I saw some become available a few days ago and I just had to try it. I’ve heard the mythical tales of this elusive rope. I’ve heard the hushed whispers of its legendary strength, and how the nicotine will kick you straight in the face and make you feel like a small child, when you fancied yourself a man. “Only the strong need apply”, they say. I scoffed... I chain smoked cigarettes for 15 years. I’m pretty sure I can handle some pipe tobacco.
Holy hell was I wrong.
Now I’ll interject with the fact that (obviously) I’m not dead, so it ain’t THAT bad. But man, this is seriously some intense tobacco. Against my better judgement I bought 4 tins, because I know this stuff is rare in the states and I didn’t want to love it and never be able to find it again. I’ll say I’m glad I got 4 tins, these 8 oz will probably last me a decade or more. This is not a daily smoke, not by a long shot. I think this rope will age well and become some sort of oozing swamp beast in 5 or 6 years, so I’m excited about that prospect.
Flavor-wise, it starts out fairly tame. It’s remarkably similar to Irish Flake for the first quarter bowl. It’s dark, earthy, subtly sweet, herbal... overall quite nice. The second quarter on through the finish it ramps up the flavor. A strong Dark Fired type spice begins to take shape and it rarely lets up. The thing that really gets me though is the deep oil slick taste. It stays in your mouth for a long time, and it’s accompanied by a sort of astringent creosote flavor. It’s fairly bitter, maybe slightly sour.. and that’s what really separates this from your average genteel evening tobacco.
The nicotine, I’m ashamed to admit, really hits me over the head. I thoroughly enjoy it (I like a good buzz), but I falsely thought I’d be immune. I could feel it after 5 puffs. Sitting here typing this now, after a full bowl, my vision is jittery and I’m sweating. I don’t feel nauseous or have the old niccups, but I feel slightly south of sober, which has never happened after smoking a pipe.
My one complaint is that it’s a wet rope, and with no drying time (as recommended by Gawith), this thing is a raging bitch to keep lit. I have had to relight every 5 minutes even though I’m continuously puffing. Still... it’s one hell of an experience. Does it live up to the hype? Absolutely. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. Give it a try if you’ve never had it and you’re looking for a full-bodied “manly” smoke. It’s quite a ride.
Holy hell was I wrong.
Now I’ll interject with the fact that (obviously) I’m not dead, so it ain’t THAT bad. But man, this is seriously some intense tobacco. Against my better judgement I bought 4 tins, because I know this stuff is rare in the states and I didn’t want to love it and never be able to find it again. I’ll say I’m glad I got 4 tins, these 8 oz will probably last me a decade or more. This is not a daily smoke, not by a long shot. I think this rope will age well and become some sort of oozing swamp beast in 5 or 6 years, so I’m excited about that prospect.
Flavor-wise, it starts out fairly tame. It’s remarkably similar to Irish Flake for the first quarter bowl. It’s dark, earthy, subtly sweet, herbal... overall quite nice. The second quarter on through the finish it ramps up the flavor. A strong Dark Fired type spice begins to take shape and it rarely lets up. The thing that really gets me though is the deep oil slick taste. It stays in your mouth for a long time, and it’s accompanied by a sort of astringent creosote flavor. It’s fairly bitter, maybe slightly sour.. and that’s what really separates this from your average genteel evening tobacco.
The nicotine, I’m ashamed to admit, really hits me over the head. I thoroughly enjoy it (I like a good buzz), but I falsely thought I’d be immune. I could feel it after 5 puffs. Sitting here typing this now, after a full bowl, my vision is jittery and I’m sweating. I don’t feel nauseous or have the old niccups, but I feel slightly south of sober, which has never happened after smoking a pipe.
My one complaint is that it’s a wet rope, and with no drying time (as recommended by Gawith), this thing is a raging bitch to keep lit. I have had to relight every 5 minutes even though I’m continuously puffing. Still... it’s one hell of an experience. Does it live up to the hype? Absolutely. Is it for everyone? Absolutely not. Give it a try if you’ve never had it and you’re looking for a full-bodied “manly” smoke. It’s quite a ride.
