Every other review I've seen of the Norman Rockwell line of tinned pipe tobacco has been on the Portrait blend (which I may be wrong but I think was the first blend released in the line). However, I bought all three tins available (Portrait, Faithful Friend, and Mending the Flag) awhile back on the P&C website when there was a good sale to try them all at once. I usually only keep a couple tins of tobacco on hand at any given time and don't buy new until I smoke them down, so all were tried and smoked multiple times in multiple pipes in multiple moods. Below I've recorded some general impressions of the two I have not yet seen reviewed anywhere. This is my first review so if you see room for improvement please tell me.
General note: All these tobaccos were very well-cut and of a decent moisture, with very enticing tin notes upon opening. The tins themselves also felt quality and I saved them to put odds and ends in.
Faithful Friend: very regular fine cut, Lights very easily, very desserty with a strong taste (for me at least) of German Chocolate Cake. Liked best in my unfiltered briar. Matched its tin note perfectly, although the tin note had more cherry notes for me. Would purchase again.
Mending the Flag: For me, this was actually the standout blend of the three, which surprised me as I almost didn't buy it. Rougher-looking cut, with a general smell of an antique store (the smell of very old wood and leather with something kinda like an old-fashioned candy sweetness I can't place behind it somewhere). Very leathery cigar-like taste and room note (which as someone who started smoking thru cigars is actually a very pleasant thing). Consistent burn. Goes very well with a cup of black coffee and plan to buy again. I personally liked it best in my clay pipe but it was good in my unfiltered briar too. I'll pick up another tin when I've got a chance and try it in my filtered briar as well.
Please feel free to share your thoughts if you've smoked these.
General note: All these tobaccos were very well-cut and of a decent moisture, with very enticing tin notes upon opening. The tins themselves also felt quality and I saved them to put odds and ends in.
Faithful Friend: very regular fine cut, Lights very easily, very desserty with a strong taste (for me at least) of German Chocolate Cake. Liked best in my unfiltered briar. Matched its tin note perfectly, although the tin note had more cherry notes for me. Would purchase again.
Mending the Flag: For me, this was actually the standout blend of the three, which surprised me as I almost didn't buy it. Rougher-looking cut, with a general smell of an antique store (the smell of very old wood and leather with something kinda like an old-fashioned candy sweetness I can't place behind it somewhere). Very leathery cigar-like taste and room note (which as someone who started smoking thru cigars is actually a very pleasant thing). Consistent burn. Goes very well with a cup of black coffee and plan to buy again. I personally liked it best in my clay pipe but it was good in my unfiltered briar too. I'll pick up another tin when I've got a chance and try it in my filtered briar as well.
Please feel free to share your thoughts if you've smoked these.
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