A Newbie Reviews: C&D Billy Budd

[newbroom]

I have been buying bulks instead of tins for about a year or so and C&D's are my favorite.

Billy Budd and Habana Daydream are both spiced with cigar leaf, but they're different tastes, and both excellent.

I would be surprised if there were any toppings in either.

I'm still planning to try Key Largo and Spectre and some other cigar leaf blends...and adding my own cigar leaf has been enjoyable.

 

[hmhaines]

Almost everything I've got it bulk. Too expensive to try a bunch of things, otherwise.

 

[pagan]

Never sampled, Iv also heard the Leather reference, but there are a lot of followers of this blend

 

[newbroom]

hmhaines...one thing you must consider is the acquisition of a discerning palate.

You've only begun less than a month and already expect to find something either extra special or just good, or whatever, but you most likely don't have the development of your palate, which can be achieved with any simple decent burly blend.

Is there one blend that has tasted good to you more than once? All through the bowl? Smoke it and just that primarily, for a couple weeks or more. You may be bored, but by attempting to taste everything before you can actually taste, you're spinning your wheels and developing unnecessary prejudices. (one would assume)

You'll begin to notice changes and differences due to circumstance and experience.

Are you using good technique? Maintaining your mouth with a refreshing beverage? Water is good.

You may be especially talented, and if so, that will become more apparent.

The best lesson of my smoking a pipe is that it's not a race.

 

[pitchfork]

I hadn't smoked Billy Budd in years, but I found some tonight and fired it up. No lack of flavor here! As to whether it's flavored or not, I don't detect anything. But I totally get the leather and perfume the OP mentioned. I think it's just the weird combination of the maduro leaf and the Latakia. I'm smoking outside, but I doubt if non-smokers would appreciate the "room note." Probably scares the wildlife a little, too.

 

[hmhaines]

@ newbroom
There does seem to be some concern over the rate at which I'm sampling tobaccos. There are several things driving this breakneck pace, and I am definitely enjoying it. In the short time since I started smoking a pipe, I have found several blends that I greatly enjoy, learned about many of the blending tobaccos, and had an insane amount of fun.
Once I've gotten over the newness of the hobby, I will absolutely take more time with every blend that I've already tried. I plan on becoming well acquainted with every horse in my stable!
Thanks for the advice!

 

[mso489]

My two cents, Billy Budd is not flavored at all, just an inspired blend of tobaccos to give an uncommonly lively taste. I smoke a few aromatics, though I mostly smoke non-aromatics, and by comparison I'd say there's no flavoring in Billy Budd.

 

[josephcross]

I have a tin of Solani Aged Burley flake that Ive been working through. I didnt like it all at first. After I got through a few bowls Ive started to see glimmers of what its all about. Isnt my cup of tea at the moment, but I definitely can tell its quality. Ill be getting a few tins for the cellar for sure.

 

[newbroom]

hmhaines:

I am definitely enjoying it.

There is that. ::

 

[tmb152]

No, HM, you are not alone. Old gym socks soaked in baby puke? I can go with that. This is one of the few I've tried that I really could not like and like others, have put it away to let it age. We shall see. Hopefully, it cannot eat out through the glass jar. :mrgreen: Maybe it will make a good blender to spruce up some milder tobaccos.
Just want to add that I've smoked a lot of cigars as well.

 

[cobguy]

My two cents, Billy Budd is not flavored at all, just an inspired blend of tobaccos to give an uncommonly lively taste. I'd say there's no flavoring in Billy Budd.

Agreed MSO ... Burley, Cigar leaf and Latakia dominate this great, creamy smoke.

 

[derfargin]

Billy Budd is a damn fine smoke. Hope you find one to your liking. If you dont care for it after you try it again, I've got plenty of stuff I'll trade you for to try out.

 

[ltstone]

IMHO if you don't like Billy Budd now age will not change that. Its too simple of a blend. It just is what it is.

 

[aeropuffer]

Ibeleive I'll stay away from it. Pitchfork's statement about burning old gym socks, says alot to me.

 

[hmhaines]

Yeah, I'm going to avoid it for a while. I've had several Burley's since, all were enjoyable. This was a terrible smoke. Hopefully it ages well.

 

[hawky454]

Dude, Billy Budd is the shite! I agree with others... I think you need to slow it down a bit and really get to know the blends you are reviewing, half the blends you hate now, you may very well find yourself loving in due time.

one thing you must consider is the acquisition of a discerning palate.

You've only begun less than a month and already expect to find something either extra special or just good, or whatever, but you most likely don't have the development of your palate

Couldn't have said it better. Your palate will develop with time and experience.

 

[tmb152]

If I remember my study of the occult, a mixture of Billy Bud with Wolfbane and garlic is effective for keeping black witches away. I know, I have some Billy Budd stored here in the house and I have yet to ever have a witch try to enter. :mrgreen:

 

[perdurabo]

Billy Budd Isn't topped. The cigar leaf is throwing you guys off. My first impression was bewilderment. It took a little time to figure this guy out. The Latakia, cigar leaf and burley does have a strange reaction with one another, but no topping. Age it and come back to it.