On a roll here mainly due to the beautiful weather, and complete boredom and lack of activity on my part. Opened my closet looking for something that was on my short list but not yet tried, I see the jar of Sutliff Dulce de Leche. I ordered this months ago based on the reviews and comments online, and a notation of a brown sugar and vanilla taste and aroma. I recall several comments regarding a slight butterscoth note that I just had to try.
My guess is someone snuck in and stole the flavors from the jar. Although the jar had some sweet redeeming aroma, there was no brown sugar nor vanilla to be discernable. The aroma from the jar was rather flat, hay like, and non descript with no ability on my part to identify any of the noted flavors individually. even the combined flavors was kind of bland. This is a burley and virginia tobacco blend and the sort of flat 'hay"flavor was dominant.
In fairness to the blend, I was sitting on our screen porch while it was slightly breezy with lots of pollen in the air which has affected mr here the last several days, so I WILL try this again in several weeks in fairness to my desire to be impartial. Anyone who has read any of my reviews knows I love the Sutliff products offered almost without reservation.
The prelight draw was rather blah followed by the char/ first light, which was also rather blah. I could not get any particular flavors to come out as I took my time. The tobacco was rather smokey, and i almost immediately felt some slight tongue and mouth bite. This never ramped up beyond just a slight bite which very well could have been due to the breeze despite my slow cadence.
This tobacco never changed its' character in the first two thirds or so of the bowl. I kept waiting for some changes to develop and produce some varying tastes and aromas. Finally, near the bottom third or so the tobacco started giving a deeper character and thick and better tasting smoke. I still did not get the advertised flavors, but it was pleasant and enjoyable with what i think was the burley showing up. I might describe it as a close cousin to Carter Hall or Prince Albert were it not for the virginia tobaccos.
I know I have over the years been not so much disappointed as perplexed why certain blends did not give me the taste and aromas that others have claimed. I also know there are a myriad of reasons why this could be. I am not writing this blend off at all, instead I will revisit this in the not too distant future to compare that experience with todays' venture and record an appropriate second opinion.
You could be right.....I checked my notes made when I tried Molto Dolce, my main comment was sweet and smoky (thus the name), I rated MD as a 9 at the time for my personal grade, where I rated the DdL as a 7 at the time I smoked that just the other day..
@pwkarch My personal experience is that aromatics don't age well, as do English blends.
@riobrusa If you liked DdL you really should try MD. It is significantly better IMHO. MD is the perfect newbie blend, and many old timers enjoy it, too, even ones who favor English and VaPers.
I have tried and liked Molto Dolce, and I agree with your comments. Good stuff indeed. And I still want to give Dolce de Leche a couple more tries on better days without bwind.
Although I think I slightly disagree relative to aromatics not aging well. I have to say with some of my aromatics several years old, I do not detect an appreciable degradation in flavor. Since I smoke mostly aro's I think the vanillas stay strong, the rums I am not certain, and cherries I do not do often enough to have an opinion.
I have had this tobacco now resting for two months in a Mason Jar. It was a warm and humid Sunday afternoon and I sat in front of my garage to smoke this a seond time, this time in a briar as opposed to the first time in a MM Corn Cob pipe. The tobacco was a bit drier than my first bowl (comparing my notes) yet it had a nice "spring" to it as Ii loaded my pipe.
The tobacco in the jar as well as in the bowl has a slight vanilla aroma and what I percieve as possibly a honey note. I do not detect any dried fruit qualities. There is a cavendish quality to the aroma which does produce a nice rich and mellow sweet base.
After lighting the pipe, it was just a little difficult to keep it burning at first, but after relighting and settling down it burned well. The first half bowl or so took a bit of time as much the result of the large bowl as the decent burn characteristics of the blend. Enjoyable as I expected, but I cannot pull any specific taste or aroma notes from the smoke. My only comment is it has a typical "cavendish" quality about it with the same vanilla and possibly a little honey influence. Still no dried fruit notes that I could detect. The first half also had a tendency to "bite" just a little as I was still nursing the ember. I relit maybe twice on the first half of the bowl which is unusual for me when I get my pipes going.
The second half never really changed its' character. It was pretty much the same exercise, although not bad at all, I like when a blend changes the experiece as it is smoked. The smoke took about 45 minutes to complete and I never got any hint of dried fruit The smoke left a plug of 'dottle", and a bit of moisture once the white and grey ash were dumped.
