Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Sutliff PS Cabaret Rouge

Tin Notes:
This fine blend of Virginia and Black Cavendish offers a new direction with its complexity, aroma and sweetness

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of sweet figs. On the charring light the predominate flavor was of figs. On the true light the sweetness from the Virginias was added to the taste. After the first half of the bowl the flavoring faded out and the natural taste of the tobacco remained.  Cabaret Rouge burned cool and well without any relights. It burned to the bottom of the bowl with a little dottle left.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Mac Baren Halberg Red

Tin Notes:
The 125th anniversary of the Halberg family as owner of Mac Baren Tobacco Company is what lead to the creation of the Halberg tobacco line. The 4th generation of Halberg, Henrik Halberg, took great effort in this job to create a tobacco line which would serve as a highlight of 4 generations of tobacco manufacturers. This Halberg blend is unique and a pleasure to all of the senses. Your eye is greeted by a colorful blend of cross cut bright Virginia tobaccos, clear brown Burleys, a soft Virginia Cavendish, and in addition to all these tobaccos the blend contains pieces of 2 different flake tobaccos. These different tobacco cuts are then hand blended into this extraordinary blend.
The nose is greeted by a scent of gentle sweetness. When smoked, the perfect balance between natural tobaccos, subtle flavor notes and cross cut Virginia flakes create a slow burn in your pipe and an exquisite aromatic smoking pleasure.
 
     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of the aroma of the Virginias. On the charring light and the true light the flavor was of sweet hay from the Virginias. About a quarter of the way through the bowl there was the earthy taste form the Burley started to come through along with a hint of vanilla. The combination of all the flavors made for a great smoke. Halberg Red burned well leaving a light gray ash at the bottom of the bowl. I would recommend this blend to any pipe smoker and it also has a nice gift tin.

Search for locations to purchase Halberg & Cube Gift Tins

Friday, December 20, 2013

Mac Baren Halberg Green

Tin Notes:
The 125th anniversary of the Halberg family as owner of Mac Baren Tobacco Company is what lead to the creation of the Halberg tobacco line. The 4th generation of Halberg, Henrik Halberg, took great effort in this job to create a tobacco line which would serve as a highlight of 4 generations of tobacco manufacturers. No effort has been spared when the tobacco grades were selected. From tobacco fields of 3 continents, the absolute best bright Virginia and ripe Burleys leaves were harvested. A part of the tobacco blend is pressed into cakes, hereafter cut into small pieces and hand blended with the exclusive ribbon cut and cross cut Virginias. The nose is greeted by a scent of gentle berries mixed with a hint of exotic fruits. When smoked the perfect balance between natural tobaccos, subtle flavour notes and cross cut Virginia flakes create a slow burn in your pipe and an exquisite aromatic smoking pleasure.


     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Very Pleasant

The tin note was of berries. On the charring light and the true light the flavor was of the berries. About a quarter of the way through the bowl there was an earthy taste that started to come through along with a hint of exotic fruits. A little bit further into the bowl the sweetness from the Virginas was apparent. The combination of all the flavors made for a very festive holiday smoke. Halberg Green burned well leaving a light gray ash at the bottom of the bowl. I would recommend this blend to any pipe smoker and it also has a nice gift tin.

Search for locations to purchase Halberg & Cube Gift Tins

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Mac Baren Halberg Yellow

Tin Notes:
The 125th anniversary of the Halberg family as owner of Mac Baren Tobacco Company is what lead to the creation of the Halberg tobacco line. The 4th generation of Halberg, Henrik Halberg, took great effort in this job to create a tobacco line which would serve as a highlight of 4 generations of tobacco manufacturers. From 3 continents, the best Virginia and Burleys have been selected with great care. One part are cut into a ribbon cut, one part is bigger pieces of fine Virginia as a cross cut and finally the last part is pressed and cut into small pieces of flake. Finally all tobaccos are gently hand blended into the final blend. The nose is greeted by a scent of fruit enchantingly combined with vanilla notes. When smoked the perfect balance between natural tobaccos, subtle flavour notes and cross cut Virginia flakes create a slow burn in your pipe and an exquisite aromatic smoking pleasure.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of berries and citrus. On the charring light the flavor was of the berries. On the true light a citrus flavor was added. About a quarter of the way through the bowl there was an earthy taste that started to come through along with a hint of vanilla. A little bit further into the bowl the sweetness from the Virgins was apparent. The combination of all the flavors made for a great smoke. Halberg Yellow burned well leaving a light gray ash at the bottom of the bowl. I would recommend this blend to any pipe smoker and it also has a nice gift tin.

Search for locations to purchase Halberg & Cube Gift Tins

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Mac Baren Cube Bronze

Tin Notes:
It all starts with the carefully selected raw tobaccos which Henrik Halberg, owner and Master Blender, personally has selected in various parts of the world. These tobaccos combined with the skilled craftsmanship at Mac Baren makes this blend not only special – it makes it unique. The loose cut Virginias and the modern Cavendish gives the blend a soft and mellow taste. The Virginias are a broader cut than normal, which together with the ready rubbed Burley tobaccos guarantees you a slow and pleasant smoke. When enjoying the Cube Bronze you will experience soft taste of vanilla and chocolate in combination with a natural tobacco taste. It is a unique smoke with fulfilling pleasure from the start to the end. The Cube box is divided into 3 parts, each part showing the 3 unique elements: tobacco – craftsmanship - taste. It’s in the box.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of chocolate and cherries. On the charring light the flavor was of chocolate. On the true light there was subtle hint of cherry added to the mix. About a quarter of the way through the bowl there was an earthy taste that started to come through along with a hint of vanilla from the Cavendish. The resulting flavor was delectable. Cube Bronze burned cool and well leaving a light gray ash at the bottom of the bowl. I would recommend this blend to any pipe smoker and it also has a nice gift tin.

