Trying Out an English Blend.

[Wheels]

I've been smoking mild aromatics and enjoying them, but I keep reading that some guys eventually graduate to English blends. So, I bought a sample of C&D Smooth English. I figured maybe that would be a good introduction to the type. It is different, not a lot of flavor. It came crispy dry and burned really fast so I moistened a bit and let it sit a while, and now it smokes OK. This morning I had some in a cob with a filter and it wasn't bad. I'll give it some time and maybe it will grow on me. Is this tobacco typical of English blends? Did I make a good choice?

 

[antonine]

Well, despite the name, C&D Smooth English is not really an English by any traditional definition. It may indeed grow on you, but it's definitely not typical of English blends and so won't help you figure out if they're something you'd like to explore further.

English blends is a massive category and there are a number of "quintessential/must-try" blends out there, but I'd suggest trying out any of the following: Peterson Nightcap, G. L. Pease Quiet Nights, Sam Gawith Squadron Leader, G. L. Pease Chealsea Morning, Peterson Early Morning Pipe, or Presbyterian Mixture. (Arranged very roughly from most to least latakia-forward, at least according to my untutored palate!)

 

[Wheels]

Well, despite the name, C&D Smooth English is not really an English by any traditional definition. It may indeed grow on you, but it's definitely not typical of English blends and so won't help you figure out if they're something you'd like to explore further.

English blends is a massive category and there are a number of "quintessential/must-try" blends out there, but I'd suggest trying out any of the following: Peterson Nightcap, G. L. Pease Quiet Nights, Sam Gawith Squadron Leader, G. L. Pease Chealsea Morning, Peterson Early Morning Pipe, or Presbyterian Mixture. (Arranged very roughly from most to least latakia-forward, at least according to my untutored palate!)

Thanks! There are so many choices it's kind of confusing. I will say that Smooth English is definitely different than what I've been smoking. Maybe it's the latakia.

 

[Chasing Embers]

some guys eventually graduate to English blends.

For many it's the other way around. Latakia blends are more user friendly for beginners.

 

[Pipke]

I will say that Smooth English is definitely different than what I've been smoking. Maybe it's the latakia.

Maybe. Anything @antonine mentioned is good. You can't go wrong buying one or two tins of English blends from G.L. Pease or Peterson. Of those, Quiet Nights and Nightcap are among my favorites. I enjoy smoking Latakia, but I'm not a Latakia bomb freak. Nightcap has a strong nicotine hit. Quiet Nights is less so. Both have a wonderful flavor and aroma.

 

[ziv]

It's interesting that you say it didn't have a lot of flavor - for me, Latakia has A LOT of flavor, it's just different from what you find in aromatics. It has a very distinct smell as well.

If you want to try out an English for cheap, I would say go for Match - they have matches for Nightcap and Early Morning Pipe, and you can get an ounce of each.
Match Nightcap was the first English I tried, and I really hated it at first. But it grew on me really quickly, and I now enjoy a bowl of an English blend almost every evening.

 

[camaguey]

A blend may tell you fast if you like it or nor. I was an aromatic smoker until i try in the very early 70's the sobranie 759. That was the first time i tasted latakia and since the first minute i knew this is what i liked. I stop to smoke aromatics since then. For over 50 years or more i have been smoking latakias and vapers. But ,if you are not attracted by latakia since the beginning like me then you may continue smoking whatever you like.

 

[KruegerFlap]

Give Peter Stokkebye's English Oriental Supreme a try. It is a very balanced blend with the perfect amount of Latakia to let you know it's there. C&D Byzantium and Engine 99 are both good and have more Latakia in them. Or you could go all out and try C&D Pirate Cake or Captain Earls Ten Russians which are Latakia bombs to really experience what it has to offer. Once I got into English blends I can't get enough Latakia but it can definitely wear out your palate so try a few different ones to find out how much you like.

 

[JoburgB2]

For English, it’s the latakia and orientals that provide the characteristics that appeal to me in this style. My first introduction down this road and away from aromatics began with Peterson’s Old Dublin and Dunhill My Mixture 965. Since those two blends contain cavendish, some categorise them as Scottish. I’ve read in one of Eulenburg’s reviews that “American” cavendish (which is usually made with burley) is different in a blend than “English” cavendish (which is usually made with Virginia). Whatever. I preferred Old Dublin and would suggest it to someone like you experimenting. For English “benchmark” “prototypes” along the spectrum from lighter to heavier (in latakia strength), a good rule of thumb is the old Dunhill line of Early Morning Pipe < Standard Mixture Mild < Standard Mixture < London Mixture < Nightcap. Since London Mixture is no longer available, some say GL Pease Westminster is similar, but I’ve not tasted it (yet).

