John Cotton Smyrna

[woodsroad]

Smoked a sample bowl this morning and was amazed at how oriental-forward and non-Lat-bomb it was, given that it’s 45% Latakia versus 33% Smyrna/Izmir.

My blending tobaccos were pretty dry, not quite crispy but not moist at all, so it took to the match with one go. A minor touch-up light midway through the bowl was more for something to do rather than of necessity.

The tin note is pretty much all Latakia, but the room note (well, front porch note in my case) was that oriental incense note that just screams “comfort” to me. The red Virginia was unnoticeable, but I was very impressed overall. It was delicious, no bite, not too hot, gave a good 45-50min smoke in a Hilson 223.

A small amount of dottle left, just the tiniest bit of moisture in the bowl when tamped out.

This is a great blend. I might play with the Virginia, but it’s tasty the way it is.

Glad you liked it!

 

[Peter Turbo]

Just mixed some up


This is a two ounce batch, going to smoke a bowl later when I have time, then again in two weeks after its had time to marry in the jar. Looks great, smells even better.

I used C&D Latakia from 2021
Sutliff TS19 from 2023
Sutliff 515-RC from 2021 - I wasn't a fan of this stuff when I first got it. Just had a strong vinegar smell, luckily a couple years in the jar and thats all gone. Just has a nice sweet rounded VA smell now.

 

[woodsroad]

And????

 

[Peter Turbo]

Really nice first bowl. Perfumy, incense like on the light that went into a creamy kind of slighty, sweet and smoky flavor. Like @khiddy I'm surprised how much of a Lat bomb it isnt for the % involved. Very enjoyable and right up my alley as far as English blends go. Looking forward to more bowls.

 

[woodsroad]

I’m glad that you folks like this!
I hope that you try fine-tuning it to your own taste. Best practice is to weigh everything and keep records, so that your creation is repeatable.
Enjoy!
-Dan

 

[jaytex1969]

Thanks for sharing! If you ever get around to sharing the recipe for JC #1, I'm all ears. That and Viprati were the culprits that sucked me into pipe smoking when I started.

 

[TheIronMonkey]

@woodsroad @condorlover1

I recently scored one of these at a barnyard sale in Pennsylvania, but I can’t find anything on the Web about this version of War Horse—was it a John Cotton collaboration?

 

[woodsroad]

“John Thomas” is a blend of great strength and duration, but be careful, there’s a surprise at the finish. You’ll need a pipe of sizable girth, and unless this is a virgin tin, I’d be sure to put one of those rubber things on the tip of it.

 

[khiddy]

I’m glad that you folks like this!
I hope that you try fine-tuning it to your own taste. Best practice is to weigh everything and keep records, so that your creation is repeatable.
Enjoy!
-Dan

I’m planning on doing some experiments with the Turkish portion of this, looking at TS24 Blended Turkish (which has yenidje and basma), as well as Macedonian Prilep. I’m a big fan of oriental tobaccos. Perhaps even swapping some DFK or Dark Air Cured for the Latakia. Lots of options.

 

[woodsroad]

I’m planning on doing some experiments with the Turkish portion of this, looking at TS24 Blended Turkish (which has yenidje and basma), as well as Macedonian Prilep. I’m a big fan of oriental tobaccos. Perhaps even swapping some DFK or Dark Air Cured for the Latakia. Lots of options.

Please keep us updated!

 

[BriarLinedMeer]

John Cotton Double Pressed Kentucky is probably one of the best Kentucky's I've had, would love to give this recipe a try!

 

[huntertrw]

Regarding the logotype, what if you were to place a WH prophylactic over the oil tobacco derrick? If it can contain that great gusher of prime leaf, then it should certainly be able to contain the, ah, "effluvia" of us mere mortals...

 

[huntertrw]

Here's a Pipesmagazine.com hidden-camera image of woodsroad and condorlover1 taken immediately after the dissolution of the Standard Tobacco Company of Pennsylvania:


"Nobody knows the trouble we've seen!"

 

[khiddy]

John Cotton Double Pressed Kentucky is probably one of the best Kentucky's I've had, would love to give this recipe a try!

Can confirm that it's delicious!