Iwan Ries Blends

[Dr. Van Loafer]

In a few weeks I am planning to visit Iwan Ries in Chicago. Perusing their website I noticed they have a number of in-house blends, which I had not heard much chatter about. Are these blended by Iwan Ries or by maybe Sutliff?

I shy away from aromatics, leaning recently toward straight virginias, vapers, and still enjoying english blends. What have others liked or not liked from Iwan Ries’ in-house blends?

 

[Chasing Embers]

Sutliff

Yes, manufactured by Sutliff.

 

[warren]

I never suggest blends as palates differ. But, I guarantee you'll find a blend or ten you'll enjoy. Over a hundred years in business so, I suspect they know what works well in an ever changing market.

 

[renfield]

Be prepared to find many things you want to take home.

A great shop and a guaranteed memorable visit.

 

[Strange Quark]

Their Three Star blends are mostly variations on the same base tobaccos that are similar to Mixture 79 without the heavier anise flavor. It's been quite a few years since I tried many of these blends, but I have revisited Three Star Blue in the last couple of years and all I can say is it smelled foul in a way it didn't the first time around. I was also disappointed with some of their other blends IIRC Old Colonial and something with Doctor in the name. from what I remember they were dry, bland cheap burley blends. That's not to say they are all bad. They also market China Black which is a sort of rival to Captain Black. I would bet they also offer some of Sutliff's more premium blends in the non-aromatic categories.

 

[kcghost]

Iwan Reis enjoys a good reputation so tell what you are looking for and try few or many of their recommendations.

 

[judcole]

Check out their flakes.

 

[khiddy]

I was in there last month, bought a pipe, which came with a choice of any of their blends. I went with the Three Star Royale, which definitely is a bit Mixture 79-ish (very light anise topping), but I like anise so it was a bonus. American crossover English, I'd call it. Donald threw in a bonus ziplock baggie of their Three Star Blue, which is their bestseller, and more aromatic than the Royale.

Donald is quite a salesman, by the way. Great storyteller. I wouldn't mind spending a few more hours in the shop, provided I had an unlimited budget.

 

[camaguey]

I had the royal and the blue around 40 years ago. I did not liked them but you may like them. As Warren says , palates differ.

 

[warren]

3 Star Blue is the one blend I always have near at hand. I haven't run out of it in close to 50 years. Not everyone's cup o' tea but, they've sold tons of it over the years.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

Their Three Star blends are mostly variations on the same base tobaccos that are similar to Mixture 79 without the heavier anise flavor. It's been quite a few years since I tried many of these blends, but I have revisited Three Star Blue in the last couple of years and all I can say is it smelled foul in a way it didn't the first time around. I was also disappointed with some of their other blends IIRC Old Colonial and something with Doctor in the name. from what I remember they were dry, bland cheap burley blends. That's not to say they are all bad. They also market China Black which is a sort of rival to Captain Black. I would bet they also offer some of Sutliff's more premium blends in the non-aromatic categories.

Appreciate your thoughts, thank you!

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

Iwan Reis enjoys a good reputation so tell what you are looking for and try few or many of their recommendations.

Good plan of attack!

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

Check out their flakes.

Good suggestion, I have very much liked flakes or broken flakes of late. Adds to the deliberateness of this hobby.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

I was in there last month, bought a pipe, which came with a choice of any of their blends. I went with the Three Star Royale, which definitely is a bit Mixture 79-ish (very light anise topping), but I like anise so it was a bonus. American crossover English, I'd call it. Donald threw in a bonus ziplock baggie of their Three Star Blue, which is their bestseller, and more aromatic than the Royale.

Donald is quite a salesman, by the way. Great storyteller. I wouldn't mind spending a few more hours in the shop, provided I had an unlimited budget.

Appreciate the context and hearing about your good experience in the store.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

I had the royal and the blue around 40 years ago. I did not liked them but you may like them. As Warren says , palates differ.

And I know blends change over time along with palates.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

3 Star Blue is the one blend I always have near at hand. I haven't run out of it in close to 50 years. Not everyone's cup o' tea but, they've sold tons of it over the years.

Thank you for the recommendation!

 

[HawkeyeLinus]

I enjoy Three Star Blue - to me it smells of root beer in the pouch. I ordered some Three Star Royale as well recently and I like it as well. Had a great experience buying (and then needing to return/exchange) a pipe recently as well - really good customer service. I may break out that '76 unsmoked Dunhill today!

 

[spike]

From the mid 70s up to the mid 90s I smoked Three Star Gold, Grey, and Red almost exclusively. I lived in Chicago then and worked three blocks from the store; and that spoiled me. Then I moved to the D.C. area and found Dunhill, Esoterica, McClelland and C+D and haven’t touched any Iwan Ries blends since.

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

I enjoy Three Star Blue - to me it smells of root beer in the pouch. I ordered some Three Star Royale as well recently and I like it as well. Had a great experience buying (and then needing to return/exchange) a pipe recently as well - really good customer service. I may break out that '76 unsmoked Dunhill today!

Very interesting pouch smell, but I could see how it might smell like that if they use anise and some vanilla. Thank you!

 

[Dr. Van Loafer]

From the mid 70s up to the mid 90s I smoked Three Star Gold, Grey, and Red almost exclusively. I lived in Chicago then and worked three blocks from the store; and that spoiled me. Then I moved to the D.C. area and found Dunhill, Esoterica, McClelland and C+D and haven’t touched any Iwan Ries blends since.

That must have been heaven to have them so close!