That Must-Have English Blend

[tennsmoker]

I have an Upshall 1986 A Grade Billiard Liverpool sitter arriving soon. Unsmoked and in the box!
I am very excited about this pipe. I do not own an Upshall. It is advertised as being constructed of 100-year-old briar. We shall see.
My question today is this: I would like to smoke English Blends exclusively in this pipe, to honor its heritage, culture and history.
I enjoy English blends in my regular rotation, but I do not enjoy the big Lat bombs. I enjoy Virginias with some perique and some latakia. Neither on the heavy side.
I also enjoy Virginias and burley with some latakia. Again, not on the heavy side.
I enjoy C&D’s Epiphany, its Revelation match, which I find quite good.
At one time, I could smoke leaf strong enough to stun a mule, but not today. As I age, I have found that I have to be aware of the nicotine content, otherwise I will get woozy.
I have made a list of English blends that I think would do well in this pipe. I would like some opinions and suggestions:
From Dunhill

Dunhill My Mixture 965

Dunhill Early Morning Pipe
From McClelland’s

The Frog Morton series

Jubilee

3 Oaks Syrian
From the G.L. Pease stable:

Meridian

Piccadilly

Westminster

Sextant

Odyssey

Chelsea Morning
From Peterson

Peterson's Old Dublin
From Gawith

Skiff

Squadron Leader

Commonwealth
From Dan Tobacco

London Blend #1000
From Nat Sherman (*not sure how you order unless calling the Nat Sherman shop in N.Y.)

Sherman’s 536

Sherman’s 649
That’s it for the tins, I think. I have left out the bulks because I simply don’t know where to start there. I don’t order many bulks so, English Blend bulks are just not on my radar.
If you had to pick, say, a group of tins or two-three bulk bags of an absolute “must-have” for this pipe, what would be your list?
I apologize in advance for attempting to create another “tobacco list” and writing such a long OP.
But, I am serious about trying to make the Upshall an outstanding English Blend smoker for whatever time I have left on the planet.
And, BTW, all the above recommendations came from gleanings from the tobacco sub-forum in this splendid forum house.
Thanks for any and all suggestions.

 

[bentmike]

That's a nice looking pipe tenn. Enjoy!
My favorites from your list are:

1. GLP Sextant & Chelsea Morning

2. Peterson's Old Dublin

3. SG Skiff Mixture.
I just tried the Skiff last night for the first time in my '62 Dunhill. It was a great smoke. I like you don't like the heavy Lat bombs.

 

[papipeguy]

That's a great list you have there. If you're interested in something like a "cross-over" among my faves is Two Friends' English Chocolate, not heavy with latakia or too choclatey, and C&D's USS Mason, a moderate lat blend with a brandy topping. Otherwise, I'd start at the top of your list and work my way down. All quality stuff.

 

[mso489]

You have my favorites on your list. Nightcap?

 

[petes03]

Anything McClelland is great, IMO! You might also want to consider Boswell Countryside, it's a wonderful light English sold in bulk. It's actually the one that got me hooked on English blends!

 

[rigmedic1]

I would suggest trying Chief Catoonah's Princes Street blend or LEO, from Pipes and Cigars.com. Both are recreations of John Cottons Scottish Mixture, which is not heavy on Latakia and in my opinion, very, very tasty. I also like GLP Sextant with the rum component, and Esoterica Pembroke with a Cognac component. I haven't popped the lid on Frog Morton's Cellar, but if the bourbon element is anything like the delicious Stave Aged Virginia 35, I bet it is awesome.

 

[tennsmoker]

Thanks, fellows and +1 Rigmedic1. I have been meaning to try Chief Catoonah's Princes Street. I'll also pick up LEO from P&C.
Thanks to all.

 

[pitchfork]

Tenn, I had the same thoughts as you about my Tilshead Lovat -- I wanted it to be "English" all the way. But alas, she "went native," and smokes nothing but VAs and Vapers.
But if your heart is set on this, you can't get more quintessentially English than Dunhill 965. It won't blow you away at first, it doesn't have a ton of this or that, but what it does have is perfect balance, elan, style, presentation... You get my drift. I don't reach for it often as I'm usually tempted by the more exciting blends on my shelf, but it never fails to satisfy.
I'd also try Jubilee if I were you. It's one of the few English blends I cellar. Mostly VA's and Orientals, with Latakia used as a condiment (think effervescent hints of incense) and with the Perique adding a subtle tang (not spice). One reviewer called it "stupidly good." It is.
Finally, Syrian 3 Oaks is one of my top 3 English blends. Not a ton of Syrian Latakia, but plenty of it. Very sweet-smokey, winey and woodsy compared to most Cyprian stuff. More subtle and rich. Speaks firmly rather than singing from the rafters.
One other thing about 965 and Jubilee is that both are very fine ribbon-cut blends that will pack nicely in the medium-sized bowl of your Lovat -- easy to light, easy to smoke.

