Was at my B&M today and stocked up on some tobaccos, cleaners, etc and one of the great things about the place is that they have somewhere between 50-60 bulk offerings arranged in glass jars just like the old London shoppes I've only seen pictures of. I had an empty pipe in my pocket so I asked (always ask) if I could sample something and of course he said to help myself. I chose to try a bowl of Commowealth as it has been years since I last smoked it and then it was from a tin. I stuck my nose down near the gape of the big jar and inhaled deeply, there was a definate floral aroma albeit very subdued. The Latakia was not pushing itself as I would expect because I could see there was a healthy portion of it in the bulk mixture. At first light things seemed uninspired as I couldn't really pick up anything pushing forward except for a hint of sweetness from the Virginias. This is a thick ribbon cut and it packs nicely and fluffs up high on the charring light so I tamped it, have it a true light and sat back to enjoy what turned out to be a phenomenal smoke! 1/3 into it I started picking up what I can only describe as roasting peanuts. I use that analogy because I used to buy cigars in a place that roasted coffee beans and peanuts on the premises so it was a familiar olfactory sensation. This continued in varying degrees throughout the bowl as it was joined by blasts of mild sweetness and some smokiness like BBQ. I was called away and had to finish the smoke while driving and truthfully, I didn't want it to end. I'll be getting a pound of this bulk mixture later this week and jarring some up for the cellar. Great stuff!
I know there's another smoker here who really enjoys it. And, obviously, my impression must not be universally shared or SG wouldn't still be selling it!