Jacob S.
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G. L. Pease - Horizons Flake 2oz
Rich and smooth.
Upon first light, Horizons initially tastes like a typical fuller English However, it quickly settles into something not only full…but also creamy, smooth, and somewhat sweet. It has notes of malt, bread, baking spices (more by implication), cherries, and a slight musty note. Maybe a touch of cocoa or coffee. I’d say it definitely has some complexity and nuance, but due to the pressing into flakes it all kind of melds together. The orientals do have a prominent peppery, zingy spice that leaves a tingling sensation on the tongue Overall I’m quite pleased by how creamy, sweet, and balanced this manages to be while also being a fuller smoke. I intend to keep it around in my rotation.

Warped - The Haunting Cake 2oz
Love at first smoke
When I mentioned to my local tobacconist that I enjoy key largo, he kindly gave me a sample of this from his own tin. I was hesitant, since I usually smoke English blends, and (for whatever reason) Virginia dominant blends don’t seem to click as well with me despite many attempts. But when I decided to give it a go, I was amazed at how much I enjoy this blend. It is subtly sweet from the Virginias, yet the cigar provides body and smoothness, taming the sharpness and tang often associated with Virginias. I observed notes of toasted nuts, baking spice, brown sugar, and earth. It’s full of body, yet is quite smooth. So, I bought two tins the next day. This is a tobacco that could easily be an everyday smoke when you just want a bowl of something, but in the best way possible. It just hits the spot. It’s strong enough to be satisfying, smooth enough to be enjoyed whenever, and oh-so sweet and balanced. To me, it neither tastes like a Virginia or cigar per se, although I certainly can taste both. It is just its own delightful thing. My only complaint about this blend is that it’s not available all the time. I would immediately add it to my regular rotation. Next time it releases I will gladly buy quite a few tins.

Captain Black - Original 1.5oz
Good stuff
Captain black. Honestly, this blend is pretty great for what it is. It’s a quintessential drugstore aromatic, but in the best way possible. What really impresses me about this blend is how well behaved it is. It’s so easy to light and keep lit, unlike some aromatics. It burns as well as any pipe tobacco. The flavor is sweet, mild, and satisfying. Naysayers will say it’s just hot air with a chemical flavor, but I disagree. As someone who primarily smokes English blends, I welcome the occasional pipe of captain black for a change of pace.

Rattray's - Jocks Mixture 100g
Underrated
Often times, people say this tobacco is uninteresting or much too mild, but I disagree. Whole mild, I find it to be unique and comforting. The interplay between the Virginia and the cavendish creates a wonderful flavor of slightly sweet, creamy, and bready notes. The body of the cavendish combines with the zesty fruitiness of the Virginias to create a very subtle, dessert-like lemon cream taste. There’s also a mild warm bread sensation as well. The Latakia is barely noticeable, but provides a subtle woodiness to ground it all. Although subtle, this blend is quite unique and defies category. It has too much cavendish to be a Virginia blend, not enough Latakia to be English, and too much Virginia to strictly be cavendish. It’s simply delightful in its own way. It’s fantastic for a breakfast blend. Or for just putting it in your pipe when you aren’t sure what you want, but just need something comforting.

G. L. Pease - Westminster 8oz
Exquisite
I’m primarily an English smoker, and this blend has made it into my regular rotation of four blends. It’s well balanced, medium in body, and complex. The orientals are the star of the show here. They taste strongly of incense, such as frankincense and myrrh. This is the primary taste that everything else orbits around. There’s a dry, pleasant sharpness to this blend, which is once again imparted by the orientals. At times it almost feels fresh and menthol-like in a pleasant way in the retrohale. The general impression is that of resinous Mediterranean wood. Fantastic! The Latakia is quite present, but remains as a backdrop to the orientals. It has its usual smoky taste, with a mild leathery flavor to it. I occasionally get a slight mustiness in the flavor, which I assume comes from how the Latakia interacts with the Virginias due to their sugar content. The Virginias also remain in the background. I occasionally get a mild buttery toasty flavor, which I attribute to the Virginias. Sometimes you may get a slight fruity flavor from the Virginias such as fig, but this is very subtle. There’s absolutely no bitterness in this blend. Just balanced English deliciousness. Nicotine is just a bit passed medium, but it’s not excessive by any means. I could go on and on about little flavors and nuances I pick up in this blend, but I don’t want to belabor the point. Just buy it.

Peterson - Royal Yacht 50g
Not for me
To be honest, the first time I tried this tobacco I loved it. It was the first Virginia I had tried. Something about it I found to be delicious, the sweet plum/raisin flavor, how well behaved it was, and the dark virginias really were satisfying. However, as I kept smoking the tin I started to like it less and less, and I’m not sure why. Eventually, the thought of having a bowl sounded gross to me. I’m not sure if it’s the high nicotine or what (I never got sick off of it), but the thought of smoking this tobacco is completely unappealing to me now.

Balkan Sasieni - Balkan Sasieni 50g
Amazing
This was one of the first English or Balkan blends I tried. I really grew to love it as I smoked the tin. The sourness of the orientals combined with the smoky, woodsy Latakia makes me think of a deep, dark, dank pine forest. In fact, as I smoked this blend I was reading Dracula. What a perfect blend to combine with the setting of Dracula’s castle in the mountains! I’ve had many other English blends since, but this one just hits a chord with me that others don’t. And at this price, it’s worth always having on hand.

G. L. Pease - Chelsea Morning 2oz
Delicious
As expected, the Latakia adds its typical smoky, woodsy flavors. Adjacent to the Latakia is a dry, cherry like flavor, but without much sweetness. Almost like a cherry bark kind of flavor, if you can imagine that. The virginias add a rich, sweet creaminess almost like a buttery vanilla flavor in contrast to the spicier, smokier flavor. The perique adds the nice peppery flavor that supports it all. I also think that there is some sort of liquor in this tobacco. Not like it had a liquor flavoring on it or anything, but the tin note has a slight alcohol kind of scent that is quite pleasant.

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