Tinderbox's Philosopher Pipe Tobacco Reviews

This is categorized as an English blend because it contains a discernable amount of latakia, but some might call it "American" in style due to its moist, mild base (which seems to stay moist forever).

The mixture is about half medium-brown tobaccos and half black, all in a coarse, wide cut. Those used to heartier English blends might be surprised at the sweetness and relatively light latakia aroma in the pouch.

Although the taste is smokier than the pouch aroma would suggest, the mildness of the Virginia and Oriental base tobaccos produce a light-to-medium, not full, smoke. It also seems to contain black cavendish, both for sweetness and for accentuating the dark, latakia flavour in the mixture. It's a surprisingly light smoking experience for a latakia-flavoured blend.

In fact, the soft texture of its smoke is almost reminiscent of aromatic blends such as Lane's 1Q. It's extremely mild if blown out the nose, and doesn't seem to contain much nicotine, but I find it has more bite than many heavier English blends, even though it burns cool and slowly.

It leaves a dry, smoky, and slightly sweet aftertaste and its room aroma is similar. It is rare to find a mixture with so much suggestion of latakia flavor, so much smoothness, yet so little comparative fullness.