If you’ve never placed an order from The Country Squire in Jackson, MS you are really missing out. These folks specialize (IMHO) in subtle, unique, delicious aromatics. I usually don’t find aromatics among my go to Blends but these folks are changing my mind in a very good way. Talk about a deft hand...wow!
So Rivendell? (Middle Earth Collection...DUH!)
This is going to be a first impression review. I’ll try to come back after a quarter pound or so and do it real justice...but the first thing many of you that order this will experience is that first bowl. What’s it like? Well, it’s like this...it’s comforting in times like these that have so much meanness, strife and unpleasantness to find something that soothes, where simple efforts are rewarded with significant pleasure. This blend, as others have described, is a melding of walnut & cocoa with a tinge of vanilla and a fair amount of tobacco shining through. It’s past a semi-aromatic in which flavors are there just enough to compliment the tobacco flavors that are still the main focus. Here, the cocoa and walnut play the main roll...but gently...so gently. Instead of being bludgeoned with flavor one is lovingly caressed with the various aromas playing in and out. Of note are the ease of control. If the flavors subside it’s likely too hot...ease back and they come right back. Smooth? Yup. The aroma of the ample smoke off the bowl is a delight - as I imagine is the room note. But I’m an outside smoker, sooo...it’s only a prediction. I’ve been a pipe guy for about fifty years and have smoked darn near everything, or at least every genre. I love Sweet VA flakes, Burley blends with Turkish and Cigar Leaf, nasty stinky Lakeland twists and plugs...you name it. But few aromomatics are in my top picks. But this one is. I’d pick this joyfull, subtle, flavorful blend over 99% of the other aromatics out there. Very highly recommended.
So Rivendell? (Middle Earth Collection...DUH!)
This is going to be a first impression review. I’ll try to come back after a quarter pound or so and do it real justice...but the first thing many of you that order this will experience is that first bowl. What’s it like? Well, it’s like this...it’s comforting in times like these that have so much meanness, strife and unpleasantness to find something that soothes, where simple efforts are rewarded with significant pleasure. This blend, as others have described, is a melding of walnut & cocoa with a tinge of vanilla and a fair amount of tobacco shining through. It’s past a semi-aromatic in which flavors are there just enough to compliment the tobacco flavors that are still the main focus. Here, the cocoa and walnut play the main roll...but gently...so gently. Instead of being bludgeoned with flavor one is lovingly caressed with the various aromas playing in and out. Of note are the ease of control. If the flavors subside it’s likely too hot...ease back and they come right back. Smooth? Yup. The aroma of the ample smoke off the bowl is a delight - as I imagine is the room note. But I’m an outside smoker, sooo...it’s only a prediction. I’ve been a pipe guy for about fifty years and have smoked darn near everything, or at least every genre. I love Sweet VA flakes, Burley blends with Turkish and Cigar Leaf, nasty stinky Lakeland twists and plugs...you name it. But few aromomatics are in my top picks. But this one is. I’d pick this joyfull, subtle, flavorful blend over 99% of the other aromatics out there. Very highly recommended.
