Yes It Is, Tambolaka

[mso489]

Thank you Stan, for the sample of Tambolaka. So this is just first impressions, a first bowl cautiously administered in a Peterson Group 1 Belgique. This is the strong air-dried Indonesian burley that's aged for five years in farmers' huts. The only source I know of is 4Noggins, and it is sold by the bag for about $19. So the rap on this is that it is strong, and that's very true. You immediately know you have lit a strong, high nic tobacco leaf with lots of flavor. I think it would be hard to dive into this one with a Group 4 pipe for a full forty minutes of smoking. I think that would turn most people away, summarily. The folks who smoke Perique neat, more than once, might do this, but I certainly wouldn't recommend it. However, this leaf has a lot of character and nuance, under all that sound and fury. In judicious doses, it is a pleasant smoke, and as a mix leaf, perhaps with Virginias and a pinch of Cavendish, I think it might be interesting in a different way. I think the bag might last you a while, even those who enjoy the strength. But I am really pleased I was able to try this, and pass along the experience to those who have wondered about it. It's not going to be an instant favorite for most, but if you like really strong burley, this is one to consider. Just go slow.

 

[catyrpelius]

How does it compare to something like Vincent Manil Pure Semois?

 

[mcitinner1]

What Tambo I have is several years old from an estate, so I thought I'd like to try some "fresh" to compare them, but 4Nogggins is out of stock.

 

[mso489]

caty', Tobac-Manil Semois is, to me, a totally different experience, although some find it obnoxious. I find Semois has flavor like a blend, all from one leaf. It is neither coarse nor harsh to me, and I find no problem smoking a full pipe of it, of any bowl size, although it goes best in a taller, narrower bowl, like a bent Ferndown billiard given to me by a Forums member, or a MM freehand given to me by my wife, both with good deep bowls. Tambolaka is much stronger and if over-smoked would be harsh and probably hard on most people's system. Semois, to me, is highly refined in flavor and authentically pleasant, acknowledging that to some other pipe smokers it is really bad.

 

[catyrpelius]

Thanks for that, it puts this tobacco in a better context for me.
Semois is one of my favorites and is really the only strong burley that immediately comes to mind for me. In my mind at least it sets the standard for full body burley.
Tambolaka sounds like something I might enjoy on occasion, I'll have to add some to my next order with 4Noggins.

 

[deathmetal]

Seconding the vote for Semois. A delicious sweet burley with highly textured flavor.
Someday, 4noggins may have Tambolaka back in stock!

 

[stickframer]

Mso, thanks for your thoughts on both Tambolaka and Semois. I'll file this information in my mental baccy database and order some of each when the opportunity strikes.

 

[mustanggt]

mso, how does it compare to Five Brothers? I can smoke two large bowls of that without going into a coma. :lol:

 

[mso489]

mustang', I enjoy Five Brother from time to time. It's a good, strong straightforward leaf. Tambolaka is several steps up from Five Brothers in strength. There are probably stronger tobaccos than 'Tam, but I don't know of any on the market. Maybe Gawaith brown twist rope is about equal.

 

[jackswilling]

My hat's off to you all who possess iron-constitutions. Just reading this interesting makes me nervous,"..strong air-dried Indonesian burley that's aged for five years in farmers' huts."

 

[mustanggt]

Thanks brother!!! I'll give it a whirl.

 

[deathmetal]

Five Brothers is good stuff. Seems straightforward, then the flavors separate and attack in waves...

 

[cossackjack]

To me Tambolaka is the strongest of the 3 in flavor & nicotine. Five Brothers is a good, strong, non-complex smoke. Semois is milder, more ethereal, incense-like. I don't find them to be similar except in being strong tobaccos.

I prefer to rehydrate all three which enhances their flavor, though it is been recommended to not rehydrate Semois.

Unprocessed Tambolaka is a dense stick which needs to be cut & steamed before smoking, while the processed pouches from 4noggins are very dry & I think benefit from some rehydration (not necessarily repeat steaming).

 

[dustmite]

This is another one of those blends I find myself wanting to try, but can't quite bring myself to pull the trigger on...

 

[deathmetal]

Doesn't matter -- the one retailer carrying it is out of stock. Might be worth a group buy with friends.

 

[mcitinner1]

I've got about 4 oz. of Tambo from an estate, that's been in a jar for a good 5 years. I'll send you guys a good bowl worth if you want. Just let me know.

 

[fnord]

Stan:
I'd love to try a bowl only if I can send you something tasty in return.
VaPer or Latakia?
PM sent.
Fnord

 

[mso489]

I'm back to my second bowl of Tambolaka, in a slightly bigger pipe, I think a Group 3 Benton. It certainly delivers a lot of flavor, or flavors, but the same surge of really strong nicotine. I saved just enough back for using it for blending later. I somewhat like decidedly strong tobacco, so I have to admit there is an allure here, but I'm still going careful. Interesting stuff. Not to be trifled with, but pleasant when treated with respect. More on this bowl, and the trial with mixing it, probably with McClelland's Red Cake. Assuming I'm still upright ... ho-ho.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I find that I get a more open flavor from a wide pipe. I know you mentioned "those who smoke straight perique" ha ha, so being one of those this may undercut my post... but, a bigger volume pipe doesn't necessarily give you more nicotine. You still sip in the same amount of smoke (or I do, anyways), but the flavor of the smoke changes. I like the stronger nicotine blends in my largest pipes. The flavor is not bolder or harsher, quite the opposite, IMO. It's more mellow and full. But, I can easily smoke these high octane blends, sipped from a larger volumed pipe for longer than if I put them in my small Virginia pipes, where the flavor is focussed more intensely. IMO.

Great review though. The flavor of semois and the tambo aren't as similar, as much as they probably would both appeal to cigar guys who like the bolder flavors.

 

[deathmetal]

I somewhat like decidedly strong tobacco, so I have to admit there is an allure here, but I'm still going careful.

Careful! You're flirting with the Dark Side... next thing you know, you'll be reading Fred Nietzsche and nodding your head in agreement.