Spring 98 Volume I Issue 4

Sounds like music but it is mostly smoke except for perhaps, those who compare their pipes to the instruments of Antonio Stradivari or Giuseppe Guarneri For the rest of us, there's music in the art of pipesmoking, especially when sampling some excellent new tobacco brands.

The tobacco companies are now positioning up-market products to appeal to the new, younger pipesmoker who may be approaching the pipe through the cigar route. In the tinned trios below by Orlik, Larsen, and Consolidated it s particularly noticeable that the heavy-duty, fruity aromatics that cigar mavens usually don't care for are de-emphasized, while natural, or near natural tastes prevail. And, bless them, two of the brands include real flake tobacco, the kind true pipe connoisseurs love (A couple of slices of the pressed flake are broken or rubbed out in your palm - finer for indoors, rougher for outside.)
The septet by Royal House also has new themes - aromatic and not - from Swedish Match, composers of the classic Borkum Riff. These are pouch-packed to order by your local smokeshop.

Orlik
0rlik Scotch Type is a mixture of American Virginia and Burley leaf, with Louisiana Perique and Cyprus Latakia added lightly. Loose-cut and subtly whiskey-flavored, this is a mild-to-medium smoke, with nice malt and grain overtones. Best for afternoons or evenings, packed firmly in a medium pipe.
0rlik Rubbed Out Mild Honey Dew is Virginia/Burley flake "rubbed out" and ready to smoke. Mild strength and light taste with a very pleasant but not cloying honey aroma, make this a good choice if you want an 'W' for "Respects the Rights of Others" on your report card. Anywhere, anytime, in a large bowl, packed medium firm.

Orlik Dark Strong Kentucky Flakes is an unusual treat for smokers of full-bodied cigars. Virginia with Perique and real dark fire-cured Kentucky are pressed, stoved, cut into flake (slices), with a beautiful contrast between the light and dark tobaccos. Robust, yet with a smooth, natural taste. Rub out as needed and use a thick-walled pipe with a wide bowl. TBTM loved this one, which is fabulous outdoors.

Evening Stroll is an aromatic blend of black and brown Cavendish with a sweet nut and fruit flavor. A crowd pleaser, this blend is super as a quiet evening smoke, with its mild yet interesting spice overtones.

Signature Blend is a Virginia Flake of medium strength. just crumble a flake or two in your palm, fill the pipe to medium firm, and light this one for a full and rich, 100 percent natural taste, in the old fashioned, traditional Anglo-American style. An all-day tobacco, subtle enough for indoors, bold enough outdoors. TBTM's fave.

Kentucky Gold mixes Burley and Virginia ready-rubbed with dark-fired Kentucky, for punch. A zesty, natural-tasting combination, with a woodsy panache. TBTM smoked this all over Denmark recently, and liked it best outdoors, in a short, stubby pipe with a thick bowl. With an aroma redolent of roasting chestnuts, it's also great by the fireside.

Old Belt Ready Rubbed takes its name from a district in Virginia/North Carolina, where the leaf originates. Essentially a rubbed-out flake tobacco, this one has wheaty overtones and a flavorful sweetness, like Grandma's honeycake. An afternoon treat, in a tall, narrow pipe, with a cup of tea.

Blackbeard's Treasure. Burley and aromatic Virginia tobaccos, with Jamaican rum and vanilla.

Cocoa Bay. Soft and sweet-flavored blend, with a creamy chocolate note.

Tropical Breeze. Light and fruity.

Bon Voyage. Bright Virginia and dark Burley, topped with Champagne.

Madagascar. Wide cut Burley and Virginia tobaccos. Mellow, natural vanilla flavor.

Brigadier. Sweet Virginia, nutty Burley, and spicy Oriental tobaccos.

Our check-and-balance reviewer preferred, in order: Brigadier, Bon Voyage, Blackbeard's Treasure, Madagascar, Cocoa Bay, Morgan's Reef, and Tropical Breeze. TBTM notes that these blends are available for sampling at the smokeshop, along with an informational brochure, so you can try before you buy.