Bryanf: Here's my review that I posted at TobaccoReviews.com:
I'm surprised at the reviewers who say this blend bites their tongues. It doesn't do that to me or the friends I shared a sample with from a newly opened tub. If you're a fast puffer, I guess darn near anything will cause tongue bite. But EGR doesn't if you go at a normal pace (same goes for most tobaccos). As for it having a flat taste, well, nobody I know who has actually smoked it thinks that. Either it was smoked bone dry, or the smoke never entered the mouth of the reviewer. And not liking it, as a later reviewer (7-22-2013) doesn't because he prefers English blends, is an unfair comparison of genres, and one of the reasons some people don't take reviews seriously.
I greatly enjoy the strong aroma of the freshly open tub, which was the wine casing. The room note is pleasant, and passes the wife test. The taste is mildly sweet, but not coyingly so. I barely notice what latakia is here, so I suppose it's just a light condiment to give it a slight "oompf." The cavendish is not strong, but I taste a little sweetness from it, and I can see it in the tub, even though some claim there's none there. There's too many black pieces in here not to have some cavendish, because there's no chance all those black pieces are latakia or this would have a more smokey quality that latakia provides, and it doesn't. I get the burley taste fairly well, and notice just a little Virginia. I also notice a plum note or two that reminds me of MacBaren's Plumcake in a minor way as well as a light honey note. Burns well and evenly, and has a little nic kick to it. No goop.
It is indeed a mild aro with a very pleasing taste. It's not a great, all-time classic tobacco, but it certainly doesn't deserve the one star ratings some "reviewers" have given it. It might be a little of an acquired taste to some, but I have come to enjoy it quite a bit, and find it quite addictive. For me, it was enjoyment at first puff. When I'm not smoking it, I occasionally am thinking I need a smoke a bowl. Why it's virtually unknown today is puzzling as it is still in production. But Robinson himself is largely forgotten today, so why not his tobacco, too, in this day of "only NOW counts?" One online retailer told me that he wasn't going to carry it because of the negative reviews here. I suppose I can't blame him, though I gave him my opinion, and suggested he give it a try. Okay, it's not a nirvana smoke - what is, really? - but it's on par with several other OTCs: better than some, worse than others, depending on your palate. I'm going to keep this around because I like it.
9-1-2013 Edit: That retailer I mentioned changed his mind soon after I posted this review and is one of several who now carry EGR. Sutliff is soon to release this blend in 1.5 oz. tins, and I was privileged to get an early sample at the same time I was gifted a two ounce sample of 1960s EGR. I was happy to discover the taste of the new blend is a virtual dead ringer for the old, except the newer was slightly sweeter with a honey note the old didn't have, though the aging process may have caused it to disappear.
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