ATTENTION: CB Pipe Tobacco Review Bombing Run Version 2.0

[cpmcdill]

Congratulations to the winners!

This was a fun activity. I found it a nice way to approach tobacco without any prior expectations. Often I browse all available reviews before I get something, and the experiences of other probably do color my own. It was also an opportunity to figure out where I need to fine-tune my palate.

In smoking the Yellow E, I actually did pick up a slight Lakeland note, so I was surprised that it turned out to be Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake. Could it have gotten a little cross-contamination from proximity to a Lakeland blend?

[Branzig]

In smoking the Yellow E, I actually did pick up a slight Lakeland note, so I was surprised that it turned out to be Stokkebye Luxury Navy Flake. Could it have gotten a little cross-contamination from proximity to a Lakeland blend?

I've had bulk Ennerdale seep into other plastic bulk baggies in my order before. I have since then learned my lesson and always request that any bulk Lakeland Snot being sent gets a double bagging effort. And, with that being said, that is the only blend that has ever done it. Grasmere, Aromatic Dark, & Kendal Flake have all gotten their stench on the plastic baggies before, but never made it through to the tobacco.

Also, with these samples being vacuumed sealed, I don't think the essence would of seeped out. I couldn't smell a single aroma through these things. They were as solid as tins IMO. Which I think is one of the main reason's Pete did this whole thing. To see how the vacuum sealing worked out. Well, Pete, in my totally unprofessional and biased opinion, I feel that the vacuum sealer is as good as a tin. I have literally had one of these things sealed for weeks, and nothing is wrong with it. Weeks, years...whatever time is time. They'll hold up

[Tobias Lutz]

Guess that would help

Pink P Rattray 7 Reserve circa 2000
Pink B G&H No. 7 Broken Flake
Orange C (vac) G&H Dark Flake Unscented

Thanks!

[GWBowman]

Congratulations to @Alligator Gar and @JustTroItIn and many thanks to @Tobias Lutz and @NeverBend . I would also like to thank the other participants, as it was a pleasure to read your reviews. Hoping to slow down soon and reread knowing what these are.

[cbr310]

Great job fellas thank you!

[NeverBend]

Your excitement and willingness to participate made this all worthwhile and fun. Without you guys there was nothing.

I read every review and appreciated all the comments. Thanks for the feedback about the bags and the comments like Jim's that the flakes 'fused' into a brick. Good to know. Apology to Bryan (@BryGuySC) for not restoring the rim of his pipe (last owner sanded it) but I did restore the rims and part of one stem (rebuilt the button) on the pipes for Jack (@Justtroitin) and Jim (@AlligatorGar). I hope to have pics of how they looked before being sent. I'm a selfish guy. If a pipe smokes well, I keep it (some exceptions Brandon). If it smoke poorly I sell it on the Bay. Please let us (me) know how these pipes smoke because I want to wish that I had kept them!

Craig (@MadBricky) got his samples late and after the contest ended but he wrote reviews anyway. Class.
Anyone know if Chris (@Chris0673) and Landon (@LandonColby) are OK?

Tobias graciously bowed out of the review contest when he volunteered to judge it. This would never have happened without Tobias. Therefore, by the power invested in me I give you a brain.., er, a heart..no, no, a PIPE!

I hope to have pics of the three pipes to post in this thread later tonight (but, as always, they'll be bad pics).

Pete

[Emperor Zurg]

Date: 4/15/15
Bum: Emperor Zurg
Sample: “Orange i" Vac Packed G&H Brown Flake
Pipe: MM Freehand Natural
Environment: Vehicle - windows down, highway

Observations:
Appearance: Brown flake with lighter streaks
Preparation: Dried for a couple hours - fold and stuff almost 1 entire flake. This pipe holds quite a payload.
Burn: Burned beautifully after I got it going. No relights unless I put it down for a while.
Tin Note: Sweet hay and raisins.
Flavor:
False light tasted of Lakeland soap. I puffed it a bit and it changed to a creamy soap, then I let it go out.
True light took a couple tries with quite a bit of fire and puffing - got pretty bitter but I finally got an ember going.
Once it got under way and settled down...
The first thing I noticed was dry hay. Dry hay with a touch of soap. Soon this took on a pretty dry, floral profile that stabilized for a bit. After about 10 minutes I got some sweetness creeping in that continued to build throughout the bowl. About 20/25 minutes in I would describe the flavor as sweet dry grass with a light floral component. Eventually the floral started to fade a bit, giving way to a hint of pepper. The pepper was welcome because I was getting bored with the floral grass flavor and hoping to get a shift to citrus or dried fruit (which never came). The pepper built for a while and the smoke eventually took on a bit of an almond flavor once in a while, although never loosing the floral component. This seemed to be the dominant profile because it lasted for the majority of the bowl. Toward the beginning of the last 1/3 the pepper had faded out quite a bit (was never really strong in the first place) and I think I picked up a touch of apricot or something once in a while - the floral component seemed to be coming and going at this point. I was getting dizzy so I set the pipe down and grabbed lunch. After I recovered a bit, I lit it back up and once it settled down I was getting a pretty delicious caramelized sugar flavor on the tongue, although the smoke was still pretty floral out the nose. I was liking the caramel much more than the floral at this point so I didn't retro much anymore. The caramel also made a sip of my coffee taste a bit like butterscotch. I was enjoying this quite a bit but alas, the vitamin N was getting to me again and I was pretty near the bottom of the bowl so I set it down for the last part of the trip, fearing any more and I wouldn't be fit to drive.

Comments and conclusion:
This was another interesting and enjoyable flake. I didn't care so much for the constant floral profile but it changed around enough that it stayed interesting. I'd classify this as a medium strength that probably wouldn't have bothered me much had I smoked a usual-sized bowl but this was a long delivery trip and the Freehand holds an enormous payload - way more baccy than I would usually smoke in 1 sitting; about 2 hours in and I still have some left in the pipe. I did enjoy the previous, sticky flake more as I like the citrus flavor that one had, but I wouldn't turn this one down.

Thanks to Pete and Tobias for making all this possible!

[Chris0673]

@Chris0673 , have you received the samples yet?

I did! I apologize for not letting you know. I've been super busy with prepping for finals and my final Digital Video project. I promise I will get the reviews up as soon as I can. I just have not had the time to sit down and smoke...at all!

[NeverBend]

I did! I apologize for not letting you know. I've been super busy with prepping for finals and my final Digital Video project. I promise I will get the reviews up as soon as I can. I just have not had the time to sit down and smoke...at all!

Hay Chris,

(Hay - inside joke because of your avatar...ok, sorry).

I was just a little worried about you and glad that you're ok. Your Education is nearly as important as your smoking but far more costly so you need to focus on that, make us and yourself proud and no explanation or reviews needed unless you're home free with Aces.

Pete

[Tobias Lutz]

Your Education is nearly as important as your smoking