PipeSMOKE 12/97 - Maven's Choice

Winter 97/98
Volume I
Issue 3

Whether you are stuffing a stocking or spinning a dreidel come the 24th of December, there's something about a pipe with some pleasant tobacco smoldering in it that's associated with holidays, family, and friends. Not to reduce it all to a Norman Rockwell scene, of course, but for gatherings of people these days, if you want to smoke at all, a pipe's the answer. And the tobacco should have a good room aroma.

With all that in mind, The Beloved Tobacco Maven (TBTM) has chosen a selection of the sacred herb with aromas from plain to fancy that will please the non-smokers and also can serve as a gift for Uncle Joe, or just as a way of being nice to yourself. Included are three mass-market brands, available in pouch or tin; all good stuff that has been around for years and has withstood the test of time; while the other is a tinned-only annual treat from one of the best tobacco factories in the world. Of course these all make great gifts for Christmas or Chanukah.
McClelland - Christmas Cheer 1997
This annual treat has been made specially each holiday season for the last five years, although 1993 was skipped because the company didn't feel that there was any leaf special enough. That tells you something about the integrity of McClelland, a company that takes such pride in their product, they'll withhold it if it doesn't meet their standard.

The 1997 Christmas cheer, in its distinctive red and gold label, is a vintage 199 1 flue-cured, Virginia seed tobacco, orange-red in color, characteristic of North Carolina-grown leaf from the Piedmont areas. What characterizes this blend of pressed cake tobacco, sliced and "ready rubbed" for the pipe, is the superb bouquet of matured leaf that has been aged before and after packing, to develop its flavor. Completely natural, with no additives whatsoever, this is a connoisseur's smoke, where the natural sweetness of the leaf yields a smoke that is reminiscent of apples, nuts, and freshly baked bread. Smoke it anywhere. Best in a tall pipe with a narrow bowl.

Half and Half - Burley and Bright
Known worldwide, the distinctive red and green label with a diagonal slash is meant to symbolize this blend's two major components. Burley provides a broad, even, neutral taste reminiscent of cereal grain, while Bright (Virginia) adds a sharper note, for balance. A traditional American blend since the 1920s, Half and Half is sold as a premium brand all over Europe - an American classic, like Camel. Cased (processed) with a basic combination of licorice, molasses, and invert sugars, the blend is then top-dressed (sprayed) with a spice flavoring derived from marinating cloves, cinnamon, and other spices in rum. The end product has a very clean, basic tobacco taste and a classic "pipey" aroma.

This is not a connoisseur's tobacco, but a good everyday smoke. TBTM's father, uncles, and their pals have smoked it by the carload, and were happy. With an aroma like Indian Pudding cooking, Half and Half is an inexpensive, decent smoke available everywhere. Smoke in a medium pipe, firmly packed. Great outdoors.

Borkum Riff - (Bourbon Whiskey)
This blend has been on the American market for about 25 years and has garnered many devotees who will smoke nothing else. .Made in Sweden of light, sweetened Virginia, dark brown Burleys, and a rich black Cavendish, it's top-dressed with Bourbon Whiskey, and has a bouquet (aroma before smoking) that reminds TBTM of dried fruits, such as prunes and raisins. When lit, Borkum Riff's room aroma is like a Russian babka or a baking coffee cake – not too sweet, but flavorful and homey. Mature women of TBTM's acquaintance like this one a lot. It is reasonably priced, too.

Try Borkum Riff as a fireside smoke on a chilly afternoon, complemented by tea rather than coffee, or with a neat whiskey. The taste is complex, suggesting nuts, wheat cakes, and molasses, with the smoky suggestions of the bourbon flavor adding overtones. TBTM enjoys the package imprints of a naval architect's drawing of an old Swedish warship. Best in a short, thick-bowled pipe, packed firmly but not too tight.

Captain Black - (White)
The world market leader, this highly aromatic blend of Black Cavendish, Burley, and Virginia tobacco has set the standard for the sweettoothed since it climbed rapidly to the top position a quarter of a century ago. There have been legions of imitators, but none have succeeded in overtaking Captain Black's lead. Its success is based upon a tantalizing and unquestionably delicious flavor that tastes like a rich, forbidden dessert spiced with a luxurious vanilla, tempered by stewed fruit with chestnuts and blackberries in port wine. Fanciful but not far off.

Dry smoking, this tobacco leaves surprisingly little "gunk" in the bottom of the bowl for such a moist, rich aromatic blend. Unlike many full aromatics, Captain Black tastes like it smells, with no bite and little aftertaste, and produces the kind of room aroma that makes the distaff side comment: "Ooh, I love the aroma of your pipe!" Try some for the holidays, or give it to a pal. Maybe you'll both get lucky. Smoke in a large pipe, not too tightly packed.

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