I recently ordered a tin of Rattray's Bagpiper's Dream (a favorite of mine) and McClelland Navy Cavendish (new to me) from 4 Noggins and asked for a sample of Evening Cordial basically because I've heard terrible things about cherry blends but I've also heard very little negativity about 4noggins blends. I did receive the sample ( Thanks 4noggins! 
) but I've not had a chance to try it until today. Part of the delay is because I've been trying different pipes and preparation techniques for McClelland Navy Cavendish (I'm convinced that stuff doesn't burn well at all unless rubbed out), and because I've also been working a lot of hours lately. Going into work early in the morning and getting home late has left me barely enough time to shower, eat, and sleep. Much less enjoying a pipe. It's been a hard week. But I had a day off today and finished a bowl of Navy Cavendish and that little ziplock bag of Evening Cordial was calling out for me to try it. So I grabbed my trusty St. Patty's Day 2013 XL90 (I know I've mentioned that pipe a million times here as my best smoker) and loaded up a bowl.
The tobacco is described on 4Noggins website as... Black Cavendish is double flavored with enticing chocolate essence and a hint of cherry. This produces a smooth, mild, and highly flavorful smoke.
So I'll get to it... The tobacco isn't terribly moist, but I let it sit out for a while anyway before loading up. The charring light was interesting. I flipped my zippo pipe lighter and let it burn a few seconds to get rid of any fluid smell or taste and then ran that flame over the tobacco for a few passes. The tobacco took to the flame quite nicely and produced quite a bit of smoke, and while I sipped it didn't seem as though that first light was going to go out any time soon. The aroma was very nice and I could definitely detect the smell of chocolate. As far as taste, it wasn't terribly sweet, but it was enjoyable. And the smoke really filled out the mouth. I couldn't detect much cherry flavor or smell though. Eventually that first light did indeed go out although it had me thinking it wouldn't, and I lightly tamped down the ash and took flame to the tobacco once more. As the bowl progressed I did detect some mild hints of cherry in the aroma, and in the taste. It was very little, but it was there. Almost as if it just wanted to peek in and quietly say hello. I was actually hoping a bit more cherry would show itself but it pretty much just stayed in the background.... way in the background. But it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the blend by any means. Of course I'm sure the next bowl, knowing what to expect now, will be more enjoyable. Throughout the bowl, the tobacco burned nice and slow while producing plenty of smoke without having to puff like a freight train. Just slow and steady sips had me basking in heavenly smokey glory. There was no bite to speak of. In fact a couple times I puffed a little vigorously just to see if I could make it bite. I was not disappointed that it didn't bite. I would recommend this to someone who hasn't quite developed that sipping technique and has a problem with tongue bite. Also as the bowl neared the end, the chocolaty and cherry flavored did fade away quite a bit, replaced by a bold tobacco flavor that was not un-enjoyable in itself. I did have to relight a few times. Just a few, and I'm sure by fault of my own. I got lazy and forgot to sip while I got distracted by the television. Other than that, the tobacco burned all the way to a gray ash.
Now I definitely liked this tobacco. I don't know yet if I plan to add it as a permanent part of my rotation, but I did like it. I'll probably smoke a couple more bowls before I make up my mind. This was also my first time trying any 4noggins blends so I may try another one soon. There are quite a few I've had my eye on for a while now.
I know this wasn't the best of my few reviews, but hopefully it will help someone find a tobacco they might enjoy.
) but I've not had a chance to try it until today. Part of the delay is because I've been trying different pipes and preparation techniques for McClelland Navy Cavendish (I'm convinced that stuff doesn't burn well at all unless rubbed out), and because I've also been working a lot of hours lately. Going into work early in the morning and getting home late has left me barely enough time to shower, eat, and sleep. Much less enjoying a pipe. It's been a hard week. But I had a day off today and finished a bowl of Navy Cavendish and that little ziplock bag of Evening Cordial was calling out for me to try it. So I grabbed my trusty St. Patty's Day 2013 XL90 (I know I've mentioned that pipe a million times here as my best smoker) and loaded up a bowl. The tobacco is described on 4Noggins website as... Black Cavendish is double flavored with enticing chocolate essence and a hint of cherry. This produces a smooth, mild, and highly flavorful smoke.
So I'll get to it... The tobacco isn't terribly moist, but I let it sit out for a while anyway before loading up. The charring light was interesting. I flipped my zippo pipe lighter and let it burn a few seconds to get rid of any fluid smell or taste and then ran that flame over the tobacco for a few passes. The tobacco took to the flame quite nicely and produced quite a bit of smoke, and while I sipped it didn't seem as though that first light was going to go out any time soon. The aroma was very nice and I could definitely detect the smell of chocolate. As far as taste, it wasn't terribly sweet, but it was enjoyable. And the smoke really filled out the mouth. I couldn't detect much cherry flavor or smell though. Eventually that first light did indeed go out although it had me thinking it wouldn't, and I lightly tamped down the ash and took flame to the tobacco once more. As the bowl progressed I did detect some mild hints of cherry in the aroma, and in the taste. It was very little, but it was there. Almost as if it just wanted to peek in and quietly say hello. I was actually hoping a bit more cherry would show itself but it pretty much just stayed in the background.... way in the background. But it didn't take away from the enjoyment of the blend by any means. Of course I'm sure the next bowl, knowing what to expect now, will be more enjoyable. Throughout the bowl, the tobacco burned nice and slow while producing plenty of smoke without having to puff like a freight train. Just slow and steady sips had me basking in heavenly smokey glory. There was no bite to speak of. In fact a couple times I puffed a little vigorously just to see if I could make it bite. I was not disappointed that it didn't bite. I would recommend this to someone who hasn't quite developed that sipping technique and has a problem with tongue bite. Also as the bowl neared the end, the chocolaty and cherry flavored did fade away quite a bit, replaced by a bold tobacco flavor that was not un-enjoyable in itself. I did have to relight a few times. Just a few, and I'm sure by fault of my own. I got lazy and forgot to sip while I got distracted by the television. Other than that, the tobacco burned all the way to a gray ash.
Now I definitely liked this tobacco. I don't know yet if I plan to add it as a permanent part of my rotation, but I did like it. I'll probably smoke a couple more bowls before I make up my mind. This was also my first time trying any 4noggins blends so I may try another one soon. There are quite a few I've had my eye on for a while now.
I know this wasn't the best of my few reviews, but hopefully it will help someone find a tobacco they might enjoy.
