Tobaccos Gallaher Limited - Condor Long Cut (Brown)

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JimInks (3047)	2014-12-29		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

The flavor of the Virginia is much sublimated, though I do get some earth, citrus, and a hint of grass along with the more obvious tangy deep dark fruit. The topping is a little perfumy and soapy, and definitely floral. There’s a slight sharpness to it that I associate with burley, so perhaps a little is present? Has a medium nic-hit. Won't bite or get harsh. Not as overwhelming as I had expected, but I consider this to be more for an experienced smoker. Fully flavored, burns slow with a very consistent taste, which is more of an acquired one for many smokers. It's not an all day smoke, but if this fits your flavor profile, repetition will enter your mind. Burns easier than the bar version, which of course, is expected. Leaves little moisture in the bowl and no dottle. Has a pleasant after taste. Will ghost a pipe fast, so be prepared to either dedicate a briar or a cob to it. I suggest trying it out in a meer first.

-JimInks

21 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	StevieB (2081)	2014-09-19		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Condor - Long Cut.

The flakes aren't as big as the pouch's size implies. They only measure 6x2cm, and are thin. They're a very dark brown and only a touch too moist.

The smoke? Very nice! I like to rub the flakes, rather than fold and stuff, and the build of them makes this a doddle. The Lakeland topping is unquestionable, but I don't find it too strong. It has about the same strength of added flavour as St. Bruno. The burn from CLC couldn't be any better: cool, slow, to a white ash. No bite throughout a bowl.

Nicotine: a healthy amount. Room-note: I quite like it.

Condor Long Cut? Highly recommended:

Four stars.

Pipe Used: Comoys Elegance

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: G.Q Tobaccos

12 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Sentul (12)	2015-01-30		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

This is probably one of if not "the" classic English Lakeland Flakes of all time.

It's the first tobacco I ever smoked in a pipe and it is one I have fond memories of. A lovely tobacco and if you like English Lakelands in my opinion the best tobaccos to use to break a new pipe in.

When I first started smoking a pipe and Condor, it was available very easily OTC in England as Long Cut and Short Cut. Specialist Tobacconists also had it in various cuts and plugs.

I progressed after an Uncle of mine was smoking Condor Thick Black Twist, that was absolutely superb but became less easily obtainable, so after that I moved on to Condor Plug, which was uncut fkake and you could cut it as you wished.

They also made Condor Pig Tail which I never tried because for some reason it smelt disgusting compared to the rest of the Condor range.

Then when "ready rubbed" OTC tobaccos became popular, Condor Ready Rubbed was brought out. In my opinion this is terrible stuff and gloopy and in no way represents the Flake quality.

Condor Long Cut Flake is a classic that ought to be tried by all .... but beware it will case (ghost) your pipe big time.

I now prefer Coniston Cut Plug in preference to Condor but Condor Long Cut will always have fond memories for me in my early pipe smoking days

Now all I can see on the market is Condor Long Cut Flake and the ready rubbed. If I ever see the Thick Black Twist I will definitely buy some.

Condor Long Cut is a lovely tobacco and a must try for anyone who smokes a pipe.

Pipe Used: G.Smith's Plainsman, (a half bent Rhodesian).

Purchased From: Martin McGahey UK http://www.the-tobacconist.co.uk/main.asp

Similar Blends: Coniston Cut Plug but Condor is a slightly less strong tobacco with more casing..

11 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteelCowboy (685)	2012-03-18		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This review is based on a tinned version of this blend with some age on it. I have been putting this review off for some time hoping that things would change as I have been smoking it on and off for the past three months, but it hasn't. I am a fan of Lakeland flavored flakes and enjoy many of them. I also occasionally enjoy a good strong tobacco. The underlying tobacco is of good quality. It rubs out with ease and that is my preferred way to smoke it. It didn't burn hot for me and I didn't suffer any tongue bite. The bottom line is that I just don't enjoy the flavor and it even upsets my stomach at times. It will also ghost a pipe badly. Based on other reviews, the fact that a flake is sold over the counter is a pretty cool thing. It's too bad we Yanks don't have such a luxury. Condor Long Cut has a great history and if you enjoy Lakelands it's worth a try. If you are looking to venture into Lakelands I think there are better choices. Somewhat Recommended.

10 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gentleman Zombie (729)	2016-03-27		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

A special thanks to StevieB for hooking me up with an English supply line. Here's to many more great trades.

This is a wonderful smoke. I smoked it in three types of pipe and processed several ways. In each case I found it to be very enjoyable. Here are the details.

Briar (Tsuge metal tankard) - For this pipe I chose a cube cut, well dried and gravity fed. There is a tangy fruitiness that is mildly sharp on the retrohale. Not sharp enough to distress but just enough to add a pleasant edginess. As the bowl progresses a mild note of "Mom's homemade biscuits" comes into play. There's a little sweetness, but I get more tang than sweet. It's quite tasty and well rounded. Has some strength to it. Burns very well.

Clay (Dutch Gouda) - I used the leftover cube cut for this pipe. Same as the briar in every respect but one, the sharpness is a little more pronounced.

Cob (MM Diplomat Apple) - I rubbed out the flakes completely to ribbons and dried well. Here the tangy fruitiness is a little more subdued providing a smoother smoke that's a little easier on the nasal passages. The biscuit note is a little more pronounced. This was a bit more to my liking. Burned very well yet remained a cool smoke. Next I used the same cob and just folded and stuffed two flakes with a little of the leftover ribbon on top as kindling. The flavors were a little deeper, the smoke slower and longer lasting. Just what you would expect them to be. This is the way I prefer it. In a cob, folded and stuffed. Wonderful, wonderful stuff. I got a feeling Steve is gonna have to send me some more of this. Thanks friend.

Medium in body and taste. Flavoring is very mild. I can hardly believe this has any Lakeland scent added. It's barely noted. Burns well regardless of how you process the flake or even if you don't. This was a fun flake to play with.

Pipe Used: listed in review

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: acquired in trade

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Granny Smith (29)	2014-11-16		Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

The flake to me is at least equal to the ready rubbed version which I love, but may be even better given that the smoker has control of how much he wants to rub out the flakes. You get that intensely wonderful Condor taste and aroma. When I first started smoking a pipe I tried condor and didn't like it but these days it is my number one OTC blend, so maybe Condor is a little too rich for novice briar puffers, but when you get used to pipe smoking Condor is an experience to be savoured. Fruity flavours abound, as well as tangs of liquor, maybe rum. I do enjoy this smoke and have several Condor moments each and every day. I puffing on a bowl of the flake as I type and my taste buds are thanking me for it. It really is excellent. The only OTC blend that even comes close in the UK is St. Bruno but Condor is the better of the two. Mty first and last smoke of the day is always Condor, either the flake or ready rubbed. In between I puff on a few different blends - Virgina Flake, Old Dark Fired and Erinmore Balken mix are a few - but Condor always makes itself stand out against these other admittedly excellent blends. Dondor is Granny's blend of choice...now for some Led Zeppelin and a bowl of Condor....ahh bliss.

Pipe Used: Pyramid Italy

Age When Smoked: fresh

Purchased From: ASDA

Similar Blends: Lankeland and English blends.

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Coda (33)	2014-05-27		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

If Condor Long Cut was readily available in the US, it would be my everyday smoke. The pouch note is of dried fruit, with a little bit of tangyness. Smoked as a flake, the floral notes come through strong...as does the nicotine. Rubbed out, Condor is surprisingly mild, with a nice dark fruit flavor throughout, and a muted floralness. I would not consider Condor a "lakeland" tobacco. For me, Lakelands tend to be a really nice tobacco flavor, and a floral flavor. Condor, on the other hand, is a single, uni-flavor, with the dark fruitiness melding perfectly with the floral notes to produce a genuinely original tobacco. A true classic...

8 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Wibblefishofdoom (139)	2011-09-19		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

Wasn't sure what to expect when I first bought this, but, being aware of the Condor brand I decided to give it a go. The pleasant aroma of sandalwood - a reminder of the incense from my neo-hippy/new age days - as I opened the packet was a fond reminder of an enjoyable well wasted youth.

Having packed my favourite pipe with the stuff and lit said brand, the sandalwood smell from the packet that rendered so many reminiscences continued to avail itself upon my senses during a I very enjoyable smoke. The lack of any tonguebite or Lesley Ash lips was a welcome surprise on top of a highly satisfactory smoke.

This is now one of my favourite tobaccos and have started making a point of keeping up a steady supply amongst my pipe stash.

I can recommend this without hesitation.

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-02-26		Medium to Strong	Strong	Full	Tolerable to Strong

having tried this years ago when i first started pipe smoking i hated this stuff......oh how my tastes have changed in 20 odd years since i last tried it, having run out of my regular blend which i get via internet , i walked to the local shop, CLC was the only pipe tobacco they had... in a 25g pouch too. I thought "what have i to lose??". Breaking the seal on the pouch I was virtually overwhelmed by the aroma of this tobacco , hard to describe but not off-putting at all....loaded the pipe and fired up........i was astounded how good this blend tasted...a full "soapy" taste which lasted all the way to the bottom of the bowl.....after one pipeful , I liked it, after 3 i loved it and would recommend it to others. i did not think it was overly strong as other reviewers mentioned , but i did smoke it using a small briar. i will certainly be buying more of this, the good thing is it is readily available in scotland at every corner shop and supermarket....the question i am asking myself now is....why have i overlooked this blend all this time??

Update: im updating this review to 4 stars.....it calls to me in my sleep, this is truly wonderful stuff...for me nirvana!!!

7 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Connoisseur (47)	2012-02-09		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant

Oh the memories this tobacco brings back. When first opening the brown pouch - those unfamiliar, will be treated to an aroma they will either love or hate and one that will never be forgotten. Hard to describe save to say stong soap or floral -citrusy aftershave scent, which in my humble opinion smells wonderful. Long dark flakes that rub out easy and burn in a manner that defies the moisture. Rich smooth smoke that actually tastes like the pouch scent. Could be considered a little overpowering at first to the amateur. as I soon discovered. However, this quickly became a favourite after dinner smoke for me. The irony is that while one might soon tire of it, one will always return to it in the future, just like an old friend.

6 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	AbnormalFescue (1)	2017-12-29		Strong	Very Strong	Full	Tolerable

Condor is crude. It is overpowering and assertive, it is coarse and inelegant; it is all these things, and unashamedly so, for what it lacks in finesse and nuance it makes up for with its own loutish charisma. In short, this is a blend that makes its presence known, whether you like it or not. Fortunately, there are those of us who can appreciate a bold, outspoken character, that knows its place in the world; and for those who identify as such, keep reading, this may just be what you have been looking for.

From the second the seal is broken one cannot help but swoon slightly under its pungent, heavy handed Lakeland aroma of citrus and stewed berries—and what to my nose resembles a soapy, almost menthol background note. Though somewhat maligned, I have to say, the soapy/citrus pouch note is probably my favourite thing about this tobacco. It is fresh and invigorating, and has a charm that can only be described as suis generis. Granted, this is not the charm of a suave, city slicking dandy, but more akin to that of an outlandish, mildly un-PC uncle—who’s scandalous dinner table regalements' are none the less considered endearing.

