Tossed in with my most recent order is a pouch of Sir Walter Raleigh Aromatic. I did this on a whim and in large part to the touting of
@mso489 who’s opinion I’ve come to trust. I base this on his thoughtful commentary on numerous topics. — Let’s see he’s right about SWRA.
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I remember well the last time I’d smoked SWRA. I’d purchased a foil pouch and a cob while on a vacation with friends to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We stayed in a town called Duck, enjoying the fishing from the beach and the crabbing from the shallow bays.
This was in September of 1995. How can I be certain? Well, I was up late playing cards when my wife called me to bed. My buddies said, “Go ahead”. I said, “No way! She’s gonna make me stay, sleep or worse!” —Well, it was worse and my son Tom was born in 1996.
My memory of SWRA is a bit more hazy. I recall enjoying the smell from the pouch. I don’t recall it having any flavor. But perhaps I was puffing too hard while fishing.
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I’ve opened this modern iteration and found it moist. Ive set out a bowlful to dry a bit. The pouch smell is agreeable, likable, pleasant. But overpowering to any scent of the tobacco. Remember, I’m not an aromatic fan. Potpourri isn’t something I’m looking forward to igniting and tasting.
I’ve eyeballed that bowlful pretty good! A little more than I could stuff and keep a nice draw. I can’t say it felt any drier to the touch, it’s loaded with humectant. I’m dreading this….
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Upon lighting, it’s unobtrusive in the way I find Captain Black to be. It’s far less an in-you’re-face-aro. But what flavor I can detect is artificial. The faintest hint of that marshmallow sweetness that comes from it’s heavy topping sours me. The room note is nice in a potpourri sort of way. It’s not something I’m enjoying. I’m not waving it under my nose to enjoy its side-stream as I do with Prince Albert, Pegasus and Granger —I get much enjoyment from that old-tyme-pipey smell that these favorites provide me.
My verdict: If you enjoy a light, not overly done aromatic with a room note that those around you will likely find very pleasant, SWRA will not disappoint. —I’ll likely never revisit this again. There’s nothing wrong with it. Simply not my cup of tea.
The trip to memory lane was worth the $5.89 USC. But did you know that it costs nearly $250,000.00 to raise a child from birth to adulthood? -and that’s just for the alcohol.
Thanks, Tom