atison
Junior Member
Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
Favorite Pipe: MM Cobs
Favorite Tobacco: Whatever I am smoking at the time
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Post by atison on Jan 4, 2019 8:48:18 GMT -5
Decided to go a different direction for my morning commute smoke this morning and give an English a try. When I got this tin and popped it open I immediately knew this one was different than anything else in my stash. I had had a few English blends back when I first got into pipes years ago (night cap, 965) and although they didn't turn me away, I just wasn't finding flavors that would bring me back to them. Since I had a couple year hiatus from pipes I decided to give English another try especially since other tobacco's were speaking to me that didn't before (plum pudding).
Tin note is hard to describe for me. I am not sure what oriental or Turkish smells like but I am guessing that is what the note is primarily. I like it but can't put my finger on what the note is similar to.
Packing is easy as it seems to be the perfect moisture levels. Pinching some together has it easily falling apart after letting go. Gravity filled then pinched a good wad and stuffed. Packed it "soda through a straw" and fired it up for the charring light. Puffed up nicely upon lighting and took 8 to 10 draws before going out. Tamped that down and got in the car for my commute.
Fired up easily from there with only one relight on the trip. Burned nice and cool. Did notice that when it came time to tamp that it tamped down really far. Maybe I just packed it a little looser than usual. Flavors really ramp up from the get go but nothing in this is overpowering in anyway. Every now and then some sweetness would creep in which I liked but all in all this is more of a spice/incense type of profile (my novice description). Not peppery spice in any way to me but more of an exotic spice that I just don't consume enough to put my finger on (or maybe it just doesn't have a culinary companion to compare to). I thoroughly enjoyed this blend and it has definitely peaked my interest for English blends.
Beard note is nice and staying with me so far through the morning. It is consistent with the taste while smoking (surprisingly there are some blends where the beard note is quite different to the tin and/or flavors while smoking). It is more of that spice/incense type aroma.
Definitely glad I picked this one up and looking forward to fitting it into the rotation.
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Post by Legend Lover on Jan 4, 2019 8:56:58 GMT -5
Excellent review, buddy. Keep 'em coming.
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Post by kbareit on Jan 4, 2019 9:17:12 GMT -5
I got the JC 1 when I started out, it was part of a sample on P&C. There was JC 1, 1&2, Smyrna, War Horse and Bengal Slices. If you liked the JC1 I recommend trying the others as I have enjoyed them all.
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atison
Junior Member
Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
Favorite Pipe: MM Cobs
Favorite Tobacco: Whatever I am smoking at the time
Location:
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Post by atison on Jan 4, 2019 9:47:57 GMT -5
Bengal Slices is definitely on my list to try but because of its recommendations in Plum Pudding references.
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Post by toshtego on Jan 5, 2019 13:53:32 GMT -5
Good review. Imaginative and descriptive. Well done.
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Post by Dramatwist on Jan 5, 2019 14:26:39 GMT -5
Nice review, good prose. Keep on.
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Post by papipeguy on Jan 5, 2019 15:39:45 GMT -5
Well done. This is the first review I've ever read that mentions "beard note".
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Post by qmechanics on Jan 5, 2019 16:02:15 GMT -5
Good review, the entire John Cotton line is underappreciated.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 16:38:00 GMT -5
Good review, Andy! I've found that it's always wise to revisit blends that I originally didn't like. Sometimes my opinion changes the the second (third, etc) time around.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2019 16:45:54 GMT -5
All of STPennsylvania tobaccos are under-spoken for. I write and review them when I can.
The Belfast and Whitehall of Murray's really rock. I am still cellaring Johhn Cotton. The Dobie Four Squares that I have had are equally as pleasurable.
Murray's, to my knowledge, are actually new-name blends, which have an old school taste. They are not match blends or bought out blends that taste nothing like an original. I always throw on a tin of Belfast and Whitehall in my orders
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atison
Junior Member
Posts: 189
First Name: Andy
Favorite Pipe: MM Cobs
Favorite Tobacco: Whatever I am smoking at the time
Location:
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Post by atison on Jan 5, 2019 22:12:44 GMT -5
Beard note is an important aspect for me. Love bringing my upper lip up to my nose throughout the day and getting that great smell leftover from the last bowl. It is amazing how the beard tends to hold onto the best notes.
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puritana
Junior Member
Posts: 209
First Name: Adam
Favorite Pipe: Still searching, but Forseti for now
Favorite Tobacco: A blend of BCA and 1-Q
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Post by puritana on Jan 5, 2019 22:20:10 GMT -5
Beard note is an important aspect for me. Love bringing my upper lip up to my nose throughout the day and getting that great smell leftover from the last bowl. It is amazing how the beard tends to hold onto the best notes. I do that with my index and middle finger that are used to hold and cover the pipe...
