PAX Crawl 2-16: Standard Tobacco Blends

[csharp]

@Simon & Dan You are welcome.
Although we call this a light blend there is allot of sophisticated things going on to get that flavor.
I am holding off going to the 1&2 until we get to that part of this thread but it is hard.
I smoked the Smyrna during the week of Christmas and am looking forward to getting back to it.

 

[woodsroad]

"So I have to ask, are sending this in a specific order with a certain number of days for each? "

No, we can move on to John Cotton's 1&2 whenever folks feel like it, but I think that there are still tins in transit to some readers. Correct?

 

[woodsroad]

OK, John Cotton's Number 1&2 is up now.

I love No. 1, but this is more of an all-day smoke for me.

 

[prairiedruid]

Well my friendly mail lady dropped off my tobacco today so initial thoughts on John Cotton's #1. Perfect moisture for me right out of the tin, packs and lights easily. Smooth mild smoke, I agree with an earlier poster about a woodsy cedar aspect to this. Mild yet satisfying I can see this as an early in the day smoke for me.

 

[csharp]

Although I never smoked the original 1&2 I came away from finishing my first bowl with the recognition of why I fell in love with English blends all those years ago. It burns cool and I recognize the familiar smoky latakia. I look forward to smoking more of it.

 

[fordm60]

Arrrrrrrrrgggggghhhh!! My tins are in the mail. But they swear they will arrive tomorrow!!!! So looking forward to these blends!!

 

[woodsroad]

Is that today tomorrow or tomorrow tomortow?

 

[shanelktown]

Such a good deal on this sampler for anyone not partaking in this thread. I would still recommend you pick up this tin sampler. This isn't just 5 tobaccos this is 5 spectacular tobaccos your paying under 10 dollars a piece. They are giving this stuff away. So any forum member or visitor to this site reading this get on P&C and pick up this sampler. I promise you won't regret it. Wow just started salvivating thinking about a bowl of Bengal slices. ::

 

[fordm60]

Today tomorrow of course woodsroad! Smoking my first bowl of #1. Moisture level from the tin is perfect for me. The plastic top inside the tin and paper is new to me. Never heard of or seen anything like it, will be interesting to see if it keeps the tobacco at the same moisture level. Is that why it is there? The flavor is very good. Nothing seems to jump out, each sip has a delightful mixture of VA, orientals, and Latakia seems to be singing quietly in the background. The word smooth just runs through my mind with each sip. I get a creamy taste in my mouth from this tobacco, it seems to coat my mouth very pleasantly. It is fun to let the pipe dang near die out and then pull a few long sips and up the temperature and then slowly sip it back down to almost out and taste the flavors change, always smooth but it seems get bolder as the flavors play with the temperature change. No idea if that makes sense to you all, but it does to me lol. Usual caveat when reviewing a tobacco on only one bowl. I like #1, smooth, smokes slowly, and I am already loading a second bowl of it. I do not usually do that. Good stuff.

 

[dcrguns]

Just got my tin of #1 in. I am smoking my first bowl in my new Ryan Alden. This is a nice smooth smoke with great flavor. You guys did a great job on this one. Looking forward to many more bowls.

 

[woodsroad]

Never heard of or seen anything like it, will be interesting to see if it keeps the tobacco at the same moisture level. Is that why it is there?

Yes. Sort of like the old "floating lid" idea, where a lightweight disc was floated on a tank of whatever (wine, photo developer) to reduce the oxygen-rich headspace and keep the oxidation and evaporation at a minimum. I think that it's a good idea, although its certainly not traditional, but if it helps keep the tobacco as it should be, then I'm for it.
Ford, i read you load and clear. I'm with you all the way. Temperature of burn plays an important part in flavor, and this is a good blend to play around with it, like a yo-yo.

 

[fordm60]

woodsroad, thank you for the information on the plastic lid. It makes sense and I am curious to see if it works. Glad I was able to articulate the temperature flavor ratio lol! Finished second bowl a while ago, still very good! Going to have to smoke one more before racking out. Tough job I know, but somebody has to review the new tobaccos and I will go the extra mile for all the pipers!!! LOL

 

[blendtobac]

My memories of the John Cotton"s blends was that they had a sophistication about them, so that's what we tried to achieve here. I'm glad that people are enjoying them.
Russ

 

[newbroom]

There's free shipping with the first 3 tins. If you order the full sampler, are you being charged for shipping?

Cheap, old, codgers want to know.

 

[woodsroad]

Yes, buy the 3-tin and your order ships free.

Young codgers appreciate that too

 

[fordm60]

woodsroad and Russ, I am loving Cotton #1 and suspect I will enjoy the others. My question is has there been any internal discussions on selling in bulk as well as tins? If yes, what is the tentative plan, if no please bring it up!
Thank you!!

 

[lordofthepiperings]

My 5 tin sampler is on its way. Should arrive Saturday. When it does I'll pop the Numbers 1&2 and give it a go.

 

[blendtobac]

woodsroad and Russ, I am loving Cotton #1 and suspect I will enjoy the others. My question is has there been any internal discussions on selling in bulk as well as tins? If yes, what is the tentative plan, if no please bring it up!

It's been my experience that the tinning has a fair impact upon the flavor of a blend. In the past, when we offered tobaccos both ways, we actually got complaints that the tinned and bulk versions were different tobaccos, even if they came from the exact same batch. For that reason, I prefer that we not offer it in bulk, but I don't have the final say.
Russ

 

[dcrguns]

I have been smoking #1 on and off all day. Probably a total of 5 bowls. It seems to taste better to me in a larger wider chambered pipe like a pot. Of course packing method plays a roll too, but I pack pretty much the same all the time. I really love the orientals in this blend and they way they interact with the virginias. I don't get a lot of the latakia but I like heavy english/balkan blends. I have enjoyed it and it can be an all day smoke for me. Getting ready for #1&#2 next.

 

[prairiedruid]

Initial thoughts on John Cotton's No. 1&2.....it's okay. Cut and appearance is similar to the No. 1 blend but the tin note is a bit more sour to me. Packs and lights easily. It's a good blend with some nice smokiness but I definitely find the No. 1 blend more flavorful and interesting. Good taste but just doesn't have any high points or something that makes you go ah-ha this is No. 1&2. This falls into my category of a good blend that I'll enjoy the rest of the tin but not re-order.