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Since we're spending 2 months in South Carolina I thought I'd check out the local B&M scene yesterday. So I wandered over to Towne Centre Tobacco & Wine in Mt. Pleasant (Charleston area). It's a very nice shop with a fine walk-in humidor and decent selection of pipes and tobacco. I bought a tin of Dunhill Aperitif and one I had not had- Dan's Holly's Non Plus Ultra.
When I got back to the house I looked up NPU on TR and noticed nothing but 1 start reviews with very disparaging comments. I though, "Uh-oh, this was a $10 mistake."
When I opened the tin I was greeted, or assaulted depending on your take of this kind of blend. with a distinct soapy/floral aroma. I also picked up some fruit in the nose. Hmmm, a Lakleand style blend? It is very much like Condor Long Cut to me nose.
The cut is described as ribbon but to me it is more like shredded flake. Not a bad thing as it packs pretty well.
The tobacco looks to be a good quality Virginia but make no mistake, it is all about the essence.
While Dan claims there is no casing the flavoring overwhelms the tobacco.
I can understand the 1 star ratings if they were done by folks not familiar with this style of blend. This call for an acquired taste and open mind. It is not your standard aromatic but is probably what passed for an aro in Europe 50 nor 60 years ago.
The after taste lingers for quite a while and even a good dose of 86 proof spirits did little to diminish it.
I smoked Non Plus Ultra in a cob because, have no doubt, this stuff will ghost a pipe.
I'll finish this tin over time but I'd only recommend it for the bravest of souls who want a bit of adventure in their life.
When I got back to the house I looked up NPU on TR and noticed nothing but 1 start reviews with very disparaging comments. I though, "Uh-oh, this was a $10 mistake."
When I opened the tin I was greeted, or assaulted depending on your take of this kind of blend. with a distinct soapy/floral aroma. I also picked up some fruit in the nose. Hmmm, a Lakleand style blend? It is very much like Condor Long Cut to me nose.
The cut is described as ribbon but to me it is more like shredded flake. Not a bad thing as it packs pretty well.
The tobacco looks to be a good quality Virginia but make no mistake, it is all about the essence.
While Dan claims there is no casing the flavoring overwhelms the tobacco.
I can understand the 1 star ratings if they were done by folks not familiar with this style of blend. This call for an acquired taste and open mind. It is not your standard aromatic but is probably what passed for an aro in Europe 50 nor 60 years ago.
The after taste lingers for quite a while and even a good dose of 86 proof spirits did little to diminish it.
I smoked Non Plus Ultra in a cob because, have no doubt, this stuff will ghost a pipe.
I'll finish this tin over time but I'd only recommend it for the bravest of souls who want a bit of adventure in their life.
