By Adam J. Smith
Tin Notes: This remarkable blend formulated by Fred Hanna provides a multi-layered, rich taste experience. The highest quality Syrian Latakia combines with small amounts of Cyprian to form the base for an exquisite array of rare and precious Orientals - sweet Drama, exotic Yendje, and more. Red irginias compliment the blend, adding sweetness, richness, strength and creaminess. Smoke this mixture and listen for the echoes of savored memories.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines Wilderness as, amongst other descriptions, a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human activity together with its naturally developed life community.

It was with this in mind that I struck out this morning to smoke my customary final-bowl before sitting down to review a blend. Seeking the solace that the name connotes, I headed for a local trail system with my favourite briar in tow. Surely, the tobacco gods were smiling upon me this morning, for as I approached the trail-head, a weak morning sun began to break through the ominous clouds which the West Coast is known for.

By Adam J. Smith
I would like to start this column off by thanking both Mr. Kevin Godbee and PipesMagazine.com, and Mr. Gregory Pease for allowing me this once in a life-time opportunity. I have to say that I was quite pleased when Kevin contacted me to inform me of the re-release of this blend (and to inform me that I was to secure and smoke some for this column), but when Greg chimed in offering to not only send me a sample of the real McCoy from his cellar; but also throw his Meridian into the mix, I was ecstatic. Not only would I get a chance to smoke a re-creation of a hallowed blend, but I would also get a chance to smoke the real-thing; created before I was! And, as if the deal needed any sweetening, a chance to add Meridian into the experience!

By Adam J. Smith
Tin notes: Rich Virginias Pressed Tobacco Spiced with Oriental leaf Latakia, and Perique. The source of Mississippi River! The way Joe tells it, it all came to him in a dream. Joe blended for 25 years before coming up with this, his first blend. Everything else was…unsmokable, says Joe. So one night, Joe wakes up from a sound sleep, grabs a pencil by the bedside and scribbles a recipe from his dream. He even dreams tobacco! Morning comes and he uses the notes to create a Virginia blend like no other. Mississippi River is born. The rest is history in a tin. Ask Joe if you don’t believe me. Members beg for this blend. It’s a little embarrassing. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

By Adam J. Smith
Tin notes: This blend is a tribute to a great tobacco of the past, made for a 2011 contest. It was judged to be the closest overall to the dark, Balkan type mixture it was designed to emulate. We hope you enjoy the memory. Russ Ouellette, Blender.

If you say the words "Balkan Sobranie 759" in a room full of pipe-smokers, a hush will descend. The old-timers in the room will relate tales of this hallowed blends that are oft beyond belief. Wondrous tales indeed; relating how it was the cure for everything from the common-cold to reviving the comatose. Tales of how it could turn an ignoramus into a genius of the highest level. Indeed; this blend is almost as fabled as the vaunted "Arcadia Mixture" of "Our Lady Nicotine" fame. And I’ve never smoked it.

By Shaun & Cyndi Dollins, Photos by Paul Arms
A mixture put together by G.L. Pease.

As the description states on the tin - On September 11, 2001 America and the entire world changed forever. While horrified at the devastation that occurred, the world watched with awe and wonder the heroism of the men and women who were the First Responders to the World Trade Center site. C&D recognizes and salutes their bravery and selfless dedication to others with the re-release of Tribute, the original G.L. Pease mixture created September 2001 as a fund-raiser for the families of 9/11 victims.

First Responders is a blend of red, bright and stoved red Virginias with a dash of Perique and toasted Cavendish.

By Adam Smith
Tin Notes: English/Balkan Pressed Tobacco Rich blend of Latakia, Orientals, Virginias, Perique, and a little something extra. Say Hello to Plum Pudding! Ahh, what an exquisite tobacco! This Seattle Pipe Club Blend was created by our own blending guru, Joe Lankford. Plum Pudding is simply a legend in our Club. Many members say it is their perfect tobacco. Delicious, smoky, spicy and positively addictive. Problem was, Joe nearly wore himself out blending so many special requests. So our friends at PipesandCigars.com are blending the precious mixture to Joe’s exacting specifications. Now our Club treasure is available to the world - in limited quantities. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Available in 2oz tins and bulk by the ounce.

