Top 11 Best-Selling English Blends

I have actually never smoked My Mixture 965. As far as English mixtures go, when the weather gets chilly, I liberate some Balkan Sobranie from my cellar. I also enjoy "C&D's Black Frigate and Red Odessa with Balkan Sasieni and Balkan Supreme as standby's to fill the Latakia craving.

Thanks for sharing Duane. Balkan Sobranie's a great winter smoke, I think. Your other go-to's are fairly similar to mine as well. If you've really never tired 965 though, I'd highly recommend it. I remember walking into a tobacco shop once and asking about English blends. The tobacconist reached behind the counter and threw me a tin of 965 and said, "That's all you need to know." I'm not sure I completely agree with that statement, especially now that I prefer my English blends a little stronger, but it is a classic, and quite a tasty one at that.

Thanks for the info! Have tried a few of Dunhill's other offerings, and really enjoyed them so I will definitely give 965 a shot! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Ashton Artisan's blend is my favourite,followed by Nightcap,965 and Davidoff Royalty. I haven't tried any G.L Pease yet but have Westminster cellared for a couple of years. Maybe next winter I'll pop the can. Cheers

I think it's a toss up between Ashton Artisan Blend and 965. My favorite is the one I'm smoking at the time. I am currently trying other English blends which have been recommended by Smoking Pipes.

On your recommendation, being the novice I am, I tried My Mixture 965 and enjoyed it very much. Having said that I'm hooked on Night Cap. I don't think Dunhill is capable of creating a non-enjoyable tobacco, it just comes down to which is better than the other.

After smoking 965 in my Man Cave, then leaving and coming back after an hour, I couldn't believe how beautiful the aroma in the room was.

I still haven't tried Early Morning Pipe. I'm looking forward to that one. Frog Morton is also on my hit list. Thanks for the review.

Today I bought my very first tin of 965, and I can't stop smoking it. Really love the Dunhill stuff!!!

send me free tobacco

Thank you for the info. I live in a very hot area. Israel,I like to smoke early morning pipe. It is very nice tobacco and it reminded me the smell of the old city of Jerusalem, and the villages of turkey.

I'm curious about the methodology of determining the rankings. Is it the number of containers or total quantity? I notice there are no bulks. I wonder where some of the McClellands would fit in.

Bob Morgan,

It's combined facings, ranked by weight. Since it was all-time, it tended to favor things that had been on the market a long time too, of course.

As for bulks, they're embedded there: Nightcap tins and Nightcap bulk were combined.

None of the bulk McClelland English blends come close on the list, but the Frog series is well represented, of course.

Sykes

Great list, I have tried about half. To me Balkan S. is my favorite followed by Nightcap. Was surprised not to find London Mixture, but to each his own.

Since it's an all time ranking, that would indicate that recent arrivals, such as the Pease blends, are selling very well. (?) Is there a possibility of seeing, say, 2015's sales? I'd guess that Smyrna might be in there.

@Jpmcwjr We're actually working on that now.

How can I buy blends or test what blends I want to buy.

@Robert Naranjo Jr You can buy any of the above blends by clicking on their titles, which'll take you straight to their product pages.

As for testing, the three Dunhill blends are all available in bulk, so you can buy them in as low an increment as an ounce. Other than that, check our resources page (link below) and visit some of the forums. There's plenty of ways to trade samples there.

https://www.smokingpipes.com/smokingpipesblog/single.cfm/post/top-resources-for-pipe-smokers

Great list. I have tried many of them and agree with your synopsis of each. There are a few that I have added to my 'To Try' list. Thanks!

@PREACHER Thanks for reading mate, and we're glad you concur!

Top stuff l may stock up on some of these

@Allen Pratt Glad we could help Allen 👍

How about Penzance of Esoterica Tobacciana? I though it would be ranked among the top 10!?

@Rodrigo Teixeira Pinto This list is generated by volumes over a given period, so while that would probably be true over the day, week, or even month we had Penzance to sell, for this list we can't get enough in the door for it to rate.

Looks like a good deal I will definitely order and try out some of these fine products. Prices are reasonable and nice variety.

Hi, I received a pipe from my new son in law on his marriage to my daughter. I am a roll up smoker, liking a strong drum tobacco smoke. I want to try this pipe as I have never smoked one before, can someone recommend a brand for first timer please as I'd like to have a treat now and again with it?

Although not in the list, I would recommend Peterson Golf Leaf for any beginner. Lovely aromatic mixture that makes changing to pipe smoking a pleasure as it has much less tounge burn than the others I have played with and a lovely flavour. My favourite to date and it has firmly shelved the cigar smoking.

Could do a "Best-selling Aromatic English" list? I'm currently in the search for some more to try as I've thoroughly enjoyed Stuliff's Aromatic English #504; it's become my daily all-day, favorite tobacco.

@Jack G We're updating and adding some new lists, Jack, so we'll bear it in mind for sure!

It's always interesting to see the top sellers list. I smoke a few of these regularly.

