Jim has been a dear friend for some years, and we are on the phone just about every day. I can tell you from personal experience that he has a pipe in his mouth constantly. Well, not exactly. Sometimes he finishes a bowl and takes a minute or two to pack another and light it. Sometimes he goes into a momentary overload when he's trying to decide which tobacco to sample next. This man's palate is simply uncanny! He can accurately remember a tobacco he smoked some years ago and accurately describe it to you. He is to tobacco what Robert Parker is to wine. Over the years I have learned from reading his reviews exactly what a tobacco will taste like, and when I sample that tobacco, there it is--exactly what Jim said. Jim has learned my own taste preferences perfectly, and has, on numerous occasions, sometimes told me in advance whether I will enjoy a tobacco or not. Experience has shown me that he has always been right on the mark!
And here's the thing: Jim never downgrades a tobacco because he doesn't care for it. He rates it for what it is, not for what he likes or doesn't like. That level of skill and personal integrity is rare, and particularly helpful to those of us who want to read a review that isn't cluttered with the likes of "Well, I don't care for aromatics so I'll downgrade this tobacco to two stars." I have seen Jim give four stars to a tobacco that he doesn't particularly care for, but believes that it is well made, and accurately reflects the blender's skill in producing a particular taste experience.
Keep up the good work, Jim. Every review that you post is a delight to read, and a most worthwhile addition to the overall store of tobacco knowledge.