By Adam J. Smith
Tin Notes: Rare Syrian Latakia, with its renowned mellow smokiness, is balanced with naturally sweet Oriental tobaccos and aged Virginia leaf to create a satisfying blend reminiscent of classic Syrian Latakia blends of old. Formulated by Tad Gage to reflect the character of original Three Oaks Pipe Tobacco, it tantalizes with intriguing differences.

Before I start this review, you should know that I went through hell to obtain, and finally, smoke this blend. After calling around to half-a-dozen tobacconists, I finally found one with it in stock. The wife, on hearing that I am headed downtown, decides that her and our son should join in, and make a day of it. Packing up a picnic lunch, we traipse off to the city center.

By Kevin Godbee
The Seattle Pipe Club’s Seattle Evening blend is not only a wonderful pipe tobacco which is in a class all it’s own, but it is also a great way of conjuring up a little bit of Seattle back home.  If you haven’t been to Seattle, I highly recommend it. It is a magnificent city with a beautiful modern skyline of glass skyscrapers, a friendly charm, and plenty of fun coffeehouses, good restaurants, and engaging clubs. The snowy peak of Mount Rainier in the distance, the world famous Pike Place Market where they throw salmon like fast balls, and of course the iconic Space Needle, amongst many other things all give Seattle a unique ambiance and charm. I had a wonderful visit there this past January for the Seattle Pipe Club’s 10th Anniversary. Now, smoking Seattle Evening here in hot, humid, sun-blistering Florida has me fondly recollecting cool, misty downtown Seattle. I am smoking this great tobacco and letting it take me back there.

G. L. Pease Lagonda just shot to the top of my charts with a bullet! If you like Latakia blends or Oriental blends in any way, shape or form - I guarantee you will LOVE Lagonda. The flavor is full and complex, but in no way overbearing. I am experiencing my third bowl as I write this. I had my first bowl of Lagonda in my Ardor Giove Ninfea - 114 (YS), which is one of my favorite pipes. This was during the late afternoon, after having wine, cheese, pâté and crackers. My prior appetizers could definitely have an influence on my smoking experience, but that was the idea. I frequently enjoy those snacks just as I do my pipe and tobacco. (I don’t really think creating a "laboratory environment" is necessary for a professional tobacco review.)

I was so blown away by how amazing this new entry to the Old London Series tasted that I had to call Greg. This is my first tobacco review where my first bowl was being smoked while actually talking to the Master Chef himself on the phone. How cool is that? I told Greg that if Lagonda was a girl, I would marry her. He told me that eventually she would start complaining that we never do anything or go anywhere, and all I want to do is stick her in a pipe and smoke her. I then admitted that I frequently fall in love too fast … both with women and tobaccos … but in this case I think I’ve found a keeper!

Gawith, Hoggarth & Co. Top Black Cherry Tobacco is one of the unique Kendal-style pipe tobaccos. Kendal tobaccos are made according to over 200-year old recipes from back in the days where British purity law dictated that only certain natural ingredients could be used in pipe tobacco. This isn’t your grandfather’s tobacco … it’s your great-great-grandfather’s tobacco.

The G&H tobacco is kept doubly-fresh as the tin is vacuum-sealed, and the tobacco inside is in a sealed plastic bag that is taped shut. There is as very strong tin aroma of a rich black cherry liquor … and that’s before you even open the bag. Some may find the tin aroma a bit cloying, but I like it. I made a conscious decision that I wanted to smoke a tobacco named Top Black Cherry right now. If you’re in the mood for something sweet for desert, and you get something sweet, then everything’s fine. If you’re in the mood for steak, then a cream parfait isn’t going to make you happy. If you feel like smoking a strong, smoky Latakia blend, then don’t pick up the tin of G&H Top Black Cherry.