Do these Tobaccos Represent their Category Enough to Make Judgements?

[turtlehead]

I'm curious as I try different types of tobacco if the ones I've smoked would be "strong enough" of a category representation to guide in the sense of - I kinda liked it, I should explore this type more - or, meh... didn't care for it, maybe I'll shy away from this category for a while.

Super noob coming back to pipes - so pretty limited on what I've tried so far:
Stokkebye Black Cavedish

Presbyterian - English

Crumble Kake - VA Perique

Virginia Flake No 14

Sun Bear Black Locust

Haunted Bookshop

7 Seas Regular Blend



Things I'm considering ordering, but - if the ones above represent the categories well enough, I can order or not order based on what I've liked/not liked as well:
Escudo

Plumb Pudding

Nightcap

Balkan Sobranie

Squadron Leader

Orlik Golden Sliced



And... what am I missing that I NEED to try as I find my way?

Thanks!

 

[judcole]

Presbyterian has almost no latakia at all. If you mean by "English" a blend with latakia, pick up the Squadron Leader instead.

 

[frozenchurchwarden]

I'd say Plum Pudding and Nightcap are still different enough from each other to be worth ordering both, as well as G.L. Pease Gaslight as one of my favorite musty barnyard smelling English blends.

 

[Philosopiper]

I agree with frozenchurchwarden, that plum pudding and nightcap are different enough to try both.
But an answer to your question depends on precisely what you didn’t liked or didn’t like about the blends you’ve tried. If for example it’s the heaviness, the dark flavors of the English blends that you didn’t like, then probably you won’t like any blend with moderate to high Latakia content. In which case you should try more Virginia blends.
So, I suggest thinking clearly about what in each blend you like or don’t like, what blending components, what lightness or darkness, etc.

 

[nathaniel]

My 2 cents... get an "american English" or "aro english" to try too. I generally dont like aromatics, maybe only smoke a bowl or 2 every year. I DO like english blends, but find they get old and one dimensional real quick. The latakia tends to dull the palate more than other types, as delicious as it may be. But an aromatic english or american english is really what i tend to smoke more than anything. Its sweet AND savory, and can easily be an all day smoke.

 

[nathaniel]

FWIW, ive always been a frog morton fan, but since those are gone i've started trying alot of bulk american english blends, and tbh most are pretty great. Ive really been enjoying Sutliff 504c, Sutliff Count Pulaski, Peter Stokkebye english luxury 17, and Missiouri Meerschaum American Patriot the last year. The burley with latakia is interesting, and for the prices they cant be beat. Unfortunately theres not a huge selection on tinned blends of those types.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Might you gents please:
Please put your location in your Profile, as people are forgetful.
Why:
That will save questions in the future as to where you live when you later mention local stores, weather, tobacco prices, availability, regulations, location of photos, wildfires, air quality, etc. In many instances that saves time for those who read your posts. It cuts down on posts or PMs asking where you are.
How:
Under your avatar, (top right, left most of three symbols) you choose "Account Details", which brings up "My Account". "My Location" is halfway down. Whatever you're comfortable with- town, city, county, state. province, etc.

 

[shanez]

It would help if you listed some of what you didn't like.

 

[BrokenRecord]

As others have intimated, it really depends on what you like and dislike. From your first list, I only think that 7 Seas and the Sun bear represent their genres well enough for me to buy more of them. From your second list, Nightcap is king: I love full English blends. Squadron Leader is probably my favorite lighter/medium English. Orlik Golden Sliced is a great VA flake.

 

[kcghost]

You could try Stonehenge that is a VaPer with a little alcohol on top. You goes down well.

 

[hoosierpipeguy]

Vauen No 14 is one of my favorite Virginia Flake tobaccos but I'm not sure it would be my pick to represent that genre. Try Union Square and Newminster 400, F&T CVP if you can find some. Try some SG SJF and Savinelli Doblone d'Oro for VaPer. Sun Bear is rather unique, I don't think it is a good representative for VaOr. Try Sunday Picnic and Oriental Silk.

 

[Ahi Ka]

Excellent question and responses. I would say that after your second order you should have a good enough idea of the range of English blends to be able to make a some comparisons between them as a genre. If you have no problems buying tobacco, I would recommend doing the same with the other styles.

 

[sablebrush52]

Some of the famous names you've listed, such as Escudo and Balkan Sobranie, have fallen off their perch as their current versions are, for want of a more polite appraisal, pure and unadulterated crap. There is much better available. Here are some suggestions.

Virginia - GL Pease - Union Square, Wessex Campaign Dark Flake, Astley's 44, C&D Yorktown, MacBaren - Capstan Blue, Samuel Gawith - Best Brown Flake
Va/Per - GL Pease - Telegraph Hill, Stratford, Haddo's Delight, D&R - Rimboché AP,
English/Balkan/Oriental - Balkan Supreme, Peretti - Tashkent, Savinelli - Brunello Flake, Peretti - Royal