Note: I posted this review earlier today on tobaccoreview.com. Unless I'm mistaken, that site is owned by the same publisher as PipeMagazine.com. If I'm breaking some etiquette by posting my own work, please advise and counsel.
Pax
Balkan Luxury Blend 957 (Sutliff Private Stock)he first English tobacco I smoked in a number of years. But when I bought the Sutliff can, I thought I was buying a Balkan. Why not? It is named Balkan Luxury Blend. But TRC classifies it as English.
Reading the ingredients again triggers the discussion as to when is an English a Balkan. Is English the genus and the Balkan a species or do Balkans stand on their own? And what is it about pipe smoking that so encourages the obsession with classifications and categories?
Well, regarding the particulars, I liked the Sutliff Luxury blend. Even though I hadn't smoked my pipes in a few years, as a fan of finer cigars, my taste buds and senses were still attuned to fine tobaccos. The Latakia flavors were still instantly recognizable, even though I hadn't smoked the leaf in a decade or more. And the peppery perique floated in the stream, dotting the thick tasting cloud of Latkia with explanation points of brightness.
I really couldn't identify or appreciate the Virginians or orientals during the first few sessions. So, I smoked a few bowls of GLP Union Square, a straight Virginian, and some GLP Embarcadero, an Oriental/VA blend. After refamiliarizing myself with some of the base flavors, I went back for a couple of more sessions, this time packing a pot.
Now, I like to think I could detect the foundation flavors. I have to admit, the Latakia doesn't grab me like it used to. Or maybe it wasn't the Lat.
The thickness seemed to have a razor thin layer of almost cloying perfume or the ever-so-faint whiff of soap about it. Maybe the black cavendish? Or was my imagination running away after reading too much about Lakeland blends. (To be clear, I know this isn't a Lakeland)
Mouth feel/finish was good. Requires brushing twice to get rid of the after taste. No tongue bite at all. As for room notes, it was strong verging on unpleasant. I'll know for sure when the daughter-in-law brings my grand-son for a visit.
Another thing. I know pipe tobaccos are not cigars. But the pipeweed ingredients stood out sharply and distinctly compared to the tightly entwined, subtle, nuanced blend of a decent cigar. Going forward, I hope to find cigar blends as sophisticated as the better cigars. But at this stage, as I begin to explore the world of pipe blends, I'm not sure I would appreciate the perfect pipe blend - if there is such a thing.
I'm cutting this review short - ok, too late for that - but will come back and adds some notes after I have smoked a couple of dozen or more pipe blends of different styles.
As stated earlier, I think I like this but I like it sometimes better than others, in some pipe better than others. It is also quite possible I'm beginning to like VaPers and Virginians more than Lats. I really like very much SG Navy Flakes and Escudo.
On my personal scale, I give stars as follows: One Star: trash it Two stars: Smoke it - Smoke the the rest but probably won't buy any more Three stars: Buy it again Four stars: Buy and Cellar a supply
On this scale, I'm tentatively giving this two stars but I reserve the right to change my rating after I have better educated my palate.
Pax
Pipe Used: oom-pa, bull dog, EX Mr. Grog , English pot
Age When Smoked: off the shelf
Purchased From: Tysons Cigar World
Similar Blends: I don't have enough experience to say personally what this is similar to. But I understand many folks that like Balkans like Orlik Golden Slices, which I've put on my wish list.
Pax
Balkan Luxury Blend 957 (Sutliff Private Stock)he first English tobacco I smoked in a number of years. But when I bought the Sutliff can, I thought I was buying a Balkan. Why not? It is named Balkan Luxury Blend. But TRC classifies it as English.
Reading the ingredients again triggers the discussion as to when is an English a Balkan. Is English the genus and the Balkan a species or do Balkans stand on their own? And what is it about pipe smoking that so encourages the obsession with classifications and categories?
Well, regarding the particulars, I liked the Sutliff Luxury blend. Even though I hadn't smoked my pipes in a few years, as a fan of finer cigars, my taste buds and senses were still attuned to fine tobaccos. The Latakia flavors were still instantly recognizable, even though I hadn't smoked the leaf in a decade or more. And the peppery perique floated in the stream, dotting the thick tasting cloud of Latkia with explanation points of brightness.
I really couldn't identify or appreciate the Virginians or orientals during the first few sessions. So, I smoked a few bowls of GLP Union Square, a straight Virginian, and some GLP Embarcadero, an Oriental/VA blend. After refamiliarizing myself with some of the base flavors, I went back for a couple of more sessions, this time packing a pot.
Now, I like to think I could detect the foundation flavors. I have to admit, the Latakia doesn't grab me like it used to. Or maybe it wasn't the Lat.
The thickness seemed to have a razor thin layer of almost cloying perfume or the ever-so-faint whiff of soap about it. Maybe the black cavendish? Or was my imagination running away after reading too much about Lakeland blends. (To be clear, I know this isn't a Lakeland)
Mouth feel/finish was good. Requires brushing twice to get rid of the after taste. No tongue bite at all. As for room notes, it was strong verging on unpleasant. I'll know for sure when the daughter-in-law brings my grand-son for a visit.
Another thing. I know pipe tobaccos are not cigars. But the pipeweed ingredients stood out sharply and distinctly compared to the tightly entwined, subtle, nuanced blend of a decent cigar. Going forward, I hope to find cigar blends as sophisticated as the better cigars. But at this stage, as I begin to explore the world of pipe blends, I'm not sure I would appreciate the perfect pipe blend - if there is such a thing.
I'm cutting this review short - ok, too late for that - but will come back and adds some notes after I have smoked a couple of dozen or more pipe blends of different styles.
As stated earlier, I think I like this but I like it sometimes better than others, in some pipe better than others. It is also quite possible I'm beginning to like VaPers and Virginians more than Lats. I really like very much SG Navy Flakes and Escudo.
On my personal scale, I give stars as follows: One Star: trash it Two stars: Smoke it - Smoke the the rest but probably won't buy any more Three stars: Buy it again Four stars: Buy and Cellar a supply
On this scale, I'm tentatively giving this two stars but I reserve the right to change my rating after I have better educated my palate.
Pax
Pipe Used: oom-pa, bull dog, EX Mr. Grog , English pot
Age When Smoked: off the shelf
Purchased From: Tysons Cigar World
Similar Blends: I don't have enough experience to say personally what this is similar to. But I understand many folks that like Balkans like Orlik Golden Slices, which I've put on my wish list.
