Recently one of our sponsors, Sutliff Tobacco Company, has begun sending us samples for review. One of the samples sent this month from their Private Stock Collection was Spinnaker. I had recently undergone a bout with Fourth Generation Tobacconists aromatics, and decided to leave the aromatic flavours that Sutliff had provided until the end, and began with their non-aromatic mixtures.
So, by the time I was ready to do some more aromatic blends, my choices were Blue Danube, Molto Dolce and Spinnaker. Since my wife is already doing the Molto Dolce review, I was left with the other two, and being a retired sailor I thought Spinnaker sounded just about right.
Man, oh man, was I wrong!
I started off by taking out my WDC Milano Cutty, keeping with the nautical theme, and cleaning it out for the new tobacco.
Then, I opened the tin and was assaulted, and I do mean assaulted, by the overwhelming scent of cherry cough syrup! Now, anyone who reads my reviews knows that I have a limited sense of smell, so for me to say it was powerful is certainly saying something.
Visually, the tobacco was a beautiful affair, mottled browns and blacks coming together in a truly mouth-watering assembly. Also, the tobacco was none too moist, which I expected after the extreme aroma.
Hesitantly, I packed my pipe and lit up.
At first, the taste wasn’t too bad. The nutty and peppery Burley was strongly flavored by the cherry topping, and I could hardly taste the Cavendish at all.
While smoking at, I looked up its description online at tobaccoreviews.com;
Sailing, as in all sports, has its own jargon, understood only by interested fans. If you have ever admired the beauty of a sailboat gracefully gliding with a brightly colored headsail, then you have seen a spinnaker. Open yourself up to a new and exciting experience by trying this delightful mixture of Sweet Burley and tart Black Cavendish.
Well, it certainly was a new experience, and I could even call it exciting. Sort of in the same way that you would call horror movies new and exciting.
As a smoked the tobacco, the taste got steadily worse with the cherry topping becoming more and more chemical-like, and more and more overwhelming with each draw.
I did manage to finish the entirety of the bowl, but it left a dottle in the bottom of the pipe something fierce.
On the other hand, my hubby found the tobacco to be simply unappealing, not downright disgusting.
As an old sailor, if I were stranded on a deserted island with only this to smoke… I’d quit!
Definitely not a win in my opinion, but you can get it at pipesandcigars.com, HERE, or smokingpipes.com, HERE, for about $6.10 USD for a 1.5 ounce can.
Or, if you live in the states, Sutliff Tobacco Co. will help you find a retailer near you, if you go HERE.
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em!
I really appreciate this review. Since I’m very interested in sailing I almost certainly would have picked this up if I were to see it in a shop but I can’t think of a scent or taste I dislike more than that of cherry cough syrup. You have saved me from a very traumatic experience!
on the other hand, my kids mom, whom i just got into pipes, loves it
It’s true, I love the stuff! The tobacco scents my whole house and makes me want to bake more. My neighbors have not complained once and a few have actually asked to try a puff or two. I am in <3