Japan Tobacco's Momoyama Pipe Tobacco Reviews

Welcome to Japan Tobacco's oldest pipe tobacco, produced since April 1934. This ribbon-cut, medium-to-dark brown mixture has a subtle, fermented sweetness in its aroma that I can't quite place. Suffice it to say that it (possibly a rum and fruit combination according to Shigeho-san) tends toward the sweet and not toward the sour.

This sounds sweet and heavy, but it's not. It's a clean taste and, as a smoking experience, it's somewhat reminiscent of Amphora Red, but much less perfumy and less sweet. I would call this "semi-aromatic." The smoke is lively without being harsh, and a decent, simple tobacco flavour comes.

This blend does have a kick and a medium-light body, which makes me aware that I am smoking a mixture containing a lot of burleys. Shigeho-san's translation of Momoyama's description says that it's "Mainly of Brights, with Burley, Oriental, Perique etc. and some casing added."

It is a very well-balanced mixture in that no one element stands out, but it's not as complex as the description might suggest. Those most likely to enjoy this would probably like the Dutch cavendish blends and natural, non-latakia mixtures - some smokers might find it bland. It's definitely worth trying though.

It smokes clean to a dry, medium-grey ash and leaves a genuine, slightly sweet, tobacco aroma in the room where it was smoked.