I have heard a lot of mixed reviews about Haunted Bookshop from others online. Some people really hype it up and sing its praises, while others would say its mediocre at best. I have been on somewhat of a VaPer/ perique kick as of late anyways so when I saw a tin at my local B&M whilst picking up some Sun Bear I decided It would be a good time to check it out for myself (I also got some windjammer to try out next).
Tin note is VERY much burley. Kind of nutty and earthy. I caught whiffs of dark fruit and sweetness underneath the burley, but they were faint. Tobacco was fairly dry right out of the tin so it didn't need any dry time. Loaded a bowl into my MM Eaton then went out back into the 100 degree Arizona night and sat on my patio to light up. From the first light I got that strong full burley taste. Very earthy and woody. Occasionally some plum/fig flavor would cut through. When retrohaled I got a lot more of a peppery perique taste then I did dark fruit, but I wasn't getting a lot of pepper on my tongue through normal smoking. I couldn't taste much of the Virginia in there. It was definitely hanging out waaaay in the background. I had read online it was a medium on the nicotine scale, but it felt a bit on the stronger side to me. It was kind of nice though. I almost never get any sort of buzz off pipe tobacco, and every once in a while I want to feel that nicotine surging through my veins. The tobacco burned fairly quick and very evenly throughout the entire bowl. The smoke itself was very smooth. Not sure if it was technique, the tobacco, or the fact that it was already so damn hot out, but my pipe definitely got hot. Probably a combination of all 3. As a result I had to take a couple of breaks to let the pipe cool down a bit. Never felt any bite though which is a plus. Can't give you an accurate room note as I smoke outside, but I would say your wife probably wont care for the smell of this one.
Overall it wasn't bad. It has a very natural tobacco taste, and a strong nic hit. I didn't fall in love with it, but I still enjoyed it, mostly because of the Perique. I have a feeling it would probably be a much better experience if smoked in cooler weather. I think I am going throw it in a jar and revisit it around October to see if that makes any sort of difference in my impression.
Tin note is VERY much burley. Kind of nutty and earthy. I caught whiffs of dark fruit and sweetness underneath the burley, but they were faint. Tobacco was fairly dry right out of the tin so it didn't need any dry time. Loaded a bowl into my MM Eaton then went out back into the 100 degree Arizona night and sat on my patio to light up. From the first light I got that strong full burley taste. Very earthy and woody. Occasionally some plum/fig flavor would cut through. When retrohaled I got a lot more of a peppery perique taste then I did dark fruit, but I wasn't getting a lot of pepper on my tongue through normal smoking. I couldn't taste much of the Virginia in there. It was definitely hanging out waaaay in the background. I had read online it was a medium on the nicotine scale, but it felt a bit on the stronger side to me. It was kind of nice though. I almost never get any sort of buzz off pipe tobacco, and every once in a while I want to feel that nicotine surging through my veins. The tobacco burned fairly quick and very evenly throughout the entire bowl. The smoke itself was very smooth. Not sure if it was technique, the tobacco, or the fact that it was already so damn hot out, but my pipe definitely got hot. Probably a combination of all 3. As a result I had to take a couple of breaks to let the pipe cool down a bit. Never felt any bite though which is a plus. Can't give you an accurate room note as I smoke outside, but I would say your wife probably wont care for the smell of this one.
Overall it wasn't bad. It has a very natural tobacco taste, and a strong nic hit. I didn't fall in love with it, but I still enjoyed it, mostly because of the Perique. I have a feeling it would probably be a much better experience if smoked in cooler weather. I think I am going throw it in a jar and revisit it around October to see if that makes any sort of difference in my impression.