 

[khiddy]

For English “benchmark” “prototypes” along the spectrum from lighter to heavier (in latakia strength), a good rule of thumb is the old Dunhill line of Early Morning Pipe < Standard Mixture Mild < Standard Mixture < London Mixture < Nightcap. Since London Mixture is no longer available, some say GL Pease Westminster is similar, but I’ve not tasted it (yet).

This is really helpful for placing the Dunhill blends along the Latakia spectrum. I wasn’t sure where Standard Mixture fell.

Another option to sub for the non-extant London Mixture is Sutliff Big Ben, their match version of London Mix. YMMV as to how true a match it is, but I’ve been pleased with their versions of EMP and Nightcap, if only for the comparative price versus the name-brand.

 

[kcghost]

I also would recommend G.L. Pease's Westminster.

 

[Wheels]

Well, I give up on the Smooth English for now. This morning I had some of my Sutliff Duke Albert and it was so much better. I appreciate all of your advice and when I make my next tobacco order I will try one of them. I'm stashing the Smooth English away and maybe time will improve it, or my taste will change.

Thanks

 

[WirelessSmoke]

I'm new to English blends myself, and I don't know anything about C&D Smooth English. I started with Peterson Early Morning Pipe, and from the tin note and first smoke, I wasn't sure I'd stick with it. It took a few smokes for it to click with me, but once I had my aha moment I knew there was no turning back. Since then I've recently added Watch City's English Ernie-ental, and Samuel Gawith Balkan Flake to my stash. I liked both right from the first smoke. Virginia and Virginia/Perique blends have been my preference but I'm really digging blends with Latakia lately.

 

[Old_Newby]

My favorite changes depending on my palate, what i eat or drink, and weather. But my favorites are Maltese Falcon and EMP for non perique blends, and Nightcap and Artisan Blend for blends with perique.

 

[Sobrbiker]

“Flavor” and “flavoring” are two separate beasts.
Good job on putting a blend you’re not crazy about away, tastes change as smoking style develops.

 

[Old_Newby]

If you have been smoking aromatics and want to transition to a lower latakia English this blend may be good choice because they added In some aromatic. Its also bulk so you can buy 1oz.

Kramer's: Blend for Cary Grant Pipe Tobacco​

 

[Steddy]

Presbyterian was the first blend with Latakia that I tried and I think it does have added flavorings, just a little. The tin note alone might win you over.

 

[HeavyLeadBelly]

I’m not a huge English lover but I’ve been enjoying the Match Sobranies lately from Sutliff. Might want to try either the Original or 957. I also like PS Proper English. All three of these are bulks so you can get an ounce of each for fairly cheap and try them out. As for higher end tinned blends I love GL Pease Quiet Nights. Good milder English ones would be Presbyterian and Early Morning Pipe.

Good luck!

 

[khiddy]

A good intro to English blends that offer some crossover notes from sweeter aromatics are Boswell's Northwoods (mild sweetness) and Countryside (a touch more sweetness than Northwoods), or Sutliff's Aromatic English 504C (on the sweeter side, bordering on a full aromatic) and Count Pulaski (which is less sweet than any of these others, with a very mild anise top note).

 

[anotherbob]

I've been smoking mild aromatics and enjoying them, but I keep reading that some guys eventually graduate to English blends. So, I bought a sample of C&D Smooth English. I figured maybe that would be a good introduction to the type. It is different, not a lot of flavor. It came crispy dry and burned really fast so I moistened a bit and let it sit a while, and now it smokes OK. This morning I had some in a cob with a filter and it wasn't bad. I'll give it some time and maybe it will grow on me. Is this tobacco typical of English blends? Did I make a good choice?

I kind of hate the idea of graduating to a blend style. They're all a matter of taste. And yeah taste evolves and changes but it's not a linear thing. I kind of go back and fourth in what I smoke more accurate way to put it is that now I have a better idea of what I am in the mood for at what times.