Search for locations to purchase Halberg & Cube Gift Tins

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Mac Baren Cube Silver

Tin Notes:
It all starts with the carefully selected raw tobaccos which Henrik Halberg, owner and Master Blender, personally has selected in various parts of the world. These tobaccos combined with the skilled craftsmanship at Mac Baren makes this blend not only special – it makes it unique. The loose cut Virginias and the modern Cavendish gives the blend a soft and mellow taste. The Virginias are a broader cut than normal, which together with the ready rubbed Burley tobaccos guarantees you a slow and pleasant smoke. When enjoying the Cube Silver you will experience the creamy sweetness in combination with a natural tobacco taste. It is a unique smoke with fulfilling pleasure from the start to the end. The Cube box is divided into 3 parts, each part showing the 3 unique elements: tobacco – craftsmanship - taste. It’s in the box.  
  
     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Very Pleasant

The tin note was of raisins or figs. On both the charring light and true light the flavor was of figs. About a quarter of the way through the bowl there was an earthy taste that started to come through along with the sweetness of the Virginias. The resulting flavor was delightful. Cube Silver burned cool and well leaving a light gray ash with no dottle. I would recommend this blend to any pipe smoker and it has a nice gift tin.

Search for locations to purchase Halberg & Cube Gift Tins

Monday, December 16, 2013

Mac Baren Cube Gold

Tin Notes:
It all starts with the carefully selected raw tobaccos which Henrik Halberg, owner and Master Blender, personally has selected in various parts of the world. These tobaccos combined with the skilled craftsmanship at Mac Baren makes this blend not only special – it makes it unique. The loose cut Virginias and the modern Cavendish gives the blend a soft and mellow taste. The Virginias are a broader cut than normal, which together with the ready rubbed Burley tobaccos guarantees you a slow and pleasant smoke. When enjoying the Cube Gold you will experience the exciting fruity taste in combination with a natural tobacco taste. It is a unique smoke with fulfilling pleasure from the start to the end. The Cube box is divided into 3 parts, each part showing the 3 unique elements: tobacco – craftsmanship - taste. It’s in the box.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Very Pleasant

The tin note was sweet and fruity. On both the charring light and true light the tin note delivered on its promise. The flavor was of sweet fruit and tangy citrus. About a quarter of the way through the bowl there was an earthy taste that started to come through. The resulting flavor was delicious. Cube Gold burned cool and well leaving a light gray ash. I would recommend this blend to any pipe smoker and it came in a nice gift tin.

Search for locations to purchase Halberg & Cube Gift Tins

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Sutliff PS French Quarter

Tin Notes:
Whatever your interests, the French Quarter has something for you. Daily visitors marvel at the beautiful architecture, the art galleries, the museums, restaurants and bars. In short, the French Quarter is a great place to explore history and culture or to shop. You will find this intriguing mixture of Burley, Black Cavendish and Virginia to be an absolutely different pipe tobacco. In that regard it is very much like the French Quarter itself; never boring yet always demanding attention.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of coffee. The tobacco did not need any drying time. On the charring light and the true light the flavor was of the nuttiness from the Burley with a hint of coffee. About a third of the way through the bowl the vanilla from the Black Cavendish was added to the flavor mix along with the sweetness of the Virginias. French Quarter took a few tries to get started due to the cut of the tobacco. But once it was lit it burned to the bottom of the bowl without re-lights. The flavors were subtle so I would recommend this blend to both Aromatic and Non-Aromatic smokers.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Halberg Cube Gift Tins


Sutliff has some neat gift tins available for the Halberg & Cube tobacco blends. The nice box comes pre-wrapped for the your pipe smoker.  I think that any piper would truly enjoy these blends.

Search for locations to purchase Halberg & Cube Gift Tins




Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Sutliff PS Alexander Bridge

Tin Notes:
Many people think the opulently decorated Alexander Bridge to be the most beautiful in Paris. This symbolic historical monument is a blend of decorative art and exuberant architecture. Mere words cannot describe the beauty of this technical marvel portraying Russian-French friendship. It has to be seen to be appreciated. Much like the Alexander Bridge, this marvelous Aromatic Blend has key elements painstakingly brought together to create something aesthetically pleasing. Red and Gold Virginias mix with Rich Burleys to mingle in harmony.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of cognac. The tobacco seamed a little damp from the tin but it burned well. On the charring light the predominate flavor was the cognac. On the true light there was a nuttiness that started to come through from the Burley. About a third of the way through the bowl I got the sweat hay flavor from the Virginias. Alexander Bridge burned cool all the way to the bottom of the bowl. Three out four bowls had no re-lights and the other had just one.

Friday, December 6, 2013

Sutliff PS Kentucky Planter

Tin Notes:
Prior to 1864, Red Burley was the type of Burley grown in Kentucky. The Civil War was raging and because of a scarcity of seed, George Webb purchased what was available. This new variety, White Burley, proved to be superior and forever changed smoking history. This soft and aromatic blend of all AAA Burleys is testimony to that fact.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note had the aroma of the Burley. The blend was ready to smoke right from the tin no drying time needed. On the charring light and the true light the predominate flavor was the nuttiness from the Burley. Further into the bowl I noticed the slightest hint of vanilla. The tobacco burned cool and well with out re-lights. It left gray ash at the bottom of the bowl with no dottle. I would recommend this blend to any Non-Aromatic smoker.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Sutliif PS Roma Vita

Tin Notes:
Rome has a decidedly different pace from other European cities. Typically dinner starts sometime past nine, but with lively conversation and free flowing wine, it can last until the wee small hours. Sidewalk tables are perfect for people watching at busy squares like Piazza Navona. This incredibly, smooth and aromatic mixture of Burley and Virginia is the perfect after dinner smoke, whether relaxing or just people watching.


