2016/02/11

Tobacco Review: Borkum Riff Mixture with Vanilla Cavendish

The other day, I was passing through Jasper and decided to stop at one of our "local"(I'm 35 minutes away from there) tobacco shops to pick up some pipe cleaners and some tobacco. While I was not all that impressed with the lack of selection, the employee was eager to help. He stated that they had a great many people coming in for the Borkum Riff Mixture with Vanilla Cavendish. They only had one pouch left. Usually, I stay away from pouches as I prefer something in a tin or pinched out of a glass container and weighed on the spot. In our area, we don't have that luxury, I'm afraid.

I let them have my $8 and I took it home. I figured I'd try something new. I let the pouch sit for a few days as I didn't have a chance to light up my pipe right away.

I finally had a moment where I could enjoy my pipe and realised I was out of Ambrosia from Lone Star Tobacco. Immediately upon opening the pouch of Borkum Riff Mixture with Vanilla Cavendish, I noticed a nice sweet smell. The tobacco was just the right amount of dry. Usually, I find pouch tobacco to be a bit on the moist side and requiring a few days of drying out on a plate or towel. This was a plus-- I didn't have to dry it out. I could use my pipe right away.


Lighting:
5/5

 I loaded my pipe and went about lighting. The Borkum Riff Mixture with Vanilla Cavendish took a light nicely. It's hard to fault a tobacco for lighting as there's quite a bit of human element involved with loading/tamping. It was dry enough to take a light well and I must credit them for that.



Taste:
2/5

The vanilla, while there, had a strong chemical taste that really robbed from the overall smoking experience. The flavour was kind of ashy and unpleasant with the occasional blast of sweet. I kept hoping that something would come across to balance it all out, but I was left wanting. The tongue bite is strong with this one. I tried smoking it slower, etc. Nothing lessened the bite. I was pretty disappointed. The bite is likely, if I had to guess, the chemicals used to "add" the vanilla flavour. I struggled with giving it the lowest rating, but I reserve that for something that gives me a headache or sick. It has happened...


Aroma:
 4/5

The room note was delightful according to my wife and kids (they came in a few hours after I smoked). For aroma and room note, I'd give this a 4/5. I was surprised that the pleasant aroma hung around as long as it did. It was faint, but noticeable. 



Conclusion:

I always hate to seem like I'm bashing on any product, but I feel that I cannot overstate my opinion on this one. I strongly recommend you spend a few dollars more on a tin of about anything else. I feel I would do a disservice if I didn't say it like that. If you're into smoking a pipe for the full experience, then you'd be disappointed. The taste just truly robs from enjoying your precious pipe. Now, if you're into puffing just to puff and want everyone else around you to enjoy your pipe and need a strong aromatic, this might be your mix. The aroma was very pleasant and lasted for hours. I'd say this is a pouch that is best suited for a campfire and beers with friends. You won't be out much money and the brews will surely mellow out the unpleasant taste.

I will not purchase this product again, but I will not rule out Borkum Riff as a manufacturer just yet. I would try a few other offerings from them before telling people to stay away. That said, I'd hate to spend hard-earned money on their products based after my first experience. I'll hopefully see a sale sometime or receive a nice package from them.

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