I hate to admit that I smell my fingers, but for an hour or so after a pipe, I find myself smoothing my mustache a lot and enjoying the scent.
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peeps
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Post by peeps on Jan 6, 2019 1:02:03 GMT -5
After being off of English blends for a long time, this one tripped my trigger. S few tins are certain to be included with my next order.
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priest2705
Junior Member
Posts: 119
First Name: Kenny
Favorite Pipe: Pre-Cadogan GBD Virgin 254
Favorite Tobacco: H&H White Knight, 2004 Christmas Cheer (still finding my way around tobaccos)
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Post by priest2705 on Jan 6, 2019 8:30:54 GMT -5
Thanks for the quick review. I was eyeing John Cotton # 1, you've convinced me to pick up a tin on my next order
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Post by LSUTigersFan on Jan 6, 2019 11:04:35 GMT -5
I have a tin of JC Smyrna coming in the mail from somewhere.
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Post by Pistol Pete 1911 on Jan 7, 2019 7:52:27 GMT -5
I love JC#1
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yaddy306
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Post by yaddy306 on Jan 7, 2019 22:47:03 GMT -5
John Cotton #1 Mild is my favourite of the series.
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Post by monbla256 on Jan 8, 2019 7:35:11 GMT -5
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rmb
Full Member
Posts: 646
First Name: Ryan
Favorite Pipe: Currently an IMP meerschaum cutty that may or may not be rose colored.
Favorite Tobacco: English/Balkan
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Post by rmb on Jan 11, 2019 18:16:22 GMT -5
I have a tin of JC Smyrna coming in the mail from somewhere. Itβs one I like a lot.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 11, 2019 18:27:11 GMT -5
Good review, Andy. I have yet to crack a tin of the supply I have stashed, but I think it will be the next tin I open. I picked up a half dozen 2005 tins from a fellow pipe smoker awhile back.
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Post by lestrout on Jan 11, 2019 18:37:28 GMT -5
Yo ati - I'm also a fan of JCNo.1, preferring it to the 1and2. Very few light English blends manage to also be both tasty and smooth, as well as multi-dimensional and complex.
hp les
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Post by Low and Slow on Jan 11, 2019 20:39:20 GMT -5
I'm with you on the beard, or mustache note! So nice when a blend is enjoyable even after you burn it. I found the Balkan Sasieni leaves a nice cool clean note on the stash as well FYI. Look forward to trying JC series, they are on my giant wish list. Thanks for the review!
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Post by qmechanics on Jan 12, 2019 0:07:18 GMT -5
Good review, Andy. I have yet to crack a tin of the supply I have stashed, but I think it will be the next tin I open. I picked up a half dozen 2005 tins from a fellow pipe smoker awhile back. Funny the blend was not produced in 2005. I guess you mean 2015?π
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Post by PhantomWolf on Jan 12, 2019 1:13:32 GMT -5
I love a good beard note! Frog Morton: On The Town is still my favourite beard blend.
Great review, man.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2019 20:41:46 GMT -5
Good review, Andy. I have yet to crack a tin of the supply I have stashed, but I think it will be the next tin I open. I picked up a half dozen 2005 tins from a fellow pipe smoker awhile back. Funny the blend was not produced in 2005. I guess you mean 2015?π I somehow posted this in the wrong thread. Roadsdiverged posted about Artison's Blend being on sale. My AB is 2005. My JC #1 is probably 2016 or 17.
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Post by qmechanics on Jan 12, 2019 20:43:31 GMT -5
Funny the blend was not produced in 2005. I guess you mean 2015?π I somehow posted this in the wrong thread. Roadsdiverged posted about Artison's Blend being on sale. My AB is 2005. My JC #1 is probably 2016 or 17. I figured it was a simple error ,no worries.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2019 20:46:22 GMT -5
Don't internet with a migraine.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 13, 2019 7:08:19 GMT -5
Excellent overview, but with all the description that one would expect from an in-depth review. I've some John Cotton tins cellared and this review has prompted me to dig out one of them.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 17, 2019 20:32:18 GMT -5
Haven't looked at my other tins of Cotton, but Smyrna came in today and there was a noticeable surprise. Most of my cellar is in the unit next door, so I only have a couple dozen tins to compare to.
Smyrna was the only one with an embossed label. I seriously doubt there was bronze powder on it, which would require two processes, but to see an embossed label in this day and age of cutting corners is remarkable. One of my jobs, before the Gentle Voices Shanghaied my existence was in my father's printing company. My twin was one of the embossers. If there was bronze on it, then my dept would varnish it.
Anyway, I digress. I loved printing as much as butchering, truck driving, and cow tipping. It's was just so refreshing to be here at home and be hit with what is becoming rare beauty
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Post by qmechanics on Jan 18, 2019 5:15:37 GMT -5
Oops it looks like I have to go John Cotton number 1 and 2.π
PS My excuse late night/early morning giddiness.π
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