I've been trying to replace the STG blends I had in my rotation with Gawith Hoggarth blends, and I'm getting towards the end of my last tin of Early Morning Pipe. My question is which of these 2 English blends I should try replacing it with
Skiff Mixture vs Squadron Leader
- Thread starter SmokeyJock
- Start date
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Skiff Mixture!
Between Squadron Leader, Skiff Mixture, and Perfection, I've found that Skiff Mixture is nearly identical to Early Morning Pipe. EMP and Skiff Mixture are two of my go to tobacco's and I regularly enjoy them in the morning with a cup of coffee.
Of the 3 SG blends I would rank them like so; 1. Skiff, 2 Perfection, 3 Squadron.
Between Squadron Leader, Skiff Mixture, and Perfection, I've found that Skiff Mixture is nearly identical to Early Morning Pipe. EMP and Skiff Mixture are two of my go to tobacco's and I regularly enjoy them in the morning with a cup of coffee.
Of the 3 SG blends I would rank them like so; 1. Skiff, 2 Perfection, 3 Squadron.
Skiff is my all time #1 blend, so I always jump on the opportunity to encourage people to try it. But I will say that if you're looking for a direct 1=1 replacement for EMP, you might be disappointed as there are differences between the two. To me Skiff is in a similar vein, but it's got a little more latakia, the orientals used impart a little more flavor, it burns a little cooler, and ages a little better. But those feelings reflect my own particular tastes, so you might disagree.
Squadron Leader is also very good, and is 100% worth trying, but lacks the oriental punch you may be looking for.
If you try Skiff and SL and they don't do it for you, then a few others that punch in the EMP weight class that might be worth checking out are Rattray's Red Rapparee (to me, very similar to EMP, but with a slight cavendish tinge), Presbyterian Mixture (lighter in latakia and maybe a bit more unpredictable overall, but still good), and GL Pease Chelsea Morning. Of those, I feel like Chelsea Morning looked in the direction that EMP was pointing and envisioned the destination better than Dunhill did. It's not without problems. Bowl to bowl variations are greater. And if you don't like perique, it could be a deal breaker. But if I was specifically trying to replace EMP, it's what I'd choose without regrets.
Squadron Leader is also very good, and is 100% worth trying, but lacks the oriental punch you may be looking for.
If you try Skiff and SL and they don't do it for you, then a few others that punch in the EMP weight class that might be worth checking out are Rattray's Red Rapparee (to me, very similar to EMP, but with a slight cavendish tinge), Presbyterian Mixture (lighter in latakia and maybe a bit more unpredictable overall, but still good), and GL Pease Chelsea Morning. Of those, I feel like Chelsea Morning looked in the direction that EMP was pointing and envisioned the destination better than Dunhill did. It's not without problems. Bowl to bowl variations are greater. And if you don't like perique, it could be a deal breaker. But if I was specifically trying to replace EMP, it's what I'd choose without regrets.
Skiff is the most similar to EMP, but EMP has a toastiness to it that pairs with coffee that Skiff does not. Also EMP has some red Virginia’s in it where as the Virginia’s in Skiff are a brighter variety. I reach for both for in the morning as a first bowl. The new Squadron Leader I find a bit bland and lacking Latakia and flavor. Skiff is definitely the better blend to me.
Counterpoint: I think Skiff goes great with coffee! But to be fair, my way is a weird way. I make it extra strong (almost espresso) and then pour in an excessive amount of cream and sugar. And usually have it on ice.
So, how a person takes their Joe may effect their feelings on the matter.
If you're in the straight black coffee camp, I can see how you could be right on this one.
Jock I can’t help directly with your two substitute choices. I haven’t yet tried either, Skiff or Squadron Leader, but have always had EMP on hand. I have an unopened tin of Squadron Leader, and Red Rapparee, but having not had yet, can’t comment. I would say that I more or less think of these English mixtures as a group, and much more alike than different, to my tastes. EMP, Peterson Old Dublin, My Mixture 965, Davidoff English Mixture, Presbyterian, etc. Meaning any of them would be an acceptable choice in that category. Good Luck with whichever one you choose.
Skiff is more Oriental forward; Squadron Leader is more latakia forward.
This. I think the components are exactly the same but in different ratios. I have both SL and Skiff to hand.