Tobacco Review: St Bruno Ready Rubbed and Flake Versions

St. Bruno is, at least in the UK, one of those pipe tobaccos that you can get anywhere - It's been around since time began, and although I'm not sure about sales it has always been, alongside Condor, one of the most popular tobaccos in the UK. Back in the day, before the Anti-Smoking lobby got their way, the tobacco was advertised on TV with a series of ever creative ADs in which a large St. Bernard would come to the aid of a pipe smoker who had just found himself St. Brunoless. A predicament indeed, but alas that heroic dog would always save the day.










The facts of the tobacco first:

Made by Mac Baren (original blend was from Ogdens of Liverpool)
Blend Type: Light Aromatic.
Tobaccos: Kentucky, Virginia.
Flavourings: Fruit, citrus, some floral.

Exterior of Ogden's Tobacco Factory

Ogden's of Liverpool started business in 1896 and opened its first factory in St. James Street in 1870 and during that year both the St. Bruno and St. Julian blends were introduced. The firm was a great success and by the end of the century Ogdens ran six factories as well as a small snuff mill situated in Cornwallis Street.

In 1899 Odgen's moved all of its manufacturing and warehousing to its famous factory in Boundary Lane, and although the factory is these days a set of luxury flats, there are many photographs of how the place once looked.

Offices inside the Ogden factory

Ogden's was a major employer, and it has left it's mark on Liverpool, with many of the older residents having either worked there or knew someone who did, and even today many people refer to the new flats and houses, known as Ogden's Place, built on the site of the factory, as the old tobacco factory.

But let's get to the tobacco itself:

I've smoked St. Bruno on and off for a great many years, been familiar with the blend for at least two decades now, and so I'm in a position to confidently state that the modern version of the blend retains that original flavour, or at least the flavour I grew up with. Back in the day, when the blend was first produced, it may have been different but it is likely that the basic characteristic have been retained throughout the decades. The availability of certain tobacco leaf,  the quality of a particular harvest is bound to have some affect on the tobacco that ends up being stuffed into our pipes - which is why vintage tins of tobacco often fetch high prices - but at the end of the day the recipe, the method of production and  the casings used all remain as they always were.

Adverts inside the old factory

St Bruno is led by the grassy quality of the Virginia leaf used, but the dark kentucky leaf adds a spicy tang that is quite delicious and the aroma given off, the room note, is a traditional pipe smell - no doubt this particular room note has echoed through many a train carriage, wafted in the air of many a home and tickled the noses of countless people through the decades. It is an aroma that stretches back in history, a pungent reminder of a world where one was free to enjoy one's pipe, cigar or cigarette even,  without interference from the latest medical statistics brandished by a tedious, limp dicked, dishrag faced simpleton yellow about 'passive smoking.' Ignore these fuckers - they should be more worried about passive living. Bunch of arseholes.

I must confess before I continue that St. Bruno is not my favourite OTC blend in the UK, that distinction goes to the mighty Condor, but it does come a close second. It's a very fine smoke and a well packed pipe will burn down to a dry white ash, though being one of the stronger tobaccos on the market it does leave some aftertaste to any pipes used. Ghosting they call it, but it's a fine tasting spirit all the same.

FLAKE V READY RUBBED: I don't think there are major differences between the flaked or ready rubbed versions, and there are pros and cons with both. They both have the same basic taste and whilst the flake version may be a litter tastier, the ready rubbed is far more convenient if one is out and about. It's all very well to twist, rub out those flakes when in the comfort of your own home but I often smoke on the go and so find the ready rubbed version to be just that bit easier - simply stuff it in your bowl and bring a flame to it.

Both versions have a reasonable nicotine content, that is not overpowering but will satisfy, and whenever I have a pouch it becomes an all day smoke for me. Some people claim that St. Bruno is a Lakeland style blend but I don't think I agree with that since the floral casings, so important to Lakeland tobaccos, are not as prominent with Bruno as they are with true Lakeland's but there is most certainly a hint of that Lakeland taste that is much loved by seasoned pipe puffers.


So do I recommend St. Bruno? You bet I do - it's quite fantastic and I've heard some people saying to try it as a 50/50 mix with Condor which I just might do one of these days but for now St. Bruno is fine as it is.