Pipeworks & Wilke Aromatics -- Why Are They Different?

[pitchfork]

For the sampler? Definitely the Vermont Maple Cavendish is worth trying if you've got an aromatic itch. It has totally redefined my experience with aromatics (i.e., I like it; it doesn't taste like chemicals). The #191 is also good -- for me it was a really nice version of a vanilla aromatic. No chemically taste there, and it's very well balanced. Less sweet than the Maple Cav, but the Maple Cav was much better to my palate.
The Pipemaker's Choice was really good, but mild and probably not interesting for many smokers. It's basically a light English with some vanilla cavendish, but like the others, it's perfectly balanced.
Nut Brown Burley was fine, but not amazing.
The High Hat was a really nice, old-fashioned American English. It has burley, Latakia, VA and Perique (no Orientals) -- all really nicely balanced. Creamy smoke. Tangy finish from the Perique. NOT a Lat bomb.
I have on hand, but have yet to try the Royal Scot, a funky, 100+ year-old "aromatic" blend. Nor have I tried the Wilke #10, but it smells GREAT -- lots of fragrant Orientals and plenty of Latakia. Smells like a hemlock forest.

 

[Perique]

All this talk has caused me to fire up a bowl of Rumcake.
Peck, I would recommend No. 5, No. 13, Rumcake, and No. 191.

 

[petergunn]

I don't know why, but the Pipeworks & Wilke aromatics that Carole Burns mixes up are different. Not only that, but they are delicious.

I've been smoking her blends exclusively for better than 10 years and Her tobacco is top notch IMHO, ordering is painless(I'm due another pound this week ) my only concern is that she doesn't retire anytime soon.

 

[pitchfork]

What are your favorites, petergunn?

 

[lordofthepiperings]

Those are some pretty pricey blends.

 

[numbersix]

Those are some pretty pricey blends.

I agree, and with VT tax, I don't order as much as I would like - but if I had the means, I would probably buy her blends exclusively.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I just placed an order for:
2 oz WILKE RUMCAKE
8 oz WILKE No. 5
8 oz WILKE No. 13
2 oz WILKE VERMONT MAPLE CAVENDISH
2 oz WILKE No. 191

 

[easygoer]

Great choices Peck. Hope they work out for you. If you like Rumcake you will probably enjoy Gramercy Park. The No. 524 is also nice medium English.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Thanks. I went light on the aros. I am pretty sure I will like 5 and 13 though so I went a bit heavier.

 

[numbersix]

Nice choices Peck - I'd say if you don't like Rumcake, you're just not a aromatic person (not there's anything wrong with that). ::

 

[numbersix]

Man, for a Vermont guy Six, you pretty much nailed it

lol - thanks roth - rumcake is my fav, can't imagine someone not liking it.

 

[petergunn]

What are your favorites, petergunn?

This year it's been Bleeker street, I started with Mettowee then Bohemian mix was my #1 till it was discontinued so Mettowee become #1 again.
What I'll do is have two blends and switch so over the years it's been 191, Vermont Maple as alternates, I've also smoked a few pounds of Gotham court and Gramercy.

 

[numbersix]

Be warned though -- once you smoke some P&W blends -- especially her aromatics -- you'll be spoiled for anything else

+1

 

[murf]

Be warned though -- once you smoke some P&W blends -- especially her aromatics -- you'll be spoiled for anything else.

Sounds very very tempting, but I think for now, I'll stick to the "ignorance is bliss" for my aros.

my only concern is that she doesn't retire anytime soon.

Anybody know if she's "passing the torch" to someone? Ignorance might be bliss, but I'd be kicking myself if I found out she closed up shop before I got the chance to try her blends

 

[dmcmtk]

I'm a BIG fan of P&W, probably smoke close to two pounds a month. It has been mentioned in this thread, but if you want to try an excellent non-Latakia oriental, GOTHAM COURT. I first smoked it earlier this year, now it's part of every order.