I have heard Condor described as being ‘bland’ in the VA department when smoked, and I’m not entirely unsympathetic to that charge; it is not a blend that revels in complexity, but then, it is not designed to be. There are tobaccos for thinking and tobaccos for doing, both have their time and place, though this is without equivocation a member of the latter camp. It is a hard-nosed, old school VA, in the Anglo-Irish tradition; as such it is strong, both in topping and nicotine content. Personally, I very much enjoy the subdued, fruity VA notes, underneath the heavy-handed Lakeland topping—though I can see why this would divide opinion. The smoke is always cool and smooth, in a way that belies its true potency; some caution is therefore required, as this will creep up and set about you like a drunken navvy, should you let your guard down and take liberties. Even as an ex cigarette smoker with a high nicotine tolerance I have had occasion to get on its bad side, receiving a brutish clout round the ear as a result. Best then to take your time, sip slowly, and treat it the respect it deserves; you will be rewarded for your trouble with a robust, fruity smoke that never bites, and is always consistent, from one pipe to the next.

To call this a mans-mans blend is, I think, an understatement. That is to say, Condor makes John Wayne look like a wine sipping, Guardian reading stamp collector, with all the virility of a poached egg. This is a flake created for men who spend their days heaving rocks around in the bowels of the earth, or forging monstrosities from iron and steel. It exhibits what the Spaniards call ‘cojones’, and it does so by the bucket; yet it is never arrogant. It courts both the masculine and the homely, in the manner of a pugnacious old Yorkshire gent—hard but fair. It is easy to see why Condor remains a stalwart of the everyman pipe smoker, if only for its consistency; this is one of the few tobaccos that follows through on its pouch note into the bowl (for better or worse) from start to finish. Granted, this is not a tobacco for everyone, and if you are looking for a clean, natural flake, you will almost certainly be disappointed. However, I think every smoker owes it to themselves to try Condor at least once, for its own sake if nothing else. You may just like it.

Pipe Used: F&T dublin, Jeantet rhodesian,

Age When Smoked: 6 - 12 months (going by packaging)

Purchased From: Supermarket

Similar Blends: Nothing that I am aware of.

5 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2021-05-01		Strong	Strong	Full	Very Pleasant

Year's ago when I was a nipper Condor Long Cut came in tins of two ounces and the one-ounce was wrapped in foil and encased in a cellophane sealed cardboard box. At that time Condor came as Pigtail too and some of the old lads at the local coal mine where I started work both chewed the aforementioned and also smoked it. This pigtail was virtually pure black in colour as was the also available condor plug, these last two Condor variants tasted nothing like Condor, there was also a milder brown pigtail too. Anyway, the pigtail and plug is now consigned to another age, but fortunately one can still readily buy Condor Long Cut, but even this variant is now proving to be hard to get from over the counter, as none of my local supermarkets stock it, though thankfully the ready rubbed is still for sale, but for how much longer is anyone's guess?

So onto the review...For my money nothing out there compares to Condor, Condor is totally unique in its casings and hence the flavour. One slice in a Dunhill group three lasts me over an hour and burns to a very fine ash. The Condor moment can at times be elusive to the inexperienced smoker, but once tasted that moment is never forgotten. The trick with Condor is to smoke it gently to a point where your pipe seems unlit, only then will you attain that Condor moment. The room note is very pleasant and even my non-smoking friends let me smoke this blend in their houses. If I could choose just one tobacco to smoke for the rest of my life, that tobacco would be Condor. On opening the packet one is greeted by the divine smell, then lighting up its onto the sweet, satisfying, unique taste, a tobacco that's unbelievable and a kind of a dream-inducing blend. I personally cannot recommend any other tobacco as highly, yes I do rotate with Irish Slices, but when I return to Condor it is with a great expectation that Condor never fails to sate. A must try tobacco, that like Marmite you'll either love or hate. Footnote... I hate Marmite but love Condor.

Pipe Used: Dunhill Bruyere Beehive

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Blakemar Briars

Similar Blends: Nothing totally unique, I notice some folk compare it to the Lakelands, but I think Condor is parallel to nothing and no other tobacco has that Condor moment..

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	TallPuffO'Burley (633)	2014-09-23		Medium	Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

I really enjoy this aromatic. I first tried it when visiting a forum friend in Florida who gave me a bowlful in my Altinok Canadian. I was eager to try, but was not expecting to like it, after my first whiff of it filled my nose with that soapiness common to British aros. Not being much the fan of that floral essence, I figured I would detest the bowl that was to follow.

My friend could tell by the expression on my face that I was, indeed, enjoying it, and he was correct. This was in March. A few months later he surprised me with a good sample in the mail. I, once again, got to enjoy several more bowls and finishing it yesterday. This time I was able to sample it in a briar as well. And enjoyed it out of a few, but the blend really sang out of my meerschaum.

I really wish this was more available in the US, but being resourceful, I have a pouch heading to me right now that I am anxious to receive. To the tobacco, it is aromatic, no doubt. But it is a pleasurable aroma to my taster. Similar to St. Bruno, but I found St. Bruno to be lighter topped and much more aggressive in the nicotine. Normally I would prefer this trait, but for some reason, I prefer the Condor to the St. Bruno as the topping is just more to my liking than is St. Bruno's. And the Condor certainly supplies enough Nicotine to satisfy my needs. When I smoke a blend such as this, I am not looking to get steam rolled as St. Bruno is apt to do.

The condor is lighter fare, yet it is not like smoking hot air. It is a really good aromatic and the brits are lucky to have it in their stores as common a site as the horrid Captain Black that sits in our stores. I highly recommend this tasty aromatic treat.

Pipe Used: Altinok Canadian, Peterson Donegal Roky B11

Purchased From: Gift from friend

Similar Blends: St. Bruno.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2013-03-08		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Very nice tobacco. Similar to Samuel Gawith No.4 Rope, but with an interesting casing reminiscent of rum, dried fruits, and perhaps a hint of tonquin and licquorice.

Based on what I've heard, I was expecting the casing to be over the top, but it's actually very well suited to the base tobacco, and for me is supportive of the tobacco rather than overshadowing it. The 'tin' note was significant, but the casing is quite mellow in the smoke. While it might ghost a pipe, I tend to smoke Lakelands mostly, and I think Condor will be the least of my worries in that regard.

I first tried rubbing out completely, which left a very nice, easy to pack ribbon, but I found the flavour to be somewhat 1-dimensional that way, actually quite similar to when I tried smoking white ox in a pipe (in fact, white ox is probably much closer to the base tobacco flavour of Condor than the No.4 rope is). The second pipe, I used my usual method, which is to fold the flake a couple of times and rip small pieces off the resulting 'log' and sprinkle them into the bowl. This provided a much more complex flavour, and the casing became more noticible.

Condor burns evenly and requires few relights straight out of the pouch.

While I prefer the Samuel Gawith and Gawith Hoggarth tobaccos, I could see myself buying this one again, as it has a certain rugged charm.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2013-03-02		Medium to Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Splendid tobacco!

Condor Brown is even better than the Green! As where the Green unveiled mostly a good old Lakeland taste that was progressively replaced by solid, well - aged dark VAs, this unveils some liquor/alcohol taste and is stronger, richer than its sibling.

I am smoking it in a brand new MM Great Dane, for a change, which unleashes all its flavours. Surprisingly, I have a tendency to relate to SG's FVF when I smoke Condor Brown - they have the same creaminess -, but with an alcohol topping, more vitamine N and which behaves much better in its burning qualities.

Gents, this is one fine dark VA flake, with some golden VAs, that you must absolutely try if you can.

As far as I am concerned, Condor Green and Brown will be part of my regular rotation.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	PeterD (91)	2012-06-07		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

In the early 1960's I smoked this in both plug and flake form. I prefered the plug form overall, but since that is no longer available, I smoke the flakes whenever I can get them.

I travelled in Europe extensively in the 1980's- 2002, and has been suggested, this tobacco is available everywhere. I hadn't smoked any of this in the last 10 years until I found a friend who would send it to me on request.

In my recent re-discovery of this traditional British flake, I very much enjoy this smoke. Certainly not as refined as others available today but a tobacco that seems to never leave my senses. The moment I opened the 50 gr. pouch, it was like an old friend coming home. It is a strong tobacco for many, although I class it as a full body medimum smoke. I smoke it moist and never have trouble keeping it lit.

The floral scent is present and its one of the few scents I have no issues with. Perhaps because of my early smoking experience with this tobacco, and its difficult to get here in the US, I like this tobacco very much and will keep it in my tobacco rotation.

I give it 4 stars because it meets all my criteria for what I consider a great smoke. I smoke this in a group 3-4 size bowl and even though it may "ghost" to some extent, what taste or flavor it does leave, it does not interfere with smoking other strong tobaccos.

...a pipe is to be savored...

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	The Full English (31)	2010-01-17		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable

The flake variety is not so far removed from the ready-rubbed, so I'll echo my sentiments regarding the latter, from a prior review:

This review completes my experiment with the three major commercially available tobacco brands in rubbed form here in the UK - those being Clan, St. Bruno, and Condor. The latter is, without a doubt, the best, and proves that there is some credence in entrusting your choices locally, as opposed to the specialist. Without a doubt, this is a classic Lakeland style tobacco, but although the usual floral scent and soapy taste that usually fires a warning shot is present, I find the casing to be much more acceptable and palatable than that found in many other brands - notably the Gawiths. Indeed, it's a good deal more nectarous, slightly spicy, and a damn sight more unusual, without impinging on what seems to be a naturally sweet Virginia base.

I don't find this to be particularly overly cased, nor that potent, if truth be told. The flavours seem well-balanced and seemed a far cry from the "Condor Moment" which smacked of the sourness you'd expect from some of the more pungent Burleys in the Peterson line. It does contain a good dose of the old Vitamin N, but it's well managed.

The only downsides are really the ghosting and the need for several re-lights; though it's a moist tobacco that burns surprisingly well, it becomes a bit top- heavy with ash. Furthermore, the room note is a tad monotonous and a touch off- putting for some, but everything is there in the smoke itself, which really sings. I can't dedicate a pipe to this, so I'm anticipating some aftercare with my Peterson System, but it's a small price to pay for a quality smoke that I can purchase where I want, when I want - and in smaller pouch sizes that neither break the bank, nor become boring.

Addendum:

The flake variant tastes slightly fuller, with a more pronounced sour note. It's moderately moist, easy to rub out and light, and it's particularly noteworthy as a consistent smoke, with a full body of flavour being generated in the second half of the bowl. Again, a great smoke that burns to a voluminous plume, and a fluffy ash of less quantity than it's rubbed version.

Overall, I think I prefer the balance of the ready-rubbed over the long cut, but the two are so very similar that you could probably juggle them in the same pipe. It's a testament to the blender that they've made a rub that can still hold it's own against the flake. Two ace cuts - and the champion of commercial smokes.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Skando (203)	2009-06-12		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Tolerable

I have taken advantage of a short holiday in Amalfi to study three products:

- Orlik Golden Sliced

- Condor Long Cut

- McBs HH Vintage Syrian

Here my impressions about the second one.

Two pouches of CLC came to me from JJFox in London (alongwith a couple of St. Bruno and one of Players Navy Flake). I have strongly desired to taste these oldies again, and still remember the small rectangular tins of Condor, Sweet Dark Honeydew (not to name the pure Latakia) and their rusted inner edges. They still were under the Gallaher's brand... and I was just twenty. The latest experience I got with Condor was with the RR form in the very beginning of the nineties. So, the new meeting with CLC was simply a sentimental matter, a very pleasant situation.

CLC comes in a sealed plastic pouch of brown colour (the tin was greenish), the rear showing a terrific photo of a wide open devastated mouth at a dentist! After the breaking of the seal, the inconfondible aroma: soapy, flowerish, fruity. The colour is dark and very dark brown with bright specs inside. Some 20/25 flakes, thin and quite short. I guess that if offered in loose cut, CLC would be a shag.

I have prepared a couple of slices and had them airing out for half an hour, folded them and rubbed a bit, loaded into an old sandblasted Savinelli Punto Oro no. 105 (small bowl billiard), which was previously used for University and Irish Flake. Just the shape of pipe a true Englishmen would use for CLC... Upon lighting the tobacco surface has a violent reaction and need a couple of energic tamperings, relight and&peaceful slow, cool smoke.

A soapy smoke, or better, the perfumes we do associate with soap on a sweet base. Very refreshing indeed, with citrusy notes over a flowery base. This is steady through to the end of the pipeful. A deserving experience, maybe not for the summer season. We are talking of a scented flake of old school, strong but no too much strong (it starts understatingly medium and steadily proceeds - puff after puff - just to the strong, never reaching the brutality of and Irish Flake).

Regarding the weed, I guess we are talking of heavily stoved Va's, but I suspect some Ky is also in the play. Who cares ? It's the whole thing which counts here. Dedicated pipe(s) is a must, Condor will be indelibly ghost your pipe. Daily use? Not for me, thank you. Do you drink liquors daily ?

Scented flakes is a genre of its own, if I am to rate it for the TR community guide, I would give two stars. But, I have said above this is a sentimental matter of mine, and the rating is just for my appreciation: four stars.

CLC is something love-or-hate: I simply love it.

4 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	FiremanMick (12)	2016-08-06		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Very Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I have been smoking Condor ready rubbed for over 40 years.Tried Long Cut many years ago before becoming a 'Flake man' due to finding Tobacco Reviews some years ago.Went to my good tobacconists for Ennerdale Flake....sold out.Bought Condor Long Cut.Very glad I did.To this palate there is a distinct difference between Green pack and Brown.....much deeper richer aftertaste lingering smoke than the ready rubbed.Is it due to casings dissipating somewhat due to rubbing when straight off the presses as opposed to the Long Cut still being in a compressed block albeit sliced? I don't know...maybe the casings steep more in the flake version.

Often pipe gets going on one char settling into a very slow smouldering smoke long lasting...very rich satisfying smoke verging on strong in strength...side stream more scented it seems just like old school English baccy.Stays lit when left untended for minutes sometimes.Very cool dense smoke with no hint of tongue bite....yes it's a ghoster!! But I have that many pipes -no problem.Shall be buying more of the Long Cut.Very recommended baccy for the guys who enjoy richness and strength.

Pipe Used: Various Peterson Deluxe and Premiers

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Local good B and M

Similar Blends: Pretty unique but maybe some of G and H more strong Lakeland flakes.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dav1d (1)	2014-09-07		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

My father smoked Condor all through my childhood and until his death when I was 23. By 25 I was a pipe smoker full-time and another Condor devotee. Had I not found myself in the USA, it would have been all that I cared to smoke.

Green or Brown? Green is the easier to charge and light; brown requires you to shred in your hand before loading. Brown needs more care: ensure you distribute it evenly in your pipe. With both you should be prepared to go through the light, tamp, light, ritual several times. And always use a cold pipe.

It's a slow burn and a cool smoke. A full pipe will last you hours if you put it down and relight later. Indeed it's rare that I'll smoke the whole bowl in one go.

Pipe Used: Multiple

Age When Smoked: Unknown

Purchased From: E-tobacco.com and Europe

Similar Blends: None, I regret.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Fofo (81)	2013-05-31		Medium	Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable

Nice and tasty. Perfumy, floral, and sweet at first. Casing vanishes about half way thru the bowl (though not completely) and leaves you with a nice Virginia glow, with a hint of leather.

Enough nicotine to satisfy. Does ghost a pipe fiercely, so try it in a corn cob pipe before smoking in a briar.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-05-04		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

After coming back into pipe smoking after a break of about fifteen years or so i thought i would start with one of my old favourites,'THE ONE AND ONLY' Condor Long Cut. I know all of us have our own particular tastes and for me when it comes to tobacco nothing else hits those heights of relaxation and enjoyment in quite the same way as this lovely dark brown flake.As soon as i put the first match to the bowl for the charring light i was taken back years as the taste and aroma have not changed a bit and in my estimation that is a good thing because this tobacco is unique.Other reviews i have read describe it's flavour as 'soapy' and i can see what they mean but it's 'soapyness' only adds to it's allurement.In a way this tobacco is hard to pin down but if you want a good relaxing smoke for a peaceful half hour or so a good thing is to mix:Three quarters Condor Long Cut with One quarter Gold Block and enjoy!To sum up this tobacco is dark,mysterious,flavoursome and peace friendly!

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SteveH (37)	2011-12-17		Medium to Strong	None Detected	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I'd never tried this before, despite its being a readily available OTC in the UK (or maybe because - tobacco snobbery on my part), and have been very pleasantly surprised. It's dry- tasting (which for me is good), full-bodied, and with a hint of dried fruit. The soapy taste, mentioned by others, is detectable, and i could happily do without it, but it's within reasonable limits. It seems to be less noticeable in a meer or clay than in a briar, so I may smoke it only in them from now on. I think it will become a regular smoke for me.

[Edit] I don't think this baccy is very good for briars: it seems to have done for my Invicta Rhodesian. When I smoked 'Squadron Leader' in it recently, after two smokes of Condor, it tasted nothing like it should. Therefore, I'll reserve it for my meers and clays, and give the Rho a longish rest to recover.

Having smoked it a few more times since, I've re vised my initial enthusiasm: it's not bad for an OTC, but that's not saying much. It can be good, but sometimes is too soapy. I've down-graded my recommendation to 'somewhat recommended'.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-10-11		Strong	Strong	Full	Pleasant

So, the birds fall stricken from the trees and dogs run howling from their masters' feet. It says much about the natural reserve of British reviewers that this towering Irish classic, and last word in the British "floral" style, fails to achieve an overall four-star rating. Still made in its home town in Northern Ireland where it has been for - I'm not sure how long - certainly decades. (And something you can't say about its great rival, St Bruno, which departed Liverpool in the mid-noughties.) If you can obtain some of this, even in ready-rubbed, which doesn't differ too much from the flake, you cannot let the opportunity pass and call yourself a pipe smoker.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-07-14		Strong	Mild to Medium	Full	Tolerable to Strong

I just don't understand all this talk of soap and flowers! To me Condor just tastes like strong, natural Virginia, maybe a slight hint of something leathery in there. One thing is certain Condor is strong, I like strong tobacco so to me this is a good thing, but I wouldn't recommend it to a beginner. It smokes cool and doesn't bite unless really provoked. I would probably say it should be dried out awhile before smoking although I smoke it straight from the packet in a Falcon. I will happily smoke this regularly, for a readily available OTC (Here in the UK anyway) I feel it knocks several so called ‘Premium' tobaccos down a peg or two.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-04-21		Strong	Strong	Full	Tolerable

Condor Original Long Cut Flake is in an incomparable class of its own. Highly flavoured this will ghost your pipe. I won't have to tell you that again. Best set aside a pipe just for this strong tobacco that has stood the test of time. Solid, seductive nicotine delivery. Don't use a large bowl. Highly recommended.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-03-30		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable

25 gram packet. Not sure I smoked enough to get to know this one really well. I did not find the heaviness in strength and nicotine that other reviewers found, but it did ghost a pipe pretty thoroughly with its heavy flavoring.

I love the idea of an "OTC" flake. This flake came cut thin and loading was a breeze using the fold and stuff method. It burned quite nicely if I dried it properly. The flavor was of typical Brit florals and "soap".

A lot of virtual ink has been spilled comparing this to St Bruno. The only comparison I can make is that they both come in pouches and both originated in the UK. This is no St Bruno. Where that blend produces a flavor burst of natural tobacco with a floral topping, this one goes overboard with the flavoring... WAY overboard. The taste was medicinal throughout most of the bowl, and this flavor did not change much until it turned ashen towards the bottom. There were times when it settled into a groove that was quite enjoyable but eventually the thin, artificial taste returned. Whereas most Lakeland blends use flavorings sympathetically, this one seemed more discordant.

I probably will not try this one again anytime soon. However, I think everyone should. It has history, it has a following and it has the "Condor Moment". Unfortunately, I found that moment too momentary. As always, your mileage may vary.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Susanna Hoffs (74)	2010-12-23		Strong	Strong	Full	Tolerable to Strong

Sorry.

This has the strength of Gawith & Hoggarths Dark Flake. However that is where all comparisons end.

This stuff smokes as hot as hell, and is akin to smoking a bowl full of highly scented soapy 'Cilit Bang' flakes.

Horrible 'ghosting' mess of a tobacco, that thoroughly deserves it's title as an over the counter drug store blend.

All in all this is absolute bollocks in a plastic pouch.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-11-21		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I reviewed this blend several years ago, somehow it ended up in the Condor Ready Rubbed section, a mystery as I've never liked the RR version much and never reviewed it...

This blend was a long time favorite of mine, that is now sadly no longer exported to the USA. I first tried this blend at a Yorkshire tobacconist's recommendation while purchasing a new pipe. I had never encountered a flake tobacco before, so I had to ask him how to use it. I have a good friend in the UK who can keep me supplied with Condor, and there are several tobacconists who will ship to the USA.

Fortunately, I've found that SG Bracken Flake is quite similar to Condor at least as far as a substitute goes when I can't reliably get my hands on it.

Appearance: A mostly black with some brown and tan mottling leathery flake of varying thickness.

