I've never been a fan of Marlin Flake. I love how it is presented, but the black Cavendish mutes the flavor in my opinion and gives it an ashy note as it burns.
Opening A Tin? Show Us!
- Thread starter skeeter456
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I too saw those 5-packs on Tin Bids. They looked so fresh and clean--I would have made the same mistake assuming the interiors were at least salvageable based on how well they appeared to have been kept.
I feel like there’s a life lesson in this. That Semois tobacco might be dry and crusty looking but it won’t let you down.
I do think I have noticed that about some blends too, but forgot! Thanks for the reminder.
I have noticed I do shy away from a lot that includes black cavendish...
So to bed from a drop two years ago.
I was disappointed when I got to try that one.
And I've got other "coveted" tins from them that I hesitate to open and try at this point.
Wondering if I may just sell them off in the future?
IDK
I'll have to read more before deciding.
After stonehaven I had high hopes for this blend. I’d say it’s middle of the road but could grow on me. I guess it’s somewhat of a relief it’s not something I can’t live without. I haven’t been able to get in on any drops for two years now.
Indeed! Glossy and scratch-less, like they just came from the factory. Caveat emptor!
Decided to give this one a shot... The pipe is a custom J Adams.
What did you think about it? I found it to be one of their better Englishes.
I'm not the biggest C&D fan but I'd put this on my exceptions list. Sun Bear is far and away my #1 from them, with Mad Fiddler clocking in at #2. This would be #3.
I like the unorthodox twist on the English mixture and I'd hesitate to even call this English because the Latakia gets lost in the mix. It's definitely Oriental forward and while I like it a lot, I'm not necessarily fond of how long and intense the lemony aftertaste lingers. I'll be quite curious to see how it goes once a few of these tins reach 5 years in age.
Probably already done, but not by me.
I thought my office turned into a BBQ joint when I popped the tin…
I thought my office turned into a BBQ joint when I popped the tin…
Update on this...
I tried it again today in a different pipe and I was experiencing the same unpleasant aftertaste and my buddy Alex was still loving the blend in the pipe he was smoking. He told me it's probably in his top 5 period, a strong statement that baffled me.
I began paying attention to how we were smoking and it clued me in on the difference: retrohaling. When I smoke a pipe, I probably retrohale 75% of the time or more, whereas he only does so once or twice throughout an entire bowl.
He found the blend sweet, whereas I found it sour. I told him my theory and so he decided to test it. He retrohaled twice, his face scrunched up, and he said, "No, fuck that." Then he went back to smoking regular.
In that regard, it'll probably never enter my top blends unless it mellows out with age. Otherwise, retrohaling From Beyond is like huffing powdered lemonade.
That’s a bit too much retrohaling for me. I go for what your friend does, maybe twice a bowl. I used to smoke like that as well and would be blasted with flavor until it started to kill my sense of smell. I’m not saying you don’t know what you’re doing. I also found the blend sweet. I didn’t think it was too sour, but maybe the Orientals just don’t agree with you. I say smoke something you like more and give it a try at a later time. That is a really cool pipe by the way.
I found the blend sweet too, but the sweetness was slain on the retro-hale in exchange for the Orientals. They're also the youngest leaves though, so I believe they'll move to the back seat over time.
I'm also a prodigious snuffer haha, so one could argue that my nose likes tobacco quite a bit. It gets jealous if it gets ignored.
I really like ASTB. I introduced it to my brother, and it's now one of his favorite smokes.
Too bad it’s not easier to find. I’ll likely end up selling the rest of my Aston tins. It’s enjoyable but there’s many blends I’d prefer to smoke.
C&D Blockade Runner, fresher than a fresh thing. A sweet and salty tang atop the virginias, almost a pleasant bitterness beneath. Certainly makes me think of yachting and a high sea!
