ATTENTION: CB Pipe Tobacco Review Bombing Run Version 2.0

Date: 4/15/15
Bum: Emperor Zurg
Sample: “Pink K" Vac Packed G&H Glengary Flake
Pipe: Barling Canadian 5574
Environment: Vehicle - windows down, highway

Observations
Appearance: Mottled light and dark brown, sticky flake
Preparation: Cube cut right off the end of the stack of 4 flakes. Dried several hours
Burn: Steady and long burning. Burned steady and even after the false light for most of the bowl.
Tin Note: Sweet hay and figgy with citrus in the background. Smells delicious. I'm temped to try a chaw of this.
Flavor:
Cold draw was almost flavorless. I might have dried it a bit too long. Hard to tell with cubes.
Initial light was a bit woody and reminiscent of a sweet dry hay with a touch of Lakeland soap. The Lakeland went away pretty quick and may have been picked up from cutting this flake on the same card I'd used to dry the perfumey blend I tried previously. Flavor was very light at first. Once the bowl got underway the flavor intensified and I got mainly dried fruit - figs probably, maybe raisins (although the only figs I've eaten are Fig Newtons, it was sweet but not that sweet) - and a dusting of chocolate. The chocolate died out pretty quickly and after a bit the fruit began to give way to more of a floral flavor with a zing of citrus. There was light pepper on the tongue but almost no pepper on the retro. Floral / citrus and a slight touch of pepper hung on for most of the remainder of the bowl with the pepper slowly fading away to non-existent. Eventually the citrus also died out, giving way to more of a dry hay. There was a sweetness throughout the bowl that reminded me of molasses. Toward the bottom, just before it refused to stay burning, I'd describe the flavor as floral and dry hay. I didn't get much sweetness at that point, but it had been a long smoke and my sense of taste was starting to give out at that point. Regardless, I did not get a nic hit at all so I'd classify this as mild in the N department.

Comments and conclusion:
I'm pretty sure this is some kind of a hot pressed Virginia flake. There may be a bit of perique in there but if so, it's very little. It's a very nice smoke and the changing profile made for an interesting one as well. Getting it lit was an adventure as it kept wanting to erupt out the top of the pipe like one of those 'Magic Snake' pellets we used to get in the kids fireworks assortments my parents bought us around Independence Day. Sorry for the crappy pic - the phone camera insisted on focusing on the road - but you get the idea.

http://i975.photobucket.com/albums/a...psqgbrutip.jpg

Thanks to @NeverBend for the opportunity to try these tobaccos :)

After seeing comments from a few reviewers regarding the deadline, I'm compelled to extend it another 40 hours, i.e. Sunday 12pm EST. This is supposed to be fun, not hardassed :) That said, I got to stop it at some point if I am to get a chance to read them all :pipe:

You don't have to yell...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emperor Zurg

You don't have to yell...

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http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/...20130302200427

Thanks for the extension. I missed my flight so I was well and truly screwed on any more reviews.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tobias Lutz

After seeing comments from a few reviewers regarding the deadline, I'm compelled to extend it another 40 hours, i.e. Sunday 12pm EST. This is supposed to be fun, not hardassed :) That said, I got to stop it at some point if I am to get a chance to read them all :pipe:

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Ithought you only looked at the pictures,,,,,go figure...:fly:

4/16/2015
LostMason
Sample Green G (vac) Stokkebye Virginia #701
Dr.Grabow Lark 3/4 bent
indoors

Shag cut.Fairly moist, there are some clumps but mostly loose.
In the pouch I pick up the aroma of alfalfa, a sweet pleasant
odor, refreshing.The colors are dark and medium brown.I would be
Lying if I said I could pick out the individual tobacco types,so
I wont try.I'll just say this smells natural and clean.I packed my
bowl using the 3 step method and let it rest for about an hour.

The tobacco lit up easily and burned smoothly without having to
tamp.The ash was a light grey and didn't interfear with the burn.
I didn't have any real toung bite,but I did note a dryness akin
to cotton mouth,but not intense and easily controlled by slowing
down and sipping a bit shallower.

The flavor was earthy and dry,and on the retrohale a note of
spiceyness or pepper.Not strong but noticable.This tobacco seemed
pretty straight forward,I didn't pick up any flowery or soapiness,
nor any sweetness from a topping.The sweetness in the preburn didn't
come thru in the smoke.The smoke was plentifull but thin.

Where this is a blend I would definatly want on hand for personal
reflection,it isn't one I would recomend to new pipers who are
expecting more flavor.This is a nice evening smoke with no
complications,with a mild nicotine hit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tobias Lutz

After seeing comments from a few reviewers regarding the deadline, I'm compelled to extend it another 40 hours, i.e. Sunday 12pm EST. This is supposed to be fun, not hardassed :) That said, I got to stop it at some point if I am to get a chance to read them all :pipe:

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Yay! :woohoo:

4/16/2015
Lostmason
Sample Pink H G&H Scotch Flake Aromatic
Dr Grabow Grand Duke straight
indoors


This one is completly new to me.Pressed flake,what others have described as
jerky.In the pouch it had a distinct cocoa smell, not sweet more like unsweetened
cooking coco powder.After pulling a single flake from the stack I then pulled rather

than rubbed it apart.The feel was just shy of tacky.I noticed long ribbons as if the
leaves had been stacked, then pressed, and then cut length wise.

I used something of a fold and stuff method and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
I should have given it about an hour to dry some, it was a devil to get lit.After
a good charring light and tamp it took off rather well,but did require s few
relights.

The initial flavors were quite subtle and dry,an earthy,wood smoke flavor.Rather
light and uneventfull.After about half to two thirds it took on a leather taste.
Unfortunatly I never picked up on anything resembling the cocoa from the pouch,
but it was enjoyable all the same.

I didn't feel anything of a nicotine boost,so I would guess this one falls into
the medium range on strength.The smoke itself was light and airy,but carried the
flavors well.On the retrohale it was smooth without the burn of spices.


On the whole this tobacco is one I would say save for when you have an hour to
fully enjoy it.I doesn't have a tongue bite that I noticed,and is quite nice for
an outdoor cookout.In a room with other smokers it would be easy to miss some
of its better qualities.

4/17/2015
Lostmason
Sample Orange Z MacBaren Club Blend circa 2000
Dr Grabow Grand Duke straight
indoors


This sample is a dark brown ribbon cut,fairly moist.In the pouch
it has an aroma that reminds me of honey flavored cereal, Something
like Nuts&Honey but without the nuts.

Allowed to dry for an hour, and packed using 3 step method.It was still
reluctant to light and required constant attention or relights.

Right from the start and continuing thru the bowl this sample had a
constant tongue burn/bite.There was a clear taste of pepper that seemed
to overpower anything else.There was none of the sweetness and kind of
a soapy feel that made the pepper thick.The smoke was full and thick,
but the burn,even with a very shallow sip,took away from the enjoyment.

This is a tobacco I would use to cut with an over sweetened, dry blend.
While I'm greatfull for the opportunity to smoke it,this is not a blend
I will be stocking up on.


Thank You Pete for the samples,and You and Tobias for letting me join
in on the fun.With your generousity and guidence I know I am learning
from the best.