Are tobacco reviews really of much value?

[JOHN72]

I remember I had that same mustache a few years ago. Eating a noodle soup, a pudding, and then smoking a cigar, or a pipe. At the end of the day, had in that mustache, a delicious aroma, something like a pig's pork, with a touch of bacon and charred chocolate.

 

[chumleeroy]

My 2 cents on the matter, I usually don't take a review to heart unless they state the types of pipes and or size and shapes of the bowl as I can hate a blend in one pipe but love it in a different one

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Like others have noted; when it comes to cigar and tobacco reviews, I try to find someone that has a similar palate to mine.

Another thing to consider is, is the reviewer someone that is an established cigar or pipe smoker that has done a good amount of reviews, and is giving a review after smoking several of the same cigar and/or multiple bowls of the pipe tobacco. Initial impressions of a cigar or pipe tobacco are interesting to read, but I don't use those as a guide for buying. Same for those that are new to cigars and/or pipes as they're still learning their palate and what they do and don't like, and we all know our tastes change over time.

 

[chumleeroy]

Like others have noted; when it comes to cigar and tobacco reviews, I try to find someone that has a similar palate to mine.

Another thing to consider is, is the reviewer someone that is an established cigar or pipe smoker that has done a good amount of reviews, and is giving a review after smoking several of the same cigar and/or multiple bowls of the pipe tobacco. Initial impressions of a cigar or pipe tobacco are interesting to read, but I don't use those as a guide for buying. Same for those that are new to cigars and/or pipes as they're still learning their palate and what they do and don't like, and we all know our tastes change over time.

Those are some solid words of advice

 

[metalheadycigarguy]

Those are some solid words of advice

Thanks. I have my moments. LOL

 

[SSGT.]

I like to read the reviews, but my decision is made by the rating score. 50 reviews and an overall rating of 4 or better I'll buy a small tin and find out if I agree, by the time I go through a couple of three or four bowls I have an idea if it works for me.

 

[dejavueagain]

Pardon this lengthy diatribe, but I am enjoying a renewed & relaxing period of smoking a variety of pipes & tobacco blends.

A long time ago (during the '60s & '70s) before the internet & smoking forums, I bought a few pipes because they were elegant & affordable while working at an entry-level corp. job & raising a family. They were a Savinelli, a Danish hand-made free-form, a leather-covered Longchamp, & even a clay Lepeltier with my initials hand-painted on the side of the bowl.

My tobacco was bought in pouches at variety stores & consisted of blends of Virginias & Burleys.....some were aromatics.

My renewal began just a year ago. I now have a small collection of about 20 pipes. Who knew you could buy a blue-leather Longchamp estate pipe online? And I am reading & learning about boutique blends & buying even more elegant pipes as pictured below.

My most notable "learning" has been via online forums where personal comments & advice have expanded my appreciation of the pleasures of smoking. And where I am also in awe of the diversity of smoking preferences of other smokers. As Sykes Wilford of LDG tells it: "The name Laudisi is from an Italian play where the the character Laudisi states that...."what ever is true for an individual is indeed the truth, at least for that person."

My personal preferences are Princes & Lumbermans in king size & "extra size". And with Savinelli activated charcoal filters.

My favorite tobaccos are the 5 Savinelli blends, various Balkan blends, boutique blends like Peterson's "Elizabethan Mixture" & "Early Morning Pipe", as well as, Hearth & Homes' "Black House" & "White Knight". Additionally I enjoy "Viprati" & "Balkan Sasiensi".

I especially look forward to visiting my local temple of pipedom, L.J.Peretti, & being expertly guided to a variety of their blends, as well as, other personal advice.

One very helpful commentary that I picked up from a forum participant was the practice of alternately smoking 2 pipes with different blends. One cools while smoking the other. With a 9mm filter, the taste of the blend comes through cleanly, the draw is easy, & there is no tongue bite. And I can smoke to the bottom of the bowl..& that is my "truth".

What is your truth?

 

[Pypkė]

As Sykes Wilford of LDG tells it: "The name Laudisi is from an Italian play where the the character Laudisi states that...."what ever is true for an individual is indeed the truth, at least for that person."

...Unless the truth came from tobaccoreviews.

