Jim's C&D Sun Bear Black Locust 2024 (Small Batch) Review.

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JimInks

Sultan of Smoke
Aug 31, 2012
63,711
625,000
This goes on sale August 13 at 6 p.m. EST.

The tart and tangy, rugged year 2014 Basma and year 2013 Turkish Izmir produce plenty of earth, wood, floralness, herbs, vegetation, bread, some dry, bitter sourness, spice, light buttery sweetness, and smoke in a small lead position. The year 2019 Canadian bright Virginias provide a fair amount of tart and tangy citrus, bread, vegetative grass, sugar, some sour lemon, mild floralness, spice, and acidity. They almost compete with the Orientals for attention. The year 2017 red Virginia offers some tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, mild tart citrus, sugar, light floralness, spice, and a bare hint of vinegar here and there. It’s a couple of notches above the condiment line. The most obvious topping is the moderately applied sweet, fruity, mildly floral Maryland honey. The condimental toppings are the lightly fruity, earthy silver tequila, and tartly sweet elderflower. The aspects of the latter are light grape, berries, herbs, floralness, and light acidity. The strength and taste are a step past the medium threshold. The nic-hit is almost medium. It won’t bite or get harsh. Has a few small rough edges. The easily broken apart and mildly moist flakes require no dry time. Well balanced with nuanced complexity, it burns cool, clean and a little slow with a mostly consistent sweet, fruity, floral, mildly sour, spicy, creamy flavor that extends to the pleasantly lasting after taste. The room note is pleasant to tolerable. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires some relights. Even though it has a light punchiness, it may be an all day smoke for the veteran aro smoker, and easily repeatable under any circumstance. It’s very close to the earlier Black Locust production although the Orientals seem a tad stronger this time. Four stars out of four.
©Jim Amash 2024.
 

BlueMaxx

Can't Leave
Feb 7, 2020
337
744
Indiana
This goes on sale August 13 at 6 p.m. EST.

The tart and tangy, rugged year 2014 Basma and year 2013 Turkish Izmir produce plenty of earth, wood, floralness, herbs, vegetation, bread, some dry, bitter sourness, spice, light buttery sweetness, and smoke in a small lead position. The year 2019 Canadian bright Virginias provide a fair amount of tart and tangy citrus, bread, vegetative grass, sugar, some sour lemon, mild floralness, spice, and acidity. They almost compete with the Orientals for attention. The year 2017 red Virginia offers some tangy dark fruit, earth, wood, bread, mild tart citrus, sugar, light floralness, spice, and a bare hint of vinegar here and there. It’s a couple of notches above the condiment line. The most obvious topping is the moderately applied sweet, fruity, mildly floral Maryland honey. The condimental toppings are the lightly fruity, earthy silver tequila, and tartly sweet elderflower. The aspects of the latter are light grape, berries, herbs, floralness, and light acidity. The strength and taste are a step past the medium threshold. The nic-hit is almost medium. It won’t bite or get harsh. Has a few small rough edges. The easily broken apart and mildly moist flakes require no dry time. Well balanced with nuanced complexity, it burns cool, clean and a little slow with a mostly consistent sweet, fruity, floral, mildly sour, spicy, creamy flavor that extends to the pleasantly lasting after taste. The room note is pleasant to tolerable. Leaves little dampness in the bowl, and requires some relights. Even though it has a light punchiness, it may be an all day smoke for the veteran aro smoker, and easily repeatable under any circumstance. It’s very close to the earlier Black Locust production although the Orientals seem a tad stronger this time. Four stars out of four.
©Jim Amash 2024.

Thanks Jim.....and I thought I was through buying more tobacco!
 

spike

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 21, 2009
161
384
I’m smoking this year’s Sun Bear now. I’m on only my second bowl, but I really enjoy it. I must confess that I’m a huge fan of all the Sun Bear series. Last year’s was my least favorite, but still a great blend.
 

PipeMarc

Starting to Get Obsessed
Dec 14, 2017
193
564
South East
On my second bowl now and it is indeed a tasty blend. Tart, smooth, floral sweetness with an ever so slight spiciness on the finish. The topping isn’t over done by any stretch. Mainly getting the honey sensation on the retro and off the smoke of the bowl which adds a welcome complexity to the experience.
 

Friendly Piper

Might Stick Around
Sep 22, 2023
97
666
Northern Virginia
On my second bowl now and it is indeed a tasty blend. Tart, smooth, floral sweetness with an ever so slight spiciness on the finish. The topping isn’t over done by any stretch. Mainly getting the honey sensation on the retro and off the smoke of the bowl which adds a welcome complexity to the experience.
Very good description of my experience. I find that the Sun Bears need some age, so this one didn’t immediately agree with me—if past trends hold, though, it’ll be great after a few months in a jar!
 
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damacene

Starting to Get Obsessed
Jul 31, 2022
121
489
Los Angeles, CA
I just got mine today. The tin note smells exactly like fig newtons to me. For flavor I get graham crackers, nuts, a wisp of honey, some kind of citrus/orange zest, a bit of spice, and baked goods. I know everyone calls this a summer blend but it reminds me of Christmastide.
 

bannyc9

Might Stick Around
Apr 1, 2018
81
563
San Diego
Just finished my 5th bowl of Black Locust. I haven’t tried the other Sun Bears before (have a few Tupelo’s in the cellar). I have to say I’m a fan. Honey isn’t over done. Just from the tin note, I would swear there was burley in the blend. The creamy, sweet yet spicy characteristics are wonderful for a summer sit down. Great review.
 

thatguy1892

Lurker
Jul 28, 2024
9
30
Memphis, TN
I've only been smoking a few weeks, but had heard the recommendations on this one and had to try it. It was sold out on the websites I checked, so just resigned myself to missing out. I met some buddies at the local lounge on Saturday, and there it was on the shelf! Bought a tin and sat down and smoked a bowl. I didn't know pipe tobacco could be that good. It was the first time I really tasted layered flavors like I do in cigars. I smoked a second bowl and had a hard cider--delicious! Can't wait to smoke it in the fall. I bought two more tins on my way out; one to save and one to share.
 

elvishrunes

Can't Leave
Jun 19, 2017
347
641
It waa
I've only been smoking a few weeks, but had heard the recommendations on this one and had to try it. It was sold out on the websites I checked, so just resigned myself to missing out. I met some buddies at the local lounge on Saturday, and there it was on the shelf! Bought a tin and sat down and smoked a bowl. I didn't know pipe tobacco could be that good. It was the first time I really tasted layered flavors like I do in cigars. I smoked a second bowl and had a hard cider--delicious! Can't wait to smoke it in the fall. I bought two more tins on my way out; one to save and one to share.

it was your destiny to get a tin, you got lucky,,, 🍀 Sells out fast unfortunately, and to me worth the hype, but there’s lots of good smoke out there.
 
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