Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic - Review
Dec 22, 2019 19:33:10 GMT -5
crapgame, Darin, and 9 more like this
Post by taharris on Dec 22, 2019 19:33:10 GMT -5
I want to preface this by saying that I don’t typically review blends. I don’t have the pallet for it. Most of the time I can’t tell you that I am tasting stewed figs and lemon grass, I just know if I like it or not.
I should also note that I am scared to death of most aromatics as they taste either like I am licking an ash tray or drinking lava.
i will also say that I am not a tobacco snob. I truly like Carter Hall and quite enjoy smoking it. Prince Albert and Half & Half, although they taste good, burn me mercilessly.
However, anyone who has been paying attention knows that I was challenged to try SWR Aromatic because “you might like it”, and so I did.
After scouring the little town of Troy, Ohio I finally found SWRA at a dodgy tobacco store called C.R. Butts (really).
After getting said tobacco and returning home I settled into my favorite chair and opened the pouch. I was pleasantly surprised to find a non-goopy tobacco with a perfect moisture level. The smell was sweet and somewhat pleasing, but I couldn’t identify the smell.
I loaded up my favorite Todd Harris billiard, steeled my nerves and, against my better judgement, lit up.
My first impression was that of overwhelming relief. I can usually tell if a tobacco is going to burn me after the first couple of puffs and it turns out that SWRA is not one of those blends that chooses to punish me for smoking it.
i then settled back in my chair, confident in the safety of my tongue, and concentrated on the flavor.
The flavor, however, proved to be as elusive as the tongue bite. The pipe was definitely lit. The clouds of smoke coming from my mouth and nose proved that, but still no flavor. At one point, half way through the bowl, I think I may have detected an ephemeral whiff of chocolate, but that may have been wishful thinking.
I guess I should also note, in fairness to Sir Walter, that my go to smokes recently are Fillmore and Old Joe Kratz, so I am used to a very full bodied smoke.
I summary, I found SWRA to be a very mild and well behaved though uninspired blend.
Todd
I should also note that I am scared to death of most aromatics as they taste either like I am licking an ash tray or drinking lava.
i will also say that I am not a tobacco snob. I truly like Carter Hall and quite enjoy smoking it. Prince Albert and Half & Half, although they taste good, burn me mercilessly.
However, anyone who has been paying attention knows that I was challenged to try SWR Aromatic because “you might like it”, and so I did.
After scouring the little town of Troy, Ohio I finally found SWRA at a dodgy tobacco store called C.R. Butts (really).
After getting said tobacco and returning home I settled into my favorite chair and opened the pouch. I was pleasantly surprised to find a non-goopy tobacco with a perfect moisture level. The smell was sweet and somewhat pleasing, but I couldn’t identify the smell.
I loaded up my favorite Todd Harris billiard, steeled my nerves and, against my better judgement, lit up.
My first impression was that of overwhelming relief. I can usually tell if a tobacco is going to burn me after the first couple of puffs and it turns out that SWRA is not one of those blends that chooses to punish me for smoking it.
i then settled back in my chair, confident in the safety of my tongue, and concentrated on the flavor.
The flavor, however, proved to be as elusive as the tongue bite. The pipe was definitely lit. The clouds of smoke coming from my mouth and nose proved that, but still no flavor. At one point, half way through the bowl, I think I may have detected an ephemeral whiff of chocolate, but that may have been wishful thinking.
I guess I should also note, in fairness to Sir Walter, that my go to smokes recently are Fillmore and Old Joe Kratz, so I am used to a very full bodied smoke.
I summary, I found SWRA to be a very mild and well behaved though uninspired blend.
Todd
