Essential Information
Tobacco Specifications
- Tobacco Name: Long Neck Demon
- Manufacturer: Niall of Nine (Microblender)
- Blend Type: VaBur (Kentucky-forward)
- Cut: Likely Ribbon and Broken Flake (unconfirmed, varied presentation typical of small-batch blending)
The Experience
First Impressions
Pop the tin, and you’re not greeted—you’re challenged. A gust of dark-fired intensity escapes, something between scorched hickory and damp, peaty forest floor. Beneath it, aged plum, black tea leaves, and old barnwood linger. There’s mystery here—no sweet Cavendish mask, no cased cheer. This is brooding tobacco, weathered and lean.
Visually, the mix is a study in earth tones. Deep brown strands tangled with darker chunks of pressed Burley and the occasional jet-black fleck—probably the Cyprian Latakia. There’s a rustic unevenness here: thick, chewy ribbons of heat-pressed Burley, finer strands from the Orientals, and some glossy, tar-dark leaf from the Perique. The appearance suggests care without over-processing. This is tobacco handled by hand, not machine.
Even dry, the aroma carries weight. The Perique, aged since 2014, blooms with tart cherries soaked in whiskey and dusted in black pepper. The Kentucky announces its presence with raw smoke and bitter chocolate. The Latakia and Macedonian Orientals hover at the fringe, like incense burning in the next room.
It smells like a reckoning.
The Smoke
Packing and Lighting
The blend packs with light resistance—a sign of moisture balance. I gravity-filled a wide-chambered Ashton bent bulldog for the first trial, favoring breadth over depth to reveal complexity. A quick charring light opens the curtain: sharp, spicy Kentucky grabs your attention immediately, followed closely by the peppery bite of aged Perique. A single tamp and relight, and the demon steps fully into the room.
Initial Flavor
The first third roars to life with grilled black pepper, mesquite smoke, and dry wood embers. It’s bold, but not unkind. The blackened and heat-pressed Burleys round off the roughness with earthy sweetness and a baked-bread warmth, adding a bassline that vibrates more than sings.
There’s an oily texture on the tongue—probably from the fermentation oils in the Perique and pressed Burleys. The smoke is cool, with a chewy density. Through the nose, you catch a spark of red pepper, smoked plum, and bitter cocoa.
This is tobacco that leans forward in the chair before you do.
Mid-Bowl
As the burn stabilizes, so does the blend. The aggression recedes, and the true complexity unfurls. Here, the Latakia enters—a dry, smoky sandalwood sensation on the back of the throat. The Orientals chime in just above it: floral spice, a whisper of citrus peel, and the faintest sour edge. Together, they offer lift—not dominance.
Meanwhile, the Perique fully opens: prune, wine-soaked raisins, dark mushroom. The Kentucky takes a step back, now a structural element rather than the lead actor. The Burleys carry this phase, offering toasted walnut, charred crust, and occasional flashes of molasses or roasted chicory.
The smoke is now meditative. The nicotine is creeping up—a slow, steady tide rather than a wave.
Finish
The last third draws down with a narrowing focus. The fruit is gone. What remains is dark earth, smoldering oak, and a returning spice from the Perique. The room note shifts to something antique—like leatherbound books in a cold study. There’s incense from the Latakia, but it’s faint and reverent.
Burnout is clean. Ash is pale and fine. No moisture, no bite—just a cool dottle and the kind of silence that makes you reach for another match before you realize it’s over.
Room Note
Not for polite company. It’s masculine, assertive—campfire after rain, scorched cedar, spent match heads. In a smoking lounge, it blends in. In a living room, it dominates.
Strength
Solidly medium-strong. Nicotine builds gently but insistently. Smoke too fast, and you’ll feel it behind your eyes. This is not a breakfast blend—unless your breakfast includes confrontation.
Final Thoughts
Overall Assessment
This is a thinking man’s blend, forged for solitude, winter, and slow reckoning. Every component is chosen with surgical intent. The aged 2014 Perique is the heart of this demon—beating slow, deep, and complex. The Kentucky defines the frame: broad shoulders, fire-cured lungs, and zero pretense. The blackened Burleys, particularly the 2016 leaf, bind it all together like a barrel-aged stout—mature, resonant, and rich.
Latakia and Orientals are not here to perform. They haunt the periphery, giving the main players stage depth. That choice is what elevates this blend from “good” to “masterful.”
Long Neck Demon smokes like a secret whispered through smoke—meant for quiet moments, reflective moods, and seasoned hands.
Pairings
- Drink: A barrel-proof bourbon or Islay Scotch (think Laphroaig Quarter Cask or Elijah Craig Barrel Proof)
- Time: Dusk into night. Cold air. No interruptions.
- Place: A porch chair under fading light. Or a leather chair by firelight.
- Pipes: Best in wide bowls—Ashton bulldog, Savinelli 320 KS, or a rusticated Becker with a generous heel.
Similar Blends
- G.L. Pease Cumberland – Another dark-fired Burley + Perique + Kentucky ensemble, though less refined
- C&D Old Joe Krantz (Blue Label) – Stronger Burley base, less spice finesse
- HU Tobacco Nashville County – Shares the same dark-hearted spirit with softer curves
Recommendations
- Rating: 7 out of 5 stars (Transcendent. Outside the scale. Must-smoke if found.)
- Who Should Try It: Experienced smokers seeking depth, darkness, and contemplative satisfaction
- Who Should Avoid It: Beginners, aromatic lovers, or those who fear the peppery hand of Perique
- Additional Notes: Discontinued / micro-blend status makes this a collectible, except you simply MUST smoke it.
