The recent review of the aromatic version of SWR made me want to try my hand at the original. And so, I give you:
Sir Walter Raleigh:
Blend: Burley
Tin note: Predominantly bread notes. With a bit of raisins. Raisin bread, basically; just not as sweet.
Impressions: Not really an aromatic, this is more of just a lightly-topped burley, and might be my favorite OTC/codger blend I've had thus far. Unlike many other OTCs & aromatics I've tried, this one does not at all taste like it was made with lower quality tobacco (when compared to more premium brands). Hints of sweetness on the lips here and there, and hints of cocoa occasionally too, plus that signature nuttiness from the burley. Some have mentioned anise, but I never detected anything like that myself.
Overall a simple, flat, uncomplicated yet very enjoyable blend. Can bite a tiny bit, but nothing like the SWRA (which really is a different animal entirely from this). Hardly needed any drying – almost just right directly out of the pouch. Note also that the cut of this requires almost no pressure whatsoever to fill the bowl - just a gravity fill and nothing more with this one.
Verdict: I can definitely understand how folks smoked this all day long back in the day. This one is a consistently enjoyable, predictable experience, and has become my favorite of the "American Classics", as some folks here refer to them. To be fair, I haven't yet tried any of the more high-quality aged burleys (like Solani), but for the price, this can't be beat in my opinion.
Sir Walter Raleigh:
Blend: Burley
Tin note: Predominantly bread notes. With a bit of raisins. Raisin bread, basically; just not as sweet.
Impressions: Not really an aromatic, this is more of just a lightly-topped burley, and might be my favorite OTC/codger blend I've had thus far. Unlike many other OTCs & aromatics I've tried, this one does not at all taste like it was made with lower quality tobacco (when compared to more premium brands). Hints of sweetness on the lips here and there, and hints of cocoa occasionally too, plus that signature nuttiness from the burley. Some have mentioned anise, but I never detected anything like that myself.
Overall a simple, flat, uncomplicated yet very enjoyable blend. Can bite a tiny bit, but nothing like the SWRA (which really is a different animal entirely from this). Hardly needed any drying – almost just right directly out of the pouch. Note also that the cut of this requires almost no pressure whatsoever to fill the bowl - just a gravity fill and nothing more with this one.
Verdict: I can definitely understand how folks smoked this all day long back in the day. This one is a consistently enjoyable, predictable experience, and has become my favorite of the "American Classics", as some folks here refer to them. To be fair, I haven't yet tried any of the more high-quality aged burleys (like Solani), but for the price, this can't be beat in my opinion.