     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of sweet red wine. The blend was ready to smoke right from the tin no drying time needed. On the charring light and the true light the predominate flavor was mild nuttiness from the Burley. The flavor did not live up to its tin note. If the red wine flavor was there it did not come through. The tobacco burned well and left gray ash at the bottom of the bowl.

Monday, December 2, 2013

Sutliff PS Old Vienna

Tin Notes:
This exquisite Aromatic blend of Premium Burley and Black Cavendish is worthy of the name Old Vienna. For quality is reflected in every puff with this triple blended and triple flavored masterpiece.


     Strength: Mild- Medium
        Flavor: Mild-Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant


The tin note was of vanilla. The tobacco seamed a little damp straight from the tin but it burned well. On the charring light the predominate flavor was the vanilla from the Black Cavendish.  On the true light there was a tanginess that started to come through. About halfway through the bowl I got a faint hint of cinnamon which was very interesting. Old Vienna burned cool all the way to the bottom of the bowl.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Sutliff PS Navigator Blend

Tin Note:
Chart your course for an adventure in smoking pleasure with this superior mixture of all Dark Tobaccos. This soothing, sweet Aromatic lends itself to relaxation, allowing the imagination to soar.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of vanilla. On the charring light and true light vanilla was the prominent flavor. Half of the bowls that I smoked also had a subtle tanginess in the background. Half way through the bowl  notes of chocolate came through. The tobacco burned cool and did not require re-lighting. This tobacco is a good vanilla aromatic and I would recommend Navigator to aromatic smokers.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Sutliff PS South Seas

Tin Notes:
A tropical paradise awaits you, no matter which South Sea vacation you decide to choose. This much is constant, cool breezes, balmy weather, churning surf, the salt spray of ocean air, and of course, sandy beaches. Allow yourself the luxury of briefly escaping to paradise with this delicious mixture of Virginia and Rich Burley, sweetened with tropical fruit.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of sweat tropical fruit. I could not discern the exact fruit but it was delightful. On the charring and true light tropical fruit was the dominate flavor. Shortly after the sweet hay flavor from the Virginias was added to the flavor. As for the Burley I did not sense the nuttiness that it usually releases. South Seas burned cool and all the way to the bottom of the bowl without relights. If you are looking for a taste of the Tropics this is the blend for you.

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Sutliff PS R-Blend

Tin Notes:
Perfect for fans of Revelation. This unique blend astounds with its dominant yet still subtle fruity notes. The base is an equally complex mixture of Burley, Virginia, Latakia, Perique, and Flake.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Very Mild
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin note was smoky and earthy. On the charring light the smokiness of the Latakia was in the front. On the true light the spiciness of the Perique joined into the mix. About a third of the way the nuttiness of the Burley kicked in.  At this point all the flavors melded into a great well balanced smoke. The blend smoked well without re-lights and burned down to the bottom of the bowl leaving no dottle. The Latakia in R-Blend is in the background once the other tobaccos worked their way into the picture.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Sutliff PS St. George’s Blend

Tin Notes:
Today’s pipe smoker is like a paladin of old. Who better to fight for a noble cause? Enjoy all that is good by smoking this exceptional mixture of Black Cavendish, Rich Virginia and Sweet Black Cherry.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of black cherry. On the Charring and True lights the flavor was of tangy black cherry. After a few puffs the Virginia released enough sweetness to eliminate the tanginess of the black cherry but not the cherry flavor. Due to the Black Cavendish this blend smokes very cool. It burned well, all the way too the bottom of the bowl without leaving any dottle. The black cherry flavor was not overpowering. I would recommend this blend to anyone looking for a cherry tobacco that does not taste like a cough drop.

Friday, November 1, 2013

Sutliff PS Bacchanalia

Tin Notes:
If ever there should be a blend worthy of the Roman God of Wine that blend is Bacchanalia. In consensus among wine connoisseurs and smokers alike, this fine Burley and Virginia blend is worthy of lasting admiration

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of sweet red wine. The tobacco did not require any drying time. On the charring light and the true light the flavor of the red wine came to the front. After a few more puffs the Virginias released some citrus flavors into the mix. At half way through the bowl there was a hint of nuttiness from the Burley. At this point the blend's flavor stayed consistent.The blend burned cool and stayed lit well. The great red wine flavor stayed in the front throughout the bowl. I would recommend this blend to any aromatic smoker.

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Capstan Gold Flake

Tin Notes:
Lord of the Rings fans rejoice! When the author of the famed and recently celebrated works lit his pipe we can be relatively sure that Capstan pipe tobacco was most likely what was burning. If you're a fan of Virginias and especially the Virginia  Flakes you'll need to pick up at least one each of these straightforward Capstan blends to realize that a great blend does not need a multitude of components to captivate your senses.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Very Mild
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin the aroma was of sweet hay. It was ready to smoke right out of the tin no drying required. On the charring light and true light the flavor of sweet hay was the predominant flavor. At one third of the bowl the Virginias released some citrus tanginess. The flavor remained consistent from this point to the end of the bowl. This blend smoked all the way to the bottom of the bowl with no dottle. This is the milder of the two flakes from Capstan. If you are looking for a pure Virginia smoking experience this is the one to try.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Capstan Original Flake (Blue)

Tin Notes:
Lord of the Rings fans rejoice! When the author of the famed and recently celebrated works lit his pipe we can be relatively sure that Capstan pipe tobacco was most likely what was burning. If you're a fan of Virginias and especially the Virginia  Flakes you'll need to pick up at least one each of these straightforward Capstan blends to realize that a great blend does not need a multitude of components to captivate your senses.

