TOM Blind Review - March - English

Post your blind review of the March Tobac of the Month here. Baccy samples provided by yellowgoat. Thanks mate!

Most of us have received our baccys from Yellowgoat. I smoked my first bowl tonight. The look reminded me of SG Squadron Leader, but I don't think that is it. I don't think I have had this English before.

It was a decent smoke, but I will give it a couple more gos before posting my review results.

[Sr Mike]

I finally got around to this on Sunday.

My first impression was a kick of dirt flavor. After a couple of minutes, the smoke mellowed out really well, slight taste of raisins. There was no tongue bite, which I was expecting as it looked like there is a good amount of Virgina tobacco, but it could be Oriental tobacco instead. Half way into the bowl this lightened up and continued to smooth out. This tobacco did not burn hot for me, but it burned rather quickly, before I knew it, I was done.

It took me a bit to get into this tobacco, it could have been the pipe I was using, I have been smoking mostly McClelland's Dark Star and a different high latakia blend through that pipe recently. I am going to try it in a different pipe for the rest of the tobacco. I am guessing my results will be better.

Thank you Yellowgoat for the tobacco.

[DrDubzz]

I got it yesterday, I will try to get to it either tonight or tomorrow

[GreekGodX]

Well I smoked 2 bowls of this out of 2 different pipes and I cannot say I was pleased at all. It burned pretty quickly, not too fast but faster then I'm used to. First bowl was definitely better then the second. The taste was very strong and woodsy. Pretty much stayed that way for the whole smoke. The second bowl was again very strong but this time more musky. A very overwhelming bitterness came along and I was not at all enjoying it. I have not had very many English blends but do enjoy some Latakias. I however found this tobacco too overwhelming in taste and not enjoyable.

Wow, March was the month from hell!

Finally getting around to posting my review. I smoked this blend provided by Yellowgoat twice, once in a cob and once in a Kaywoodie Drinkless from ~1930's.

I'll post both experiences as they differed slightly.

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3/19 Review

Blend Information
Blend name: ? March TOM
Manufacturer: ?
Tobacco contents: English
Standard delivery size: 2 oz Tin
Cost: ~9.00 online

Ambiance/Physical Description
Tobacco cut: Ribbon
Tobacco appearance: Light brown/tan
Approximate age: ? Received as a sample from Yellowgoat
Drying time: 30 min in an envelope
Accompanying food/beverage: Water and Hershey's Chocolate Bar with almonds
Pipe used: Kaywoodie Drinkless Straight Billiard

Flavor Profile
Sweetness: Hints of black cherry detected
Fuitiness: Hints of black cherry detected. This was the most dominant flavor.
Floralness: None detected
Smokiness: Tobacco taste detected
Earthiness/Spice: Leathery taste present.
Nuttiness: None detected

Ratings (weights are in parenthesis)
Tin Smell (1) - 4
Burn Quality (2.5) - 3
Room Note (1) - 4
Complexity (2.5) - 4
Overall Taste (3) - 3

Modifiers
Bite (0-2) - 1 (0% bonus)
Cost per ounce - 3.50-4.49 (10% bonus)

UNWEIGHTED SCORE - 18/25

WEIGHTED SCORE - 34.5/50

ADJUSTED SCORE - 37.95/50

OVERALL GRADE - B

Notes: This tobac tasted predominantly of sweet black cherry. The Latakia appeared to be present, but not a predominant factor. The smoke was fairly one dimensional, but paired nicely with the Hershey bar. The tobac did have some bite/harshness when smoked quickly, but provided a fair burn when smoked slowly. I smoked it in the car and a bowl lasted ~35 min. This tobac left little aftertaste.

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3/22 Review

Blend Information
Blend name: ? March TOM
Manufacturer: ?
Tobacco contents: English
Standard delivery size: 2 oz Tin
Cost: ~9.00 online

Ambiance/Physical Description
Tobacco cut: Ribbon
Tobacco appearance: Light brown/tan
Approximate age: ? Received as a sample from Yellowgoat
Drying time: 15 min on a napkin
Accompanying food/beverage: None
Pipe used: MM Straight Cob

Flavor Profile
Sweetness: Vanilla flavors present
Fuitiness: Cherry still present, though it was more of a cherry/vanilla combo.
Floralness: None detected
Smokiness: Tobacco taste not detected.
Earthiness/Spice: Leathery taste present.
Nuttiness: None detected

Ratings (weights are in parenthesis)
Tin Smell (1) - 3
Burn Quality (2.5) - 2
Room Note (1) - 4
Complexity (2.5) - 3
Overall Taste (3) - 3

Modifiers
Bite (0-2) - 2 (- 10% bonus)
Cost per ounce - 3.50-4.49 (10% bonus)

UNWEIGHTED SCORE - 15/25

WEIGHTED SCORE - 28.5/50

ADJUSTED SCORE - 28.5/50

OVERALL GRADE - C

Notes: This tobac did not like being smoked in my cob. The black cherry flavors were replaced with more of a vanilla cherry flavor. The tobac was much less complex tasting and burned significantly harsher. This leads me to think that some of the complexity and burn quality may have been due to the Kaywoodie ghosting (I typically smoke Westminster or GLP Maltese Falcon when I smoke a lighter English) and the flavors of the accompanying candy bar. I enjoyed the smoke much less in the cob.

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There you have it. I will pm Yellowgoat with further instructions.

Originally Posted by RX2010

I got it yesterday, I will try to get to it either tonight or tomorrow

Have you had a chance to get to it yet RX?

Originally Posted by Sr Mike

I am going to try it in a different pipe for the rest of the tobacco. I am guessing my results will be better.

You have a chance to smoke it in anything else yet Mike?


Thanks for your impressions guys. I will work with Yellowgoat on getting this wrapped up and getting the April TOM Review going.

-Tyler

[DrDubzz]

I will have this review done no later than sunday

I just got back into town and should have some time to smoke tomorrow night

[DrDubzz]

I'm heading out to smoke, thoughts to follow shortly

[DrDubzz]

ok, smoked a bowl, well most of one anyway

Burn: lit easily, burns a little fast, but not in a way that displeased me, about like most ribbon style baccies

Flavor: definitely plenty of latakia, smokey, woodsy, no real sweetness (didn't notice any VA flavor)

Aroma: I was outside, but made a point to notice the aroma, it wasn't bad, but probably wouldn't draw rave reviews from my wife

Overall: I didn't dislike it, but it's not what I would make a point to smoke normally, although I am trying to work my way into latakias somewhat, I still prefer something sweeter and more VA based.

it reminded me a bit of Butera's Latakia #2, but lacking the sweetness present in that blend, I'm not sure what it is

Holy busy! Looks like all reviews are in, time for Yellowgoat to post here with what the baccy was and who he nominates to send out the baccy for April Blind Review.

Thanks Yellowgoat for providing the baccy for this month!

-Tyler

Hey, It was Yale Mixture from C&D 11 months in the tin.

"If this were a wine it would be full bodied, rich but not sweet (like Cabernet Sauvignon). An all natural Virginia based blend with Latakia. (Close to the original Craven's Mixture.)"

I really think that morefifemusic has the best review but had his chance already! So second best would be Sr Mike for the win.

I will pm Sr Mike with instructions for April. In the meantime, go on over to the Tobac of the Month Club thread and sign up for April!