Wilke Latakia Blends... Really Worth the Hype?

[Sloopjohnbee]

I know everyone has been discussing the aromatics like Peanut Butter etc...
But was wondering what everyone has to say about Crystal Palace, 400, Churchill , and Jiminks' Lizzie English
are Wilke Tobaccos 'where it's at'?
I love Watch City offerings and small batch blends
what are your thoughts and favorites for Wilke?

 

[ofafeather]

The ones that I have tried, Crystal Palace and Lizzie Blood Red English, are both excellent. IMHO, worth the price of a sampler to check them out.

 

[ofafeather]

PS-I’ve also tried and liked LizzieBR VA and #111. I didn’t mention them previously bc they are not in the English genre. 111 has a small amount of Latakia and is Oriental forward. LBRVA is just a delicious, lightly topped VA.

 

[isaac]

I liked the Best Make blend that I just purchased two pounds. I think their English/American blends are definitely worth checking out.

 

[Sweet Home Alabama]

I love Latakia. My local tobacconists will add some additional to his Proper English if I request.

 

[jerry]

I think Crystal Palace is especially excellent!

 

[craig61a]

Just as with any other blender, they’ll have their champions and detractors.

Wilke’s has a long track record. I enjoy a number of their blends. And I’ve always had good service. About the only “complaint” I have is that some of the blends are no longer available. And I assume that’s only due to the lack of availability of component tobaccos.

 

[jpberg]

I haven’t smoked any of the new guys stuff, but Caroles Latakia blends were stellar.
400 was a benchmark - what the later versions of Nightcap wanted to be, and 10 was lighter, more oriental, and just lovely.
Hopefully the new guy is doing well and carrying on in the same fashion.

 

[jpberg]

I love Latakia. My local tobacconists will add some additional to his Proper English if I request.

Is Proper English a Wilke blend?

 

[dino]

I really enjoy No. 524. Although it is different from Carol's blend in that it doesn't contain Syrian Latakia, John has done a great job matching the old mixture with Cyprian Latakia.
It is a fine English with both Latakia and Yenidje.

 

[JimInks]

I haven’t smoked any of the new guys stuff, but Caroles Latakia blends were stellar.
400 was a benchmark - what the later versions of Nightcap wanted to be, and 10 was lighter, more oriental, and just lovely.
Hopefully the new guy is doing well and carrying on in the same fashion.

Having smoked a lot of Carole and John's versions, I'd say he does an excellent job. I haven't encountered any changes in the blends, except for those that once had Syrian Latakia. Even then, John has done a good job in making those blends close with the use of Cyprian Latakia. John religiously follows the formulas.

 

[JimInks]

Just as with any other blender, they’ll have their champions and detractors.

Wilke’s has a long track record. I enjoy a number of their blends. And I’ve always had good service. About the only “complaint” I have is that some of the blends are no longer available. And I assume that’s only due to the lack of availability of component tobaccos.

That is correct.

 

[John Brandt]

Just as with any other blender, they’ll have their champions and detractors.

Wilke’s has a long track record. I enjoy a number of their blends. And I’ve always had good service. About the only “complaint” I have is that some of the blends are no longer available. And I assume that’s only due to the lack of availability of component tobaccos.

Hello yes we have 3 old blends that were good can't get the tobacco anymore.

Is Proper English a Wilke blend?

No it's a Peter Stokkebye.

 

[John Brandt]

I really enjoy No. 524. Although it is different from Carol's blend in that it doesn't contain Syrian Latakia, John has done a great job matching the old mixture with Cyprian Latakia.
It is a fine English with both Latakia and Yenidje.

Thank you.

 

[jpberg]

Hello yes we have 3 old blends that were good can't get the tobacco anymore.

No it's a Peter Stokkebye.

That’s what I thought, was just wondering what it was doing in a Wilke thread.

 

[crawdad]

I’m a huge fan of Surbrugs Best Make and I consider the blend in my top five.

 

[sobranie759]

In the 1960's I used to spend a Saturday visiting many pipes shops in NYC. The highlight of my day was visiting Wilke on Madison avenue. In those days the Wilke sisters ran the shop. I have smoked through their catalogue of blends and I have to say that John has delivered on producing the finest hand blended tobaccos I have ever smoked. Wilke High Hat and #400 are some of my favorite blends. The real old world tradition of hand blending continues. We are fortunate to have the Wilke catalogue available. Thank You John.

 

[sumusfumus]

If it's those English mixtures that gives me an itch....it's "Wilke's "High Hat" that will do the scratching. Try some of that in a pipe. It's only been around since the 1870s.

Even better, imo....mix "High Hat" with some rubbed out PS-"Luxury Bullseye Flake" (1 part of each by volume).... and let the hybrid-blend mellow for a week. It's a marriage made in heaven!