There is Certainly nothing bad about the blend at all, it just did not develop for me as a lot of my favorite blends do. It has some qualities of Sutliff BCA and VBC, but is not as sweet, mellow, or aromatic. It is definately not on the same par as my favorite vanilla blend Sutliff Vanilla Custard (strictly my personal opinion).
I will certainly smoke this again, maybe on a cooloer or less humid day. I may even try to see what I could mix this with to enjoy it even more. I have a couple of the Russ's blends that I enjoy very much. Sometimes I think having to smoke outside in the ambient weather conditions hampers the senses, but I have no alternative or I would be cast out into the weather by my wife.
There are some pipe tobaccos out there that will test the mettle of a
piper. Now, I’m no stranger to strong pipe tobacco. Old Joe Krantz and
Haunted Bookshop are both daily smokes for me, and I love Kajun Kake and
War Horse Green. Yet with all my experience with vitamin N, I’ve never
had the courage to order Gawith & Hoggarth’s Black Irish X. I had
heard of this blend’s ability to knock a man down to size, so I stayed
away, giving the blend a wide berth.
Recently during a pipe trade with an online friend, he offered to
send me a sample of Black Irish X. So for a laugh, I decided I’d throw
caution to the wind and give the blend a try. After all, what’s the
worst it could do?
After sitting on my sample for a week or two, today I gathered my
courage and pulled the sample out. Black Irish X comes in a rope, so you
need to slice it with a knife to smoke it. In a way, it’s fitting that
you have to use a knife with this tobacco, as you’ll need all the
protection you can get with this sucker. I cut a few coins off the rope,
rubbed the coins into ribbons, and loaded it into a Canadian pipe that
has a smaller bowl. If this is your first time with the blend, then a
small pipe is a must, or you’ll be at the blend’s mercy.
Upon the first light, I noticed a unique smell that I’ve never
encountered before with a pipe tobacco—BBQ. This has a good, smoky BBQ
flavor, much like a dry rub. In fact, I’d compare smoking this blend to
sitting down with a huge steak dinner right off the grill. And this
isn’t a fancy steak dinner prepared with some newfangled culinary
techniques. This is a huge chunk of meat, and you’re going to have to
finish the whole thing like John Candy in The Great Outdoors.
So I sat in my chair and puffed away, not letting anything else
distract me from my pipe. You’ll want a drink with this tobacco, too. I
had coffee, but I’d imagine this would pair well with a good scotch.
The first half went by without any issues, but the further down I
smoked, the more I could feel the effects of the tobacco seeping in. The
BBQ steak flavor never left, but I never found it to be dull or boring.
By the time I reached the end of the bowl, I felt the threads of
reality beginning to split. Somewhere in the smoky haze, I could see a
realm in the distance, some far off tavern with wizards, knights,
rangers, and clerics. They sat around long tables, singing songs of pipe
tobaccos gone by as they drank from their tankards and puffed their
pipes. I could see them motioning for me to join them, to leave this
world behind and disappear forever. Had I smoked Black Irish X in a
larger pipe, I don’t think I would’ve been able to resist the call.
Overall, I have to say that I have a healthy respect for this
tobacco. It’s rich and flavorful, and unlike any other blend I’ve tried.
Should this blend come back in stock, I’d gladly order a tin or two for
my cellar. I would then lock said tins inside an old chest with heavy
chains around it, and nail a sign that said “Beware.”
Take caution, dear piper, for this blend will sneak up on you like a
bandit if you let it. Even if you smoke this in a smaller pipe, it will
punch you in the head until you’re silly. Despite the risks, I’d say
everyone should give this blend a try.
Now you’ll have to excuse me. I realized I typed this all out using
my toes. I think I better head to bed before something worse happens.
Sutliff Vanilla Custard has been my favorite Vanilla blend for several years now. In my opinion, I believe this blend to be the best "Vanilla" Blend out there. And there are several great Vanilla blends that give the Vanilla Custard a run for the money such as Lane Vanilla Black Cavendish and Lane BCA not to mention others from various blenders who make some great tobaccos. So I need to be careful, and fair in my comments and not allow favoritism to affect my observations or comments.
Vanilla Custrad is a dark black cavendish that has both short and medium length shredded tobacco, with some Virginia and some Burley tobacco in the mix. Perhaps due to what I believe to be a typical attribute of Vanilla tobaccos, it is rather damp even out of a several year old filled jar. Loading the pipe there is a definate "spring" to the feel, and staining of the finger that tastes wonderful. I have selected a Rossi "Siracussa" as my weapon which has always provided a good smkoe.