     Strength: Medium - Strong
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant to Tolerable

Upon opening the tin the aroma of prunes and figs came wafting out. It was ready to smoke right out of the tin no drying required. On the charring light and true light the flavor of figs was the predominant flavor. About one third of the way into the bowl the flavor of hay started to show up. The flavor remained consistent from this point. This is a tobacco that must be sipped to avoid tongue bite. This blend smoked all the way to the bottom of the bowl leaving a light gray ash with no dottle.

Friday, October 25, 2013

Mac Baren Bell's Three Nuns

Tin Notes:
A blend of dark fired and sun cured tobaccos mixed with the finest Brazilian Lights to produce the unique flavour and mellow smoking characteristics for which Three Nuns is famous.

     Strength: Medium - Strong
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin note was of spiced figs. On the charring and true lights the sweetness and tanginess of the Virginias were the predominate flavors. Less than one third of the bowl the spice of the Dark Fired Kentucky joined in the mix. I tried packing my pipes two different ways. First what I consider to be my normal packing the 3 Step Method* and secondly a loose pack. The first packing method the tobacco burned hot and the spice was boardline overpowering. The using the second method the tobacco burned much cooler and the spice was perfect. My recommendation would be to pack this blend loose and often. I recommend this blend highly.


* The Step 3 Method
Start by gravity-feeding the pipe to overflowing (sprinkle loose tobacco into the chamber until it mounds up over the top). Next, press the tobacco down until it’s compressed down to about the halfway point. Repeat the gravity-feed and pack to tobacco down to the 2/3rds to ¾ level. Repeat the gravity-feed and pack the tobacco down until it’s just below the rim of the chamber. At this point, take a draw on the stem. If the draw has a similar resistance to sucking soda through a straw, you’ve done it properly. If it feels like an empty straw, you’ve packed too loosely; if it’s like a thick shake, it’s packed too tight.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Sutliff PS Balkan Luxury Blend 957

Tine Notes:
Just as the Balkan Countries are a melting pot, this intriguing blend is an intermingling of Oriental, Perique, Latakia, and Black Cavendish. Experience the rich flavor as each of these fine tobaccos marries into the mix.

     Strength: Medium - Strong
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin note was smoky. On the charring light the aroma of the Latakia and Orientals came forward. On the true light the coolness of the Cavendish kicked in. After a few more puffs the spiciness of the Perique was very apparent. Making this a blend that needs to be smoked slowly. The blend produced a large volume of smoke and burned down to the bottom of the bowl. The combination of the tobaccos culminated in a wonderful flavor. I would recommend this blend to any smoker of English blends.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Sutliff PS Academy

Tin Notes:
Plato’s academy was devoted to analyzing what could be known by the senses. The old philosopher surely would have been intrigued by the appearance, aroma, taste and feel of this pleasing aromatic spiked with Spicy Latakia. Sure to appeal to both Aromatic and English smokers.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was mildly smoky. On the charring light the smokiness of the Latakia came right to the front. On the true light the Black Cavendish's slight vanilla and the nuttiness of the Burley joined in and pushed the Latakia to the background. The tobacco burned cool and well. This appears to be a crossover blend that both Aromatic and English smokers will like. This would also be a good tobacco for a smoker new to Latakia.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Sutliff PS Top Shelf

Tin Notes:
While age and proof help define Top Shelf Bourbon, the deciding factor is taste. This extraordinary mixture of Burley, Virginia, and Black Cavendish is unsurpassed in smoothness and richness.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Medium to Strong
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Very Pleasant

The tin note was an amazing Bourbon aroma. On the charring light the Bourbon was the predominant flavor. On the true light the sweetness of Virginia became evident. About half way through the bowl there was a slight nuttiness in the background from the Burley. Through out the bowl the main flavor was then Bourbon. The tobacco burned well and had a few re-lights. I like the Bourbon casing very much. If you are looking for a Whiskey/Bourbon aromatic look no further.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Mac Baren HH Old Dark Fired

Tin Notes:
This blend is the 5th of the HH tobaccos. It is considered to be an English-style blend but, without Latakia. The meaning of “English-style” is because the techniques used in the production are very similar to how English factories used to produce tobacco in the past.
HH Old Dark Fired is a bold flake of dark-fired burleys in a well-balanced unity with Flue-cured Virginias. This flake is Hot Pressed, meaning that during the pressing, heat is added by steam to the tobaccos which causes the tobacco to intensify the marrying process giving us a bolder tobacco. The robust, earthly flavor of the dark-fired burleys shines through in the taste, and you will experience a deeply satisfying smoke indeed.

     Strength: Medium to Strong
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Medium to Full
Room Note: Tolerable

The tin note is amazing it had the rich smell of smoked meat. On the charring light the sweetness of  Flu-cured Virginias came to the front. On the true light the nuttiness of the Dark-Fired Burleys joined in. It seemed that with every puff more flavors were apparent earthiness, smokiness, and tartness. They all joined in to create symphony of great flavor. The tobacco burned well with only a few re-lights. It smoked all the way to the bottom of the bowl with little dottle. After having a few bowls I let the tobacco rest a little over a week and when I open the canning jar the note had a definite tomato aroma mixed in with the smoked meat smell. My understanding is that this is cause by the Virginias maturing. This did not last once I put the tobacco into my pouch. I recommend HH Old Dark Fired to anyone who enjoys a full flavored blend. 

