Are All English Blends Like This?

[telescopes]

I won’t be surprised if in time there will be special accounts set up to assist two stop shipping.

 

[krizzose]

I don't like latakia, at least in anything greater than truly condimental quantities. I gave it a good try to be sure, and I'm very confident I don't like it. If you don't like it, don't smoke it.

 

[Kentigern]

Yes but it can get charged duties and taxes at the border. You can look it up but i think it's around 7$ per 50g duties and then provincial tax which is $.40 per gram in BC where i live($22) per 2 oz. I think less in other provinces, but add that to the cost of the tobacco($9) and its about $38CAD. Add shipping and its close to the cost of it here.

I think ontario is something like $.20 per gram, so could be cheaper there I'm not sure. And free shipping even cheaper still. But we just don't have the selection here, so thats a plus for online ordering.

With whole leaf tobacco, after heavy shipping for lbs of tobacco plus stripping the stems, I pay about 6-7$ per 50g. Needless to say, I'm jealous of everyone in the states and many parts of europe for their cheap prices and excellent selection.

I looked up the Canadian taxes on tobacco. For this purpose it’s $6.58 every 2oz (or part thereof). I have bought about 8oz of varying blends (which typically will last e about a month) and so I’m expecting an additional, let’s say, $30, which brings the total with shipping to around $60. Given that 2oz (50g) is $50 here in Alberta, I still think that is very reasonable. In the end I would smoke that anyway...so any saving is a bonus as far as I am concerned.

 

[anotherbob]

On the contrary, I find English blends to be very diverse. It is a shame that current thinking is that all English blends think, I mean smoke alike.

I have to agree. I think that if someone smoked them regularly they could blind taste test them fairly well. I also think they're pretty deep smokes with many noticable little things going on.

 

[shanez]

Probably the greatest thing, to me at least, about pipes is the huge variety of blends. That being said:

On one hand, latakia is latakia. It has a distinct flavor at its core. On the other hand, not all latakias are equal, especially in a blend.

I use it to mix things up for me. If I get in a rut, latakia can be just the thing to break things up. I like to think of it as a pipe tobacco "palate cleanser" much the same way pickled ginger enhances a sushi meal.

For a good latakia strong blend I reach for Balkan Supreme. (Don't get caught up in english vs balkan vs etc. arguments. I'm talking about any kind of blend with latakia in it.) For a good blend with other stuff going on in addition to latakia I reach for Artisan's Blend (or Nightcap if that's what might happen to be around). Finally, when the mood strikes for what people call a "condimental" amount of latakia I reach for one of my absolute favorite blends, and one of the greatest blends of all time IMO, Bob's Chocolate Flake.

I don't have to be in the mood for latakia for some BCF. Heck, I can even be in a mood against latakia and I'll still enjoy some BCF.

So there you have it. Three blends that contain latakia and could be directly or sub-catagorized under the marketing term "English" blends.

 

[danimalia]

Hi again,
So in my new, but continuing, journey (and as an Englishman abroad) I obtained some Amphora English blend. There is really only one time (late morning and early afternoon) in the day that I enjoy this.

it reminds me (and tastes if) bonfires. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it has got me wondering if all Latikia based tobaccos taste the same? If so, then I might have to park the Latakia for a while.

I’m a little price conscious (seems to be awfully high here in Canada), but I have just discovered that I can buy the same quantity online for about a fifth of the cost.

this in and of itself may pose particular dangers of going completely nuts on purchases (I’ll have to hide that from she who must be obeyed).

I don’t want to be a one trick pony in terms of only exploring the (very large) world of vanilla based product (that so far in my meagre experience) smells very nice to others, but is devoid of flavour enjoyment for me (it all seems terribly “thin”...although still considerably more complex than the one dimensional cancer sticks, that I have escaped in favour of this, oh so much more erudite, hobby/lifestyle.

any thoughts/advice, as always, VERY greatly appreciated.

Yes. But that one aspect of a Latakia based blend will likely begin to become less shocking to your palate. Latakia's pungency means it will always contribute mightily to the flavor of any blend once it gets beyond 5-10% of the blend or so. But as you continue to smoke them, as @anotherbob said, you will begin to pick up on more of the non-Latakia components, and how the other components work with the Latakia. In particular, that combination of Virginias, Turkish/Oriental leaf and Latakia is such a classic for good reason. They make beautiful music together....

If you like Latakia, of course.

 

[canucklehead]

I looked up the Canadian taxes on tobacco. For this purpose it’s $6.58 every 2oz (or part thereof). I have bought about 8oz of varying blends (which typically will last e about a month) and so I’m expecting an additional, let’s say, $30, which brings the total with shipping to around $60. Given that 2oz (50g) is $50 here in Alberta, I still think that is very reasonable. In the end I would smoke that anyway...so any saving is a bonus as far as I am concerned.

I was just charged $70.33 by the CBSA for a single 3.5 oz. tin from Smoking Pipes.

$15.53 duty
$3.60 GST
$41.25 PST (Alberta)
$9.95 "handling fee"


$16.93 purchase price
$10 shipping

For a total of $97.26, which is still cheaper than the ~$110-120 it costs at the local B&Ms here in Alberta.

