Saint Bruno Pipe Tobacco Reviews

Dark-brown slices with reddish streaks and yellowish flecks that crumble up nicely into thin strands of an overall deep red colour. In the tin is that strong, fermented, wine-like aroma that characterizes many matured Virginias, yet this one is a just little less sweet, rich, and heavy than Condor.

I feel it needs to be compared to Condor since many smokers who are partial to one of these blends seem to like the other, from my limited experience. Saint Bruno has a slightly more sour and nutty note to its aroma and flavour than Condor, but it is still a tobacco with a fermented-fruit type of flavour.

I particularly pick up on Saint Bruno's nutty after-character, not at first, but toward the bottom of the bowl and especially after it has been smoked in the same pipe for a while. It is medium-full in body and emits a smoke that is slightly sharp on the nose, but mild, yet full-tasting, on the tongue.

It has a tangy, natural sweetness that is quite appealing, but which might surprize those who are used to smoking more heavily sweetened aromatics a l'Americaine. It also contains quite a bit of nicotine and would be best enjoyed in a smaller pipe if you are used to weaker blends. The main complexity in its flavour is the play between its rich and almost juicy top flavour and its underlying tanginess.

Although this doesn't sound like a lot, it's an intensely pleasant and satisfying smoke when smoked without haste. Its room aroma when smoked is surprisingly different, not fruity at all; here the nutty aspect comes through again.

I personally find its aroma quite pleasant, sort of reminiscent of an old house, but a non-smoking friend who usually enjoys the smell of my pipe says that the smoke from Saint Bruno reminds her of a wet dog.