Friday, October 11, 2013

Sutliff PS Man’s Best Friend

Tin Notes:
Perfect for fans of Barking Dog. Another American Classic in the English vein. Smooth toasted Burley cubes blended with premium grade Latakia and Lemon Virginia Flake. Cased with a uniquely mild rum top dressing to produce a subtle pleasing flavor and room aroma.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant to Tolerable

The tin note was smoky and earthy. On the charring light the smokiness of the Latakia was the prominent flavor. On the true light the nuttiness of Burley and tanginess of the Lemon Virginia flake kicked in and pushed the Latakia to the back ground. This blend has a well balanced flavor. The Latakia remained in the background after the charring light. The tobacco burned cool and produced a good volume of smoke. It smoked all the way to the bottom of the bowl and left a light gray ash with no dottle. I would highly recommend Man's Best Friend.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Sutliff PS Charlemagne

Tin Notes:
This extraordinary blend of Burley, Virginia and world famous Green River is the epitome of culture as exemplified by Charlemagne himself.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of vanilla and rum.  On the charring light the vanilla was the dominate flavor. On the true light the sweet hay from the Virginias added to the vanilla made for a great flavor. At about a third of the way through the bowl the nuttiness of the Burley came to the front. The rum flavor never really came out. The tobacco burned cool and produced a good volume of smoke. I would recommend this as an all day blend.

Monday, October 7, 2013

Sutliff PS CD Blend Mixture

Tin Notes:
Perfect for fans of Country Doctor. This remarkable blend is the cure-all for smoking nostalgia. Burley, Virginia, Latakia, Flake and Perique combine to provide that old time flavor.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was combination of smoky and figgy. This blend was ready to smoke right from the tin no drying time needed. On the charring light the smokiness of the Latakia was came to the front. On the true light the Latakia had moved to the background an the flavor of sweet hay from the Virginia took over. The Perique's pepperiness and slight nutty flavor from the Burley mixed in after the first third of the bowl. By the half way point the Perique and Burley were the major players in the flavor.  The tobacco burned well and stayed lit with a few re-lights.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Mac Baren Mixture (Scottish Blend)

Tin Notes:
When Mixture first appeared on the market in 1958, it was the object of much attention. Pipe smokers could now enjoy a finely balanced pipe tobacco offering a fine blend of tobacco leaves with a slightly aromatic flavour.
This was the result of many years of development, inspired by Jørgen Halberg’s great store of knowledge of tobacco leaves and the production of pipe tobacco.
Mixture is made from more than 35 different tobacco leaves from different parts of the world. Each leaf has its own special qualities and only by blending them in the right proportions does Mixture achieve its unique flavour.
Naturally, what goes into Mixture remains secret, although we can disclose some information. The loose cut tobacco in Mixture is light, sweet Virginia. One of the secrets behind the special pleasure that Mixture provides is that pressed Virginia and Burley tobaccos have been added, but they are broken up prior to being blended with the rest of the secret ingredients. Our meticulous pressing process imparts new qualities to the tobaccos that would otherwise not exist. The breaking up of the pressed tobaccos makes it easier to fill your pipe, while giving Mixture the added advantage of burning slowly. In addition to the best Virginia and Burley tobaccos, there is another component that makes Mixture unique. The loose cut Mac Baren Original Cavendish provides the final special touch. Contrasting the light Virginia tobacco, Original Cavendish is not only a joy to look at, it also gives Mixture the final nuance of taste that completes the blend. The carefully balanced aromatic top flavour, together with the tobacco leaves, makes Mixture a unique blend.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of honey and maple. The tobacco did not needed to be dried before smoking. On the charring light there was notes of honey, maple and leather. On the true light the sweetness, of the Virginias and the nuttiness of the Burley became evident. The tobacco burned well producing a large volume of smoke. This tobacco should be puffed slowly to avoid tongue bite. This blend is listed as an aromatic, but the casing is very light and unobtrusive. I would recommend this blend to anyone.

 

Monday, September 30, 2013

Mac Baren HH Vintage Syrian

Tin Notes:
The HH Vintage Syrian is not really new. Actually, the inspiration for the recipe originates back from the start of Mac Baren Tobacco, more than 120 years ago. This blend is typical for that time, and it is easy to describe as a “back to nature” tobacco. The taste of the HH Vintage Syrian Latakia comes from the full and rich natural flavours of the tobacco.
The basic ingredient of the blend is a smooth and yet powerful Latakia from Syria. This tobacco gives the blend the overall “smoky” taste. It is a powerful flavour with no tongue bite whatsoever. To add a spicy note to the blend, Turkish Oriental has been added. A mix of Virginia tobaccos from three different continents adds a sweet natural taste. To complete the recipe with depth and body, we added a little Dark Fired Kentucky from the USA.
The HH Vintage Syrian Latakia is a loose cut tobacco, which guarantees a smooth and steady burn. It does not get hot which means you will find extremely little bite on your tongue. When you empty your pipe after smoking, you will find only fine grey ashes left over from this wonderful slow and dry smoke.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Tolerable