 

[erichbaumer]

MM965 and Westminster both strike me as classic, straightforward English blends that remain delicious and interesting no matter how often I smoke them. If I were looking for the classic "English" experience, those would have to be on the list.

 

[flakyjakey]

@tenns, don't want to throw a spanner in the works, but have you also considered 'English Flakes'? I have 4 lovely James Upshall's - a p-. 2 g's- and an e-grade. They smoke FVF and BBF beautifully, and I've recently smoked SG St James Flake in one - again great!

 

[fitzy]

I've got to say Hearth & Home's Magnum Opus or Blackhouse. Also McClelland's Yenidje Highlander.

 

[misterlowercase]

...too bad this stuff ain't no longer available, it'd do it up proper I reckon!

...I've also been exploring the Lat blends the last few months (thanks again Pitchfork for your baccy bomb!) and to my liking is GLP Odyssey for a full rich experience...
...but my fave so far has been Sillem's London, I mix a little Kendal Kentucky in with it and it's great, I've also thrown some Stonehaven in it and that mixture is luscious beyond belief! It's on the more sweet side of English blends, I've yet to enter into the heavy Balkans...

 

[hobie1dog]

Penzance--thread can be closed now. :mrgreen:

 

[fishingandpipes]

Squadron Leader or Commonwealth get my votes.

 

[tennsmoker]

Once again, I knew that I would get the best advice from the finest and most knowledgeable pipe smokers on the planet.
@pitch: Thanks so much, Pitch. I smoked Jubilee a couple of years ago. Liked it a lot, and promptly never ordered again. Now, how did I do that? It will be added to my order. Thanks. I've never tried 3 Oaks. That is a definite.
@Petes: Yep. Will add Boswell Countryside. I have smoked it and liked it. It will return to my list. Thanks.
@erich: As with Jubilee, I tried Westminster a couple years back. And just never ordered it again. Can't explain it too well. I just got off the lat kick for a while and fell in love with Vas, Vapers and Vaburs.
@Flakey: English flakes will be in the mix. In fact, I have both FVF and St. James Flake cooking in the cellar. They will come out of hiding for the Upshall. Thanks.
@Roth: Thanks, Roth. I have Black House in the cellar. Ashton Old Dog will be in my next TAD as will Sutliff's Man's Best Friend. I have not tried either of these blends, so it will be a new pleasure.
@Misterlowercase: I have added your home blend to my Tobacco List that I keep from recommendations on this wonderful forum. Thanks. I will give your mix a try, just as soon as I can score some Stonehaven!
Again, thanks to all of you for giving me more ways to empty my wallet!
You are the best.

 

[fitzy]

I completely forgot about Penzance. Great stuff if you can get it. Luckily I've got a pound or 2 left.
I wasn't that crazy about Squadron Leader. I found it almost lacking in taste.

 

[cigrmaster]

tenn, that is a beautiful pipe, I hope it smokes great for you.
When I smoked English blends, my favorites were Penzance( ode to hobie) and Two Friends Deacons Downfall. I know Penzance can be a bitch to find, but in my opinion it is a unique blend. Deacons Downfall is a collaboration of Greg Pease and Craig Tarler and easily found.

 

[zekest]

What a great list(s) for the upcoming cool weather!
Added many of them to the "Wish Lists" on my three favorite online stores.
~Zeke

 

[rebornbriar]

One of the Dunhill tobaccos you left out is IMO the most balanced of their English blends - London Mixture.
Another one you might like to consider is Ashton's Artisan's Blend which has a little Perique and I believe some Cavendish for extra sweetness:
Although hardly touching Lat blends at the minute my favourites are:
1. Peterson's Old Dublin (this is the first English I ever smoked and still my favourite)

2. Dunhill London Mixture

3. SG Squadron Leader

4. SG Skiff Mixture

5. Dunhill MM965
Nothing here will hit you with a Lat bomb - but be aware that the SG Commonwealth Mixture you mentioned is 50% Latakia!

 

[jah76]

Jubilee.

LEO

Old Dublin
I'm a sucker for light sweet Englishes.