Last spring I started a search for a work tobacco, something I could load up and not be distracted by as I worked outside. As a former 1Q smoker and finding that it no longer was as satisfying as it was last century, I tried some of the newer vanilla infused offerings, but didn't enjoy any of them, not even the Pease blend. Undeterred I decided to try some honey blends. I should mention that Burley is not an option, I find it too harsh. The Virginia infused with honey blends were very good, Samuel Gawith Black Forest in particular. Unfortunately that became unavailable but I also had Peretti Boston's Best Cavendish in the queue and that seemed to be the winner.
This winter Smoking Pipes started importing G & H blends and I came across DVC, short for Dark Virginia Cavendish. It's everything I've been looking for in a tobacco. It's sweet and tastes like tobacco, no tongue bite or fatigue, no shifting flavors, and, it doesn't get ashy tasting at the bottom of the bowl. Don't bother trying it, they only stock enough for me!
Welcome! OGS was my goto when I first started exploring flake tobaccos. There was a disagreement by the reviewers on the Perique in the mixture at the time and I moved on to straight Virginias. I have one or two tins hidden away and I've been thinking it's time to revisit an old favorite. Enjoy the journey!
I also just recently tried Orlik Golden Sliced for the first time. It packs and smokes great and has a hint of something I just can't place. ...This coming from mostly a Burly smoker.
The sweet is the Virginias, the hint of spice is from the Perique. I haven't popped a tin in a while but it's making it's way to the top of the open next stack of cellared tobaccos!
At times, I wish distributors/blenders offered a "sample pack" of their blends before you spend $12 on a tin of a single blend. I've never been a fan of "grunting through" something; if I don't like it in the first couple of bowls, it goes in the trash and I move on.
First impressions of Cornell & Diehl- Kajun Kake (VaPer) and VaPers from a novice pipe smoker.
The Tin Art is pretty good. Kind of funny. I do appreciate good tin art. In the tin is a pretty firm crumble cake border line plug. It did not want to crumble so I cut it with a knife and rubbed out the chunk. In hind sight it is a little wet and could probably stand to sit out for 15 minutes after you rub it out. Used a general 3 pack method and it packed easy. Tin note was way different than anything I’ve put my nose on this far. Some of the hallmarks of virginias: hay, grass, lemon like essence reminds me of pine needle scent. In addition to that a vinegar like odor maybe reminiscent of wine as others have noted. Also stewed fruit, something less tart than say blackberry more like plum. Lastly a serious vegetal earthy boggy odor I have to assume comes from the perique.
Was a little hard lighting and took more relights than usual to keep lit. It wasn’t over packed so I’ll attribute this to moisture. Once I got it going it smoked like a champ and even though I pushed it hard due to the extra moisture there was no bite that I could tell. Taste wise the Virginia’s were easy to pick out. Again hallmarks of what I think Virginia’s taste like. Grassy hay subtle sweet and a piney lemony taste. There is also some vinegar, spice like black pepper in a way and that boggy fermented ness but I’d mark this as positive. An earthy quality in consistent in it. Does leave moisture in the pipe especially at the moisture level I smoked it at.
Taste is medium to strong for sure. Strength and Nicotine is noticeable in this one for sure. Not off putting but easily detectable. Might consider food before this one. Room note has been described as tolerable. Don’t think it’ll be a crowd pleaser at the bar. I definitely enjoy the diversity this offers and the strength. Does leave a distinct after taste that must be the perique.
Overall I’d recommend to new comers for the experience and lack of bite and suspect perique lovers would enjoy themselves as well. Will not be an all day smoke but will enjoy bowls in the future.
Cobblestone - Hiking: Hiking is a "pure" burley blend. Based on the tin and the tobacco review description, this has no additional tobacco additions or casings/toppings. Based on my time with it i'd agree with this assessment. Tin art is simple, straight forward, and relatively pleasing. Not overly flashy. Comes as a hearty flake. Tin note is sweet and earthy with a prevailing molasses, dark fruit odor.
Flakes rub out easy and pack easy. Perhaps could stand to be dried but I didn't. Lit easily and required a normal amount of relights. Did leave some moisture in the pipe for me and did gurgle a little for me. Nothing a pipe cleaner can't solve. Flavors are consistent from the beginning to the end of the bowl. Earthy, woody, with a subtle sweetness that's always present. All of the hallmarks of burley in my opinion.
I've liked almost every burley blend i've tried whether codger blend or from big name blenders. I wouldn't mind keeping a tin of Cobblestone - Hiking on hand at all times. Could see it being an all day smoke for some but one i'd revisit without question.
@Whoispra; Excellent review. Thank you Brother. Reviewing tobac is not in my wheelhouse. If I like a blend, I like it. If I don't like a blend, I don't like it. Glad we have talented Brothers like yourself that can break it down and give us a reasoned opinion.
@opipeman Thank you for the kind words. I try to write reviews for new and old pipe smokers that want a little more. I'm still very new to pipe smoking and I have all that wide eyed wonder of a kid with a new toy at Christmas when it comes to trying new blends. I also talk too much so I guess that makes for detailed reviews. Helpful is still up for debate haha.