Never smoked using a 9mm filter. Usually make it to the bottom of the bowl.

 

[MisterBadger]

...Unless the truth came from tobaccoreviews.

Never smoked using a 9mm filter. Usually make it to the bottom of the bowl.

I think the best we can hope for in being guided by reviews is not objective truth, but a probability based on consensus.

 

[woodsroad]

No

 

[khiddy]

Meta discussion: is asking for people’s opinion about whether reviews are of value, of value?

 

[Pypkė]

Meta discussion: is asking for people’s opinion about whether reviews are of value, of value?

He wanted our direct opinions, or "truth" as he put, it rather than commentary about tobacco reviews. My enjoyment of pipe tobacco doesn't get elevated to sublime "truths" or wherever a rambling muse may take me.

 

[JOHN72]

I imagine that, like any product or item you want to buy, there is also your sixth sense, the one that doesn't exist, hahahahaha. (Tabacos review) was a great guide for me, as were the reviews on smokingpipes and their videos. Since I never had a smoker around me, not even someone who enjoyed pipe tobacco, when I started out in this.

 

[sablebrush52]

Meta discussion: is asking for people’s opinion about whether reviews are of value, of value?

That is the question…

 

[ThermionicScott]

Meta discussion: is asking for people’s opinion about whether reviews are of value, of value?

Time for someone to create TobaccoReviewReviews!

 

[dejavueagain]

I guess my comment got lost in the diatribe: My most notable (i.e., not the only) "learning" has been via online forums where personal comments & advice have expanded my appreciation of the pleasures of smoking.
That is, "reviews", for me are not the only source & just a click-away at online forums; instead reviews are available from multiple sources.
My local "smoke shops" & other drop-in customers are a source, as is the owner behind the counter.
I also mentioned L.J.Peretti, a century-and-a -half "industry leader" where the conversation covers not only a specific blend or brand, but ALL of the elements of enjoying a smoking experience.
That process of multiple inputs works best for me.
Just like AI is merely a collections of stuff, I find it helpful to have input from more than online stuff.

 

[anotherbob]

I've looked at a lot of reviews. It seems to me that for most of them there are those who love it and others who hate it. Guys get all kinds of flavors and they often don't agree. What it amounts to is that you don't really know if you will like a tobacco until you try it yourself.

And the dealers' descriptions don't help much. It's really a crap shoot.

I think you answered your own question with a yes but with a caveat. They let you know someones opinion at one time about a particular blend. And that can help you know if you want to try and explore that blend or not.
I personally don't find reviews worth much. And find my best luck with going by my gut instinct. However a few reviews have convinced me to try a blend either because it sounds like something I would very enjoy or just to see if a blend is as interesting and unique as they say.
Beyond that reviews can help people develop a more refined palate which can help them enjoy tobacco more. That moment after reading reviews and smoking blends that one finally picks out the stewed fruits or bready notes.
So helpful but in a way that is somewhat limited and can't replace personal experience.

 

[dejavueagain]

"...can't replace personal experience."
Totally agree.
That's what's often missing with AI's mere collection of surveyed "facts".
And "reviews" are personal views....of an individual "facts"....& are all over the place.
Critical thinking is your only aid.

 

[Sig]

Black licorice is delicious, especially the salty stuff from the Nordic countries. Its sweet, its salty, its just fantastic!! Pair that with a cold Dr Pepper, and you have absolute bliss.

If you take my review here and try these splendid delicacies, about 70% will hate me because of the licorice. Another 15%-20% will be disgusted by the Dr Pepper. Thats 85%-90% of you that wasted money due to my objective review of this delightful snack.
Reviews are mostly worthless, unless you trust the reviewer because you have similar tastes. But then you would already know what types of blends you like.
Anything more than moisture level, price, and quality of leaf is subjective and of little help, especially to new pipers. Ive heard SOOOOO many pipers say they avoided a blend for years because of reviews on TR. And now kick themselves because they absolutely love the blend.
In my opinion.

 

[huntertrw]

Are tobacco reviews really of much value?​

That depends entirely upon how much credence you assign to someone else's opinion, for that is all that a tobacco review really is.

To put this in perspective, consider the words of the late President John F. Kennedy: "Too often...we enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought."