We have finally arrived at the moment of truth.  The Pipe Professor’s Top 5 Pipe Tobaccos for 2023.  Those that follow The Pipe Professor webpage regularly (thank you!) know that there was no Top 5 Pipe Tobacco list for 2022.  Why?  The answer is two-fold.  Firstly, 2022 was without-a-doubt a cigar year for me.  I simply enjoyed many, many more cigars than pipe tobacco last year.  Did that trend reverse back to “normal” for 2023?  YES!  Secondly, in 2022, I purposefully focused on enjoying pipe tobacco blends that are regulars in my cellar and rotation.  Afterall, there’s no point in collecting, or “hoarding” as my wife would say, all these wonderful tobaccos if we are not planning to ever smoke and enjoy them.  That’s precisely what I did in 2022.

With that being said, I indeed managed to relish a fair amount of glorious pipe leaf in 2023.  Below I have outlined my Top 5 Pipe Tobaccos for 2023 along with my 2 biggest disappointments.  Understandably, as I have often alluded to, taste and enjoyment of fine tobaccos, top shelf spirits, vintage wines, and gourmet foods, are completely subjective.  What I may enjoy in my bowl may be the complete opposite of what you enjoy.  And that’s ok!  In fact, that’s one of the characteristics that makes this hobby so enjoyable.  The variety and options of available pipe tobaccos on the market are more than any one individual could ever smoke in their lifetime (although I believe JimInks I is getting rather close—see tobaccoreviews.com for proof).  The point, if there is one, is to share my experiences in the hobby with each of you, in hopes that we can expand the dialogue around the pastime of pipe smoking that each of us enjoys.  Therefore, if you don’t agree with this list, that’s ok.  If you haven’t tried any of the tobaccos listed below, give them a go. If you’ve had similar or different experiences with each, leave a comment and let me know.  But, no matter what the outcome, please continue to love and support this amazing hobby and community.  If we don’t take care of that which we have been given responsibility, who will?  Someone took the time to protect this pastime, let us continue that sharing and celebration for many years to come.  Merry Christmas and happy new year!   

Without further ado, The Pipe Professor’s Top 5 Pipe Tobaccos for 2023! 

Tobacco #5 for 2023

Dan Tobacco Devil’s Holiday

Tobacco Notes:  Admittingly, I found this blend to be best enjoyed in my bulldog meerschaum pipe.  Smokers will immediately note the fruit/berry topping, which is a quality topping, not a generic cherry found in many OTC blends.  Further, similar to other Dan Tobacco blends, the Virginia tobaccos are of a higher quality than most aromatics on the market.  Essentially, this is a wonderful aromatic that will offer a sweet aroma while providing a savory grass note on the palate.  I’ve smoked several bowls in a single day and never experienced tongue bite.  If you are an anti-aromatic pipe smoker, I would encourage you to take the leap and give Dan Tobacco’s Devil’s Holiday a try.  This is easily an everyday smoke to be enjoyed by pipers and non-pipers alike (the room note is not offensive).  

Tobacco #4 for 2023

Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls 

Tobacco Notes: Rich grassy sweetness, bready, yeasty, with an undertone of brown sugar and molasses.  Peterson De Luxe Navy Rolls is a true treat!  This tobacco is what spirit enthusiasts would consider to be “top shelf” and that is further reflected in the price.  In fact, when it came down to finalizing my Top 5 Pipe Tobaccos, price was one of the main reasons this tobacco didn’t find itself higher on this list.  Yes, this tobacco is pricey, but if you can afford adding a tin or two to your next order, do it.  I promise this is a very special blend that will deliver nothing but satisfaction for the rookie and veteran palates.  

Tobacco #3 for 2023

Presbyterian Ordained 

Tobacco Notes:  To start, the “pop the top” video review of me sampling Presbyterian Ordained can be found here, or, you can read my full review here.  To summarize, this Virginia flake is indeed downright delicious!  The tobacco burns extremely well delivering a memorizing savory room note of vanilla cream, rich baking spices, with hints of a yeasty/fresh bakery sweetness.  Flavors you will experience include a grassy/hay opening, which continues throughout the smoke, a cashew nuttiness, and a finish of toasted vanilla wafer and brown sugar.  Something to note, and understandably one of the major reasons why I could not award a higher rank to this tobacco is its availability.  Although Presbyterian Ordained was in reasonable supply at the beginning of 2023, it is no longer available at the time of this writing.  I am not sure if Ordained was a limited release by Presbyterian or not, however, I would highly encourage Sutliff to not only bring this blend back to market, but also make it a regular production blend.  I was able to hold back about 8 tins total (I have smoked 4 ½ tins of Presbyterian Ordained thus far in 2023) and will be very intrigued to see how some age morphs this amazing blend into further bliss.  If someone from Sutliff happens across this post, from one pipe smoker to another, PLEASE!  PLEASE! PLEASE! Bring back the Presbyterian Ordained and make it a regular in your portfolio.       

Tobacco #2 for 2023

Boswell’s English Biscuit

Tobacco Notes:  I honestly do not believe Boswell’s tobacco gets enough credit in the pipe smoking community.  It seems that everyone who experiences Boswell’s tobaccos has a positive experience.  Truly, you never hear of anyone not finding a Boswell’s blend they don’t enjoy.  With that being said, I happened across this English (although I suspect it’s an English Aromatic) in September of this year.  Since finding this blend, I can’t get enough as I have almost smoked through a full pound.  I must admit that I have, and continue to, enjoy this blend most in a cob.  Specifically, my Missouri Meerschaum Charlestown Cobbler.  This tobacco is unique in that it has many flavor layers throughout smoking.  You can expect to experience a rich campfire essence, tangy, earthy, and mild sugary cream notes on the palate.  The aroma is mesmerizing and would not overly offensive to a non-smoker.  I do detect slight vanilla and warm baked butter notes on the nose/room note which makes me suspect there is some type of light topping added to the tobacco, however, upon researching the Boswell’s webpage, nothing is noted that would indicate this to be accurate.  Either way, Boswell’s English Biscuit is a very enjoyable tobacco that will be sure to please your palate, regardless of if you are an aromatic junky, VaPer snob, or crotchety English codger.  Pick some up.  I guarantee you will be quick to order more!        

Tobacco #1 for 2023

Cornell & Diehl Sunset Harbor Flake

Tobacco Notes:  Ok, first and foremost, we must bring forward the fact that this tobacco is indeed, not a flake.  Cornell & Diehl is notorious for claiming many of the tobaccos in their portfolio to be flakes, however, Sunset Harbor Flake is not an actual flake (like Dunhill Flake or Samuel Gawith Full Virgin Flake or Presbyterian Ordained Flake).  At some point in the production process, this tobacco very well may have been in flake form, but do not be surprised upon opening a tin, when you are met with very, very broken flake pieces.  Now, does this affect the overall product?  Absolutely not!  But I would ask that C&D stop calling tobaccos flakes that are not in flake form….What is Cornell & Diehl Sunset Harbor flake?  An exceptionally flavorful, well-balanced smoke.  In fact, C&D Sunset Harbor Flake is indeed downright delicious.  Often wine drinkers will talk about the balance in a wine.  Cornell & Diehl Sunset Harbor Flake is precisely that, balanced.  The strength, the body, the nicotine, the aroma, and the flavors offered are a delectable harmony for the pipe smoker.  Once again, like many blends listed above, and on my past lists, this tobacco was most enjoyed in my Rusticated/Craggy Peterson Meerschaum straight billiard pipe. 

Since finding this perfect pair of pipe and tobacco, I now exclusively smoke C&D Sunset Harbor Flake in my Peterson Meerschaum.  It truly is a match made in Heaven.  Flavors (Tastes + Aroma) that you can expect from this tobacco are campfire smoke, perique spice, frothy cream cheese, woody/earth, and a ginger citrus zest.  Very complex and best enjoyed with intentionality and focus.  Further, the tobacco burns slow resulting in a cool, dry smoke that lingers on the palate for a long finish well past finishing the bowl.  I honestly took a random chance on this tobacco after seeing Mike, from the Pipe & Tamper Podcast, post a picture of the blend on his Instagram raving about how good.  So, if you happen to read this Mike, thank you for exposing myself and others to a wonderful tobacco.  Cornell & Diehl Sunset Harbor Flake is an extraordinary tobacco that is much deserving of The Pipe Professor’s #1 tobacco of 2023.         

Top Two Tobacco Disappointments of 2023

Disappointment #1 for 2023

John Cotton’s Double Press Creme

Tasting Notes: Full of sweet vanilla cake flavors and wonderful baking fragrance aromas this tobacco is not.  You read that correctly.  Those flavors do not exist in this tobacco.  In fact, not many tastes are apparent at any point.  Further, when I read vanilla to be one of the toppings added, I would at least expect to find hints lingering in the room note.  Nope.  This tobacco is truly not much of anything.  Granted, the tin krumble kake presentation is very eye appealing but similar to women, it’s only looks that are pleasing.  Further, what makes this even harder for me to accept is the fact that I’ve generally had wonder experiences with the John Cotton lines, with John Cotton’s Number1 being my #1 Pipe Tobacco in 2017.  The Double Pressed Crème, not so much.  And for the price, there are many other great tobaccos on the mark to choose from.  Take my failures with this blend as your wisdom in tobacco selection and pass on this blend.  Nothing to be missed.  

Disappointment #2 for 2023

7-20-4 Briary Blends Boston Tea Party

Tasting Notes: Similar to other tobaccos on this list, I came across this blend while swiping through Instagram.  Not having had a Briary Blend tobacco before, I reached out to the Briary Tobacconist store and placed an order for a few tins.  All I can say is, I just don’t get this one?  It’s not that the blend is flawed or has a problem, it’s just….bland.  I have smoked almost an entire tin of Boston Tea Party and have never experienced any amazing flavors or distinctions listed in the description, not even once.  According to the tin, Boston Tea Party “begins with a medium-bodied feel, slowly increasing to a medium-full as you progress down the bowl. Hints of cedar and nuts are accompanied by sweet hay and citrus flavors. A nutty, caramel-like sweetness rounds it out with a pleasant black tea flavor on the finish. A bright and flavorful blend that evokes the spirit of New England.”  Every bit of this sounds right up my alley when it comes to flavor, but none of it exists when smoking.  At least not to my palate.  Maybe I’m missing something, however, this blend just has not hit any of the right notes with me.  Now, I do have a few tins put away in my cellar, and will certainly revisit it in future years, but as for now, 7-20-4 Briary Blends Boston Tea Party is no party at all.  Just another silly “revolution” in the vast world of pipe tobaccos.        

And that’s going to do it for my Top 5 Pipe Tobaccos for 2023.  Thank you again for visiting The Pipe Professor website.  I hope you have enjoyed my Top 5 Pipe Tobaccos of 2023 and please stay tuned for more reviews and exciting content in 2024.  As always, I hope each of you has a blessed new year and until next time, cheers!

* All tobacco/tin pictures and blend information (excluding tobacco notes) were taken from tobaccoreviews.com, tobaccopipes.com, watchcitycigars.com, and smokingpipes.com.  The writer of this post is not the owner of the above photos/blend information related to each tobacco and does not take credit for their creation.