Squadron Leader Initial impression

[teufelhunden]

I have a tin of Sam Gawith Squadron Leader and have smoked several bowls. I cannot find a taste/flavor to this tobacco. I know there are quite a few people who enjoy it and it might just be a YMMV issue with me, but I do not taste anything. Certainly nothing unpleasant, but just a blah type experience. What is it that others who like this blend find enjoyable? I am a newbie so my palate is not very refined. Just curious what I am missing.

 

[philobeddoe]

Squadron Leader tastes blah to me as well, it reminds me of Early Morning Pipe, I cannot find any reason to smoke either. However we are in the minority I believe.

 

[ashdigger]

I love EVERYTHING about this blend. I love that it is NOT a latakia bomb. I love the way the Orientals play a key tasting note. I love the mild nic hit. I love that the Virginia's sweetened the blend.
To do all that I love in this blend I recommend a Pot shape. That's what I have the best luck with.
But like you say YMMV.

 

[mso489]

It's true, getting to know and like milder blends requires some time and patience. Some blends may always strike you as blah, and then you must move on. But many will unfold.

 

[spartacus]

I added it to my list!

 

[unkleyoda]

I love SL.
Try deep cleaning your pipe and drying the tobacco a lot. Don't let SL burn too hot either.

 

[morgansteele]

Ashidigger nailed it. Nothing for me to add.

 

[teufelhunden]

I like Early Morning Pipe. It has a better taste to me, not real strong, but it does have a pleasant taste. The SL not so much. I think I will sit the SL aside for a while and try again later. Do any of the other Sam Gawith tobaccos , like St James Flake, have a better or more pronounced taste profile than SL? Thanks for the advice.

 

[weezell]

St James Flake is a great blend. I think you will notice a BIG difference between the two...

 

[philobeddoe]

St. James Flake is wonderful!

 

[ashdigger]

St. James Flake is F-F-F-FANTASTIC!!

 

[rdavid]

Early Morning Pipe was horrifically bland the first time I tried it. Went back to it after a few months and now it’s by far my favorite morning smoke. Just amazes me how that happens. Also been my experience with several other blends. Maybe put it away for 6 months or so and try it again.

 

[foursidedtriangle]

I would be interested in your first impression of Mississippi River which in my opinion nails mild/medium English. You can tell that components are high grade and the balance is delicately precise.

 

[canucklehead]

I like Squadron Leader and EMP. They are both quite flavourful to me. It's essential to make sure SL is sufficiently dried before smoking, to the point where it's getting a little crispy.

 

[oldtoby]

I also find SL a bit "thin", so to speak.
Give Skiff a try. Very good, imho. :wink:

 

[jeffya2]

Too harsh for me

 

[blackadderlxx]

I bought the bulk box of SL untried based on the reviews and when I finally found some that's all there was so I pulled the trigger. I tried some fresh out of the package and all I got was soap. So I let it sit for a few weeks and tried it again and the soap was gone, but I wasn't entirely certain that the blend was for me. It's not bad per se, but I just find other blends more interesting. I keep trying it from time to time to see if my perception changes with experience, but its' primary value to me has been in trading. I also gave some away to several people who had not tried it but I do not think I'd order it again. That said I have 3-4 other SG blends I need to try but I'm covered up in other samples right now thanks to folks here.

 

[craiginthecorn]

I spent a solid couple of months smoking almost exclusively Squadron Leader in various sizes of pipes and moisture levels. Straight from the tin, I found SL every one dimensional, a bit sour and boring. Drying to where it's fluffy, doesn't stick together when squeezed, and isn't crispy, eliminated the sourness and intensified the flavors enough to be truly interesting. For me, SL performed best in your average group 4 bowl, about 3/4" x 1-1/2". SL will never slap you in the face with intense flavors, but can be an enjoyable, comfortable all day smoke.
Most pipe smokers find that over time, they learn to taste more flavors in the smoke and can enjoy a greater range of tobaccos. So, if you still aren't enjoying SL after drying it and smoking it in a medium sized pipe, put it in a Mason jar and try it again in a year.

 

[captpat]

When I first tried SL I didn't much care for it, however as time went on it's one of my favorites in the genre, along with Quiet Nights. I also really liked MM 965 a while ago, now not so much...

 

[ashdigger]

Blackadder, as someone who really likes and smokes SL, I can tell you that there is absolutely a difference between the Fresh Tin vs the Fresh Box. Smoke the tinned version whenever you want, but age the contents of the box.