What tobacco just didn't live up to the hype for you?

[Alligator Gar]

Esoterica Penzance didn't do much for me, run of the mill English. Stonehaven and Margate, on the other hand, are like crack.

[c.ortiz108]

Although I love St. James Flake, I know where you're coming from.
Several of the blends were an acquired taste for me. I think the issue was that I was a cigar smoker and wasn't used to how subtle the flavors are in pipe tobacco. The first time I tried FVF I didn't care for it and now it is my favorite VA blend.

So I totally get that.

I think that's definitely the case with me, too. Not only am I used to cigars and their heavier flavors, but I grew up with my dad smoking English mixtures. To me, pipe tobacco IS English mixture! So I'm working on getting to appreciate VAs etc. It's burley I struggle with most, though.

[Haebar]

Meat pie is one that I struggled with. It just didn't take to it like I thought I would.

[JustTroItIn]

Old Joe Krantz. I think he's a harsh old bastard.

[Emperor Zurg]

Bob's Chocolate Flake



Turns out it was the lakeland perfume that was ruining it for me. After neglecting it for over a year, letting it dry out in the tin to a semblance of tree bark, then re-hydrating it just for the lulz, the lakeland has all but disappeared. It's actually pretty enjoyable now. Fresh, it's like smoking chips of ivory soap to me.

[Cool Breeze]

^ I did not like BCF either.
I picked up a couple ounces, tried 2-3 bowls of it, didn't like it at all, and sent the rest to someone who likes the stuff.

It may have been the perfumy taste that you described that turned me off too.

I've thought about picking up some Samuel Gawith Chocolate Flake and trying that. I bet I would like it, as I've never met a Gawith flake I didn't like.

[NeverBend]

Bob's Chocolate Flake

Turns out it was the lakeland perfume that was ruining it for me. After neglecting it for over a year, letting it dry out in the tin to a semblance of tree bark, then re-hydrating it just for the lulz, the lakeland has all but disappeared. It's actually pretty enjoyable now. Fresh, it's like smoking chips of ivory soap to me.

The Gawith essences hit people differently. I'm immune - to a point and then overwhelmed. Just finished my Bob's Chocolate Flake and it's well made tobacco but too light and the essences persist (as you noted). Not bad but not a good GH offering.

As many of you know, I hated (strong word), McClelland Blakeney's Best Tawny Flake. Miserable stuff all the way around, especially the cut.
I liked the 'krumble flake' cut of NY Pipe Club Bowling Green but it's very one dimensional and left me wanting to smoke something else.
Esotetica Scarborough is lackluster but not badly made. I'd take any Gawith (Sam or Hoggarth) of similar type over it.