made and brought down for me to cellar as well as enjoy...then you are in for a treat! He made a great blend...good enough for me to want to cellar a jar. |
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on May 29, 2019 15:52:37 GMT -5
I've received Josh's blind tasting samples and will be smoking these before the weekend. Please look for some posts on my thoughts around then. Josh also graciously sent me a sample of his RD Mix, which I haven't tasted yet and look forward to, and some Two Friends Redwood, which I have tasted and find an interesting blend. More on that one later. Thanks, Josh. , if that is what he made and brought down for me to cellar as well as enjoy...then you are in for a treat! He made a great blend...good enough for me to want to cellar a jar. I am definitely looking forward to it. |
|
|
|
Post by roadsdiverged on May 29, 2019 18:37:12 GMT -5
At some point, someone has to NOT like it  |
|
|
|
Post by pepesdad1 on May 29, 2019 19:32:30 GMT -5
I don't think so^^^^...and my palate is nothing special.
|
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on May 31, 2019 14:00:03 GMT -5
Well, I am on my third bowl of Josh's blind sample #1. Here are my initial thoughts. First the blend appears to be a very mild English. It's at a good moisture level, a shag or ribbon cut, and burns evenly throughout the bowl without any relights.
This blend is a lighter English blend, mild with mild flavor and mild Nicotine level. In the bag it has a light scent of Latakia and Orientals (Perique, maybe, I don't know). There is a slight floral to it so I'm guessing Orientals. There is no other scent to it, so the base is not likely Virginia. Maybe Burley or Cavendish, though not black Cavendish. Colors are some black for Latakia, mid browns and light browns. I'm guessing some of the lighter browns are the Orientals.
Into the first half of the bowl, the Latakias are barely noticeable, the spices are actually a bit stronger than the Lat. That's why on the first bowl at least, i thought it might be Perique. But the second bowl tasted less like Perique and more like Orientals with a stronger presence of the florals. There is no flavor of Virginas yet, so I am guessing the base is brown Cavendish or Burley. I am beginning to get a sweeter sense on the tongue and a bit of nuttiness to it.
Through the rest of the bowl the Nic is very mild, so guessing this is definitely not Perique, but is Orientals. The nuttiness has become a bit more pronounced, so looking at the base being Burley, yet the sweetness on the tongue remains. So the jury is out on Burley vs Cavendish. Lat still in background.
Room note afterwards is quite indistinguishable, so I get nothing from that other than it is indeed quite mild and there is the hint of Lat in the air.
That's about it for now. I'll keep smoking it and post any additional information or changes to my conclusions (guesses).
|
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on May 31, 2019 14:01:13 GMT -5
Note: I've been smoking it so far in a briar. I'll try it in a Meerschaum and a cob and see if I get any differences.
|
|
|
|
Post by roadsdiverged on May 31, 2019 15:05:41 GMT -5
After reading your take on it, I had to second guess my memory and find the sheet of paper that I wrote each sample down on. Let me know whenever you want to know what it is. I'll get around to more of yours this weekend hopefully. Sinuses have killed my taste and life has been busy. |
|
|
|
Post by roadsdiverged on May 31, 2019 15:17:08 GMT -5
Btw... you're taste is dead on.
Cant wait to make a fool of myself when I do mine.
|
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on May 31, 2019 16:28:31 GMT -5
After reading your take on it, I had to second guess my memory and find the sheet of paper that I wrote each sample down on. Let me know whenever you want to know what it is. I'll get around to more of yours this weekend hopefully. Sinuses have killed my taste and life has been busy. I'll try the blend (#1) in a Meer and cob then ask for the name. I'm curious to see if it tastes ant differently in those pipes. |
|
|
|
Post by roadsdiverged on May 31, 2019 16:44:38 GMT -5
Sounds good |
|
|
|
Post by Cramptholomew on May 31, 2019 17:39:41 GMT -5
I still have atison's blend C to do. I keep forgetting. Darnit! |
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on Jun 2, 2019 13:08:47 GMT -5
Tasted Josh's Blind Tating Blend #1 in a cob and Meer. I got a little less of the Latakia flavor in those pipes. Mostly the spiciness of the Orientals. Maybe Briar enhances the flavor of Latakia. In the cob it tasted more like Perique, but in the Meer it was back to the Oriental flavor. In any case, Josh, let me know what's in the blend. I'm quite curious now. Otherwise onto Josh's Blind Tasting Blend #2!
|
|
|
|
Post by roadsdiverged on Jun 2, 2019 14:01:23 GMT -5
Deleted the post because of my own confusion and didnt want to spoil it.
But, sample 1 was Vintage Syrian
|
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on Jun 2, 2019 18:25:13 GMT -5
Deleted the post because of my own confusion and didnt want to spoil it. But, sample 1 was Vintage Syrian Wow, I would of thought more Latakia in that case, but it is definitely Orientals forward. Or, it's that Latakia that's no longer available and much smoother than the Cyprian. I don't think I've ever tasted Syrian Lat. |
|
|
|
Post by pepesdad1 on Jun 2, 2019 20:29:39 GMT -5
Vintage Syrian is outstanding...got a couple tins from AJ when he was selling it.
|
|
atison
Junior Member
Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
Favorite Pipe: MM Cobs
Favorite Tobacco: Whatever I am smoking at the time
Location:
|
Post by atison on Jun 3, 2019 7:46:17 GMT -5
I still have atison 's blend C to do. I keep forgetting. Darnit! Sooo much tobacco, so little time. |
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on Jun 11, 2019 13:36:39 GMT -5
Josh, I am now into your Blind Tasting Sample #2. First smoke was in a cob. The next will be briar. Initial thoughts: seems to be a smooth English blend. Heavier on the Lat than #1, lighter on the Orientals. It's so smooth I'm having difficulty pulling out specific flavors, other than the Lat. I'll keep puffing and see what it develops into.
|
|
|
|
Post by roadsdiverged on Jun 11, 2019 13:53:09 GMT -5
I havent forgot about yours, I just havent made my way to them yet.
I've smoked both and have a very general idea of what they are, but havent spent enough time with them to begin to describe them.
|
|
|
|
Post by sperrytops on Jun 13, 2019 16:10:02 GMT -5
Josh, I've been smoking Blind Tasting Blend #2 for a while now. Almost finished the sample. This one really has ne baffled. As I noted, I taste Latakia and a touch of Orientals in the background, but I can't pull out anything else. No Burley, No Virginia. I don't know if my taste buds died. It's a mild English that is very, very smooth. I'm really enjoying it. This is the kind of blend you could pull out and smoke anytime, without overwhelming yourself or anybody else. I've smoked it in briar, cob and Meerschaum, and it tastes exactly the same in each of those. Please put me out of my misery on this one and tell me what it is.
No rush on smoking my samples. Take your time.
Thanks, Perry
|
|