The tobacco is very easily loaded and packed, and a "cold draw" provides wonderful anticipation of what is to come. I cannot help but to mention that the Vanilla aroma simply fills my office. Even prior to the lighting, I can detect the same notes that I know are to be enjoyed after I light the pipe.
I lit my pipe using my 'good ole" USN Zippo (don't judge me) and I was immediately enveloped in a wonderful cloud of delicious smoke. Immediately I detect a very creamy (smooth) sweet Vanilla flavored smoke. I can pickup a hint of saltiness, and a creamlike note in the initial draw. These notes are detected both in taste and the smoke aroma.
The first half or so of the smoke was flawless with a beautiful taste and aroma as noted above. As I got deeper into the bowl I got a very pleasant salty and creamy flavor. That along with the Vanilla forward taste and aroma was very pleasant. The tobacco burns well with no issues at all. The smoke is thick and damn near chewy. I do observe that as I get down to the second half of the bowl, the tobacco begins to require some attention relative to some "choking" the rim of the bowl to keep the ember going. This immediately solves the problem.
The second half of the bowl I detect a little moisture, but not enough to negatively impact the adventure. The second half is pretty much the same as the first, with very little change. The second half provides every bit as much pleasure, although I began to loose the "salted creamy" component that I so loved before. It was still there, but was overtaken by a straight Vanilla flavor. I like some tobaccos that change character as it is smoked, and this was about as much change as I noticed. Previously I could pickup the "salted creamy" note all the way through on previous smokes. I wonder if the minor character change was due to the jarred tobacco maturing (Virginia?) and providing more base sweetness that overshadowed the salt and cream? Or, just the change in weather conditions, or my taste receptors at the time.
It does not matter because I usually do observe and usually like charcter changes in some tobaccos, I just never detected this previously with SVC. And if I had my "druthers" it would be to have this tobacco stay the same since I love the taste and aroma. I have several pounds of this blend in my cellar so I am set for awhile anyway until I have to order more. Until then, I will continue to enjoy this blend as it is my favorite.
I would reccomend this tobacco to anyone who likes A.)Aroimatic Tobaccos, B.)Vanilla Flavors, C.)Salty Creamy Taste,..........then give it a whirl.
@pwkarch Great review. Sutliff Vanilla Custard is one of my favorite vanilla blends as well. And from my experience it's the perfect choice when seeking out something to make a less appealing bland blend more enjoyable. Before discounting any blend or relegating it to my "I'll only smoke this again when the zombie apocalypse comes and there is nothing else left to smoke", I'll add a bit a pinch of Vanilla Custard to spice it up, and unless the blend is pure garbage it will usually turn a sow's ear into a silk purse.
It's also one of the main ingredients in my one claim to fame "Mrs. Hudson's 221B Bakery Blend", along with Sutliff Chocolate Mousse and Creme Brulee.
I keep trying to develop a taste for Latakia, so last night I had a bowl of Edward G Robinson ... but only after mixing in a little Vanilla Custard. And it seemed to do the trick. Edward G Robinson is not a Latakia heavy blend to begin with ... but Latakia is such a dominant flavored tobacco it usually masks any other flavor. But that Vanilla Custard pushed the aromatic flavor forward and not only made the Latakia more tolerable for me ... but made it a truely enjoyable smoke. That leather flavor of Latakia in the background added a nice dimension to the bowl lacking in a strictly aromatic blend. The room note had the woody smell of a campfire on an Autumn evening. A pleasant and somewhat nostalgic experience. But not a blend I'd dare smoke in the house.
Had my first bowl of Balkan Sobranie. Heavy on the orientals, with Latakia coming in second. Interesting departure from VaPers and heavy Latakia blends. The spiciness might be a bit much for me...
Also forgot to mention the sour flavour. Not really my cup of tea, but I'll try to blend it with some virginia to mellow it out.
@motie2, the red Virginia helped quite a bit, about a 50/50 mix. Also bought some C&D bulk Balkan today, much less sour, good balance without having to add anything like Virginia.
Comments
By the way, I ditto @Kmhartle...
On a roll here mainly due to the beautiful weather, and complete boredom and lack of activity on my part. Opened my closet looking for something that was on my short list but not yet tried, I see the jar of Sutliff Dulce de Leche. I ordered this months ago based on the reviews and comments online, and a notation of a brown sugar and vanilla taste and aroma. I recall several comments regarding a slight butterscoth note that I just had to try.
No, I did not. That was the maiden voyage. Sorry, I cannot answer what the changes could have been.......