The tin note was earthy and smoky. This is a Latakia forward blend. Right from the charring light the Latakia made its presence known. The rich smoky flavor came right to the front. Which was not surprising based on the tin note. On  the true light the Turkish Orientals joined the party as well.  After the first third of the bowl the Dark Fired Kentucky was added to the flavor. The Earthy and smoky flavors were still the dominate factor to the end of the bowl. Even once the bowl was done I could still taste the Latakia. The tobacco burned well and produced a light gray ash. I had almost no relights. I will definitely be smoking more this tobacco. I highly recommend this blend to any who is looking for an English blend with Latakia forward.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Mac Baren Virginia No. 1 Ready Rubbed

Tin Notes:
Virginia No. 1 is a real Mac Baren classic which was introduced in 1957. Ever since this blend has found fans all over the world due to the sweet natural taste of Virginia tobaccos with just a hint of flavour on top.
Virginia No. 1 is composed of 100% bright Virginia tobaccos from 3 continents. All together the Virginia No. 1 contains 12 different Virginia leaf tobaccos, each with its very own properties. In combination the different leaves marry together in a perfect and natural unity.
This is a Ready Rubbed tobacco which means that the tobaccos are pressed into big blocks of tobacco and then stored under pressure for weeks. Finally the blocks are cut into slices and partly rubbed out.
If you fill your pipe with Virginia No. 1, just as you find it in the pouch or tin, you will experience a slow burning tobacco with a natural sweet Virginia taste.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of fresh mowed hay. The tobacco needed to be dried for a short amount of time before smoking. On the charring light the flavor was of hay and honey. On the true light the sweetness of the blend came out even more. Having only Virginias in the blend one might think that it would have only a one note in flavor. But with the use of multiple types of Virginias there is a symphony of flavor. Sweetness, Tartness, and Woodsy just to mention a few. The tobacco burned well and I had almost no relights. This tobacco is like a single malt scotch it is meant to be sipped slowly.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Mac Barren Plumcake Navy Blend

Tin Note:
Plumcake brings your imagination back to the old times when the sailors filled their pipes with good, satisfying pipe tobacco.
This blend consists of carefully selected Virginia tobaccos in a beautiful ribbon cut, Burleys cut as a ready rubbed, some Original Cavendish and finally to top the blend off, a handful of Latakia is added.
All together the different tobaccos add a perfect taste of natural sweetness and a smokiness coming from the Original Cavendish and of course, the Latakia.
It is a full-bodied blend with offers the natural tobacco taste and on top of these excellent tobaccos we have added some genuine Jamaican Rum.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Very Pleasant

 The tin note was of figs. The tobacco needed to be dried for a while before smoking. On the charring light the flavor was of the Virginia with a slight hint of the Jamaican Rum. On the true light the smokiness of the Latakia and the Cavendish added to the flavor. The amount of Latakia in this blend is minimal. The flavor remains way in the background. The tobacco burned well and produced a light gray ash with no dottle. I had almost no relights. This blend can be enjoyed by smokers of both Aromatic and English blends,

Monday, September 23, 2013

Mac Baren Dark Twist Roll Cake

Tin Note:
Dark Twist was introduced in 1955. It is rightfully the most known of the Mac Baren Roll Cake tobaccos. Whole leaves are used as wrapper for the rope and the inlay is divided into two groups.
The first group contains 100% pure Virginia tobaccos, meaning that the whole leaves are used as wrapper leaves and the leaves with small imperfections are used as the inlay.
The second group contains whole Virginia leaves as wrapper and Dark Fired Kentucky as inlay, meaning you see the dark tobacco in the centre and the brighter Virginias around it.
After the tobaccos have been spun into ropes it is stored for weeks and then cut into small coins. The blend of Dark Twist is broken down as follows. For every 2 coins of Virginia tobacco there is 1 coin with a centre of Dark Fired Kentucky.

     Strength: Medium - Strong
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was the rich scent of the Virginia was great. The tobacco need to be dried for awhile before smoking, The charring light released the rich flavor of  the Virginias.  On the true light the flavor was mostly from the Virginias. After smoking the first quarter of the bowl I must of hit the second type of coin with the Dark Fired Kentucky and the flavor tool off in a different direction of pleasure. After this bowl I tried to make sure that when I loaded the coins into the bowl I alternated between the two types. This made for a much better overall smoking experience. The tobacco smoked well with a minimum amount of relights. This is a must try for the experienced smoker.
 

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Sutliff PS Berkshire

Tin Note:
If English history is your cup of tea, then a visit to Berkshire is a must. Just as events, places, people and buildings define history, this rich English blend can be defined by a mixture of Latakia, Oriental, Virginia and Perique.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was earthy and smoky. Right from the charring light the Latakia and Perique made their presence known. The rich smoky flavor came right to the front along with the spiciness of Perique. During the first third of the bowl the Orientals joined the party as well as the Virginia adding it's sweetness to the flavor. The tobacco burned well and stayed lit without many re-lights. I will definitely be smoking more this tobacco. I highly recommend this blend to any who is looking to start experimenting with English blends with Latakia. The flavors are well balanced.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Mac Baren Vanilla Cream Loose Cut

Tin Notes:
Vanilla Cream Loose cut is recognized as a slow burning pipe tobacco with a balanced taste of exotic vanilla and natural tobacco. The colourful blend consists of loose cut Virginia tobaccos, light brown Burleys, a sweet and soft Modern Cavendish. It is finally mixed with small plugs of flake tobacco.
After processing, the tobaccos are gently mixed together and an exceptional vanilla flavour is added. This selection creates an outstanding blend with superior flavour, unique aroma and a distinctive taste experience.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note is vanilla, but not the usual vanilla. It was more like the vanilla that is used for baking.  On the charring light the vanilla was right there but not over powering like so many aromatics. On the true light the creaminess joined in. About at the third of the bowl the sweetness of the Virginia was noticeable. The tobacco burned well and stayed lit without many re-lights. This blend is an good  all day smoke. I would recommend this tobacco.
 

