Fleur de Semois

[jaingorenard]

So, I'm back in Brussels, and instead of my normal purchase of Reserve du Patron, I picked up this block of Fleur de Semois in a red packet. Is this the same as Le Petit Robin, or is it pure shag-cut Semois (i.e. finer than Patron)? Regardless, it will be a good smoke!

None of the tobacconists here ever seem to have heard of Robin, so was that a release solely for the US market?

 

[jaingorenard]

Also, maybe of note for some, it now seems to come in a brown paper package rather than gold:

 

[Mrs. Pickles]

Interesting! Le Petit Robin is a favorite of mine. Even if it’s the same, you’ve really picked up some beautiful tobacco.

To my memory, the wrapping paper has changed a couple times over the years, but I haven’t encountered a brown wrapper yet.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Nice score.

 

[dottlejockey]

According to tobaccoreviews this one is no longer in production, so you might have snagged a relic. Either way, like @cosmicfolklore said, "nice score." I've enjoyed every version of Semois i've tried thus far.

 

[Egg Shen]

So, I'm back in Brussels, and instead of my normal purchase of Reserve du Patron, I picked up this block of Fleur de Semois in a red packet. Is this the same as Le Petit Robin, or is it pure shag-cut Semois (i.e. finer than Patron)? Regardless, it will be a good smoke!

None of the tobacconists here ever seem to have heard of Robin, so was that a release solely for the US market?View attachment 365689View attachment 365690

It’s probably finer than Patron which they say is medium. Thicker cut than Le Petit Robin Which is very fine shag.
‘Thinner than La Brumese which is thick cut and La Volute which is double thick cut. Don’t know about what markets what is for, but all these were available 5 years ago in America when I bought mine

 

[super88piper]

I've been wanting to try one of these for a long time. Just never pulled the trigger on a package yet...

 

[dottlejockey]

It’s probably finer than Patron which they say is medium. Thicker cut than Le Petit Robin Which is very fine shag.
‘Thinner than La Brumese which is thick cut and La Volute which is double thick cut. Don’t know about what markets what is for, but all these were available 5 years ago in America when I bought mine

Been waiting for a supplier that ships to me to carry La Volute. Current favorites are La Brumeuse and Reserve du Patron, so i think it's right up my alley.

 

[jaingorenard]

According to tobaccoreviews this one is no longer in production, so you might have snagged a relic. Either way, like @cosmicfolklore said, "nice score." I've enjoyed every version of Semois i've tried thus far.

I would say in this instance tobaccoreviews is probably wrong. I've found this in all pipe tobacconists I've been to in Brussels on every occasion.

 

[AirOne]

It is pure shag-cut Semois. One of the strongest semois available (and there are less and less, one of the manufacturer just quit last month), but I really like it.

 

[jaingorenard]

It is pure shag-cut Semois. One of the strongest semois available (and there are less and less, one of the manufacturer just quit last month), but I really like it.

Thanks for confirming.

When you say it's stronger, do you mean the Tabac de Manil Semois is stronger than offerings by other companies? I have always been disappointed by other Semois (e.g. B-C's Semois).

Because I had always thought that within the Manil range all the blends (with the exception of Le Petit Robin) were the same tobacco, just in different cuts (consequently with some difference in flavour, but not in strength).

It's a shame to hear someone quit. Is that from within the Tabac de Manil company?

 

[AirOne]

According to tobaccoreviews this one is no longer in production, so you might have snagged a relic. Either way, like @cosmicfolklore said, "nice score." I've enjoyed every version of Semois i've tried thus far.

It is still.produced

Thanks for confirming.

When you say it's stronger, do you mean the Tabac de Manil Semois is stronger than offerings by other companies? I have always been disappointed by other Semois (e.g. B-C's Semois).

Because I had always thought that within the Manil range all the blends (with the exception of Le Petit Robin) were the same tobacco, just in different cuts (consequently with some difference in flavour, but not in strength).

It's a shame to hear someone quit. Is that from within the Tabac de Manil company?

BC Semois is crap, it is not true Semois, Butz Chosuin just used the name to try to make it more appealing. Manil is certainly the stronger/rougher offering in Semois, the fine cut of La fleur making it even stronger if you do not use a slow pace. JP Couvert was the mildest and often considered as the best here, but he just quit, in part because of EU regulations. You may still be able to find some of his offering if you are lucky

 

[jaingorenard]

It is still.produced

BC Semois is crap, it is not true Semois, Butz Chosuin just used the name to try to make it more appealing. Manil is certainly the stronger/rougher offering in Semois, the fine cut of La fleur making it even stronger if you do not use a slow pace. JP Couvert was the mildest and often considered as the best here, but he just quit, in part because of EU regulations. You may still be able to find some of his offering if you are lucky

I will have a look, thank you!

 

[jaingorenard]

Sadly, haven't found any Couvert yet (and, judging from the reactions of the tobacconists, I think I'm unlikely to!).

But I did find some Florina, which I've never had before. Sounds like this has a slight tonquin topping, and I wonder if it's similar to Caporal in France (i.e. a strong, rustic tobacco with tonquin showing through).

 

[AirOne]

Never had that one. My according people in my group it is worth trying. You can smell the tonquin, but when smoking it is far less present. Seems to burn quick, so use a moderate pace. Tell us more when you’ve tried it.
And Couvert getting hard to get is sad new, another part of pipe tobacco history is gone

 

[jaingorenard]

Never had that one. My according people in my group it is worth trying. You can smell the tonquin, but when smoking it is far less present. Seems to burn quick, so use a moderate pace. Tell us more when you’ve tried it.
And Couvert getting hard to get is sad new, another part of pipe tobacco history is gone

Sad news indeed. It sounds like it was a pretty unique tobacco.

 

[jaingorenard]

I have opened the Florina, and it's much more heavily topped than I was expecting. I can smell the tonquin, but there's more to it than that. A bit minty, and a bit licorice-like. Maybe this is the Euthymol toothpaste of the pipe tobacco world? Nothing like Caporal; I was wrong.

It's much moister than Manil, and a fine ribbon cut. Should be a good (or at least interesting) smoke!