Standard Tobacco - "War Horse Bar"
- Thread starter deathmetal
- Start date
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
Site Sponsors
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
PipesMagazine Approved Sponsor
- Status
For what it's worth, I bought some of the first big release about 6 weeks ago and the flavors weren't that well integrated, but I just started a tin from the second batch and it's much better on that count. The topping isn't as over-the-top either. I think the bars just needed a bit of time to rest, but I can no longer pick out the individual tobacco flavors -- everything is nicely integrated, now.
There's no vanilla in it. Anise, Valerian root, Tonquin, possibly Heliotrope. When I passed it around at the WCPS, it put plenty of people on the ground and they were plenty happy. I was pleased that they were able to make a plug from it. Softer than Revor, but still a solid block that required a sharp knife for good slices. I like this blend, though I don't smoke it often because of the nic hit.
Hmmmm...think I'll have a smoke in this nice amber stemmed Perkins cutty from 1896.
Hmmmm...think I'll have a smoke in this nice amber stemmed Perkins cutty from 1896.
That's nice, but until we hear from someone with legal responsibility, I'm sticking with the original review.
It certainly is an interesting mixture, but not quite inspiring enough to be an instant classic.
And so... it hovers in the middle. Let me know when someone is willing to make a notarized statement about the ingredients, otherwise all conjecture is bullshit.
Whether they put vanilla in there, or a combination of chemicals form to make an almondy, vanilla-y aroma, I (and those in the room with me) smell a touch of vanilla... and almonds. Also, you don't HAVE to use a knife. The "plug" breaks apart easily by just fidgeting with the "plug" with your fingers to easily break up the tobacco for smoking. I break up the entire plug for mine to make it easier to load my pipes.
That said, all arguments aside, despite... it is an amazing new tobacco that I am glad to have around. An American Lakeland of sorts. Whether it tastes like the original or not, which 97% of us will never ever be able to compare it to.
Despite it not being a plug, or whatever the exact chemical concoction is, I still enjoy it, regardless. I enjoy the hell out of it.
It does make me wonder while smoking it... I end up pondering why companies have evolved to use the certain flavors that they do in adding a flavor to an aromatic. Purity laws... everyone refers to purity laws, but is vanilla, cherry, and apple not about the same "purity" as tonquin beans or rose, or geranium oils? What the hell were they using before such purity laws? Were they making tobaccos that smelled like Channel #5 or British Sterling, or even Brutt cologne? I could see why the Danish and other Germanic companies using flavors used in the pastries that they were so famous for in those regions... I can see why the Americans used the sugary flavors they had on hand also... I can even understand using flavors that enhance the natural flavors of tobacco like plums and apricots... But, tonquin beans and geraniums? Did the English just pull those flavors out because they were all that was left in the cologne industry after you remove the other chemicals that make up their perfume industry?
I'd be interested to try a small sample of a tobacco that lead to there being a purity law.
All that said, War Horse, all of the War Horses, are on my list of favorite tobaccos, despite...
That said, all arguments aside, despite... it is an amazing new tobacco that I am glad to have around. An American Lakeland of sorts. Whether it tastes like the original or not, which 97% of us will never ever be able to compare it to.
Despite it not being a plug, or whatever the exact chemical concoction is, I still enjoy it, regardless. I enjoy the hell out of it.
It does make me wonder while smoking it... I end up pondering why companies have evolved to use the certain flavors that they do in adding a flavor to an aromatic. Purity laws... everyone refers to purity laws, but is vanilla, cherry, and apple not about the same "purity" as tonquin beans or rose, or geranium oils? What the hell were they using before such purity laws? Were they making tobaccos that smelled like Channel #5 or British Sterling, or even Brutt cologne? I could see why the Danish and other Germanic companies using flavors used in the pastries that they were so famous for in those regions... I can see why the Americans used the sugary flavors they had on hand also... I can even understand using flavors that enhance the natural flavors of tobacco like plums and apricots... But, tonquin beans and geraniums? Did the English just pull those flavors out because they were all that was left in the cologne industry after you remove the other chemicals that make up their perfume industry?
I'd be interested to try a small sample of a tobacco that lead to there being a purity law.
All that said, War Horse, all of the War Horses, are on my list of favorite tobaccos, despite...
