The Bourbon: Crittenden's Cut Above - Iara (Cryptid Series)

“From the lnky waters of the Brazilian rainforest comes the tale of lara (yaar-aa), Mother of the Waters. The legend tells us that Iara is the daughter of a shaman (“pajé”) and was known for being an excellent warrior, surpassing the skills of her two brothers. Her brothers, green with envy at their father's adiration and praise of their sister, decided to take matters into their own hands. Sneaking into her tent in the middle of the night, the brothers attempted to murder lara in her sleep. Being the great fighter she is, Iara resisted and ended up killing her brothers in self-defense. Fearing the repercussions of her actions, lara fled into the night to escape her father's wrath. The shaman found lara as she ran through the rainforest and captured her, then threw her into the river where she drowned. From the bottom of the river, the fish rose to carry Iara’s body to the surface where she was transformed by the light of the moon into an ethereal half-human, half-fish with flowing black locks and stunning green eyes. Her days as a mermaid are spent singing on the riverbanks, protecting the wildlife, and luring unsuspecting fishermen to their new life under the water as Iara's companion until their natural death.” - Crittenden's Distillery

Bobby is pairing this tonight, How could he NOT pair this with the Crittenden's Cut Above Iara from the Cryptic Series. Its Halloween and you have the Yazoo Witch Tobacco so you just have to pair it with the whiskey named after the witch. To start off the room note is nice and sweet for me. The honey notes on the palate of the whiskey intensify a sweet bready note on the tobacco. The Amburana barrel finishing on the whiskey. I almost get some allspice notes in the combination of the whiskey and tobacco. While smoking I let my boll go out to see how it would react Wildly for me I got a nice dark fruit note, I cannot place it but it showed up but goes away with the relight. Like Chris I went for a meerschaum pipe to not take the chance of picking up a previous tobacco. I call this an introspective tobacco/tobacco pairing. It makes you sit back and think of what you are getting. It is my understanding that Quinn was in on this blend. and Man he hit it out the park. the further you get into the bowl the more the flavor opens up. I am sitting here 15 minutes into my bowl and now I take a puff and a little sip and another puff and sit there and its like a freaking fine wine. The Sippers hand picked this barrel from the distiller had mad dump the bourbon and we hightailed it to the squire not knowing what the plan was but man are we over the moon with this release. We may sound partial to this blend but Man O Man this is a great blend on its own but pairing it with a Honey Amburana finished whiskey is just unreal. As the nights in Mississippi start to cool off some this was the perfect opening to pipe smoking season. If you are a Cigar smoker exclusively many you are missing out on so much. As of this day we believe that online the tobacco may be sold out, but it may still be available at the Country Squire. To finish off as I finish a bowl and should be going to bed I find myself drawn to s have another small bowl as a night cap. Cheer and Happy Halloween

The Pipe Tobacco: The Country Squire - 2024 Halloween Special Release The Yazoo Witch aged in a Crittenden's Cut Above Bourbon Barrel

“The Legend of the Yazoo Witch hails from the depths of Mississippi folklore, recounting the eerie tale of a vengeful spirit that haunts the Yazoo River and its surrounding swamplands. According to the legend, the Yazoo Witch was a woman accused of practicing dark arts and witchcraft in the early 19th century. The locals, fearing her supernatural powers, sentenced her to death by fire. In her dying moments, she placed a curse on the land, promising to return and seek revenge. Many believe that her ghostly apparition still lurks in the misty shadows, exacting vengeance on those who dare to venture too close to the Yazoo River.” - The Country Squire

“Yazoo Witch is a dark & brooding blend of matured & stoved Virginias, Turkish, Dark Fired Kentucky, with a dash of Latakia and Louisiana Perique. This year’s batch has been bourbon barrel aged in a Crittenden Distillery barrel from Kiln, Mississippi.” - The Country Squire

Flavor Notes:

Smell: In the 2oz bag the smell is like someone smoking BBQ on an open fire with sweet BBQ sauce notes along with fresh charred oak, and a little bit of earth. The tobacco is not too damp but also not dry…it's perfect.

