 SMOKE Magazine's Pipe Tobacco Review! 
GOLDEN BLEND’S BLUE TRAIN
Pipe smokers would be well-advised to board this particular train. The German tobacco maestros at Poschl Tabak went all the way to southern Africa to develop the full-bodied, flue-cured Virginia variations that make up the core of this well-balanced, smooth-bodied blend. Choosing only the finest strip tobaccos from the most well-established farms, then blending them with a touch of mellow Latakia to tame the stronger leaf, they’ve created a pleasant concoction for your bowl. The aroma also sets this one apart: an infusion of natural peach and the essence of Fumé Blanc from the Paarl Valley makes for an astounding bouquet. It’s available in 100-gram tins for $15.00. 
Peterson LUXURY BLEND
If Irish eyes are smiling, Irish tastebuds are positively singing as they experience this aromatic mixture from the Dublin-based Peterson House. Three different Virginias intermingle nicely here, with a fragrant Burley and black Cavendish adding a note of sweetness. Smooth on the palate, this tobacco has almost no bite, and discerning pipe mavens will note the presence of citrus, honey, and vanilla hints in both the flavor and the pleasant aroma. An air-cured ribbon-type tobacco, this well-burning blend should be a crowd-pleaser at $8.50 per 50-gram tin. 
Peterson GOLD BLEND
There’s an aroma reminiscent of vanilla and cinnamon when you pop this one’s lid, and it carries over into the smoke of this mild-bodied mixture, ideal for puffing early in the day. The blend of jet-black Cavendish with dark Virginias and Burley makes for subtle but aromatic flavor experience, topped off by a sweet, pleasant hint of Hickory nut. This air-cured tobacco from Ireland, sold in the U.S. by Ashton Distributors, should be smoked slowly to fully enjoy the flavor nuances. Packaged in airtight tins of 50 grams, this mellow bowl-stuffer is priced at a consumer-friendly $8.50. 
Peter STOKKEBYE GOLD SERIES Mellow mixture
Introduced to pipe and pipe tobacco retailers at the 2003 Retail Tobacco Dealers of America trade show, this new edition from Peter Stokkebye International continues that company’s winning tradition in the field. The blend - a flavorful mixture of very mature Golden Virginias, with two types of extra mild Black Cavendish and a smattering of Toasted Burley - is for those looking for something not overly strong or aromatic, but still complex, with noticeable flavor characteristics. With its predominant,loose-cut Cavendish, this one delivers a palate-pleasing natural sweetness along with a subtle flavor of berries. The blend is offered in 2-lb. gold foil bags for a retail price around $48, joining the others in the high-end Gold Series line, which includes Black Truffle, Evening Rose, 1882 Mixture, and Proper English. SMOKE - Fall, 2003   |