Semper fi
You could be right.....I checked my notes made when I tried Molto Dolce, my main comment was sweet and smoky (thus the name), I rated MD as a 9 at the time for my personal grade, where I rated the DdL as a 7 at the time I smoked that just the other day..
My personal experience is that aromatics don't age well, as do English blends.
@riobrusa
If you liked DdL you really should try MD. It is significantly better IMHO. MD is the perfect newbie blend, and many old timers enjoy it, too, even ones who favor English and VaPers.
I have tried and liked Molto Dolce, and I agree with your comments. Good stuff indeed. And I still want to give Dolce de Leche a couple more tries on better days without bwind.
Although I think I slightly disagree relative to aromatics not aging well. I have to say with some of my aromatics several years old, I do not detect an appreciable degradation in flavor. Since I smoke mostly aro's I think the vanillas stay strong, the rums I am not certain, and cherries I do not do often enough to have an opinion.
Gentlemen, I bid you a good night......
The Science of Long Term Aromatic Pipe Tobacco Storage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrgGsVSJZGcThere are some pipe tobaccos out there that will test the mettle of a piper. Now, I’m no stranger to strong pipe tobacco. Old Joe Krantz and Haunted Bookshop are both daily smokes for me, and I love Kajun Kake and War Horse Green. Yet with all my experience with vitamin N, I’ve never had the courage to order Gawith & Hoggarth’s Black Irish X. I had heard of this blend’s ability to knock a man down to size, so I stayed away, giving the blend a wide berth.
Recently during a pipe trade with an online friend, he offered to send me a sample of Black Irish X. So for a laugh, I decided I’d throw caution to the wind and give the blend a try. After all, what’s the worst it could do?
After sitting on my sample for a week or two, today I gathered my courage and pulled the sample out. Black Irish X comes in a rope, so you need to slice it with a knife to smoke it. In a way, it’s fitting that you have to use a knife with this tobacco, as you’ll need all the protection you can get with this sucker. I cut a few coins off the rope, rubbed the coins into ribbons, and loaded it into a Canadian pipe that has a smaller bowl. If this is your first time with the blend, then a small pipe is a must, or you’ll be at the blend’s mercy.
Upon the first light, I noticed a unique smell that I’ve never encountered before with a pipe tobacco—BBQ. This has a good, smoky BBQ flavor, much like a dry rub. In fact, I’d compare smoking this blend to sitting down with a huge steak dinner right off the grill. And this isn’t a fancy steak dinner prepared with some newfangled culinary techniques. This is a huge chunk of meat, and you’re going to have to finish the whole thing like John Candy in The Great Outdoors.
So I sat in my chair and puffed away, not letting anything else distract me from my pipe. You’ll want a drink with this tobacco, too. I had coffee, but I’d imagine this would pair well with a good scotch.
The first half went by without any issues, but the further down I smoked, the more I could feel the effects of the tobacco seeping in. The BBQ steak flavor never left, but I never found it to be dull or boring.
By the time I reached the end of the bowl, I felt the threads of reality beginning to split. Somewhere in the smoky haze, I could see a realm in the distance, some far off tavern with wizards, knights, rangers, and clerics. They sat around long tables, singing songs of pipe tobaccos gone by as they drank from their tankards and puffed their pipes. I could see them motioning for me to join them, to leave this world behind and disappear forever. Had I smoked Black Irish X in a larger pipe, I don’t think I would’ve been able to resist the call.
Overall, I have to say that I have a healthy respect for this tobacco. It’s rich and flavorful, and unlike any other blend I’ve tried. Should this blend come back in stock, I’d gladly order a tin or two for my cellar. I would then lock said tins inside an old chest with heavy chains around it, and nail a sign that said “Beware.”
Take caution, dear piper, for this blend will sneak up on you like a bandit if you let it. Even if you smoke this in a smaller pipe, it will punch you in the head until you’re silly. Despite the risks, I’d say everyone should give this blend a try.
Now you’ll have to excuse me. I realized I typed this all out using my toes. I think I better head to bed before something worse happens.
Pipe Used: A Small hand carved Canadian
Age When Smoked: Unknown
I could smoke nothing but SVC if all other tobacco disappeared and be very happy.....not that I want that to happen
Although a little Latakia in a bowlful is nice.
Today's Balkan Sobranie is not yesterday's Balkan Sobranie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LljK44PpU44
ACTUAL REVIEW
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyiqsUWwIZg
Reviews Without Tears
Taking the mystery out of writing tobacco reviews
by G.L. Pease
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