Jim's C&D Sun Bear Navy Cask 2025 (Small Batch) Review.

[elvishrunes]

I was on the edge, have the last two years, very good smoke I enjoy a lot…. But I have an OK cellar and with heavy taxes now, I don’t always jump at everything, it’s not the tobacco cost but the taxes. Checked the next day and it was gone, I guess not meant for me, oh well. Usually C and D releases last a day or two, Bijou is also a Va oriental with honey always available…

 

[Nova Pipes & Tobacco]

Also Nova will have some in a little while as well, per Kyle in their email newsletter thing.

There was quite the delay, but the tracking information was just updated. I'll send out a newsletter when I have a better estimate for the release. I've had a lot of guys from the forum asking me about it and I want to apologize for the delay. Unfortunately it was stuck in USPS limbo for nearly a week.

 

[orlandofurioso]

Managed to purchase 4 tins from Jeff 4noggins
I'm a happy camper for sure.
Most of my cellar stock will probably outlive me, so little I smoke.

 

[pylorns]

I was like "Ill just get 2 tins" Then I was like, I could use some more 1Q... then I was like well shit now I need to spend 125 to get free shipping these days off smoking pipes. Next thing I know I have 6 cans.....

 

[Chalaw87]

I was like "Ill just get 2 tins" Then I was like, I could use some more 1Q... then I was like well shit now I need to spend 125 to get free shipping these days off smoking pipes. Next thing I know I have 6 cans.....

I hate/love when that happens and it seems to happen a lot.

 

[krizzose]

About halfway through my first bowl. I deliberately had a bowl of the 2019 release the other day to set a baseline. Navy Cask is considerably different. There is no on-the-nose rum or bourbon flavor or booziness, but rather remnants of some of the constituent flavors: vanilla from the oak, caramel, molasses, and general sweetness. Those flavors seem to mask the tart fruitiness of the elderberry, which is what really stands out to me in the previous SB releases. The oriental floralness and mustiness are also quite muted.

To cut through the tasting notes BS I just indulged in: it’s got a dark sweetness plopped on top of the familiar SB light fruit flavor, in a good way. I like it a lot

 

[NookersTheCat]

Mine is inbound for Monday, can't wait. Gonna be a great way to pacify myself through the start of a new work week haha

 

[ChonkyTonks]

About halfway through my first bowl. I deliberately had a bowl of the 2019 release the other day to set a baseline. Navy Cask is considerably different. There is no on-the-nose rum or bourbon flavor or booziness, but rather remnants of some of the constituent flavors: vanilla from the oak, caramel, molasses, and general sweetness. Those flavors seem to mask the tart fruitiness of the elderberry, which is what really stands out to me in the previous SB releases. The oriental floralness and mustiness are also quite muted.

To cut through the tasting notes BS I just indulged in: it’s got a dark sweetness plopped on top of the familiar SB light fruit flavor, in a good way. I like it a lot

I am halfway through my first bowl as well and find it to be more floral with the sweetness playing the backup dancer. I do enjoy it so far. It isn’t Mountain Flower, but I still a great blend. I will look forward to smoking it over the week to see what else I pick up. I feel lit is more subtle than the other variants.

 

[Pypkė]

Smoked a few bowls this past weekend. The tin note reminded me of cocoa. That was the dominant impression. Background scents were like some kind of herbal scent and sweetness, like maybe molasses. The smoke was easy to light with the regular amount of relights. My wife mentioned that the room note was "homey and comfortable."

 

[mmmpeace]

Thanks! Grabbed a couple of tins, I'll crack one now and cellar the other. A great review as always.

 

[starrynight]

Second bowl in, and my first Sun Bear experience. I'm looking forward to how this develops in the jar. Enjoyable so far. Curious to see what a couple hours at 200degrees does for it. Fun little experiment.

 

[damacene]

I've been smoking this with the Bijou over the last week and I think I might do a full compare/contrast review. The Navy Cask is by far my favorite Sun Bear release. For me, the rum is noticable with very similar flavors to Mississippi River Rum Barrel Aged and Blockade Runner. The Bijou however is amazing and surprisingly I think I like it even more than the Sun Bear. I'm not sure if I just favor Red Virginias or what but I'm very happy it's not a small batch.

 

[Meerschaum Maestro]

I've been smoking this with the Bijou over the last week and I think I might do a full compare/contrast review. The Navy Cask is by far my favorite Sun Bear release. For me, the rum is noticable with very similar flavors to Mississippi River Rum Barrel Aged and Blockade Runner. The Bijou however is amazing and surprisingly I think I like it even more than the Sun Bear. I'm not sure if I just favor Red Virginias or what but I'm very happy it's not a small batch.

I’ll have to try Bijou after that glowing review!

 

[lupy1234]

P&C just got their stock in.