Canadian Box Pass Round 3

[stickframer]

Hey I should even have my new pipes by then!

Right on. Enjoy man.

 

[drezz01]

... The twist is very tasty, and a little stronger than the SG Black xx rope.

Stronger you say? :crying:

 

[shikano53]

Stronger you say?

 

[stickframer]

Hehe. It's a little stronger, but doesn't have that charred steak taste, just nice tobacco taste. It was pretty good for a nightcap. I worked up to about 3/4 of a bowl. Maybe I need help. :lol: It's certainly not an everyday thing, but I've got to build up to Tambolaka. I have a small sample and sometimes I feel like it's watching me, waiting to pounce. It's alive!

 

[shikano53]

sometimes I feel like it's watching me, waiting to pounce. It's alive!
It's the tobacco 'Elf on the Shelf'. :D

 

[stickframer]

I caught a nasty cold over the holidays, but today I can breathe more or less normally, so I'm celebrating by filling my sinuses up with the smoke of John Cottons No 1. The first quarter bowl was good. Orientals, light but noticeable latakia, and Virginia all doing their thing. The balance between the lat and Orientals was nice, I didn't notice one overpowering the other too much. They more weaved in and out. Moving to about the half way point, the Orientals pushed foward with a peppery spice explosion before the creaminess of the lat kicked back in towards the bottom and smoothed things out. Afterwards I can still taste a pleasant spice with some citrus sourness.
Personally I loved it. The latakia might be mild but dont let that stop you...there's loads of flavor (and spice) here. And it burned right to the heel with only a couple relights. 4 stars.

 

[fmgee]

Now I am getting really excited as the box should be here soon. I cannot wait to try the John Cotton blends (and everything else)!

 

[fmgee]

It has arrived... Lots for me to try in here

 

[stickframer]

What's up first? I don't know what to smoke tonight. :lol:

 

[jkrug]

Decisions, decisions, decisions.... :D

 

[fmgee]

I smoked a bowl of John Cotton #1 this afternoon. It was good but also cold so I could have used a little more latakia. It had a very interesting "oriental sweet spice" thing that I enjoyed. Today my son turns 8 so I am not sure I'll be able to sneak in another bowl...
Stickframer you did not open the C&D Golden Days of Yore... I wanted to smell it. I might have to crack it and try some before my time is up.

 

[sw0snuff3r]

That pic looks like Christmas all over again!

 

[drezz01]

That is a beautiful looking spread!

 

[jkrug]

Stickframer you did not open the C&D Golden Days of Yore... I wanted to smell it. I might have to crack it and try some before my time is up.

Crack it open and give it a go. I have a tin on the go here at home and quite like it. The tin note and taste are not as aromatic as you would think given the description of this blend. The taste is very tobacco forward and quite nice. ::

 

[fmgee]

Jim, I thought it would be a straight aromatic until I read the tin which made me think it might have something else going for it.
I am sitting on my deck smoking Bengal Slice right now. This blend is a winner! What a great start to the new year.

 

[jkrug]

I absolutely LOVE Bengal Slices. Will be stocking up on it once it becomes available at Smokingpipes. A great way to start the new year for sure. Actually I think all of the STCoP blends are excellent. :clap:

 

[stickframer]

JC #1 and War Horse were bell ringers for me. What a gift for the Holidays. :mrgreen:

 

[fmgee]

I'll be buying Bengal Slice for sure.
I have yet to try War Horse. I'll pick a small pipe and see how it goes.
I tried GL Pease Navigator today. Holy cow the retro hale was like snorting wasabi! Ouch. It was too much for me. I quit the bowl and loaded up some 20 year old St James Wood... much better. I have never tried this fresh but I think that might be a good idea as it was great.

 

[stickframer]

I didn't try Navigator. I was thinking about it but something put me off it. Sounds like it's full of perique lol.
The box sample was my first taste of St James Woods too, and I also think grabbing a few tins of the fresh would be worthwhile.

 

[fmgee]

I don't think Navigator has Perique. I am pretty sure it was some intense dark fired burley that got me. Whatever it was it was not for me.