Monday, September 16, 2013

Mac Baren Navy Flake

Tin Notes:
From the moment Navy Flake first appeared on tobacconists’ shelves, pipe smokers everywhere have shown their appreciation of this mixture. There are many reasons why Navy Flake has become a true Mac Baren classic since then. When Navy Flake was developed in 1965, much work went into the composition of the raw tobaccos. Selections of Burley tobacco were made from our extensive stocks and after countless tests the right Burley content was found. Similarly, tests were then carried out on Virginia tobacco. Different qualities of Virginia tobacco were selected and test smoked. Finally, a handful of these were selected for inclusion in the blend. Once the right basic tobaccos had been found, a final important element was added to the mixture: a small measure of original Mac Baren Cavendish was added, and it is this which gives Navy Flake its full body.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Very Pleasant

Upon opening the tin I was hit with an amazing aroma that seamed to be a mixture of all the ingredients. No one ingredient stood out above the other, but melded into a single scent. On the charring light the tobacco responded well to the flame still no one flavor out shined the other. On the true light the Burley did seem to come to the front slightly. This tobacco smoked smooth and cool. Not a single relight after the true light on all four bowls that I smoked. I would highly recommend this tobacco.
 

Friday, September 13, 2013

Sutliff PS Bosphorus Cruise

 Tin Notes:
Experience the breath-taking beauty of the old Byzantine strait with this magnificent mixture of Oriental, Latakia, and Red Virginia

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant


The tin note was earthy and smoky. This is a Latakia forward blend. Right from the charring light the Latakia made its presence known. The rich smoky flavor came right to the front. Which was not surprising based on the tin note. After the first third of the bowl the Orientals joined the party as well as the Red Virginia adding to the flavor. The Earthy and smoky flavors were still the dominate factor to the end of the bowl. Even once the bowl was done I could still taste the Latakia.  I will definitely be smoking more this tobacco. I highly recommend this blend to any who has a penchant for English blends with Latakia.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Sutliff PS Tabac Noir

Tin Notes:
Exotic best describes this unique Black Cavendish, for it is dark, flavorful and strikingly unusual. While there are countless all Black blends on the market, the meticulous formulation of nine flavors ranks this complex blend as perhaps the finest.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note had the faint aroma of rum. The tobacco was dark and had an oily sheen. The charring light and the true light had the smell and light flavor of rum and honey. The flavor remain the consistent through the rest of the bowl. The tobacco burned well and stayed lit without many re-lights.

Monday, September 9, 2013

Stuliff PS BRG Mixture

Tin Notes:
Perfect for fans of Briggs. This pleasing blend of Burley and Virginia is as comforting as a good time spent with your best friend.

     Strength: Mild-Medium
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild-Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note was of figs. The tobacco’s moisture was a little wet for smoking right from the tin 1 hour drying was needed. The charring light brought the nuttiness of the Burley to the front. The true light still had the nuttiness in the fore front, but the sweetness of the Virginia joined in. The room note was pleasant. This is a great all day smoke; it burns well with hardly any re-lights. No tongue bite, but beware the potential is there if smoked too quickly. It smoked all the way to the bottom of the bowl. I will be cellaring a few tins for the future.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Sutliff PS Sunrise Smoke

Tin Notes:
Perfect for fans of Early Morning Pipe The perfect way to start a good morning. This lavish mixture of pressed Virginia Ribbon, Pressed Black Ribbon, Turkish, and Latakia is sure to awaken the taste buds.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: None detected
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant


The tin note might put off some smokers new to Latakia. This is a Turkish forward tobacco with a small amount of Latakia. On the charring light the spiciness of the Turkish tobacco was in the fore-front. On the true light the sweetness of the Virginias added to the flavor. The earthy and smoky flavors of the Latakia was muted and in the background but still a noticeable ingredient of the overall flavor to the end of the bowl. The tobacco burned well with minimal re-lights and no tongue bite. I will definitely be smoking more this tobacco and recommending it to others.

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Sutliff PS Taste of Summer

Tin Notes:
This delicious mixture of Burley, Virginia, and Black Cavendish is reminiscent of incredibly juicy, ripe peaches of summers past

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Very Mild
          Taste: Very Mild
Room Note: Unnoticeable

The tin note has the faint aroma of peaches. The charring light as well as the true light the vanilla flavor of the Black Cavendish made it's presence known. The sweetness of  Virginia became evident at the first third of the bowl. The flavor remained consistent from that point. As far as the peach flavoring it did not rise to the occasion. This was disappointing but the tobacco burned well with minimal re-lights and had no tongue bite.

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Sutliff PS Metropolitain

Tin Notes:
Today the cultural inheritance of Paris can be admired in its museums, art galleries, architecture and cuisine. Especially the cuisines, for the French seem to have an appreciation for sweet tasting things. This delicious blend of Golden Virginia, Rich Burley and Black Cavendish is a smoke to delight the palate.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Very Mild
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note has the aroma of cognac. The charring light released the flavor of the cognac right from the start. On the true light the vanilla flavor of the Black Cavendish made it's presence known. The sweetness of  Virginia became evident at the first third of the bowl. The flavor remained consistent from that point. The tobacco burned well with minimal re-lights and had no tongue bite. This aromatic that would be a good starting point for a beginning smoker.

