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Terry Lennox

Part of the Furniture Now
Aug 11, 2021
502
2,658
Southern California
1990s (80s?) St Bruno.

View attachment 349827

I took a gamble on this one and bought sleeve of it off a fella on Tinbids. Shipped immediately and arrived in beautiful condition. The tins certainly look pristine...

alas...

View attachment 349828

I think I still smell some dark fired and a trace of something animalic. Maybe long dead ghosts of the civet extract or musk ketones in the topping.


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Looks like a nice slice of chocolate cake with a cocoa dusting.


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Oh dear.


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Judging by the weights of the other four tins they're sure to be the same when opened up. I took the risk of buying these, but I don't think I'll take the risk of smoking them.

If anyone is a 90s tin collector or something and wants the four others, PM me and I'll be happy to send them on.
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.
 

Tbaggins

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 15, 2021
802
13,252
Montana
That was my experience yesterday, the first time I tried it: mostly lightly-flavored hot air, with about 5 minutes of flavor in mid-bowl, and a little more when I relit. There was some improvement when I used a pipe tool to split up the flake, but that was short-lived. When it turned back to bland and showed no sign of improving, I gave up on it with about a quarter of the bowl left, and then tried the Reserve du Patron, which was much better.

Like an abused spouse, I blame myself: I'm new to the blend, need to learn how to smoke it correctly, didn't prepare it properly, didn't use the right kind of pipe, smoked it too quickly, expected too much. At least I don't have visible bruises. I'll leave it in the jar until spring, and then try it again: I have no desire to hurry back in the immediate future. Meanwhile, I have some Hal O' the Wynd on the way, and will see how that compares.
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.
 

FLDRD

Lifer
Oct 13, 2021
2,241
9,061
Arkansas
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.
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...
 
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Tbaggins

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 15, 2021
802
13,252
Montana
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.
 

Mrs. Pickles

Starting to Get Obsessed
May 8, 2022
260
1,203
AZ, USA
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.
Indeed! Glossy and scratch-less, like they just came from the factory. Caveat emptor! 😅
 
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jbfrady

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 27, 2023
705
2,966
South Carolina
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.
 

jbfrady

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 27, 2023
705
2,966
South Carolina
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.
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.
 
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hoipolloiglasgow

Part of the Furniture Now
Oct 14, 2023
571
4,148
United States
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.
 
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jbfrady

Part of the Furniture Now
Jul 27, 2023
705
2,966
South Carolina
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.