C&D Blockade Runner

[dylan793]

I just received Blockade Runner in the mail with my recent tobacco order (along with some Old Gowrie, excellent!). This is the first tobacco in my limited experience which I really had to slow down and think about it. Every puff was just rich dark earthiness. I don't know how else to describe it. But I loved it! I have a few questions about this type of blend however.
Blockade Runner calls itself a "true navy Cavendish" but what does that really mean? I understand its been soaked in rum, but is that the defining characteristic? If any rum was supposed to come through in the flavor, I didn't detect it.
My other question, considering it calls itself a "navy Cavendish", it doesn't list Cavendish in the blend. Just red and golden virginias. So what's up?
Part 3, not really a question about the blend, are there similar blends to this which I should try? This was only $9.99 for a 2oz hunk of crumble cake. Decent price compared to some other brands. Anyhow, thanks for reading!

 

[flipflopsandshades]

This is a great tobacco however, the nicotine is very prominent for me. I have only smoked this maybe twice but I love it.
You should really try "Manhattan Afternoon" which I love as well and has been reviewed by people on this site. It is a great one as well!!!

 

[spyder71]

I believe the term "Cavendish" is actually meant to describe a process rather than a leaf type or flavoring additive.

 

[dylan793]

I had read that as well. It just puzzled me however because most of the time if the leaf has gone through that process, it seems the tin will specify it as such.

 

[rigmedic1]

Try it in a long stem clay, the way it would have been smoked long ago. It's an interesting experience!

 

[papipeguy]

Cavendish is the name of the process. It can be applied to Virginias, Kentucky and Burleys. the tobacco is pressed into blocks and then heated by any one of several methods. The heating ferments the natural sugars in the leaf and brings out the sweetness.

Genrally, when called a "Navy" it means that rum has been used as a flavoring agent- again more sugar.

 

[dylan793]

I didn't want to make another thread about this blend so I dug up the one I made when I first got it. I had maybe three bowls or so and set this blend aside for about a month (judging by these posting dates). I knew this blend was good, and it was complex, but I was too new to piping that I couldn't totally appreciate it.
This morning I decided to give it another go, and im glad I did. I loaded it in my Peterson 87 with a p-lip bit, and for whatever reason it's just working really well for me. Im getting all sorts of molasses sweetness and flavors I can only compare to a latte from Starbucks. There's still nothing that jumps out and says "RUM!" at me, but I suppose that's the molasses? It still strikes me as "dark" and earthy as well, but im noticing all these different nuances I hadn't before.
I just figured I should put this update on here. Its fun, as a new pipe smoker, to look back at old posts and see how I've progressed. I think ill be reaching for this blend more often in the future 8)