Aroma: The first thing that is apparent when opening a pouch of Condor is that it is fairly heavily scented. What kind of defies me is to decide what that scent is. I pick up tones of black cherry, something sweet and vaguely like molasses and hints of rose. Rose you say? Yes rose, as in Greek Rose Petal preserves (not a regular on many an American table). I can also detect deep air cured Virginias and an underlying nuttiness, and musty quality. Put side by side with SG Bracken Flake they smell very similar. This tobacco seems perfect for smoking as soon as the seal on the pouch is broken. As with most flake tobaccos I simply take several flakes together, fold them in half and insert them length-wise into the bowl trimming off the excess. I find it has a much better burn this way and makes for a long enjoyable smoke.

For this review, I've chosen an Edward's Husky Canadian which is dedicated to scented flakes.

A first light is brings billows of rich white smoke, followed with a brief visit of the tamper and then a tamping light. The topping or casing is immediately there and while a bit odd at first becomes a nice compliment to the fine quality leaf underneath. Flavors of cherry, rose and a deep nuttiness are exhaled with increasing pleasure. This is a delightful flake, which rather rapidly dispels myths of 'English Soap'. The flavors are intense and build rapidly while the topping or casing gradually fade into the background. Many Americans will not likely enjoy this flavor, but I do.

Mid Bowl: Approaching mid-bowl, the fullness tends to build and while I wouldn't call this mixture particularly complex, the topping or casing gradually fade completely into the background but never leave the scene. The Virginias build in depth and character while the topping/casing gently fade. This blend can get away from you if you are not careful with technique. That is not to say that it will bite, I've never experienced tongue-bite with this blend. Rather, the tobacco is a bit temperamental and can be over-puffed to the point of extreme bitterness. If one takes the time to smoke this slowly and methodically a sweet, rich and flavorful voyage is there for the taking.

Home Stretch: As end of the bowl approaches, I find that it becomes more intense though never overpoweringly so. The tobacco eventually becomes the most dominant component with the topping/casing fading in intensity. Deep and resonant forest, leather and cigar tones emerge from the heart of this blend. The sweetness and topping/casing never fully leave, yet their initial flavors have matured and ripened into a fascinating mixture of stewed fruits and rich adult pleasures.

Supplemental Notes:

I must add that now being in possession of both SG Bracken Flake and Condor Long Cut at the same time, my observation remains, they are very similar and for me at least BF is a good substitute though not a direct 1:1 'copy' of each other. BF will defiantly scratch the itch for me.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-04-15		Very Strong	Medium	Very Full	Very Pleasant

My review of this tobacco originally appeared here, but due, presumably, to some database error on this site, it now appears on the page for the ready-rubbed version. I am therefore putting it back where it belongs, as the long cut version is my regular smoke:

I was sitting on a bench in the garden the other day, smoking my pipe and studying a rare, abstruse text, when a large magpie fell from the tree branch directly above me, paralyzed from the beak down. You see, I was not smoking any ordinary tobacco - I was smoking the mighty Condor.

This was the only tobacco that struck terror into the heart of my great-uncle Jack - an inveterate St Bruno smoker.

Upon opening the tin (or pouch these days), one is greeted by a very pleasant aroma of something perfumy, which I have never been able to positively identify. The flowery aroma is different, and less pronounced than that found in Coniston Cut Plug. It is also nicer (but perhaps that is due to its familiarity over so many years). There is also an aroma of good, rich, potent tobacco, which leaves the sniffer in no doubt whatsoever that a substantial smoke lies ahead.

The flakes are dark and foreboding; just nicely moist and of consistent dimensions - three flakes for a large billiard (I just can't bring myself to smoke a smaller bowl of this).

Once the smoker has plucked up the courage, girded his loins and applied flame, the very traditional, correct and proper, British, perfumy (delightfully so) taste is to the fore. However, this soon withdraws to the wings, leaving a very full, rich tobacco flavour centre-stage. It is at this point that many reviewers will begin to describe their favourite tobaccos with adjectives such as 'nutty', 'leathery' and goodness knows what. Suffice to say that this tastes of rich tobacco and it is heavenly (blast - an adjective).

It lights easily and burns slowly right down to the bottom, leaving a fine, white ash.

Ladies love the smell of Condor, by the way.

Condor - the King of pipe tobaccos.

The magpie flew away after an hour or so.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Pipemanuk (76)	2009-03-07		Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Well this is an old stalwart for sure and though Mo and I are the first reviewers here, you will find a good few more on the other Condor pages as they were all lumped together for a while.

I've known this tobacco for nearly 50 years and it's always been a basic flavoured English tobacco, very popular hence why it still survives.

Of all the Condor varities available here, I think this one is way out the best. It's a flake of course as opposed to the ready rubbed and I prefer the fuller flavour and the longer smoke that results. For those of you who havent tried it, it is very dark in appearance with a strong leathery scent, stronger than St Bruno though not unlike it actually. It does have the effect of leaving its mark on the pipe it's smoked in...so it's best to dedicate one to it. Taste wise; it's strongish in Vitamin N, it brings a full virginia taste with the topping still there of floral/leather hints. It's a solid no nonsense tobacco though, if you are not used to strong English flakes, be ready for this. I give it full marks. It's a classic...I just hope it survives a bit longer.

3 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	alandadp (1)	2022-04-28		Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Mild to Medium	Tolerable

Although I have been a reader of reviews on this site for several years, this is my first review so apologies if it’s a bit of a ramble.

I smoked Condor Long Cut exclusively for many years and was happy to do so. Then I had issues getting it and stumbled onto this site and discovered the wonderful world of pipe tobacco, especially those available to my European and American compatriots.

It was again several years before I returned to my old favourite recently and was I in for a shock! Some hasty investigation informed me that Condor production has moved to Poland. Well the production may have moved but someone lost the recipe in the process!

The following is my take on a 2021 pouch compared to my recollection of the tobacco I had previously grown to love. My sense of taste and smell is not the best so I will limit this to generalisations rather than details:

Packaging – It’s so covered in health warnings now it’s not really relevant but what little branding is left is the same.

Presentation – Although the size and thickness of the flakes are much the same, the old version was a neat collection of whole stacked flakes. The new pouch contains a mess of flakes that appear to be have been randomly thrown into the packet resulting in something one step up from a broken flake.

Aroma – Where’s the Soap! That glorious detergent-like smell I had grown to love has all but disappeared. A hard sniff with my nose in the pouch reveals a slight hint of previous glory but only just. Don't get me wrong, it does have a smell, I just can't work out exactly what it is!

The Smoke – This is not the Condor I remember. The smoke is much thinner, the thick, almost cloying mouth feel has gone. The ‘soapy’ strong flavour has gone. Even the nicotine hit has diminished significantly. This is now a so-so tobacco with no real identity of its own. That is something, like it or not, you could not say of the old version.

Conclusion – Condor Long Cut has gone. This new version is not even a poor imitation of its predecessor. I will mourn its loss but am cheered by the number of wonderful tobaccos I have discovered thanks to this site and will get over it quickly I’m sure.

If you read all of this – thanks for your patience!

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: GQ Tobacco

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Fusty the pipe (33)	2020-10-10		Mild	Mild	Mild	Pleasant

Hmmm, I’ve not had Condor in years, lockdown made me get some flake and see if it has changed and, as far as I can tell, it barely resembles the old Gallahers incarnation at all.

It is moist to the point of gloopy; more a broken flake than the flake that I remember my Grandad hiding under his hat so my Gran wouldn’t find it. “Break seal gently for that Condor moment” it says on the packet but, in my humble opinion, there is no Condor moment, which is a shame because there used to be one.

This seems very generic these days - it smells a lot like St Bruno, Original (Walnut) flake - a strong vinegary pouch note. I’m not getting any alcohol...just a big hit of Sarson’s. Even Erinmore seems to be going down the vinegar path these days as well - are there any UK OTC blends that haven’t changed though?

It does smoke slow and cool and it’s very easy to sip at it for a long time but there is none of the “soapy” floral ness that I remember of the old blend. I find that Gawith and Hogarth’s Spring Dew (Rich, Dark honeydew in old money) has more of the taste of the old Condor blend to me which raises the question: was it honey that gave the old stuff that floral quality that was like Marmite to so many smokers.

Condor used to be at the cheaper end on the cost spectrum but 2oz’s cost me £16 near enough which is the going rate for all OTC blends these days.

All in all: disappointing - because I remember how it was.

Without knowing the old blend what would I think? It’s alright but tastes like other blends and doesn’t have any stand out qualities. I’ll happily smoke the rest of the pouch but I won’t get through it in a hurry...unless there’s another lockdown and I’ve no other choice.

Everyone should try this but it’s not like the old beast, in my humble opinion.

Pipe Used: Falcon, basket pipe, cob pipe, bulldog

Age When Smoked: I was 40, the pouch was a lot younger.

Purchased From: Supermarket

Similar Blends: St Bruno, Walnut Flake, Even Erinmore, which seems to have lost it’s “fruity punch”..

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mr Bob UK (2)	2019-11-09		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Hi everyone, My experience with condor I guess might be related to were l live however it seems like almost all pipe smokers l have come to know in the area I live once smoked nothing other than condor, Anyway my personal experience has never been a bad one with conder and like l said or meant to add is I was no exception to my areas love of this tobacco it was and still is a no nonsense smoke. I know all the dislikes about it have heard it from plenty mostly review's so it's a world wide subjective thing once it makes the world platforms of diverse range of experiences and I'm all for the sharing of such experiences. It's cool strong deep and plain well satisfying although I have heard since it moved from Ireland to Poland some mumbles as to the originality of conder, I haven't as yet detected this and still smoke it occasionally but have nestled down with Irish flake to be honest very similar to conder. Why the change over good question because I just don't know why I started to take interest in the other tobacco products out there and before I knew it was on my own journey to see if in fact there was a holier grail of a blend I'd missed. However back to conder it's a tobacco worthy of some rotation if you like to tast different tobacco. And Condor was a famous slogan advertising product before adverts were banned from TV. It was the gent walking through the airport getting the thumbs up from the ticket woman mmm what's that lovely smell, the gent pipe in mouth carrying his luggage manages a smile with the word Condor, the add ends by saying very firmly Go live in peace with your pipe smoke Condor........ok that's my waffle over or my trip down memory lane

Pipe Used: Peterson's

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: OTC tobacco in UK

Similar Blends: University flake. Irish flake..

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2019-08-15		Strong	Medium	Full	Tolerable

Considering this is a fast moving baccy it will probably be quite moist so some drying is advisable , it's easy to rub out to your own preference . Just scrapes in as being strong , a very non offensive easy smoke , no bite and my pipe stayed cool, probably because I was quite happy to sip at it , taste is well described by other reviewers , hints of floral topping and maybe a bit of licorice , doesn't seem to be very high in nicotine.

Pipe Used: Mm corncob

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Kiosk

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Steerpike (156)	2018-11-24		Very Strong	Medium	Full	Very Strong

A classic pipe tobacco, the flake version of Condor is my second favourite way to have it, after the (rare as hens teeth) plug. I'm not sure if there are any significant differences between this and the ready rubbed, but I like the ritual of preparing flake and the control it gives me. Condor is unashamedly cheap, unsophisticated, strong pipe tobacco, and I quite like it!