Tasting Notes: In a meerschaum pipe, up front is the classic sweet grassy notes of the Virginia tobacco enhanced with a hint of caramel bourbon notes, followed by the toasted dark bread notes of the Burley. It's also smoky and spicy from the barrel char, Turkish and Latakia tobaccos…and of course a hint of earthy and swampy Louisiana Perique.

Strength: This is a medium strength tobacco with a fair nicotine hit.

Room note: The aromas of this tobacco are dark, smoky, and woody…like a nice campfire by the river. It’s not an aromatic tobacco. If you like medium to heavy bodied cigars, you might really enjoy the gumbo of savory and woody tobaccos on a nice cool evening.

Sip on the Best, Pair with the Best

This month we would like to tell you about The Country Squire Tobacconist, Jackson Mississippi.

The Start of Greatness

Founded by Jim and Gwen Reeves in August of 1970, The Country Squire has been a Deep South tradition for over 50 years. Mr. and Mrs. Reeves worked to bring the region a pipe and cigar experience like no other. A world-class tobacconist was born, majoring in the finest smoking products and accessories for the sophisticated enthusiast.

Due to the history and uniqueness of The Country Squire, the shop commonly plays host to folks from around the world. Pipe enthusiasts regularly make special plans to visit the shop, sometimes visiting from as far as Europe and Asia. These “Pipe Pilgrimages” have quickly gained popularity in the greater pipe-smoking community, and we encourage you to plan your visit soon!

Growth and Evolution

In the 1980s The Country Squire had four locations in central Mississippi, all specializing in premium tobacco products. In 1981 after the death of Jim, Mrs. Reeves faithfully ran the business for another 31 years, eventually consolidating the brand to the original location on Lakeland Drive.

The Squire developed into quite a community over the years. It was common for a customer’s tobacco order to be weighed up by a Reeves grandchild. Regulars in the shop included Mississippi personalities Jerry Clower and Willie Morris, and countless state politicians, professional athletes, authors, and the occasional actor. Legendary black labrador, Piper, kept watch over the shop while the likes of pastors, mill workers, physicians, teachers, attorneys, and professors swapped stories over their favorite pipe or cigar.

Mrs. Reeves died in 2012 after decades of service to the Jackson area and the pipe and cigar communities, leaving the shop to her daughter Kim Owen. Kim successfully began the process of transitioning The Country Squire into a modern tobacconist.

It was during this period that the Country Squire Radio Podcast was born. Available worldwide, Country Squire Radio was conceived to connect smokers abroad to the charm, sophistication, and story of this unique institution. In the following years, the CSR Podcast eventually became the #1 pipe-smoking podcast on the planet, reaching smoking enthusiasts across the globe. Due to this reach, The Country Squire now serves as “brick and mortar” tobacconist for smokers on six continents.

The Change in Ownership

In 2016 The Country Squire was sold to manager Jon David Cole.  Trained by Mrs. Reeves herself, Jon David is devoted to carrying on the legacy and tradition of this Southern institution.  Cole is assisted in running the business by a talented staff of Certified Retail Tobacconists who work to continue the tradition of hand blending high-quality tobaccos and carrying the latest and best premium tobacco products, including the world’s finest cigars.

The Path Forward

Due to the history and uniqueness of The Country Squire, the shop commonly plays host to folks from around the world. Pipe enthusiasts regularly make special plans to visit the shop, sometimes visiting from as far as Europe and Asia. These “Pipe Pilgrimages” have quickly gained popularity in the greater pipe-smoking community, and we encourage you to plan your visit soon!

At the Squire you can find one of the largest selection of pipe tobaccos from some of the biggest names in game from Peterson, Sutliff, and more. But the true gem is the full catalog of Country Squire original blends. Needing a pipe they have you covered there and can even assist you in starting you pipe or cigar journey. They did not forget the cigar connoisseur either with a large fully stocked walk-in humidor with brand including Perdomo, Fuente, Rocky Patel and many many more. Go down tell them we said hello, pick yourself up a cigar, hangout in the lounge and enjoy one of the south's best hidden gems in the would of tobacco!

The Country Squire, Tobacconist

1855 Lakeland Drive (The Quarter Shopping Center)

Suite C 10

Jackson, Mississippi 39216

Phone: 601.362.2233

Store Hours:

Monday-Saturday   10am-8pm

Closed Sunday

Visit the Squire on the web