Does this list change dynamically? Just curious since it says that EMP is #4 but it's listed as #3 and it's seemed to have changed places with Nightcap. Also looks like Sasieni has fallen back to #8, even though the text says 7.

@Christopher Eynon No, we have to manually update them, and yeah, there was some swapping to be done from the last list.

@Jack G - You might want to try Savinelli's Essenza Cipriota. It's my favorite English Aromatic (at the moment) - very rich and flavorful.

The Acme of British blends:
Smoking - EMP
Wearing - Linen suit
Reading - Graham Greene
Location - the overnight train to ‘stamboul
Because guys - it’s not all about the blend ok.

@Brother Jepson Indeed it isn't, Brother. Enjoy!

So this week I had the very good fortune, or even providence?, to taste a delightful bowl of Samuel Gawith’s Commonwealth Mixture. This was virgin territory for me, but as a fairly well travelled smoker of the latakia blends (nightcap, durbar, EMP etc), I felt Confident that I could cope with its heady bouquet. Luckily I wasn’t immediately intimidated by the dark brown latakia but could see how the more recent initiate to the dark arts of pipe smoking might be. But fear not! A beautifully rendered tobacco that gave me shivers breaking into 25g portions (a long and unrelated story involving officious administrators of Australian customs and associated imposts – but anyway I digress). Packed slightly hurriedly into the bowl of an unidentifiable estate pipe that has hitherto risen to prominence in my collection. And then, … and then. . . Leather. Cedar wood. Smoke. English Autumns. Saunas? Were I a pup, nothing would get me wagging my tail faster and with more enthusiasm – except perhaps a brand new tail! And I could swear, despite there being no perique as per the manufacturers’ treatise, there was a cheeky, even coquettish spicy-tang to the after taste. A really refined smoke reminiscent of gentrified English autumns, the open road, toad hall and walking the pups. I plan on purchasing some more shortly and will get myself to the tobacconist – “hope to see you all there”

@Vulpes Sounds like quite the transcendent experience! Thanks for sharing, and be sure to leave a review on the product page, if you haven't already.

@AZ Mountain Geek -- Thanks! I'll check it out.

I just got into pipe smoking and I looked at this list. The top four are soon to be obsolete. I really wanted to try Frog Morton just once but everyone is sold out. Maybe that's a good thing since I wouldn't be able to get more. I think this list needs an upgrade!

@ Danny G:
My dear fellow, by ‘the top four’ do ye mean numbers 11-8 (top of page) or 1-4 (top of ratings)? If the later I believe there to be enough supply certainty of 965, EMP and Nightcap to keep a 32 gun, (18 pounders) frigate’s company in fine fettle down through the line, around the cape and up to ravish Ile de France in an 18 month sally forth from Portsmouth!
That said the deeper question I percieve you to be asking is could one find a decent rope tobacco to give an English blend poop deck ‘room’ note to see one through those drier latitudes..?

*latter
P.S. Great to see brothers(?) Jack G and Danny G sharing a love of smoking a pipe (possibly the only thing half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats)

I must say, this is obviously a top seller list, and not an actual best English list. Not that these aren't the best, but I would have to add Solani Gold if we're talking best English blends.

I'd be interested to see this list redone without the discontinued tobaccos.

Same here, the list contains some good blends but to many that will be discontinued. Could someone with the knowledge please update this.

I've been a piper since the 80's and have smoked most all of the blends on the list at one time or another. For the last couple of months my fave English is G.L. Pease Abingdon. To my taste it is Lat Heaven in most any pipe but particularly my Ferndown 3 Star bent. So many blends.....so little time.

I love smoking

Favorite English blend...Wilke #78
Full bodied....not harsh....

My first english tobacco was EM, some could say wish is the more close to EM? I like Chelsea morning of GL but I feel miss something.

Good afternoon estimated, the reason for my mail is to ask if I buy your products will arrive in my country? I live in Argentina and although they will arrive, there is a law that says that you can not enter tobacco into the country so it is likely that they will keep it in the customs, losing that order.

I hope you can help me .

Best regards.

Federico

Hi Federico, thank you for reaching out to us. I just responded to your email regarding shipping to Argentina. If you have any further questions or concerns, please let me know!

ryryryryryryryry

As stated above, this may have been a valid list 12 to 18 months ago but not anymore. As a new pipe smoker, it would be nice to see a more relevant list. Six of the eleven on this list are either no longer available or very hard to find in stock in the US.

Time for an update?

Please!

@Tom Stay tuned, an updated list is in the works!

Update and effort appreciated. There has been a commendable level of quality in recent SP smoking blogs.

I noted that this article is from 2014.
I have pounds of Sutliff Dunhill 965 Match in my basement that I’ve purchased from Smoking Pipes over the last two years. Is Match 20 and Dunhill 965 Match the same Sutliff Blend??

