Dr. Grabow Pipes

steverino

Just posted this on CPS and thought I'd post it here too for the group's interest, if any.

One of my favorite things about visiting Low Country Pipes is their sample table. They always have something interesting sitting out to try and this time there were probably a dozen tins, at least. I took advantage of this by sampling four tobaccos that I had never tried, three of them GLP blends and one Mac Baren. Here is a quick review of each:

Ashbury: Good English, one of the few tobaccos I’ve had that I thought truly lived up to the term “complex”. There was quite a bit of interplay going on between the component tobaccos. At the beginning, Virginia and latakia played the prominent role. Then, the latakia would disappear, leaving only the Virginia in the forefront for a while. The orientals came forward and, along with the Virginia, provided a nice, mild flavor. This modulation of flavor seemed to continue throughout the bowl with the last third or fourth of the bowl being somewhat less flavorful but still worth finishing. This smoke was a good reminder that there really are some English blends out there worth buying and smoking.

Montgomery: Prominent bright Virginia taste at the beginning, changing to a darker taste as the bowl progressed. The burley seemed to be the main player from mid-bowl on. Good blend if you like both Virginia and burley.

Cumberland: Average Virginia tobacco is about all I can say. The tin description makes it sound wonderful, and perhaps I would find it so with a few more smokes. Didn't really notice the perique, but the Virginia and burley were evident in a manner similar to Montgomery.

HH Matured Virginia: Very pronounced bright Virginia flavor (even though it is "Matured") at the beginning which then smooths out a bit. They say you can tell a Mac Baren blend by the topping and this one is no different in my perception. This is not a bad thing, though - it's a good blend. Don't know if I could smoke it often.

I would definitely recommend Ashbury to the English smokers and Montgomery to those who like a little burley in the mix. All four tobaccos provided at least a decent smoke.