I was fortunate to get a few bowls thrown in with a recent trade. Since picking up the pipe I've read often of the wonders of this blend. I've seen how it sells out very quickly and how grown men are reduced to pitiful slobbering hounds when they even think about this blend. With this in mind I approached smoking this like a 40yr old virgin approaches their wedding night. That is to say I was excited, not aroused, get your mind back on the tobacco.
The note in the bag was nice and what I would expect from an English. I packed my Ashton, a favorite of mine for Latakia blends, and proceeded to light up. The char light was nice, nothing crazy or unexpected. There in lies the bottom line for the rest of the bowl. This is a nice smoking blend. It is exceedingly well balanced. It's members all play so nicely with each other that it becomes a fault in my book. Like the everybody plays, everybody wins soccer teams, this blend is somewhat disappointing for the hype. In the end I found myself wishing that something would come out on top.
All was not lost. This was certainly smooth, it had a nice earthy aftertaste, and it was a pleasant way to spend an hour. Was some nuance lost on me? Most likely. I won't be going to any great lengths to purchase this.
If you come across this it is worth the purchase. It is also worth noting to those who have not yet tried this that there are blends out their that will give you an approximation of this blend. H&H 10 - midnight is very close in many ways to this blend, and maybe (gasp) even better. Let the stoning and public shaming begin...
The note in the bag was nice and what I would expect from an English. I packed my Ashton, a favorite of mine for Latakia blends, and proceeded to light up. The char light was nice, nothing crazy or unexpected. There in lies the bottom line for the rest of the bowl. This is a nice smoking blend. It is exceedingly well balanced. It's members all play so nicely with each other that it becomes a fault in my book. Like the everybody plays, everybody wins soccer teams, this blend is somewhat disappointing for the hype. In the end I found myself wishing that something would come out on top.
All was not lost. This was certainly smooth, it had a nice earthy aftertaste, and it was a pleasant way to spend an hour. Was some nuance lost on me? Most likely. I won't be going to any great lengths to purchase this.
If you come across this it is worth the purchase. It is also worth noting to those who have not yet tried this that there are blends out their that will give you an approximation of this blend. H&H 10 - midnight is very close in many ways to this blend, and maybe (gasp) even better. Let the stoning and public shaming begin...