And, if someone ever asks me, "what does it smell like," of course so am going to say vanilla almond. It's way easier than trying to remember that obscure list of stuff that no one understands. Just like if someone asks me what Deathmetal "music" sounds like, I will say that it sounds like, I will say that it sounds like really fast Motley Crue... or really angry VanHalen... because it's a frame of reference that I can relate with a shared and understood simili. :
:
:
Good review there Brett. FWIW I too detect vanilla on the nose, along with liquorice and peppermint! There is however something else in the mix that I do not like at all. I cannot say what it is as I don't know myself.
As you correctly point out, this is in no way a plug tobacco, far too loosely compacted to be in that category and as Michael points out, this can be picked apart with the fingers...try doing that to Erinmore, Condor or Full Virginia Plug!
Though I have both the red and green I have only sampled the red to date and that is because I want some of the stench (which my sister and ex missus both thought 'delightful') to dissipate.
Smokewise it was fine, thankfully not too much of the 'flavourings' were tasted but again as has been pointed out, it's difficult to differentiate the different tobaccos in the blend.
I'm going to leave them both be for another couple of weeks afore I dip into them with any vigour.
"You could be tasting the Dihydrogen Monoxide. In addition to it's uses in processing pipe tobacco, it's also a principle ingredient in vanilla ice cream."
Would that be water then Dan?
Regards,
Jay.
As you correctly point out, this is in no way a plug tobacco, far too loosely compacted to be in that category and as Michael points out, this can be picked apart with the fingers...try doing that to Erinmore, Condor or Full Virginia Plug!
Though I have both the red and green I have only sampled the red to date and that is because I want some of the stench (which my sister and ex missus both thought 'delightful') to dissipate.
Smokewise it was fine, thankfully not too much of the 'flavourings' were tasted but again as has been pointed out, it's difficult to differentiate the different tobaccos in the blend.
I'm going to leave them both be for another couple of weeks afore I dip into them with any vigour.
"You could be tasting the Dihydrogen Monoxide. In addition to it's uses in processing pipe tobacco, it's also a principle ingredient in vanilla ice cream."
Would that be water then Dan?
Regards,
Jay.
Cosmic,
One reason those weird flavorings were used in British tobaccos is that they could be effective in very small amounts. The purity laws pertained to percentages or weights per whatever rather than whether the ingredients were natural. Maybe vanilla just wasn't effective at the level allowed by law or it was just too expensive.
Jay,
I smoked some War Horse Bar on our walk yesterday and my wife thought it smelled "lovely." What a gal. :mrgreen:
One reason those weird flavorings were used in British tobaccos is that they could be effective in very small amounts. The purity laws pertained to percentages or weights per whatever rather than whether the ingredients were natural. Maybe vanilla just wasn't effective at the level allowed by law or it was just too expensive.
Jay,
I smoked some War Horse Bar on our walk yesterday and my wife thought it smelled "lovely." What a gal. :mrgreen:
My family loves the smells also, and I love the way it makes my car smell also. It's like there is some "New Car" aroma in there also. It has probably increased the value of my car by $1000, ha ha.
My only issue is that when I smoke it too often, as I am like to do, I get a chemically drug hangover feeling, like I have taken too much pain medication on an empty stomach, and I've awoke in an strange place... naked... with "funny" feeling that I am going to regret something.
My only issue is that when I smoke it too often, as I am like to do, I get a chemically drug hangover feeling, like I have taken too much pain medication on an empty stomach, and I've awoke in an strange place... naked... with "funny" feeling that I am going to regret something.
Have you found the chip implanted in the back of your head yet? That's the next phase, but that normally only happens with the Green. The Red will lead to encounters similar to what you have described, but there's usually a stranger named "Bruce" involved. Either way, I'm glad that you are enjoying our blends.
How about Butter Pecan? With sprinkles?
Careful here! If you use Pecans, you'll have to add "tree nut warnings" for those who faint when they smell peanut butter.
Pretty much anything they thought of. IIRC, early Warhorse had belladonna in it. Merde de Chaval could have been a literal description.
Yep. Thanks, Russ.
Speaking for myself, despite similarities there's a distinct difference in the flavor between vanilla and tonquin, one which I appreciate. I find Tonquin a richer and slightly more complex flavor experience. So, knowing that Tonquin is a component of the topping might encourage me to give the blend a try.
- Status