@RockyMountainBriar perique is super unique. I'm planning to buy something more akin to a lighter perique like maybe escudo or something to contrast it to Kajun Kake. Appreciate the kind feedback
Comments
The bottom half of the bowl started to remind me of CAO Moontrance.
Not exactly, but similar...
Last spring I started a search for a work tobacco, something I could load up and not be distracted by as I worked outside. As a former 1Q smoker and finding that it no longer was as satisfying as it was last century, I tried some of the newer vanilla infused offerings, but didn't enjoy any of them, not even the Pease blend. Undeterred I decided to try some honey blends. I should mention that Burley is not an option, I find it too harsh. The Virginia infused with honey blends were very good, Samuel Gawith Black Forest in particular. Unfortunately that became unavailable but I also had Peretti Boston's Best Cavendish in the queue and that seemed to be the winner.
This winter Smoking Pipes started importing G & H blends and I came across DVC, short for Dark Virginia Cavendish. It's everything I've been looking for in a tobacco. It's sweet and tastes like tobacco, no tongue bite or fatigue, no shifting flavors, and, it doesn't get ashy tasting at the bottom of the bowl. Don't bother trying it, they only stock enough for me!
https://pappyjoesblog.com/the-untouchables-special-mixture/
Interesting: cedar as a tobacco flavoring. Oh well, another experience I’ll never have….
Who knows?
https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/828/orlik-tobacco-company-a-s-golden-sliced-red-tin#review114117
Welcome! We look forward to your participation and contributions. Have any questions, about pipes, tobacco, or the site itself? Need help?
Ask anyone; we're mostly a friendly bunch.
And once again, we are glad to have you join us!!!!
Welcome! OGS was my goto when I first started exploring flake tobaccos. There was a disagreement by the reviewers on the Perique in the mixture at the time and I moved on to straight Virginias. I have one or two tins hidden away and I've been thinking it's time to revisit an old favorite. Enjoy the journey!
The sweet is the Virginias, the hint of spice is from the Perique. I haven't popped a tin in a while but it's making it's way to the top of the open next stack of cellared tobaccos!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1lZNoy6hL8
https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/9043/dan-tobacco-salty-dogs
https://www.tobaccoreviews.com/blend/454/peterson-elizabethan-mixture#review116431
At times, I wish distributors/blenders offered a "sample pack" of their blends before you spend $12 on a tin of a single blend. I've never been a fan of "grunting through" something; if I don't like it in the first couple of bowls, it goes in the trash and I move on.
https://youtu.be/CYEBSTX13Zw
https://pappyjoesblog.com/checking-out-meistermischung-nr-11/
may have to sort by new. WhoisPRA is the name of the reviewer.
The Tin Art is pretty good. Kind of funny. I do appreciate good tin art. In the tin is a pretty firm crumble cake border line plug. It did not want to crumble so I cut it with a knife and rubbed out the chunk. In hind sight it is a little wet and could probably stand to sit out for 15 minutes after you rub it out. Used a general 3 pack method and it packed easy. Tin note was way different than anything I’ve put my nose on this far. Some of the hallmarks of virginias: hay, grass, lemon like essence reminds me of pine needle scent. In addition to that a vinegar like odor maybe reminiscent of wine as others have noted. Also stewed fruit, something less tart than say blackberry more like plum. Lastly a serious vegetal earthy boggy odor I have to assume comes from the perique.
Was a little hard lighting and took more relights than usual to keep lit. It wasn’t over packed so I’ll attribute this to moisture. Once I got it going it smoked like a champ and even though I pushed it hard due to the extra moisture there was no bite that I could tell. Taste wise the Virginia’s were easy to pick out. Again hallmarks of what I think Virginia’s taste like. Grassy hay subtle sweet and a piney lemony taste. There is also some vinegar, spice like black pepper in a way and that boggy fermented ness but I’d mark this as positive. An earthy quality in consistent in it. Does leave moisture in the pipe especially at the moisture level I smoked it at.
Taste is medium to strong for sure. Strength and Nicotine is noticeable in this one for sure. Not off putting but easily detectable. Might consider food before this one. Room note has been described as tolerable. Don’t think it’ll be a crowd pleaser at the bar. I definitely enjoy the diversity this offers and the strength. Does leave a distinct after taste that must be the perique.
Well written review. Thank you.
Flakes rub out easy and pack easy. Perhaps could stand to be dried but I didn't. Lit easily and required a normal amount of relights. Did leave some moisture in the pipe for me and did gurgle a little for me. Nothing a pipe cleaner can't solve. Flavors are consistent from the beginning to the end of the bowl. Earthy, woody, with a subtle sweetness that's always present. All of the hallmarks of burley in my opinion.
I've liked almost every burley blend i've tried whether codger blend or from big name blenders. I wouldn't mind keeping a tin of Cobblestone - Hiking on hand at all times. Could see it being an all day smoke for some but one i'd revisit without question.
Excellent review. Thank you Brother. Reviewing tobac is not in my wheelhouse. If I like a blend, I like it. If I don't like a blend, I don't like it. Glad we have talented Brothers like yourself that can break it down and give us a reasoned opinion.
Mmmm, barnyard/silage pit, spicy, earthy, fermented, vinegar, sweet, perique, it can be a “shapeshifter”.
Nice reviews too. Simple and to the point.