New C&D Small Batch? Steamworks?

[RookieGuy80]

I missed out on Sunbear this year, and I'm a little bummed about that. But this does look like a good offering as well. I think I might be down for a couple tins if I can @JimInks review, and if he says how condimental the Orientals are.

Edit: Just found the review. Yeah this looks exciting.

 

[PennyStonks]

I missed out on Sunbear this year, and I'm a little bummed about that. But this does look like a good offering as well. I think I might be down for a couple tins if I can @JimInks review, and if he says how condimental the Orientals are.

Edit: Just found the review. Yeah this looks exciting.

Sun Bear just dropped at P&C

 

[Peninsula Piper]

 

[Sobrbiker]

Damnit!!!
I blinked and it’s all sold!

 

[filmguerilla]

Damnit!!!
I blinked and it’s all sold!

They still have it available online at L.J. Peretti's.

 

[PennyStonks]

Damnit!!!
I blinked and it’s all sold!

I’m sure P&C will release theirs in a week or so much like they did with Sun Bear

 

[anotherbob]

If Brazil and Africa can produce Virginia tobacco, then why can't the state of Georgia produce Orientals?

When I started smoking I remember thinking I don't care what state they grew it in, well not enough for the package to brag about it.

 

[coys]

From the description and reviews it sounds like some stern stuff. I'l wait to hear what others think.

 

[americaman]

Alright, my tins were delivered from SP yesterday. I also opened my new old stock Ryan Alden @lonestar pipe that was delivered yesterday as well.

I cracked a tin, took a big pinch, and let it dry for 20 minutes. I loaded up my Alden and began smoking my first bowl of Steamworks in my new, never-smoked pipe. The tobacco is very smooth and lightly creamy; much different than the C&D Carolina Red Flake I had been smoking all week, which has more edge. Steamworks has that old world tobacco incense-like quality, which I’m guessing are the orientals with nearly 20 years of age. You can also taste the sweet Virginias, as this tobacco walks the line between Virginia and oriental. This smokes like a well-aged tin that could potentially cost significantly more.

Currently smoking another bowl on my balcony in my Comoy’s 283, listening to jazz with coffee while looking at the mountains.

The tobacco never becomes harsh as you smoke it. I don’t like the childlike tin art, but ignore it, because the tobacco inside is great.

 

[fightnhampster]

From the description and reviews it sounds like some stern stuff. I'l wait to hear what others think.

Had first bowl last night. I am surprised at how subtle and mellow the flavors are. There wasn't any one thing that really lept out and anounced itself over an other component. It is good, just different than expected.

Any one else surprised by it?

 

[Auxsender]

Alright, my tins were delivered from SP yesterday. I also opened my new old stock Ryan Alden @lonestar pipe that was delivered yesterday as well.

I cracked a tin, took a big pinch, and let it dry for 20 minutes. I loaded up my Alden and began smoking my first bowl of Steamworks in my new, never-smoked pipe. The tobacco is very smooth and lightly creamy; much different than the C&D Carolina Red Flake I had been smoking all week, which has more edge. Steamworks has that old world tobacco incense-like quality, which I’m guessing are the orientals with nearly 20 years of age. You can also taste the sweet Virginias, as this tobacco walks the line between Virginia and oriental. This smokes like a well-aged tin that could potentially cost significantly more.

Currently smoking another bowl on my balcony in my Comoy’s 283, listening to jazz with coffee while looking at the mountains.

The tobacco never becomes harsh as you smoke it. I don’t like the childlike tin art, but ignore it, because the tobacco inside is great.

View attachment 242652

Cool mini review. Also, love the shape of that pipe. I have an Everyman Bulldog which doesn’t smoke super great (hot and wet) but I love the shape of it.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

I've smoked a couple bowls so far and to be perfectly honest it's easily in my top 5 C&D blends - could easily be top 3.

I think the Virginias are the main player flavor wise- lots of depth, varying levels of earthy sweetness, creamy, smooth. The perique adds a bit of strength but it doesn't strike me as being a heavy hitter. It has a character that tastes like a well aged Virginia - even reminds me of older british Virginia flakes with its dark maltiness.

I've managed to amass 8 tins thus far. Looking forward to seeing how it matures in the tin.

 

[Chris T]

This is the first C&D blend I have not liked at all. I found it very different from their other oriental blends, no sweetness, though smooth and cool burning, with a taste of black-eyed peas. Disappointing after Sunbear and Midsommar. It looks like I'm in the extreme minority in my take on it.

 

[grimpuffer]

This is the first C&D blend I have not liked at all. I found it very different from their other oriental blends, no sweetness, though smooth and cool burning, with a taste of black-eyed peas. Disappointing after Sunbear and Midsommar. It looks like I'm in the extreme minority in my take on it.

I have to disagree.

Was pleasantly surprised that the oriental note in this was something similar to Gas Light or Old Ironsides without the Latakia.

Very strong Oriental presence without the Latakia.

Honestly, this reminds me of my favorite English blends of years past (been on a 0 Lat kick the last 2 years) but still has that leathery taste I would get from those blends.

Yes, I know Ironsides doesnt list Oriental but I feel like you get that strong tobacco flavor without the Latakia in this one.

YMMV, but very happy I loaded up on this.

 

[Chasing Embers]

A coworker left some in my inbox last week. A bit flat for a C&D offering with a little sweet and sour and little discernable nicotine. Glad I decided not to purchase any though a regular diet of straight oriental blends may have colored my opinion. YMMV

 

[bluegrassbrian]

This is the first C&D blend I have not liked at all. I found it very different from their other oriental blends, no sweetness, though smooth and cool burning, with a taste of black-eyed peas. Disappointing after Sunbear and Midsommar. It looks like I'm in the extreme minority in my take on it.

I was pleasantly surprised that any flavors in the casing weren't heavy handed at all. No non-tobacco sweetness at all.
After 4 or 5 bowls it kept reminding me of Wessex CB Dark Flake with 5 or 6 years of age.

 

[jeremyreeves]

I was pleasantly surprised that any flavors in the casing weren't heavy handed at all. No non-tobacco sweetness at all.
After 4 or 5 bowls it kept reminding me of Wessex CB Dark Flake with 5 or 6 years of age.

Thanks for trying Steamworks! I am glad to hear it's performing well for you. There actually are no flavors added or casing used. Just vintage leaf, and steam processing.

 

[Peter Turbo]

A coworker left some in my inbox last week. A bit flat for a C&D offering with a little sweet and sour and little discernable nicotine. Glad I decided not to purchase any though a regular diet of straight oriental blends may have colored my opinion. YMMV

Pretty much my take on it too. I keep expecting these limited editions to have more of a wow factor on my palate. Just seems very mediocre for something thats small batch, glad I only bought two tins. I’ll probably trade away the unopened one.

 

[pharaohfitz]

Had first bowl last night. I am surprised at how subtle and mellow the flavors are. There wasn't any one thing that really lept out and anounced itself over an other component. It is good, just different than expected.

Any one else surprised by it?

I’ve smoked 5 bowls in 5 different pipes and think that, like other real St. James perique blends, needs time for that leaf to do its work. Very creamy more oriental forward. Like Anthology, the perique took time to fully round out the overall offering. The moisture content keeps me trying to relight and I will smoke Steamworks in a cavalier to let the moisture drain away from the tobacco and try it in a meerschaum also. This will benefit from more time in the tin (most do) but I would let it “marry” a few weeks after opening.