Public Profile

Cornell & Diehl - Barrister 2oz
A Lawyer You Can Like
I recently saw a video review of this C&D mixture. It was recorded by C&D's Master Blender, and he mentioned the higher content of Latakia content of this mixture. Barrister is a good, solid English blend, but probably will not appeal to a new pipe enthusiast, or one who prefers aromatics. It has properties of leather, and is balanced out by the Burleys and Virginias. A bit of perique, however, would have added to the pleasure of smoking this blend. Give it a try. For the price I do not think that you will be disappointed.

Dunhill - Navy Rolls 50g
First Rate
I found this tobacco to be first place in its class. The VA/Per coins are a perfect size, there is just the right amount of Perique, and it's just an all around enjoyable experience in the pipe and on the tongue. Dunhill hit one out of the park with this blend.

A & C Petersen - Escudo Navy Deluxe 50g
Gold Coin
Since I ordered my first tin of Escudo, I have been very pleased with my purchase. When I first cracked the tin several weeks ago, I was greeted with the pleasant smell of a mixture of plums, essence of orange, and some other pleasant odors. I separated the coins and counted out 26 coins,in contrast to an earlier reviewer who only found 17 or so. I guess it depends on the thickness of the cut of the coins. The coins are about the size of a 50 cent piece. Here's the important part: It is a dream to smoke. Sure, it may take a few lights to get it lit and keep it going, but this is one premier smoke. You can easily get an hour out of each coin. This is a very smooth tobacco in the bowl. There's no bite - if you're patient. The only reason I did not give it 5 full stars is I believe that the price point is higher than, say, Samuel Gawith's Cabbie's Mixture (see my review of Feb 12). If you haven't tried Escudo, I believe you're really missing out.

Dunhill - Nightcap 50g
Not Just Night Time
I love English blends and this Dunhill blend is, in my opinion, one of the top three in their lineup. The aroma of Nightcap in the tin or mason jar reminds me of fine shoe leather. The smell also brings me back to the fine pipe tobacco of my youth. The tobacco burns evenly, provides a fine, mild taste on the tongue and never bites. The mixture itself is finely executed and well balanced. It can tend toward the strong side for the uninitiated and the blend is best enjoyed by smoking patiently. I smoke it during the day as well as in the evening. Try a tin and find out why it consistently ranks so high in sales rankings.

Dunhill - Flake 50g
Highly Recommended
This was my first try at a pure Virginia tobacco and my first try at flake tobacco. SPC's brief description of Dunhill Flake does not really do it full justice. I can, however, understand why it is so high in its sales rank. Although I had never tried smoking flake tobacco, I found it easy to prepare and stuck to folding the flakes into various shapes and putting them in the bowl. The flavor is excellent and I found in most cases that I could smoke for up to 1.5 hours, depending on the bowl size. I must admit that once I opened the tin I neglected my other tobaccos for the most part. The taste is mild, sweet,and never had any bite. I am now a complete flake convert and will keep Dunhill Flake as part of my regular rotation. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.

Samuel Gawith - Cabbie's Mixture 50g
Great First Impression
Disclosure: This is the first Va/Per tobacco I've smoked and also the first coin cut that has graced my pipe bowls. In a word: Outstanding. Unlike the previous reviewer, I detected a trace of plum smell as well as that of lemon grass and other trace odors which I could not identify on opening the tin. The coins are primarily dark brown with specks of light brown and gold. Spicy without being overwhelming and the tobacco lasted for over 1.5 hours with a few re-lights. Overall impression: one of the finest tobaccos I've smoked. I've been smoking primarily English blends but the VA/Per family now has a new convert!

Davidoff - Red Mixture 50g
Sweet
Disclosure: I don't usually smoke aromatics. I primarily smoke English blends. That being said, I tried this with an open mind and really have to say that this tobacco is so overwhelmingly sweet that I had to put it out of my rotation. I doubt that Davidoff is doing anything wrong here and I'll give them the benefit of doubt because many of their products are first-class. The Red Mixture was just not my cup of tea.

Dunhill - London Mixture 50g
Workhorse
This is an exceptionally good English blend. I normally do not review a tobacco unless I have smoked a full tin and that is true in this case. I love the Latakia and yet it does not overwhelm the Virginias or other tobaccos in the blend. It requires only an occasional re-light and burns evenly without any bite - and I tend to be a "quick" smoker. I tend to favor the English blends and there may be better ones out there, but for my money London Mixture does the trick. I have a new tin waiting to be opened.

Erik Stokkebye 4th Generation - 1957 3.5oz
Surprising
After reading several of the mediocre or negative reviews here about this tobacco I must say that I have to dissent and rate this smoke rather highly. It lives up to its advertising and provides a bright, cool, and flavorful experience. The vanilla is definitely present, but not overwhelming and there are other subtle flavors present - possibility peach. Know that I will order more on my next tobacco order. BTW, I normally smoke English blends so aromatics are outside my comfort zone, but the 1957 blend has changed my outlook!