In the pouch you'll find a pile of slightly tatty flakes, which nevertheless keep their shape and stay remarkably intact when you carry the pouch around in your pockets and bags for days on end. The aroma is of rich, stong, cooked tobacco with a subtle, slightly floral topping. It's very leathery, in aroma and appearance, and immediately recognisable as Condor.

The flakes are on the dry side of ok, and take a bit of work to rub out. They break up into ribbons and wide short chunks, this mixture lights easily, burns slow and needs few relights.

The flavour is strong from the beginning, building intensity as the bowl goes on, but not changing much. It has an astringent quality, like stewed tea. During the smoke, the floral essence is very much a background note behind the leathery strong tobacco, but its a strong part of the aftertaste. There seems to be a hint of fired leaf, and the flavour is at times akin to the black ropes from the Gawiths, but sans the meaty edge. Its of the same ilk as St Bruno (British style dark flake, scented), but St Bruno is slightly sweet while Condor isn't, and Condor is stronger. To draw comparisons, St Bruno is like a rich porter, Condor is like a dry Irish stout, and a strong one at that.

The aroma will displease your spouse and horrify her friends as well, which may have its advantages... It's like burning autumn leaves and tar... Lovely!

Make no mistake, this is powerful tobacco. Milne was probably smoking something like this when he said that "a pipe in the mouth makes it clear there has been no mistake, you are indeed a man". It will cause hiccups and worse in the uninitiated, but should bring satisfaction to the leathery old badgers of the pipe smoking fraternity.

For me, I prefer St Bruno, but Condor is good strong weed and very nice in the winter. Light up and enjoy!

Pipe Used: Falcons mostly

Age When Smoked: New

Similar Blends: St Bruno, Coniston Cut Plug.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Greekpipesmoker (201)	2018-06-22		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Condor long cut is a typical lakeland style blend.once the seal brakes a tense sweet alcohol smell comes out.a deeper smell reveals some soapy and citrusy notes too.the dark/brown flakes are moist and very manageable.drying time does not help and the flakes can be folded or rubbed for easier lighting.while smoking the lakeland style topping is dominant from the beginning till the end.sweet alcohol,nuts and cocoa(burley??) give a nice experience but subtlimate the tobacco flavours without being overwhelming.the virginias are grassy,citrusy and earthy.generally the flavour is pleasant but not natural°besides that's the Lakeland style blends.burns slow and medium hot with a few relights needed.the nicotine level is medium and the room note bareable.the moisture being created at the filter is a lot without tongue bite though if you push it it can produce some bitter notes.the aftertaste is sweet.it can ghost a pipe easily.not an all day smoke but a repeatable one.in conclusion this is a pleasant blend and a must try for the lovers of this type of processing the tobacco.

Age When Smoked: Fresh

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	fr_tom (393)	2017-07-27		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

This was a sample of about an ounce of flake in a "long cut" pouch. I may be entering this review in the wrong place. The tobacco came fairly dry and I smoked one bowl of it that way. I found it to be medium strong and good but without much flavor. Hydrating it really brought out the flavor.

In the hydrated tobacco I got grassy and some heavy overripe citrus. It is a little like St. Bruno turned up a notch. It burned well, and I smoked it rubbed out. The topping has what I would term a fairly mild floral note, but mine may have flashed off a little. I think others seem to be getting a little more of it.

I am smoking this in the Old Ted corndog which came as a dedicated "lakeland" pipe, and I will have to get some lakelands in.

This is a pleasant tobacco and a great English OTC. I recommend trying it if you get a chance.

Pipe Used: the Old Ted corndog

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Virginia lover (218)	2017-07-18		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium	Pleasant to Tolerable

Opening the pouch, I get the old version of Irish Flake smell. The moist, dark and short flakes are neatly packed. The slow burning tobacco is quite a treat for experienced pipe smokers that dabble into British tobaccos. For the rest, well one might come with words like cheap perfume, soap, floral and they would be right.

The liqueur topping reminds me of licorice and treacle with some dark fruit. The tobacco is earthy, with a beef jerky interlude as the topping is less present by mid bowl. The best part is the bottom of the bowl where tobacco and topping have a kind of synergy that is dark fruit sweet and earthy with a good amount of nicotine. I somehow find it more complex than Revor Plug but in the same vein as a strong British aromatic.

Virginia lover

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	hawky454 (107)	2016-07-16		Medium	Mild	Medium	Pleasant

It's amazing that this is considered an "over the counter" tobacco in some countries. The dark brown flakes come packaged in a sealed pouch suitable for short term storage. I like to cube cut the flakes and gravity fill my pipe. The top dressing was added with a conservative hand and it adds amazing nuances to the natural flavors of the tobacco. I get some floral notes along with citrus notes that intertwine beautifully with the overall composition of tobaccos. Think St. Bruno but with a more stout, full bodied base and you've got a good idea of what you'll get from Condor. I let the flakes dry out for about 15 minutes before I light up and it smokes effortlessly all the way down. I consider this to be a top shelf tobacco so don't let the "OTC" label turn you off, this is as good as it gets, I absolutely adore this stuff. You may want to try it out in a cob as it most definitely will ghost your briar however, I welcome this ghost and Condor can haunt my pipe anytime. I'll always have a place in my cellar for the almighty Condor, long live Condor! Absolutely, definitely essential.

Pipe Used: Stanwell Trio 88 (dedicated)

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: www.gqtobaccos.com

Similar Blends: One of a kind!.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	A Scot in Argentina (19)	2016-04-30		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

I love this tobacco not only for its very individual taste but its aroma floods me with memories of times gone past. An old hillwalking mate of mine used to smoke it so every time I light up a bowlful I'm reminded of dark winter nights spent beside a log fire in a remote Scottish bothy or summer nights camping in a wild glen listening to the sounds of nature. Impossible to get here in Argentina so I have to bring some back whenever I visit the UK which is not often enough to enable me to smoke it regularly.

Given the above my review is of course bound to be biased. The ghosting some people warn about I feel is way over the top...it's not a true aromatic and I never have a problem when switching tobaccos in the same bowl. I have never understood why people mention it having a soapy taste either....I just don't get the connection. It's a cool smoking tobacco, burns well whether you fully rub it out or pack a flake straight from the pouch. As for taste....impossible to put into words. Some say lavender others say rose water. Whatever it is it's a taste not found in any other blend...you'll either love it or loathe it. It keeps its flavour until you hit the bottom then tells you its time to start all over again. Very popular tobacco in the UK and one most old pipe smokers I knew in my native Glasgow smoked....either that or St Bruno which I also enjoy.

So for me smoking Condor is more than just a smoking experience it's a ritual. I don't need to smoke it all the time, as long as I can get a bowlful every now and then I'll be a happy man.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Mawnan Smiff (28)	2016-03-22		Medium	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

I thought I had found my tobacco nirvana in Condor Ready Rubbed but that was until I tried Condor LC last week. LC is very similar to RR but with brass knobs on, more flavour & more taste.

Upon opening the plastic wallet I spied about 24 dark brown neatly cut flakes with a gorgeous leathery/floral scent. Some have bemoaned both RR & LC as having a 'soapy' aroma & taste, I have never detected either, just a quality, well flavoured tobacco.

I am now on my second packet and as I write this am sipping away and thoroughly enjoying the experience. Not knowing the correct procedure to roll & pack flake tobaccos I always rub them out on a tray and leave them to air for an hour or so afore jarring. I have read on here & elsewhere that a very different smoking experience is to be had when one folds & loads so best I do a web search to learn the correct technique.

One thing I notice about this blend (applies to RR too) is that the initial flavours experienced at light up are still evident throughout the entire smoke whereas most so called aromatics alter very much come mid bowl. Also, LC is a shade darker than RR which knocks on the head the myth that they are one and the same blend.

Another thing I noticed is that it is best smoked in a large bowl to get the most from what is on offer. In a Peterson 307 I can enjoy this for well over an hour with gentle sipping & only the occasional relight.

Some say this is not for beginners, well I have only been piping for 6 months and I love the stuff, I so wish I had tried it earlier. It has overtaken RR as my number 1 blend and will certainly be my baccy of choice. Thankfully it is available pretty much anywhere. Will I still buy RR? Yes I think so, but only because I think it's healthy to have the occasional break. Imagine eating lobster everyday and drinking Shepherd Neame India Pale Ale everyday, one would soon become bored.

This is a gorgeously full flavoured baccy that I would heartily recommend everyone tries at least once. A five star blend in my book.

Pipe Used: Peterson 307 & Barling large pot.

Age When Smoked: Fresh.

Purchased From: Asda (Penryn).

Similar Blends: Condor Ready Rubbed with extra oomph..

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-12-16		Very Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Very Pleasant

when i was 15 (im now 52), my dad used to smoke this, i nicked his pipe and went to my bedroom and had a go of condor, i tell you Ive never thrown up so much since, a few years later i took up the pipe of my own accord , age 19, went through the aromatics etc, but came back to condor,this is a classic,best smoked in a meer or clay, a MORE than satisfying nic content,flavors of sweet Virginia , rum, spice, whiskey,and flowers,this is perfect !!!! but beware if your new to pipes wait at least 10 years before you try condor.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrT999 (318)	2012-11-02		Medium to Strong	Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Certainly a fairly strong and perfumed smoke; if neither appeal, stay far, far away. While the scents used are a bit on the strong side for me, it made a nice change of pace. I seem to get a bit more of the underlying tobacco in the folded flake than in the ready-rubbed, while in the latter the scents are a bit stronger.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2012-06-02		Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant

After trying the Ready Rubbed version, I thought I would try the Flake also, when I opened the pouch, I could smell that typical smell that condor has, that soapy, beef jerky, floral and citrusy smell.

Taste wise, it's almost the same as it's ready rubbed brother except a tad weaker, but not by much though, it's still as strong and soapy but with less soap, I know that sounds silly but it's the only way I can describe it, other flavours included a zingy citrus flavour, floral and some spicy rum and cloves, it starts off very soapy but mellows out after the first few puffs, it burns fairly cool too.

One problem is that it ghosts your pipe for a long while and in a way claims it, you should have a pipe dedicated to this blend.

It's not too bad, but I prefer the ready rubbed version, not for a timid beginner either, as the nicotine hit is very strong.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-10-20		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

A thin Dark Flake, full in strength, body and nicotine. Creamy to me, (which others describe as soapy), with a Rich luscious flavor and aroma. Tastes like it smells. Consistent. Lights easy and burns cool to the bottom of the bowl regardless of prep method. I would love to try the bar version someday, albeit Condor is already tough enough to obtain stateside.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-08-10		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium	Tolerable

This isn't the same smoke as the ready rubbed. Maybe if you rubbed this out it would be similar to its green jacketed sibling, but as these short, tall, thin flakes are perfect for folding and stuffing I'll never find out.

These flakes are quite thin and not particularly dense so you get more flakes than you'd expect for your money.

Sweet, mellow and with a just a hint of florals this is a tobacco, that once tried, you'll find yourself craving on a regular basis.