 

[danimalia]

Since @shanez mentioned Bob's Chocolate Flake (which is real good), I will plug my favorite blend that uses Latakia more as a seasoning than a main ingredient: Samuel Gawith Navy Flake. You will notice the Latakia, but IMO it very much retains an identity as a Virginia-based blend. The Latakia and Rum topping combine with the VA to taste like freshly baked cookies. Tremendous.

 

[olkofri]

I was just charged $70.33 by the CBSA for a single 3.5 oz. tin from Smoking Pipes.

$15.53 duty
$3.60 GST
$41.25 PST (Alberta)
$9.95 "handling fee"


$16.93 purchase price
$10 shipping

For a total of $97.26, which is still cheaper than the ~$110-120 it costs at the local B&Ms here in Alberta.

That's armed robbery. I woulda sent it back.

I just paid that same amount, give or take cents, for $400 worth of supplies and tools.

 

[canucklehead]

That's armed robbery. I woulda sent it back.

Unfortunately I made the rookie mistake of ordering a pipe in the same box.? I just took the kick in the ass and paid it.

 

[olkofri]

Unfortunately I made the rookie mistake of ordering a pipe in the same box.? I just took the kick in the ass and paid it.

Tut-tut. Yeah, I never order pipes/accessories/smoking supplies and tobacco together, no matter how tempting the deals. Also, if you use courier services (which is mighty attractive nowadays since the post sux) you're guaranteed to be legally robbed, since couriers make money on brokerage: I reckon they are VERY INTERESTED in duties being always assessed and charged.

 

[anotherbob]

Since @shanez mentioned Bob's Chocolate Flake (which is real good), I will plug my favorite blend that uses Latakia more as a seasoning than a main ingredient: Samuel Gawith Navy Flake. You will notice the Latakia, but IMO it very much retains an identity as a Virginia-based blend. The Latakia and Rum topping combine with the VA to taste like freshly baked cookies. Tremendous.

yeah latakia is very attention grabbing in a blend. I mostly prefer it done with a light touch. Though even that you start to pick up on more details with exposure. For example I pick up on a lot more of the herbal tones then I did at first.

 

[shanez]

Since @shanez mentioned Bob's Chocolate Flake (which is real good), I will plug my favorite blend that uses Latakia more as a seasoning than a main ingredient: Samuel Gawith Navy Flake. You will notice the Latakia, but IMO it very much retains an identity as a Virginia-based blend. The Latakia and Rum topping combine with the VA to taste like freshly baked cookies. Tremendous.

Well now I just have to try some of that!

 

[Chasing Embers]

For a good latakia strong blend I reach for Balkan Supreme.

I barely notice the latakia in that one. I've always gotten more Oriental with latakia way in the background.

 

[Pipewizard420]

It's fun to try different types of blends and expand horizons. I recommend getting a bunch of 1oz samples of various blends and genres of tobacco since there are so many choices and this would help narrow down and help you figure out your preferences. Keep in mind your taste might change with time or even by the season, so keeping the tobacco even if you don't care for it at first is the best advice.

 

[bullet08]

Lat settles down very quickly. Put the blend away for about a week, it will change and lat won't be as harsh. I only smoke a bowl a day, and usually don't smoke English/Balkan two days in a row. Trying to prevent getting tired of lat.

 

[olkofri]

I barely notice the latakia in that one. I've always gotten more Oriental with latakia way in the background.

What do orientals taste like? Were I to buy Balkan Supreme, would I mistake them for latakia?

 

[karam]

Hi again,
So in my new, but continuing, journey (and as an Englishman abroad) I obtained some Amphora English blend. There is really only one time (late morning and early afternoon) in the day that I enjoy this.

it reminds me (and tastes if) bonfires. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing but it has got me wondering if all Latikia based tobaccos taste the same? If so, then I might have to park the Latakia for a while.

I’m a little price conscious (seems to be awfully high here in Canada), but I have just discovered that I can buy the same quantity online for about a fifth of the cost.

this in and of itself may pose particular dangers of going completely nuts on purchases (I’ll have to hide that from she who must be obeyed).

I don’t want to be a one trick pony in terms of only exploring the (very large) world of vanilla based product (that so far in my meagre experience) smells very nice to others, but is devoid of flavour enjoyment for me (it all seems terribly “thin”...although still considerably more complex than the one dimensional cancer sticks, that I have escaped in favour of this, oh so much more erudite, hobby/lifestyle.

any thoughts/advice, as always, VERY greatly appreciated.

They don't all taste the same, they can range from subtle BBQ/campfire smokiness, to incense, to creosote/road tar, to tire fire.

I used to smoke only Dunhill's Nightcap, then branched out and tasted a lot of different genres and blends, but still smoke Latakia every other day at least. I find the turning point for me is a Latakia content of more than 50-55%, about that time it starts tasting like a tire fire, however expert Latakia blenders like GL Pease here and elsewhere have repeatedly said that the absolute % doesn't matter as much as the other components of the blend.

 

[Chasing Embers]

What do orientals taste like? Were I to buy Balkan Supreme, would I mistake them for latakia?

Each Oriental is different. Balkan Supreme has Samsun and is earthy, sweet and sour floral. You'd likely enjoy Presbyterian more, however, as it has even less latakia.

 

[Chasing Embers]

the absolute % doesn't matter as much as the other components of the blend.

Haven't smoked Pirate Kake have you? 70% latakia