Hi All!
I just finished a tin of FMOTB, and I have to say I wasn't impressed. I tried really hard to like it, obviously, since I finished the whole damn tin. Ill start by telling you what I usually like. Right now, and keep in mind, I'm new, I go back and forth between Orlik Golden Slice and Newminster No. 17 English Luxus, with CAO Moontrance as my "dessert" smoke. I was looking for something new and the guy who got my started on a pipe recommends FMOTB. Cracking the tin, The whole room is awash in a BBQ sauce like aroma, and I have high hopes. I pack it into the large bowl of my Randy Wiley Freehand (which looks a lot like a dublin) and give a test draw. I don't usually like the flavor of a test draw, but this I really don't like. It did light REALLY well, The charring light took me all the way to the bottom, which I really like. It smells nice, but the flavor doesn't deliver. Don't get me wrong, I can distinctly pick out the peppery notes my friend told me to look for, but that's where the flavor stopped. I like the pepper notes, actually, but there just isn't anything backing it up, in my opinion. Another negative is that as it move downs the bowl it really just starts to taste like a cigarette. It did burn to a really cool grey ash, but it's not enough to keep it in the rotation. First and last tin is now in the trash.
I really liked Grey Haven, but Christmas Cheer 2013 (I actually gave that tin away after 2 bowls!) and FMOTB are making it hard for me to continue searching in the McClelland brand. I'm sure I'll try a few more but maybe a break is in order. Maybe you guys have a favorite in the brand I could try that redeems them...?
As I mentioned: I really enjoyed the peppery notes I picked out, so if any of you fine gentleman and ladies can tell me another blend to try with a more variety of flavors in addition to perique I'd appreciate it!
-Lou
I just finished a tin of FMOTB, and I have to say I wasn't impressed. I tried really hard to like it, obviously, since I finished the whole damn tin. Ill start by telling you what I usually like. Right now, and keep in mind, I'm new, I go back and forth between Orlik Golden Slice and Newminster No. 17 English Luxus, with CAO Moontrance as my "dessert" smoke. I was looking for something new and the guy who got my started on a pipe recommends FMOTB. Cracking the tin, The whole room is awash in a BBQ sauce like aroma, and I have high hopes. I pack it into the large bowl of my Randy Wiley Freehand (which looks a lot like a dublin) and give a test draw. I don't usually like the flavor of a test draw, but this I really don't like. It did light REALLY well, The charring light took me all the way to the bottom, which I really like. It smells nice, but the flavor doesn't deliver. Don't get me wrong, I can distinctly pick out the peppery notes my friend told me to look for, but that's where the flavor stopped. I like the pepper notes, actually, but there just isn't anything backing it up, in my opinion. Another negative is that as it move downs the bowl it really just starts to taste like a cigarette. It did burn to a really cool grey ash, but it's not enough to keep it in the rotation. First and last tin is now in the trash.
I really liked Grey Haven, but Christmas Cheer 2013 (I actually gave that tin away after 2 bowls!) and FMOTB are making it hard for me to continue searching in the McClelland brand. I'm sure I'll try a few more but maybe a break is in order. Maybe you guys have a favorite in the brand I could try that redeems them...?
As I mentioned: I really enjoyed the peppery notes I picked out, so if any of you fine gentleman and ladies can tell me another blend to try with a more variety of flavors in addition to perique I'd appreciate it!
-Lou