This flake is commonly available in British newsagents and perhaps this leads to it being overlooked as a great tobacco. I've tried, but I can't think of a reason why this should be anything other than highly recommended.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JohnnyMcPiperson (119)	2011-07-24		Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

Okay, this stuff blows the Condor Ready Rubbed out of the water, it was my main smoke while sailing in the Greek islands this summer, fantastic! If you are looking for a VA based flake that's a heavy hitter, packed with that floral flavor and spice, this is an interesting one to try. It smells familiar upon opening if you've ever tried the ready rubbed, but it smokes much better. It's not something I would smoke all the time, bit too strong for that, but I would recommend trying it especially if you like the strong stuff!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2011-06-03		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant

i work at a steel works we cannot smoke you can burn weld set fire to the place but not smoke so i smoke a pipe and when we get a brake i sit outside and smoke condor it is a easy smoke and good to chill out with

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-12-16		Medium to Strong	Strong	Full	Tolerable

This is a lovely tobacco, almost like smoking a pipeful of wild flowers! Very soapy but in a good way and very widely available in the UK. I'd recommend this one highly.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	John Frum (19)	2010-12-10		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Must admit to approaching this one with caution in middle age, as it turned me green as a youth. This said, though it is pretty in-your-face nicotine-wise, it is probably the best pipe tobacco I've tried to date. Have been enjoying Revor Plug very much, and CLC surpasses it in my opinion. My approach with the latter was to gently dry a couple of the flakes on a warm surface for about 20-30 min, rub them out and fire up. Gorgeous smoke from beginning to end. Cool, richly flavourful, naturally aromatic, a joy. However I'd agree with many other reviewers that this is not for the first-time pipe-smoker, it's a robust one. But if your taste tends to an intense, earthy, full-on smoke then Condor Long Cut is well worth getting to know and appreciate. It's easily available, too, by mail order or over the counter, at least here in the UK.

30.11.12 Update: I put a new, sealed 25gm pouch of this away for 9 months whilst exploring other tobaccos. Opening it recently, it had aged well, becoming the texture of beef jerky. I could see sugar crystals on the surface, and it was readily smokeable out of the pouch. Maybe a tad mellower for the maturation. Beautiful. I like, too, that it is not expensive, and available in corner shops everywhere - no need to pay exorbitant postal rates.

19.8.13 Update: I don't know if anyone else has found this, but the flakes in 25gm pouches seem to be slimmer than in the 50gm ones. I prefer them this way 'cause they are easier to rub out.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-11-17		Strong	Strong	Very Full	Tolerable

This is a real old English smoke. Can be rubbed out or folded if prefered. I found cellering for a couple of months dried it out a bit and made for an easier smoke with less re-lights. I smoke this tobacco in a small bowl mearchaum which doesn't suffer from being " ghosted" like a briar can. A thick, Robust smoke with an almost peaty taste. Like smoking an old wood fire. I get a sort of leathery flavour coming through which I find pleasant and yes the subtle floral bouquet is there. A mans smoke with a good of whack of Nicotine. One bowl does the job. A good evening smoke to be enjoyed away from the missis who insists on coughing and spluttering, ruining the whole experience lol !

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Philosopher (27)	2010-09-18		Very Strong	Strong	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

This is the "non plus ultra". Dark black flakes, the same vinous slightly sour nose as the ready rubbed, but a fuller and smoother smoke with none of the harshness at the back of the throat that you sometimes get from the ready rubbed. A classic, to be treated with respect. And best smoked in a small pipe or sitting down!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-07-22		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Strong

I agree with The Full English's review, apart from the fact that I've always preferred the long cut to the ready rubbed Condor.

This is a tobacco I found myself eventually gravitating toward for the folowing reasons -

1) My grandfather smoked this ( and Warhorse )

2) Out of all the "over the counter" brands in the UK, this is the only one I ever really rated.

3) Lovely nicotine kick.

I'd recommend this. Not for the newcomer or those who don't like a strong smoke.

P.S. As for the room note...I am designated to the garden by the wife if I try to smoke this in the house :)

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2010-06-05		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Tolerable to Strong

I have only smoked two bowls of this, and only have enough for maybe one more. That is probably the last time I will ever smoke this, and that makes me kind of sad. This is another experience for me. This is not a subtle smoke. Lakeland soap taste to number 11. Condor Original Long Cut does go to 11 on the soap taste for me. I am not sure why, but I like it. Wouldn't want to smoke it every day, but I do with that I could get my hands on more of this.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	eamonclever (48)	2009-12-23		Strong	Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

At first it is essential to state - I like lakeland tobaccos even chocolate tobaccos. That said it is easy to concentrate on condor. This is a very traditional mixture, that has gained hight reputation in the group of experienced smokers. It comes perfectly moist to smoke it out of the pouch. The flakes are a bit smaller than others I use & more reliable in thickness (SG sometimes fills thick and thin strips in one tin). This makes it easy to load the pipe. I smoke all sorts of pipes especially condor makes it more easy to use smaller pipes. Burns easy down to the bottom of the pipe because of the good quality of leaf. Stays cool and calm no problems with dottle. This is a perfect companion during working the garden, walking the dog ... NOt in my daily rotation but I always have some 25 g pouches at home. Not for purists or novices but a good try for people with an open tongue & nose ;-)

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-10-22		Strong	Mild	Medium to Full	Tolerable

If you like a thick smoke with nicotine power and robust tobacco taste you would like this one. And I might add, it has also a soapy flavor, too.

The flakes need to be dried as they reach in a well moistened grade. Lights easily and it is easy to keep it lit. It burns very slowly and offers a long lasting pipe smoking experience. It has a good nicotine kick which overwhelmed me in the big bowled pipes when I've reached the bottom.

The robust and soapy taste/smell of the tobacco gets into your pipes and stays there even if you puff a half bottle of pipe cleaning spray into these pipes. So I recommend using dedicated pipe(s) for this blend. Do not use your best pipe before you assure yourself if you are going to be a fan of Condor!

I personally like tobaccos with much more classical Virginia sweet, true tobacco taste. So Condor is out of my list for now.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	strongirish (249)	2009-08-15		Strong	Very Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

I was so excited when zi opened the mailbox and I had a package from England! When I opened it, the wonderful aroma of the Lakelands permeated the air and I found a pouch of Condor Original Long Cut. As I loved the Condor Ready Rubbed I bought when in Cork Ireland when I was there in April, I was thrilled to get the flake version in the brown pouch. So, I rolled a flake up, put it in a Peterson system pipe and let it sit for about half an hour. I then sat on my deck over looking the lake I live on with a cold beer and lit up this wonderful mana from Britain. The pouch contained flakes of a very dark brown, and of course the pouch aroma was the perfume smell of a Highlands Blend. It rolled easily and as I was impatient and did not dry it out enough for an easy light, it took several tries to get it lit. But, I did not care, the wonderful flavor of a dark VA and the special flavor one gets from this type of tobacco, rolled off my tongue and gave me a wonderful, sweet, full, taste and a wonderful aroma. Yes, it will make birds fall from the sky, but to me, it is a wonderful aroma.

This is a full bodied, slow smoking blend that one must sip to appreciate. It slowly burned down to a light grey fine ash with no dottle or moisture left in my pipe. It did leave a ghost in my pipe that made my next two bowls of PA taste like a wonderful British Blend with a burley base, but that has been a good thing for me. Then this late evening, after leaving a few flakes sitting out in fron of my air conditioning intake, I again lit a fresh pipe of this wonderful blend again, of course in a British pipe, and was gain was rewarded with a wonderful smoke that was easy to light and every bit as satisfying to me. I sure wish that this brand would be imported to the states, as I just love the stuff. I think I could live on just it. I highly recommend trying this blend and I put it as one of my favorite tobaccos.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-08-12		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Definitely worth a try if you're into "Lakeland" style tobaccos. Straight out of the pouch, I found it smoked a little moist and did require several relights. However, I experienced only a hint of tongue bite with gentle puffing. Condor is medium to strong on nicotine, so quite a satisfying smoke and the Lakeland taste is there in spades.

Overall, a decent smoke and a nice change of pace from my usual staple of Latakias, orientals & aged Virginias. However I'm giving just two stars because when I'm in the mood for a Lakeland style smoke I prefer the offerings of Gawith Hogarth and Samuel Gawith.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-06-14		Medium to Strong	Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Breaking the seal, one is presented with about a dozen flakes in a 25g pouch. Moist, soft and pliable. The first thing to say (that really shouldn't be necessary but so many people make the mistake) is to DRY IT OUT! Like most tobaccos, it will flame your tongue if smoked straight from the packet.

Then we light up. Flavour-wise a cousin of St Bruno and an older brother of Grousemoor, there is a large dose of "floral British", as I like to refer to it. It starts from the first light and, although softens down the bowl, never really fades.

In fact, if this is your thing, you will love Condor Long Cut. For the flavour is not overpowering and beneath it there are high quality dark tobacs. Cool, slow, even burning, this tobacco behaves very well throughout the bowl.

It is an acquired taste, nothing more or less noble than that. If you don't like that "floral British" flavour, you won't like Condor - that doesn't make it a bad tobacco. In fact, if you do like it, this will be close to perfection.

For one who wants to begin to understand this tobacco at its best, I recommend getting to grips with Grousemoor first, to sort of tune in your tastes to this unique flavour profile. Then you can fully experience the might that is the one and only...CONDOR!

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	kg0mz (54)	2009-03-30		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

The pouch says..."Break seal gently...for that Condor moment." I didn't notice that admonition until the second or third helping, and I think I missed the moment. This is the Original Condor Long Cut flake in the brown 50g pouch.

The flake is soft, pliable, and moist, about 1.0" x 2.5", very thin, dark with a few lighter streaks. As for the pouch aroma, I thought of several mild to medium English blends. I was expecting something like Ennerdale after reading a number of warnings in the Condor Ready Rubbed reviews.

Initially, an extremely cool, sweet, Lakeland whammy. There is more of that Lakeland essence than is suggested by the pouch, but it is no Ennerdale. By the way, I like Ennerdale. Mid-bowl it is still predominately sweet and very cool, but slightly bitter, in a good way. My wife makes a soup out of a green, cucumber-sized, hard and bumpy object that contains white pumpkin seed sized seeds that she hollows out and stuffs with ground pork, black flat mushrooms (fungi?), clear noodles, onions, and black pepper. The broth (pork) is delicious, but the melon, she calls it bitter melon soup, is, well, bitter. If you have spent time in SE Asia you probably encountered this soup. Condor is that kind of bitter, not nearly as bitter, but that kind of pleasant bitter taste. Yet, sweet.

Condor, in this flake format, burns cool and dry to a powdery off-white ash. No tongue bite, no palate coat, no overwhelming nicotine, no negatives for me.

The Lakeland essence does not disappear like I predicted it would. So you end up with a sweet English/Balkan with Lakeland essence, and this interesting, mildly bitter finish. It is full and medium to strong, but no ringing of the ears like with 1792 and some twists or ropes. I think I taste a mature and sweet VA, Orientals, a little Latakia, a little Turkish, and of course, the Lakeland essence.

