Original review, 9-14-2012: The sugary burleys are earthy, woody, bready and nutty with a small spice note. The molasses, anise and cocoa toppings are mild to medium, and while they tone down the burleys a little, they also work well together to create a synergistic, very consistent flavor from start to finish. The strength, taste and nic-hit levels are a step past the mild mark. Won't bite or get harsh. The rough notes are minor. It burns at a moderate pace, cool, clean and even. Requires few relights and barely leaves any dampness in the bowl. Packs very easily with a pleasing, short lived after taste and room note. It goes well with any drink you choose. An easy going, all day smoke that doesn't wear out its welcome. Three stars out of four.
2017 additional comment: Recently, I had the opportunity to smoke SWR made in the 1940s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s as well as several pouches in the 2000s. I was struck by the fact that only in the 1940s version was there a difference in taste. Even then, the difference was only that the '40s sample was just a tad deeper in flavor. I find it amazing how consistent the taste is from World War Two until now.
Update 1-7-2025: The decades of consistency have passed. The burleys are different than the old version. They are sharply rougher, moderately floral, a tad less nutty and bready with a mildly higher degree of sugar and spice, and a small sour note not found in the past. The anise and molasses toppings are slightly less obvious. The cocoa is a little more noticeable. What appears to be apple cider vinegar adds a little sour astringency that you can taste and smell on the tobacco. The strength and flavor levels are higher than before, and are a couple of steps past the center of mild to medium. The nic-hit is in that center. Won’t get harsh, but there a light tongue tingle if puffed beyond a moderate rate. Burns a tad warm with a very consistent flavor and a slightly longer after taste than the previous version. The room note is tolerable. Requires few relights, and leaves little dampness in the bowl. An all day smoke. I give it one and half stars rounded up to two, mostly due to the aforementioned negative effect of the apple cider vinegar. The lack of bite prevents a one star rating. The ratings reflect the current production.
©Jim Amash 2025.
2017 additional comment: Recently, I had the opportunity to smoke SWR made in the 1940s, '50s, '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s as well as several pouches in the 2000s. I was struck by the fact that only in the 1940s version was there a difference in taste. Even then, the difference was only that the '40s sample was just a tad deeper in flavor. I find it amazing how consistent the taste is from World War Two until now.
Update 1-7-2025: The decades of consistency have passed. The burleys are different than the old version. They are sharply rougher, moderately floral, a tad less nutty and bready with a mildly higher degree of sugar and spice, and a small sour note not found in the past. The anise and molasses toppings are slightly less obvious. The cocoa is a little more noticeable. What appears to be apple cider vinegar adds a little sour astringency that you can taste and smell on the tobacco. The strength and flavor levels are higher than before, and are a couple of steps past the center of mild to medium. The nic-hit is in that center. Won’t get harsh, but there a light tongue tingle if puffed beyond a moderate rate. Burns a tad warm with a very consistent flavor and a slightly longer after taste than the previous version. The room note is tolerable. Requires few relights, and leaves little dampness in the bowl. An all day smoke. I give it one and half stars rounded up to two, mostly due to the aforementioned negative effect of the apple cider vinegar. The lack of bite prevents a one star rating. The ratings reflect the current production.
©Jim Amash 2025.
