OTC Tryouts-Borkum Riff Whiskey

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dylan793

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 12, 2011
281
1
Buchanan, GA
Its been quite a while since my first OTC tryout with Half and Half. With a lazy, sleepy Sunday working its magic on me, I decided to go out and pick up a couple more OTCs to dive into. My local Ingles grocery store carries almost all typical blends you'd expect to find. Today, I couldn't resist it. "It" being: Borkum Riff Bourbon Whiskey. We've all heard of it. Many have smoked it. Its hated, looked down upon, loved, liked, disregarded, sometimes all of these things at once. Of course, I have to see what all the fuss is about 8)
Opening the pouch, it appears to be the typical shaggy cut you'd expect. Mostly varying shades of dark brown with some lighter leaves sprinkled in. The pouch aroma really doesn't strike me as anything like whiskey. Sort of, mildly musty and slightly raisin-ish. I dug around in the pouch to get a feel for it, and it seems a bit dry. Could be an old pouch, I'd like to think any modern pouch-packaged tobacco isn't meant to come this dry.
I filled my Peterson 80s and lit her up. Was a bit tougher to get lit than I expected considering the dry feel of the leaves. Once it got burning, my first thought were, it just seems like an average Virginia/burley mixture. Remarkably plain. Though, I dare say somewhat pleasant and undemanding. Care should certainly be taken, however. Overeager puffing WILL result in tongue bite. Chemical notes are evident, though comfortably enough in the background. The aroma is not what I would call whiskey, but whatever it is it's somewhat endearing. Its a smell that reminds me of something from my childhood but I can't place what. The smoke remained consistent through the bowl without much fuss.
Everything I've read about this blend had me prepared for some monster, instant tongue bite, evil blend which should be avoided at all costs. I don't particularly agree. It's average. I wouldn't call it bad or good at this point. The only thing ill stand up for is the aroma, im quite enjoying it. The 1.5oz pouch was $4.98 which puts it at the high end of grocery/drug/convenience store blends. Considering price and slightly south of average smoking experience, im not ready to recommend this. Ill have to see what a few more smokes give me.

 

bigvan

Lifer
Mar 22, 2011
2,192
14
Thanks for taking the bullet on this one, Dylan.
I'm not sure, though, if this review fits Kevin's editorial policy of "Everything is Awesome".
Just kidding, Kev.

 

markw4mms

Lifer
Jun 16, 2011
2,176
2
Bremen,GA
Sounds like the pouch you got was dry. The last time I smoked this, and it was many years ago, it was quite moist, and the whiskey aroma was very noticeable.

 

cortezattic

Lifer
Nov 19, 2009
15,147
7,642
Chicago, IL
No. Kevin says everything is amazing. :lol:
Thanks for the write-up Dylan. Both informative and well written. Maybe you should be actively posting on LuxuryTobaccoReviews

-- or maybe you already are and I haven't noticed.
I also think the lack of whiskey flavor might be related to the dryness.

 

rigmedic1

Lifer
May 29, 2011
3,896
76
The Borkum Riff I remember was quite damp in the pouch, and I was very inexperienced when I smoked it. But it was a regular smoke for me back in the late 70's and early 80's, tongue bite and all. I think it is probably easier to smoke dried out a bit.

 

digitalshave

Might Stick Around
Jun 21, 2011
80
0
Last week I too went in search of Borkum Riff Regular, because my friend's Dad smoked it all the time and was the first to expose me to pipe smoking...just wanted to be reminded of him. Unfortunately all I could find was the Whiskey. My pouch was very dry as well. First impression was sort of like licking a tire...it got a little better as I went. Not really my cup of tea...will probably cellar this along with Squadron Leader and try them in a few months

 

tokerpipes

Lifer
Jan 16, 2012
2,042
692
46
Eatonville, WA
The pouch I recently got was dry as well. Maybe its part of the change with the blends that Kevin didnt pick up on in his review. And I agree not one I would recomend but if it came down to I need a smoke right now I would get CB over Borkum Rift, but if it was the only thing on the shelf I might get another pouch. The pouch I got was given to a homless guy and what ever did with it can fit his fancy.

 

dylan793

Starting to Get Obsessed
Oct 12, 2011
281
1
Buchanan, GA
Smoking another bowl of Borkum Riff Whiskey this morning. This time in a Peterson 106, with a fishtail. My initial smoke was with a p-lip. Im finding I have to continually angle my pipe differently so smoke hits different parts of my mouth. This stuff is really biting me if I try to smoke like I normally do. Short, shallow, well spaced-out puffs are a must. However, im finding a little more sweetness in the taste. The fishtail stem may be helping that along. Aroma is still a thumbs-up for me. Did I mention this is biting?
Edit: I took a quick look back at the article posted on the main page about the Borkum Riff blends. On the Bourbon Whiskey portion it says this blend can "nip a little". Oh really? :lol:

 
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