Condor is easily obtained from an Otley, UK internet tobacconist, and several other UK shops. Condor, St. Bruno, Warrior Plug, Yachtman Navy Plug, Mick McQuaid Plug, and more delivered to your door in one week. I overlooked the Revor Plug, dangit. Note to self: must try the Black XXX Gawith Hoggarth twist.

07/27/09 UPDATE: I am revising some of my reviews. I have given out more 4 star ratings than anything else. That practice is probably not helping. So, I am reducing Condor to 3 stars, not because I like it less than I did before, but because I am limiting 4 stars to fewer than 25% of all my reviews. One day I may use the 4 star rating to designate my top five.

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	mo (81)	2009-03-06		Strong	Extra Strong	Full	Tolerable

I am flattered to be the first to review this legend. I think my review of the ready rubbed version applies to this blend too. Mo, South Africa

2 people found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2020-09-25		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Tolerable

This is much toned down on the sauce compared to ready rubbed which I don't like. It's like a stepped up st Bruno with added oil of cloves light edge and pine needles. You seem to get loads in a pouch because the slices are thin but they burn slow and it's great value. I personally needed to dry them out because I got gurgle when I didn't. Nicotine is there in abundance. Nothing harsh going on. Good value smoke. Can't knock it.smells nice like st Bruno but more going on. If you hate condor like me then don't overlook this it don't have nearly as much of the topping

Pipe Used: Country gentleman corncob

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Asda

Similar Blends: St bruno flake.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	renwardhoop (177)	2019-08-18		Strong	Medium to Strong	Very Full	Pleasant

Surprising find in the darkest depths of an Asda kiosk. They dragged this out of a drawer rather than out from behind the metal shutters used these days to hide tobacco products. Sad that I actually noticed this tobacco pouch on sale in Coronation Street's 'classic' episodes from the 80's and 90's, watched by my sister-in-law on occasion, while I listen to Prog Rock on earphones.

It is the flake version of Condor RR, as is the St Bruno flake to the St Bruno RR. I don't think there's much to choose between them really. Indeed Condor isn't a million miles away from St Bruno in my opinion.

They both share a similar pouch fragrance and a similar look. They are different of course and experienced pipe smokers will tell you the difference straight away. This condor blend is, as so many of the reviewers have mentioned, a virginia with a huge helping of something alcoholic, malty and to a degree almost saucy, and is a shade sharper in taste than St Bruno.

A strangely satisfying blend with it's unique taste of god-knows-what, it is not a tobacco to smoke every day or indeed all day (as the old buffers back in the 70's and 80's used to). No, this is something to get out every now and then when you are to bored to tears with straight virginia blends like Gold Block, B & H Special Virginia or these newer Johnny-come-lately blends like Bayside or North Star.

I find one bowl is enough for one day and only one sitting at that, as this is quite potent and, again as reviewers have said, best to have a dedicated briar. I have discovered it is utterly vile in a Meerschaum. But this is a ghoster and you shouldn't get your favourite pipe anywhere near it.

Pipe Used: One (dedicated) unfortunate briar

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Asdas OTC

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Len (12)	2019-02-05		Strong	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant

Nice packet note. Full strong tasting. Burns nice and slowly in the pipe for a lasting smoke. I would alternate with milder tobaccos throughout the day. Not for a beginner I would say. Full of flavour which I find hard to describe accurately but I'm enjoying it interspersed throughout the day.

Pipe Used: Mr Brog Amigo 51

Age When Smoked: Unknown

Purchased From: Asda supermarket UK

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Little Steven (76)	2018-08-18		Medium	Medium to Strong	Medium	Unnoticeable

Forty years ago Bristol Rovers played at Eastville Stadium and Condor was a rich, dark flake. Strong. A real mans smoke.

Time goes by and the stadium now retails furniture and Condor is made in Poland. By the Japanese. Although it's rich and dark, it seems lightweight, a bit middle of the road.

Perhaps Condor has changed or perhaps I've become a man.

Pipe Used: Stanwell billiard

Age When Smoked: New.

Purchased From: Cgars.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DrDyson (148)	2018-06-24		Medium to Strong	Medium	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

A strong, traditional English flake - unchanged, as far as I can tell, in decades. Needs to be sipped, and certainly not one for the beginner; but if you like robust and unpretentious flakes, this is one for you. It's cool, slow burning and consistent, and the flavour gets markedly fuller and 'rounder' from about half- way down the bowl. It's a bit like a punchier version of G & H's Dark Flake, but without any 'cigar' note. You get 24 flakes in a 50 gm packet, and I can get an hour's worth of slow smoking out of one of them. Don't smoke it straight out of the packet, though. If you fill your pipe[s} about 12 hours before you want to smoke it/them and just let it/them sit, the difference in the quality of the smoke that Condor LC will give you is truly amazing. I stumbled across this trick by accident, but I guess it'll work for anyone. Worth a try, anyway.

Condor probably suits a small-bowled pipe better than a large one: the nicotine content is high, and it'll sit you down hard if you don't treat it with circumspection. The room note is pronounced and characteristic: pleasant if you like the smell of pipe-smoke, but perhaps a bit hard on innocent bystanders who don't. To me, it's intensely nostalgic: the smell of yesterday. Condor also gives you a delicious moment when you open the pouch. it used to be available in sliced, bar, twist and pigtail forms (the last two were pretty hairy, I remember), but I think these have long gone. I haven't seen them in England for years, anyway. Condor will leave a mighty ghost in your pipe, BTW.

On the whole, I think Condor is the best the best of the British OTC blends (though St Bruno Flake runs it a pretty close second). Some pipemen are a little snooty about it; it's a blue-collar smoke available in most B&Ms. I suppose it could be described (in the UK, anyway) as the archetypal blue-collar pipe tobacco. So what? It's good stuff, and let's be thankful that, unlike so many old favourites, it hasn't disappeared. Yet.

Pipe Used: Various

Age When Smoked: Fresh

Purchased From: Durham Pipes and Tobacco; but available just about everywhere that sells tobacco

Similar Blends: There isn't all that much difference between the Long Cut and ready rubbed (green packet) versions of Condor.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DeathMetal.org (231)	2018-03-19		Medium	Medium	Medium	Tolerable

Summary: an English flake that balances sweetness with a refined malty flavor, topped in a traditional but subdued Lakeland sauce.

Condor endures thanks to legions of diehard fans, and after smoking this sample, it is easy to see why: these densely compacted flakes bring out the best of the Virginia tobaccos blended into them. At first light, the light Lakeland essence -- generally a rose-geranium smelling mixture -- mostly burns off, leaving a quick blast of the brown sugar and toast flavor for which Virginias are known. With successive puffs, the smoldering flakes heat up and the sugars seem to caramelize very quickly, similar to "Lakeland Dark" and other traditional Virginia flakes. This flavor then subsides somewhat, with the sweetness taking a background role to the almost tea-like flavor of a natural tobacco, with faint whiffs of the Lakeland juice floating through every now and then. These flakes smoke easily, last for well over an hour in a medium sized pipe, and provide a mild and gentle experience that could easily be an all-day smoke.

Thanks to pipe smoker "misterlowercase" for this sample.

Similar Blends: Samuel Gawith - Lakeland Dark.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jacinto Cupboard (209)	2018-01-18		Medium	Very Mild	Medium	Pleasant

To the best of my recollection my father only smoked three pipe tobaccos: Erinmore, Capstan and Condor Flake. While the smell of Erinmore will take me back 4 or 5 decades, I get no such response when Condor is in the pipe. I don't consider it to have a strong or unique aroma and in my opinion is not a Lakeland or any kind of aromatic.

Yes, it has a casing/topping; but then very few tobaccos do not. In my humble opinion the primary flavouring is a very mild strawberry. (I am open to the possibility it is rose geranium but honestly, it is so faint.) There is also perhaps some licorice and molasses. That sounds entirely counterintuitive but that is my take.

I also seem to be an outlier regarding the strength and burn of this baccy. For me it is near enough a one light tobacco and burns with little attention to a fine ash. Unrubbed, it lasts a very long time in the bowl. I consider the strength of the tobacco to be medium.

Written up in the description as being made entirely of Virginias, I am in no position to say otherwise. Do I think it might have some burley in the mix? Yes I do. I say this because even tho this is a very heavily processed tobacco, possibly punished under tons of pressure and steam and heat, the Va sharpness is still in evidence, there is also a neutral character in there as well. I don't mean that to be read as 'bland', but there is an overall broadness and even-ness here that to me suggests burley.

So, apart from the mild fruit/floral nose, there is a stewed fruit character to this tobacco, a pleasing acidity, and a very nice, almost nutty, mid palate.

A very good, no nonsense tobacco, that nonetheless lacks star quality (not that it ever assumes to be such) but is consistent, reliable and economical. Well it would be economical were it not for the tax burden applied to this baccy.

Thee stars from me, 4 if BS free tobacco is your gig.

Pipe Used: Falcon

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	doc'spipe (242)	2017-12-12		Medium	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Back in the 1980s I used to smoke Condor ready Rubbed on occasion but remembered it to be more flavorful than I find the currently produced Condor Long Cut. About 2 dozen 1 inch by 3 inch dark brown flakes with light flecking were in the pouch and fairly thin cut. There was the familiar Condor pouch note that I remember from the RR version, but not quite as strong as I remember. Moisture content was just right for smoking and loading/lighting were easy. The overall smoking experience was delightful. The Condor taste was present but not over the top. This smoked cool and dry to the heel and without moisture. There was a bittersweet element to the smoke that I've experienced with many of the Gawith Hoggarth tobaccos I've smoked in the past and not a typically tasting hay-like Virginia either. As with Original Flake, the cost of ordering from the UK for USA delivery is the only negative for me not including this as a regular rotation smoke ($25.50 plus around $10 shipping). A unique smoking experience for sure. However, as compared to similar offerings from Gawith Hoggarth, a much milder smoke in terms of Lakeland essence. I also can say that I don't find it strong enough in Lakeland essence to worry about ghosting my pipes. A good smoke but price prohibitive for USA consumption.

UPDATE 3-19-18: I just received an estate pipe from France; a K&P Peterson 309 system (no longer produced) that arrived in a very restored state. There was the fainest taste of mild, Lakeland-like soap upon drawing through the stem with the bowl empty. It reminded me of Condor so I loaded up some. A totally different smoking experience for me as compared to the smokes I had when I wrote this initial review. Now it tastes like the Condor of old I remember from the 1980s...what a difference a pipe makes! Raising my rating to 4 stars.