Interesting that I have 4 of these in my rotation, having come to the same conclusions independently and after a bit of trial and error smoking. Hate it that Early Morning Pipe is gone...and not on the list, as it was a favorite. A recent discovery is C&D DaVinci...sorta Latakia top heavy but a very pleasing smoke for my taste...not a traditional English style blend but great for Latakia lovers. My earliest English Style adventures date back over 50 years to proprietary blends from Jost in St. Louis. I was intrigued by the Latakia and as a complete novice, didn’t realize what I was dealing with...as time has passed my taste has improved and my choices have multiplied. Your list, based on my experiences is solid and credible.

Nice piece, thanks.

Great 2019 update. I’ll be giving some of these a try. I agree with Quiet Nights being a great choice!

Great 2019 update. I’ll be trying some of these blends. I agree with Quiet Nights being a great choice.

Wow...no Dunhil 965 ??!!

I recently switched from aromatics to English blends. I do notice some of them quickly lose their aroma in the bag. They smell so good when you first get them.

Wondering if the only reason Squadron leader didn't make this list is the current state of availability of Gawith blends. My top Englishes would have to include the Squad and Skiff Mixture!

@Stan R No worries! The Match 20 used to be called 965 Match but recently had a name change.

@Gus Kund Unfortunately, since this list is based on sales and Dunhill 965 is no longer in production, it didn't make the list.

Nice list and I know no list can be perfect, but I was surprised not to see Hearth&Home Black House as well as Squadron Leader.

Love the article. I think you left out one important item- G L Pease. GASLIGHT ! Marvelous marvelous English blend try it I guarantee you will love it, end of the story touchdown all game over !!!

1. Pirate kake C&D
2. Artisan by Ashton
3. Lancer slices by F&K
4. Captain Earle's: Ten Russians
5 Mississippi Mud by C&D

I would like to go back to smoke my pipes. They are 40 years old. I used to smoke a popular brand Three Nuns. Still there In London ?
I would like to import my tobacco to Miami USA. Thanks so much for your help. Vic

@Vic Eastman We can definitely help set an order up for you to ship to Miami, I am going to reach out to you via email to help!

Wow.. excellent list. I am shocked to not see Sutliff 503C Heavy English

My favorite English blend used to be Dunhill’s American Blend. I wish someone could make a duplicate of that one. Penzance is on the the atomic table list as “Unobtanium”.

How about compiling a list of the top 11 highest rated English blends on the Smoking Pipes website?

My go to was Dunhills London Mix. Finally, after it’s demise , I found Star of the East. I might try Spark Plug.

I did not like that Match Prysbetarian.

Peterson tobaccos on this list?! Guys, you are not serious!

Right now I'm torn between Druquer & Sons Levant Mixture and Nightcap... it's tough when you're in-between.

Father Dempsey for the win, it is the ultimate replacement for my favourite english blend that was Frog Morton original.I do have a tin of Pirate Cake that i have yet to open, it might be better but, i'm not expecting it to be.

westminster has been a staple in my rotation for years, and while i wander, i always come back to it. quiet nights is probably my favorite blend. and EMP is great, but has been supplanted by Chelsea Morning as my waking smoke.

My top 10 would be, Brebbia Latakia Flake, Dan Tobacco Old Ironsides, Dan Tobacco Midnight Ride, Rattrays Red Rapparee, Peterson Nightcap, Cornell & Diehl Star of The East Flake, GL Pease Gaslight, LJ Peretti Omega, LJ Peretti Tashkent, Boswell’s Northwoods

So many Lat blends, so little time.

Dunhill / Peterson My Mixture 965 is legendary, and rightfully so...

I was shocked to see G.L. Pease Chelsea Morning not on this list. Overall, this list is very well researched.

I'll put in a word for Sutliff's Old Professor

In the good old days 40 years ago I enjoyed Balkan Sobranie with the occasional John Cotton 1 and 2 and Mymixture 965. When the original versions became unavailable I switched to Frog Morton and then that was gone too. Sadly the new versions of the Dunhill tobaccos, now Peterson, have only the name in common. Same with John Cotton. Still looking for a replacement.

@Panos E , your mileage may vary in regard to taste and preferences, but I can assure you that the Peterson-branded versions of the Dunhill blends use the exact same recipes that were being used when the Dunhill-branded ones were discontinued.

No Mississippi River? Shame!

In the above article when speaking about Latakia, you contradict yourself as to whether or not it is a varietal or a process. In one sentence you state it is not a varietal, and shortly after you call it a varietal. This is often done when people speak of Perique and causes a great deal of confusion to people that try to use things like this to educate themselves instead of actually doing research.

Nice catch, @Russel. Article has been amended.

They're all good selections. Frankly, I believe it would indeed be difficult to rank English blends due to the varied preferences of us all. A benchmark of sales volume seems as good as any. I confess to being surprised that Presbyterian wasn't included in the list. No problem that is wasn't — I'm not holding anyone's feet to the fire over something like that! It's a good list, & it illustrates the diligence applied in ranking determination. Many thanks for your efforts!