Brunello

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Joined2019-02
Last Visited2022-04
LocationFauquier, Virginia

With 41 years of pipe smoking I've now tried 438 commercial blends (so far) and done a lot of my own blending. However, I plan on only submitting reviews if I feel I can add to the discussion or point out something that may not have been mentioned.

My own methodology is firstly to try every new tobacco in a cob, briar, and meer, because each of these materials react differently to the various components in a blend. Next, for the purposes of a review, I evaluate similar blends in direct comparison, sometimes with two bowls lit at the same time, in order to establish a sense of context. Like in wine tasting, I believe it is by direct comparison of similar blends played against each other that we refine our palates and ferret out the strengths and weaknesses of a blend.

Unless one is growing or buying unprocessed leaf, all commercial tobaccos have had some sort of casing. That is where individual preferences are revealed. Myself, I can tolerate small amounts of vanilla, tonquin, nuts, or some dark fruits like figs, but I don't care for chocolate or berry flavors in my smoke. Therefore, I'm always on the lookout for certain keywords when I read a review. Just because something gets a 3.8 rating doesn't mean everybody is going to be wowed with it.

Reviewers who say "I can't really describe the flavors - but I love it!" don't help me at all. Some people make fun of those who use descriptions like "hints of toasted sunflower seed" - and maybe there really are some people who have lived sheltered lives, subsisting on Mac n' Cheese, who have never tasted a sunflower seed - but I think any curious or adventurous soul has probably tried more foods and drinks than they may realize. The descriptions are just there to jog the memory - for those who like to ponder what they are experiencing.

Badges

Motivator Has upvoted at least 80% of the time.

Reviews

17 reviews
37 helpful votes 		4 star:
9 Strongly Recommended
3 star:
3 Recommended
2 star:
4 Somewhat Recommended
1 star:
1 Not Recommended

Preferences: Unknown

Date Blend Reviews Helpful Rating Avg Rating
2020-07-05 Robert McConnell - Scottish Flake 100 3 ★★★★ ★★★☆ 3.2
2020-06-28 Sillem's - Commodore Flake 29 4 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.7
2020-06-28 Arango - Balkan Supreme 49 1 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.8
2020-06-28 Planta - Full English 11 2 ★★☆☆ ★★★★ 3.6
2020-06-14 Solani - 763: White and Black 70 0 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.1
2020-06-14 Boswell Pipes & Tobacco - Imperial English 3 1 ★★☆☆ 2.7
2020-05-16 Samuel Gawith - Skiff Mixture 217 4 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.4
2020-05-16 J. F. Germain & Son - Eighteen Twenty 49 1 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.2
2020-05-16 4noggins - Weybridge 32 2 ★★☆☆ ★★★★ 3.4
2020-05-16 4noggins - Tewksbury Hobbit's Weed Match 16 1 ★☆☆☆ ★★★☆ 2.5
2020-05-16 Cornell & Diehl - Black Frigate 54 4 ★★★★ ★★★☆ 3.1
2020-05-09 Robert McConnell - Scottish Cake 117 2 ★★★☆ ★★★★ 3.3
2020-05-09 Fribourg & Treyer - Golden Mixture 33 1 ★★★☆ ★★★★ 3.2
2020-05-09 Robert McConnell - Piccadilly Circus (Heritage) 5 4 ★★☆☆ ★★★★ 3.4
2020-04-26 Ashton - Gold Rush 47 2 ★★★★ ★★★☆ 2.7
2020-04-26 Boswell Pipes & Tobacco - Northwoods 145 1 ★★★☆ ★★★★ 3.5
2020-04-26 Mac Baren - Amphora Burley 35 4 ★★★★ ★★★★ 3.2