Pipe Used: Weber poker, K&P Peterson 309 for the update

Age When Smoked: Fresh from pouch

Purchased From: MrSnuff.com

Similar Blends: Condor Ready Rubbed, St Bruno Flake, many of the Gawith Hoggarth bulk tobaccos of the Brown Flake varieties but milder..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	DenizBeck (323)	2017-10-22		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Interesting tobacco! My first straight Lakeland tobacco I guess. Has a floral, slightly perfumy and fruity sweet unburnt aroma, which remind me quite a bit of St. Bruno (Mac Baren incarnation). Easy to handle flakes in good dimensions. As I had a sample of this I can't speak on the moisture when opening a pouch.

The rather intense aroma from the unburnt aroma is a bit less intense in the pipe when lit. It's floral, soapy-perfumy and somewhat fruity, with a bit of sweetness to it. It sublimates the tobaccos mostly, but a bit of the Virginia shines through with some grass and citrus and little spice.

I find it much less offensive than I would've imagined before getting my hands on it (unavailable in Germany), it's actually quite tasty! A nice change of pace and much better than the goopy, overly sweet aromatic blends we have here in Germany... Has some strenght to it both in nicotine and tast, which surprises me...where does it come from?

I enjoy it, really! Not my most favorite style of tobacco, but certainlya worthy classic

Pipe Used: Clay Pipe

Similar Blends: Reminds me a bit of Mac Barens iteration of, Mac Baren - St. Bruno Flake.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Dan from Brum (2)	2016-09-10		Medium	Medium to Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

A cult classic but not my cup of tea.

From the pack, dark regular square cut flakes. Slightly oily to the touch, may need a few minutes drying time for optimum combustion.

To me it smells like rich fruit. There's a slight floral note but it's nowhere near as pungent as say GH ennerdale or rose geranium plug. No hint of soap, despite what others may have you believe.

A bit of an 'old boys' bacca, there's a traditional 'raw tobacco' scent and flavour. Would not be out of place in a good English ale house. Not for the faint hearted.

Dry burning, requires only a few relights (smoked straight from the pack) if properly prepared and evenly packed.

Starts off citrussy and even a little sharp. Mellows as you burn through leaving a rich sweet taste that resonates throughout. Burns cool but can be harsh on the throat of rushed.

Worth a spin, if not for the legend alone.

Enjoy lads!

Pipe Used: Tom Phillips (UK) Stubby Lovat

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: ASDA (Walmart)

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Gestalt (20)	2016-05-30		Medium	Strong	Medium to Full	Tolerable

This review is based on a fresh 25g pouch. I think I have two of three flakes left, but I have very little desire to smoke them as I didn't really enjoy this blend.

Whilst I thought the tobaccos were of good quality and burnt well, I couldn't really taste them over the flavoring. The flavoring was not at all to my taste and I found it quite unpleasant. I do get moments of soap which I don't dislike, but there's another taste besides that which I just don't like.

I doubt I shall buy this again or try the ready rubbed.

I also don't understand why so many people have compared this to St Bruno. I don't see a connection other then they are both commonly found flakes sold in pouches in the UK.

I'm not saying this 'is' a bad tobacco, just that it doesn't agree with me.

Pipe Used: Briar and meer

Age When Smoked: Fresh pouch

Purchased From: An independant newsagent/tobacconist

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	HastingsPiper (9)	2016-05-19		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium to Full	Pleasant

Having tried most of the OTC tobaccos available in the UK, I decided it was time to brave the mighty Condor, long cut. On opening the pouch, the aroma is very pleasing indeed. A very fruity scent, not unlike St Bruno, with a touch of figs and raisins. The flakes are very thinly cut, with very dark tobaccos with the odd light fleck. So to the smoke! I loaded up a falcon International, after fully rubbing out, with a bowl already used for aromatics, and was pleasantly surprised by the flavour of this tobacco. Firstly this tobacco is wonderfully creamy and smooth, with no tongue bite whatsoever. Typical lakeland flavouring with a hint of floral toppings, but not overbearing. Is it soapy? well yes it is I'm afraid, but somehow it doesn't distract you from a very enjoyable smoke. The tobacco burns beautifully, straight from the packet, the moisture content is about perfect, and the pipe remains cool throughout the whole bowl. I think I can detect a touch of Latakia lurking beneath the casing, but I'm not sure. Now for the negatives. It will, as most other reviewers have warned, ghost your pipe to hell and back, forever!. I would recommend a meer or a Falcon to enjoy this tobacco. The Falcon being a perfect choice as you can reserve a bowl for it, and it's worth it!. My only other gripe is it can be a bit sickly if smoked too often, so a once a day smoke for me. A well deserved reputation then for Condor. I prefer it to St Bruno in many ways and wasn't aware of any extreme Nicotine kick. It will certainly enter my rotation, and unlike some reviewers, I would recommend it to beginners as it is so fuss free and smooth to smoke, unlike the dreaded Clan, which will put you off pipe smoking for life! If you find the Nicotine overwhelming then use a filter, as this will calm it, without spoiling the flavour of this very high quality tobacco. Highly recommended.

Pipe Used: Falcon International.With and without filter.

Age When Smoked: Straight from packet

Purchased From: Asda

Similar Blends: St Bruno..

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	SamH (31)	2015-10-29		Medium to Strong	Medium	Medium	Pleasant

Waiting for another pack, tried this a while back, I really liked it. It won't replace St Bruno as the best all rounder, but it is a good, strong flake with a pleasant (to me anyway) overtone to it. I don't find it too soapy although with S Gawith tobaccos I favour Full Virginia flake, Kendal Cream Flake, Navy Flake, Chocolate Flake and the like over the more floral blends. Condor is very much worth a try in this and the ready rubbed form.

Pipe Used: Missouri Meerschaum Cob

Age When Smoked: Straight from pack

Purchased From: Mysmokingshop

Similar Blends: Condor Ready Rubbed.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Jorge Soler (203)	2015-04-02		Medium to Strong	Medium to Strong	Medium	Pleasant

I am only doing this review on a sample that a fellow pipe club member gave me yesterday, so the reader is advised. On another note, I usually don't like any aromatics, but I have made an exception with this one so that I could make this review. That is to say I did not so more smoke this tobacco out of pleasure, but due to my sense of duty and gratitude with this fellow member and friend. Having said that, I'd say the smoking experience wasn't all that bad. As a matter of fact, I think I've actually enjoyed it. This tobacco comes in flakes and will benefit from some drying time. The aromatic aspect of this tobacco is quite apparent to me and will bite your tongue if you smoke them straight out of the tin/pouch. Not sure whether it has any cavendish in it, but I'd dare to say it hasn't: it is the Virginia tobaccos that seem to predominate this blend. About nicotine content, I'd say this is a medium/strong blend with a good kick if you smoke it on an empty stomach. The taste is quite mellow as you start smoking, but will evolve quite nicely as you go past every quarter of your bowl. Flavours are difficult to describe, but the word "floral" pops up in the head. It is easy to rub and pack in your pipe if properly dried. I have smoked it at a very low pace because of the virginias in it, so it did not smoke hot at all, but I can tell it could if you don't let this tobacco dry properly. I don't think I would buy this tobacco myself, but I guess I'd have another bowl if someone gave me another pipefull for free. Not that it hasn't shown nice properties or characteristics, but it is an aromatic at the end of the day, so this is a 2 stars tobacco for me. I am not trying to put the reader off buying it, but this kind of tobacco is not my cup of tea (subjective though it is, everyone has his own preferences).

Edit 03/02/2017 I've come to really enjoy this tobacco, so I am going to upgrade to 3 stars.

Pipe Used: Meerschaum

Age When Smoked: ?

Purchased From: a present

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Emeritus Account (30171)	2009-04-21		Medium	Medium to Strong	Very Full	Tolerable to Strong

I bought this in desperation from a supermarket (my local 'tobacconist' (a non smoker) can't be persuaded to order decent stuff and I tire a bit of mail order 'baccy). 'Oh, perhaps it isn't all that bad' I thought, and bought 25g on spec.

Sometimes, it's not absolutely awful. And, then again, sometimes it tastes like you're sucking on a burning sock soaked in liquid hairspray. I'll never buy this again.

1 person found this review helpful.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	JaWiBr (562)	2023-04-19		Medium to Strong	Mild to Medium	Medium to Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

Package note of lakeland, sharply sweet fruit and spices. Tobacco is a flake of a marbled brown and dark brown. Moisture content is great, flakes rub out with a little effort. Burns slow with a few relights. The strength is medium to strong and nic is medium. Flavoring is mild to medium, with notes of lakeland. Lakeland flavoring is moderate in the beginning after lighting but fades to the background relatively quickly and remains in the background. Taste is medium to full and very consistent, with notes of floral, mild tonquin/lakeland, rich, savory, herbal spices, zesty citrus, leather, fermented sour and tangy dark fruit, woody, earthy, mildly bitter, a lemon grassy background note, and a peppery retro. Virginia is leading with Flavoring supporting. Room note is pleasant to tolerable, and aftertaste is great.

Pipe Used: Peterson Bard Rusticated 221 Fishtail

Age When Smoked: 17 years

Nobody has rated this review yet.

	Reviewed By	Date	Rating	Strength	Flavoring	Taste	Room Note
	Benjamin Meyer (25)	2020-12-02		Very Strong	Strong	Full	Pleasant to Tolerable

This a classic English OTC. It seems to be sold pretty much everywhere there and pubs if you're used to smell of it. A plunge in the past, then.

On a tourist trip, I purchased my pouch in London at the Davidoff shop, while hunting for other English things. How I regret not getting more of it!

Pouch open, the smell assaulted my nostrils immediately. A kind of sweet violence, like "slap me again, please". I stuck my nose deeper and found flowers, maybe rose and geranium, spices, maybe cloves and cinnamon, and finally some sort of unidentified liquor.

Can't help but notice that for a pouch, the flakes are clean cut, nice short length, and neatly stacked.

I have tried various packing techniques and drying times. From fold and stuff to completely rubbed out, to pouch moisture to dried out crumbs. Honestly, all worked relatively easily. As always, the full flake with more moisture gave me a slower burn with fuller aroma, but sometimes, a quicker easier smoke was what I needed to.

After a good charring light, off I went. The flavour here, from the first to the last puff, are full and satisfying. The smell from the pouch absolutely translates to the smoke. With that rich topping, a strong dark tobacco smoke, akin to a sweet cream. Yes, while this is one of the stronger tobacco's around, it is extremely smooth and easy in tongue and throat.

As the bowl progresses, the topping receded a little and gave more room for the tobacco to show. The synthesis is close to a BBQ sauce kind of vibe: very sweet and smoky, with an earthy quality.

DGT doesn't work very well here. Sure relights after a pause are fine, but if I wanted too long, a strong astringent and bitter smoke had to be puffed through to get the good flavor back.

It burns pretty easily to the bottom and leaves little dottle, considering how aromatic it is. The aftertaste is very pleasant and lingers quite a bit. My wife, who does not tolerate tobacco, accepted to sit with me on occasion, outside always.

I will definitely be looking for more pouches of this.

Pipe Used: Various kinds

Age When Smoked: New

Purchased From: Davidoff of London

Similar Blends: Peterson irish flake.

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