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Stuliff PS Black Swan

Tin Notes:
This appealing blend is unique in both appearance and flavor. Glossy all Black Cavendish is formulated to smoke mild and smooth from fire-curing and steam sweating

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note had the interesting aroma of figs and fruit. The tobacco was dark and had an oily sheen. The charring light and the true light had the smell and flavor of figs. about two thirds of the way through the bowl I started to get a hint of hay. The tobacco burned cool and stayed lit without many re-lights. There was not any crackling or popping as I have experienced with some of the other Stuliff Private Stock Aromatics that I have smoked.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Sutliff PS Barbados Plantation

Tin Notes:
In terms of quality Barbados Rums unquestionably rank among the world's best. This superb blend of Burley, Virginia, and Black Cavendish reflects the rum itself: sweet, smooth, and rich.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild - Medium
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Very Pleasant

The tin note was the fantastic aroma of rum. It reminded me of a wonderful dark spiced rum that a friend brought me back from Bermuda. The charring light released the flavor of the rum immediately. There was a bit of crackling although the tobacco seemed to be dry enough to smoke without any additional drying. On the true light the vanilla started to make it presence known. It kept building throughout the bowl but never overpowered the rum. The sweetness of  Virginia and the nuttiness of the Burley became evident around the halfway point. The tobacco burned well with minimal re-lights and no tongue bite. This is a good Aromatic that I would recommend to anyone.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Sutliff PS Maple Street

Tin Notes:
A fantastic blend of complementary ingredients: Rum and maple applied to golden Virginia and mellow White Burley.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Mild
Room Note: Very Pleasant

Upon opening the tin the smell of the maple and rum came wafting out. During the charring light there was some crackling. On the true light the maple flavor was prominent. After the first third of the bowl the maple and rum melded together making for a great tasting smoke. From there the flavor stayed consistent. The room note was more the aroma of rum than the maple. The tobacco burned well with minimal re-lights and no tongue bite. The mixture of the golden Virginia and White Burley kept the smoke cool but flavorful. This is a good aromatic not overpowering.

Sutliff PS Great Outdoors

Tin Notes:
Perfect for fans of Field and Stream. It is perhaps ironic that a blend named Great Outdoors should be appreciated for its room note. This outstanding aromatic is a mixture of Burley, vanilla, and flavored Black Cavendish.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Mild to Medium
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

This tobacco is listed as a non-aromatic even with the vanilla. The tobacco’s moisture was perfect for smoking right from the tin no drying needed. All of the Sutliff tobaccos that I have tried have been ready to smoke upon opening the tin. The tin note smelled to me like root beer. The charring light brought the nuttiness of the Burley to the front. The true light still had the nuttiness in the fore front, but the Black Cavendish join in. The vanilla was barely present. The room note was very pleasant. This is a great all day smoke; it burns well with hardly any re-lights. No tongue bite at all and it smoked all the way to the bottom of the bowl. I will be cellaring a few tins for the future.

Sutliff PS Field Master


Tin Notes:
In fox hunting, the quarry, the pack, the field and the field master are all essentials of the hunt. Conversely, this luxurious English mixture has its essentials: Smoky Latakia, Matured Virginias, Rich Burley and Quality Turkish.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: Mild
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note might put off some smokers new to Latakia. As it has a very smoky aroma. The charring light has rich sweetness from the Matured Virgins. On the true light the flavors blended together well. The Latakia was present but subtle. This would be a great tobacco for a smoker just starting to explore English, Turkish and Latakia blends. Also this would be a great all day smoke for the experienced smoker. I would highly recommend picking up a tin.

Sutliff PS Molto Dolce

Tin Notes:
Suffice it to say Molto Dolce is the Cream of the Crop. A rich and creamy texture of vanilla, caramel, and honey is applied to Burley, Virginia, and Black Cavendish.

     Strength: Mild
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Very Pleasant

Upon opening the tin I smelled almost a fig aroma although the tin says vanilla, caramel, and honey. During the charring light there was some crackling and popping. On then true light the vanilla flavor became prominent. After the first third of the bowl the vanilla was joined by the caramel, and honey. From here the flavor stayed consistent. The room note was delicious throughout the bowl. The tobacco burned well with minimal re-lights and no tongue bite at all. This is a great aromatic.

Sutliff PS Spinnaker

Tin Notes:
Sailing, as in all sports, has its own jargon, understood only by interested fans. If you have ever admired the beauty of a sailboat gracefully gliding with a brightly colored headsail, then you have seen a spinnaker. Open yourself up to a new and exciting experience by trying this delightful mixture of Sweet Burley and tart Back Cavendish.

     Strength: Mild to Medium
        Flavor: Medium
          Taste: Mild to Medium
Room Note: Pleasant

The tin note for this tobacco is strong but not overpowering. The fruitiness of the casing is right there in the front during the charring light. On the true light the sweetness of the burley starts to mix into the flavor. Still the primary element of the flavor is the tartness of the fruit. The flavor remains consistent until the bottom third of the bowl at which point the sweetness of barley takes over. The tobacco burned well and did not produce any bite.

Sutliff PS Blend No 5

Tin Notes:
A robust English blend with character. Plenty of Latakia, Pressed Virginia, and Burley provide the base.

     Strength: Medium
        Flavor: None detected
          Taste: Medium
Room Note: Pleasant


Right from the charring light the Latakia made its presence known. The rich smoky flavor came right to the front. Which was not surprising based on the tin note. At the mid-point of the bowl the nuttiness of the Burley started coming through as well as the Virginias adding to the flavor. The Earthy and smoky flavors were still the dominate factor to the end of the bowl. Even once the bowl was done I could still taste the Latakia.  I will definitely be smoking more this tobacco.